The Ogden Utah Temple is truly a beloved gem in our community, proudly standing as the 14th dedicated temple in operation. It all started on August 24, 1967, when the plans were announced, and excitement filled the air. A couple of years later, on September 8, 1969, Joseph Fielding Smith and Alvin R. Dyer dedicated the site, marking a special day for everyone involved, and the groundbreaking followed on the same day with Hugh B. Brown leading the way.
Fast forward to December 16-30, 1971, when the temple opened its doors for the first public open house. Can you imagine the buzz? A whopping 181,000 visitors came through, eager to explore the beautiful space! The official dedication happened from January 18-20, 1972, with Joseph Fielding Smith at the helm, and the temple has been a cherished place of worship ever since.
In a wonderful continuation of its legacy, the temple had another open house from August 1 to September 6, 2014, before being rededicated on September 21 of the same year by Prophet Thomas S. Monson. This reaffirmed its essential role in bringing people together.
Nestled on 9.96 acres right in downtown Ogden, the temple is beautifully built with stunning granite from China. Its architecture is truly eye-catching: a single central spire topped with a gold-leafed angel Moroni statue rises high above. Inside, you’ll find six instruction rooms, nine sealing rooms, and one baptistry, all within a generous 112,232 square feet—a lovely sanctuary for reflection and worship.
Reaching up to 188 feet and 8 inches and sitting at an elevation of 4,299 feet, the temple sits gracefully in the landscape. It’s surrounded by beautiful water features, lush trees, and delightful gardens, making it a peaceful place for all who visit.
What’s particularly special about the Ogden Utah Temple is that it was the fifth temple built in Utah and the very first to be dedicated in the state—80 years after the previous four were consecrated while Utah was still a territory! A touching moment in its dedication history was when Prophet Harold B. Lee stepped in to finish the dedicatory prayer after Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith grew too weak to continue.