Ephraim Utah Temple
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Photo: Linda Hill
Ephraim Utah Temple: "Doth He Not Leave the Ninety and Nine?"
A beautiful black sheep stands at the edge of a large herd passing in front of the Ephraim Utah Temple. Jesus taught: "How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and…seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish" (Matthew 18:12–14).
Photo: Tricia Norton
Stained Glass Installed in the Ephraim Utah Temple Tower
Backlighting inside the west tower of the Ephraim Utah Temple illuminates the beautiful geometric shapes and floral details in the stained-glass windows. Over the coming months, more stained glass will be installed in the temple, and stone cladding of the exterior walls will continue. During the cold weather, work will be more focused on the interior, and then landscaping will take off in the spring and summer.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Scaffolding Removed from the Ephraim Utah Temple Steeple
Scaffolding has been removed from the west end of the Ephraim Utah Temple, giving construction observers an unobstructed view of the newly clad steeple with its shiny gold dome. Cladding installers are filling in sections of the nearly completed south wall while work gets underway on the north wall, starting along the base. Cladding of the east and west walls will follow. Construction of the temple began two years ago.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Cladding of the Ephraim Utah Temple Steeple Completed
Cladding of the Ephraim Utah Temple steeple has been completed, and the surrounding scaffolding is coming down. The domed structure features eight arched windows that will be backlit in the evenings. Cladding has begun along the base of the temple's north wall, and concrete has been poured for planters that will beautify the entrance plaza. The temple is the second to be constructed in Sanpete County.
Photo: Debi Griffin Roberts
Cladding the Steeple of the Ephraim Utah Temple
Scaffolding surrounds the main steeple of the Ephraim Utah Temple where the work of installing stone cladding is currently focused. The south side of the temple and a portion of the west side have already been completed. The Sanpete Valley was settled in the mid-1800s largely by Scandinavian converts to the Church who built small adobe houses in the style of their homeland. A Scandinavian festival is still held annually in Ephraim.
Photo: Jacob Hall
Double Rainbow Over the Ephraim Utah Temple
A recent rainstorm in the Sanpete Valley produced a striking double rainbow over the Ephraim Utah Temple. Stone cladding of the exterior began in December at the southeast corner of the building. Eight months later, the south wall has been completed, and work is progressing across the west wall. The dark-colored surfaces are sheathing that have been covered in a waterproofing sealant.
Photo: Scott Meek
East Cupola Installed on the Ephraim Utah Temple
The east cupola has been installed on the roof of the Ephraim Utah Temple on top of the platform that sits at the rear of the building. The west cupola was added to the steeple tower yesterday, followed by the lantern and finial that went up this morning. Ephraim is the largest city in picturesque Sanpete County and is home to Snow College, which provides two- and four-year degree programs.
Photo: Robert Henningson
West Cuopla Installed on the Ephraim Utah Temple Steeple
The gold cupola that was assembled on the grounds of the Ephraim Utah Temple has been lifted into place atop the tower on the west end of the building. On the east end, a coordinating dome will be placed over the raised ceiling of the Celestial Room. Work continues on cladding the exterior, installing the interior finishes, and landscaping the grounds. Crews are working hard to increase the pace of construction.
Photo: Josh Fuell
Fencing Around the Ephraim Utah Temple Site
The installation of permanent fencing around the Ephraim Utah Temple site has made significant progress. Gate posts have been placed on either side of the walkway that connects the meetinghouse parking lot to the temple parking lot. The steeple dome has been assembled in a staging area on site while cladding of the exterior walls continues.
Photo: Jan Heslop Cragun
Assembling the Cupola for the Ephraim Utah Temple Steeple
An exciting development that is taking place on the grounds of the Ephraim Utah Temple is the assembly of the cupola for the main steeple over the west entrance to the building. The frame for the lantern can be seen above the shingles, which will be topped with a finial. Fence posts have been installed along the south side of the property for the ornamental fence. Stone cladding continues to be secured to the exterior.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Hardscaping the Ephraim Utah Temple Grounds
Concrete crews have poured the walls for a landscape feature on the front lawn of the Ephraim Utah Temple. Progress is also being made on installing sidewalks and walkways. Sections of the cupola have been staged northwest of the temple where shingles are being attached before the cupola is fully assembled for installation. Exterior cladding continues to be secured to the south and west walls of the temple.
Photo: Pam Langton Wright
Ephraim Utah Temple Welcome Center Hours Extended
The missionary couple overseeing the Ephraim Utah Temple have extended the regular operating hours of the Welcome Center during the open house of the Manti Utah Temple, located just 7 miles south of Ephraim on Highway 89. Visitors can hear about the construction progress and receive activity books for their children. Stone cladding is making progress on the north and east sides of the temple.
Photo: Linda Hill
Exterior Cladding Progress at the Ephraim Utah Temple
On the south side of the Ephraim Utah Temple, cream-colored sandstone panels are being hung on the waterproofed exterior walls. Each side of the temple features a series of upper arched windows and lower rectangular windows separated by pilasters. Visitors to the construction site are encouraged to stop by the Welcome Center where the missionary couple will answer questions and present photographs of the construction process.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Stone Cladding of the Ephraim Utah Temple Begins
At the southeast corner of the Ephraim Utah Temple, work has begun on securing granite and sandstone panels to the exterior surfaces of the building. Along the southern edge of the property, a solid precast concrete fence is being installed, providing privacy for the adjoining neighbors. The two matching parking lots at the front of the temple will also serve as patron drop-off zones. The strip between the two lots will be landscaped.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Enclosing the Ephraim Utah Temple
With winter fast approaching, glass is being installed in the window openings of the Ephraim Utah Temple to enclose the structure and allow work to progress on the interior. Sheathing boards continue to be attached to the exterior studs, and a dark sealant is being applied. Materials are being staged on the roof where they are more accessible to the crews. Work has begun on manufacturing the domes that will top the steeples.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Paving the Parking Lots at the Ephraim Utah Temple Site
A recent aerial photograph of the Ephraim Utah Temple site shows the asphalt being paved for the driveways and parking lots. A connecting lane has been paved between these new parking lots and the meetinghouse parking lot, which will serve as overflow parking for temple patrons. Framing and sheathing continues for the temple including a rear portico with three arches that bookends the front portico.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Ephraim Utah Temple Steeple Frame Rising
Framing for the steeple of the Ephraim Utah Temple has been assembled over the west end of the building. The octagonal structure will feature a stained-glass window in each of the eight walls and support a faceted dome with a lantern and finial. A dome will also sit over east end where the celestial room is located. Curbing has been poured, defining the parking areas on the east and west sides of the property.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Curbing Poured at the Ephraim Utah Temple Site
With heavy steel framing in place for the Ephraim Utah Temple, light-gauge steel is going up to frame the exterior walls and window openings for the building. Sheathing of the exterior walls has also begun. Behind the temple, concrete curbing has been poured for the future driveways and parking lots. Construction of a concrete block maintenance building is well underway, alongside two smaller enclosures.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Concrete Slab Poured for the Second Floor of the Ephraim Utah Temple
Heavy framing for the Ephraim Utah Temple has reached the mechanical level that sits on top of the second story. The floor slab for the second level has been poured in sections, and corrugated decking for the roof has been installed. The main support columns for the base of the steeple are in place, and light framing for the exterior walls and windows has begun on the north and south sides.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Structural Framing Progress for the Ephraim Utah Temple
Heavy framing for the Ephraim Utah Temple is well underway. Corrugated metal decking panels are being installed on the second floor, which will support the weight of the concrete floor slab. A black and white crane with a long telescoping boom is used to carry heavy materials and to position the steel. The meetinghouse adjacent to the temple site houses five young single adult wards.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Structural Framing for the Ephraim Utah Temple Underway
Structural framing for the Ephraim Utah Temple began at the end of last month and is making steady progress. Steel columns rise through diamond-shaped openings in the concrete floor slab. The temple will be the second constructed in the Sanpete Valley, joining the historic Manti Utah Temple in serving the faithful membership. The town was named after the Tribe of Ephraim—one of the tribes of Israel from the Old Testament.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Pouring the Ground Floor Slab for the Ephraim Utah Temple
Cement, water, and aggregate are churned in a concrete mixer north of the Ephraim Utah Temple. The resulting liquid is extracted by a pump truck and carried to the awaiting concrete crew. Most of the ground floor slab for the temple has cured with just the northwest portion remaining. The excavation west of the temple has been covered in tarps.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Installing Foundation Footings for the Ephraim Utah Temple
Under-slab plumbing is being roughed for the Ephraim Utah Temple while concrete footings are poured for the foundation. A floor deck is being installed around the baptismal font, and the first steel columns have been erected. Dozens of catch basins are staged on site, ready to become part of the property's drainage system. In front of the temple, a large area has been excavated.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Forming the Baptismal Font Enclosure in the Ephraim Utah Temple
The basement walls for the Ephraim Utah Temple have been installed, and forming is underway for the baptismal font enclosure walls. Catch basins and other components of the drainage system are being placed at designated locations around the site. The community of Ephraim is home to several thousand residents, many of whom are students at Snow College.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Building the Basement for the Ephraim Utah Temple
Footings and floor slabs have been poured for the basement of the Ephraim Utah Temple including an octagonal-shaped footing for the baptismal font. The partial basement sits at the rear of the building below the main floor baptistry. Crews are forming the walls for the basement while rough plumbing progresses. Construction trailers sit behind the excavation area where the parking lot will be located.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Backfilling and Compacting Soil for the Ephraim Utah Temple
Dump trucks are backfilling the excavation pit for the Ephraim Utah Temple with rows of fill dirt that are packed down by compacting equipment. Compression of the soil increases its bearing capacity so that it can better support the weight of the structure built on it. Ground was broken for the temple last summer, but work has been limited to site preparation until the contractor can begin construction in the spring.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Excavation Pit Completed for the Ephraim Utah Temple
A tidy, tarp-lined excavation pit has been created for the foundation of the Ephraim Utah Temple. A sloping dirt ramp connects the dirt mound to the east with the excavation area, providing access for heavy machinery. The temple site is seen here from 400 East, looking east toward the mountains. The temple will stand near the campus of Snow College, which was named after Lorenzo Snow—the fifth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Excavation for the Ephraim Utah Temple Foundation
Excavators have created a large depression for the foundation of the Ephraim Utah Temple as seen from the street that runs in front of the site. The temple will be set back from the street, closer to the meetinghouse that sits on 100 North. The main parking area will be behind the temple, next to the meetinghouse parking. The front portion of the property will be landscaped as formal grounds, providing wonderful picture-taking opportunities.
Photo: Tim Lafferty
Earthworks Underway for the Ephraim Utah Temple
Earth-moving equipment is excavating and grading the site for the future Ephraim Utah Temple. The sloped property will be terraced to create flat platforms for the temple, parking, and formal grounds. The groundbreaking ceremony was held five weeks ago on Saturday, August 27. Church President Russell M. Nelson surprised the gathered crowd by presiding and speaking at the services, which had not been announced beforehand.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
President Nelson Presides at the Ephraim Utah Temple Groundbreaking
President Russell M. Nelson, whose family helped settle the Sanpete Valley in 1849, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ephraim Utah Temple on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Explaining his connection to the area, he said: "My dear mother was born in Ephraim, not far from this very temple site. My father was born in Manti. Three of my four grandparents were born here in Ephraim. All eight of my great-grandparents lived in Ephraim." In his site dedicatory prayer, he prayed, "We are deeply grateful for our ancestors. They have laid a foundation of faith that undergirds our spiritual strength. May we learn who they are, find their qualifying information, and bless their lives with sacred rites offered vicariously in this holy house."