ST. GEORGE — After four years, the St. George Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is set to be rededicated and reopened this December.
Before that happens, the public will have the opportunity to attend an open house and tour the inside of a building LDS members consider a sacred place where the spirit of God dwells.
The rededication of the St. George Temple is set for Dec. 10 and will be facilitated in two sessions. Prior to that, a public open house and tours will be held from Sept. 15 through Nov. 11, excluding Sundays, and run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The open house includes a 10-minute video and walking tour through the building that lasts for about 50 minutes with the overall experience estimated to last approximately 90 minutes.
Admission to the event is free to the public and reservations are recommended for the tours due to the volume of people expected to attend the event. Reservations for tours can be booked at this link.
Attendees are asked to wear comfortable shoes – you’re going to be on your feet for a while – and dress modestly for the event. The tour is wheelchair accessible, though service animals will not be allowed in the temple. Ushers are available to assist guests who usually rely on service animals.
A St. George Temple’s open house FAQ guide can be found at the bottom of this article for reader convenience.
A little background
The St. George Temple closed for renovations in November 2019 and is one of three pioneer-era Utah temples that the LDS church closed for this purpose. The other two temples are the well-known Salt Lake City Utah Temple and Manti Utah Temple.
The St. George Temple was originally dedicated in 1877 and was the first temple completed in Utah. It also stands as the longest-serving temple within the church and is one of 28 LDS temples in Utah either in operation, under construction or announced.
Work on the temple has focused on updating and strengthening existing infrastructure, as well as the demolition and rebuilding of the Temple’s western wing and northern annex. Both have been rebuilt to resemble the 19th-century architecture of the temple. The outdoor temple grounds and landscaping also have been overhauled.
Before its closure, the St. George Temple was estimated to serve 12,000 Latter-day Saint youth and 90,000 adults in the region. The temple was also operated by a combination of 3,200 church members and volunteers.
During its renovation, the St. George Temple gained a neighbor to the southeast in the Washington Fields area of St. George as ground was broken for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple in November 2020.
While the Red Cliffs Temple also appears to be nearing the end of its construction, the church has yet to issue a date for a dedication and open house.
In preparation for when the new temple does open, the church called a local St. George couple in March to act as the Red Cliffs Temple’s president and matron.
The purpose of Latter-day Saint temples
Latter-day Saint temples are considered “Houses of the Lord” for members of the faith and are among their most sacred places of worship.
While all are welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities at local meetinghouses, the primary purpose of temples is for faithful church members to participate in ceremonies related to marriage as well as proxy baptisms and other ordinances on behalf of deceased ancestors.
Temples also are central to the church’s longstanding doctrine related to the “eternal nature of the family,” which teaches a family unit can be “sealed” together for eternity in the afterlife. The eternal binding of the family can extend back through the generations, which is why Latter-day Saints place heavy emphasis on genealogical research. It allows them to find ancestors whose names they can take to a temple where proxy ceremonies on behalf of that ancestor can be performed.
The temples also are considered a place Latter-day Saints can go to find peace and comfort in the face of difficult times or trying decisions as they seek to connect with the Almighty.
As of April 1, the church has 300 temples worldwide either in operation, under construction or announced, according to the Church News.
The open house FAQ guide, courtesy of the LDS church.
How do I print my ticket? There are no tickets to print. Your reservation number is sufficient.
What if I need to make reservations for more than 10 people? Groups of more than 10 guests will need to make multiple reservations during the same time slot.
How long is the tour? Plan for a minimum of 90 minutes.
Where will the tour begin? To begin the tour, please enter the East Stake Center located at 449 S. 300 East (church building east of the temple).
What should I wear? Please wear comfortable clothing that reflects the sacred nature of the building. High-heeled shoes are not recommended.
Where can I park? Parking is available on the north side of the temple, in the East Stake Center parking lot, and one block south of the temple in marked areas of the 400 East hospital parking lot. Because parking is limited, we recommend arriving early and carpooling when possible.
What if I cannot walk from the parking lot? Golf cart stations are located in each parking area to assist guests. Additionally, a designated drop-off point and handicap parking areas are located in the East Stake Center parking lot.
Can I bring my children? (Public tours only) Children are welcome! Please include each child in your reservation as you would for an adult. Children who will be carried throughout the tour do not need a reservation.
Do babies need a ticket? Infants and children who will be carried throughout the tour do not need a reservation.
Are strollers allowed in the temple? Stroller parking is available prior to entering the temple. Please carry infants and children who are too young to walk.
What if I need a wheelchair? Guests with wheelchairs will be able to enjoy the tour. Wheelchairs are also available at the temple for guests who are unable to walk the entire tour.
Can I bring my service animal? Ushers are available to assist guests who usually rely on service animals. Please make care arrangements for your service animal prior to the tour.
Are there restrooms available? Restrooms are located in the north parking lot of the East Stake Center. It is advisable to make use of these before the tour.
Can I bring a backpack or bag into the temple? Please leave backpacks and bags at home or in your locked vehicle as they will not be allowed in the temple.
Is food allowed? Food and beverages should be left at home or in your car. Thank you for keeping the temple and surrounding areas clean and litter-free.
Can I take pictures while on the tour? You are welcome and encouraged to take pictures outside of the temple building. No photography is allowed within the temple, and phones should be silenced and out of sight prior to entering.
Are smoking areas available? The temple and church grounds are smoke-free areas.
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