LDS to construct temple in Payson

PAYSON — The 152nd temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be built in Payson.

LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson announced the new temple plans Monday afternoon.

"Temples answer those soul-searching questions of the purpose of life, of why we are here and where we are going," President Monson said. "They are sanctuaries from the storms of life and bless the lives of members of the church who worship within their sacred walls."

The new temple is expected to ease pressure on the Provo Temple, one of the busiest in the church. The new temple will serve approximately 22 stakes from Spanish Fork to Nephi, comprising approximately 78,000 church members.

Rumors that a temple would be built in south Utah County have circulated for years.

"It's been a whirlwind around here today," Payson Mayor Rick Moore said Monday. "We're just excited that it's coming here. We'll do what we can to make (the church) proud."

Plans for the temple haven't yet been turned in to the Payson city planning department, but Moore and other city officials knew an announcement was imminent.

"It's been a sworn secret around here for about a week," he said.

Earlier Monday, Moore received a phone call from Presiding Bishop H. David Burton confirming that Utah's 15th temple will be built in Payson.

The temple will be built at 930 W. 1590 South in a developing area just off state Route 198 and about six blocks from Payson High School. An LDS stake center is under construction a few blocks away.

The temple property is located on gently sloping ground that offers scenic views of the area, as well as easy access to the freeway.

Some temple-going members have been driving to Provo, some 14 miles away, or even Manti — some 60 miles from Payson — for temple services because of the pressure on the Provo Temple.

Payson, located on the south end of Utah County, has a population of more than 17,500.

LDS Church leaders were in Payson during the past few weeks looking at sites there, as well as in Santaquin, Moore said.

"I think that's wonderful," a surprised Gordon Taylor said.

Taylor, a retired dentist and lifelong Payson resident, is chairman of the Payson Historical Preservation Board and served a term as mayor from 1998-2002.