Rising white against the red cliffs, the St. George Utah Temple is the city's most recognizable landmark and one of its most cherished. Its story is one of faith, sacrifice and remarkable teamwork in a hard desert land.
"Glory, hallelujah!"
Brigham Young spent the winter of 1870 to 1871 in St. George. On January 31, 1871, he proposed building a temple there, the first since the Saints left Nauvoo. When the plan was shared with local leaders, Erastus Snow shouted, "Glory, hallelujah!"2,5 At the time, Church members had waited almost 30 years to worship in a temple again, and the walls of the Salt Lake Temple were only a few feet above ground.1
Groundbreaking, November 9, 1871
Brigham Young selected the site south of the city, and the site was dedicated and ground was broken on November 9, 1871.2,3,4 Truman O. Angell was the architect, and Brigham Young's plan closely followed Joseph Smith's designs for the Nauvoo Temple.2
A foundation on marshy ground
The site held so much groundwater that the builders had to work hard to secure the foundation. They packed it with volcanic rock, driving the rock down with a cannon used as a pile driver. Then they laid large blocks of locally quarried basalt.4
Built by a whole region
St. George had only about 1,100 residents in 1871, too few to raise a monumental building quickly.2 Workers came from Latter-day Saint communities across Utah. Families as far away as Sanpete County, about 240 miles north, donated food, and cash donations came from all over the Church.1 Stone and lime came from local quarries, and timber came from Mt. Trumbull, Arizona.2 Most workers were paid in goods donated as tithing and offerings.2 The exterior walls are native red sandstone, plastered white.3
Dedication, 1877
On January 1, 1877, parts of the temple were dedicated: the baptistry by Wilford Woodruff, an assembly room by Erastus Snow, and a sealing room by Brigham Young Jr.2,4 Baptisms for the dead began on January 9 and endowments on January 11, while work continued elsewhere in the building.4 The full temple was dedicated on April 6, 1877, in a special session of general conference. Brigham Young presided, and Daniel H. Wells offered the dedicatory prayer.1,3
Firsts and lasting legacy
- The first temple completed in Utah Territory, and the only one finished during Brigham Young's 30 years as Church president.4
- The longest-operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.4
- The first temple where endowments for the dead were performed.4
- Rededicated by President Spencer W. Kimball on November 11, 1975, after remodeling.3 It was renovated again more recently, with a public open house in 2023.4
Visiting
The temple is at 250 East 400 South in St. George.3 Everyone is welcome to enjoy the grounds and the visitors' center. Check the Church's website for current hours.