SALT LAKE CITY — Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered Sunday for the dedication of the Layton Utah Temple. Elder David A. Bednar of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the services that were broadcast to local congregations.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, greet members after the dedication of the Layton Utah Temple on Sunday, June 16, 2024. (Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Elder Bednar encouraged those who will worship and serve in the temple to build a “covenant connection” with God through what they learn there.
The Layton Utah Temple is the 22nd of what will be 30 in Utah. The three-story, 93,539-square-foot building sits on 11.8 acres on a hillside between two main traffic arteries, Interstate-15 and U.S. Highway 89. The temple is visible day and night to those who travel through the area.
The temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson in October 2018, during the faith’s general conference. Groundbreaking occurred on May 23, 2020, but limited in size because of COVID-19 precautions at the time.
At the beginning of the public open house on April 15, 2024, Elder Kevin R. Duncan, executive director for the Temple Department called the Layton Temple a “house of hope” and “a place of peace.” He said the Church builds these temples so more people can access to the wonderful things that occur inside.
From left are Elder Brian K. Taylor, General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor in the Utah Area Presidency, and his wife, Jill; Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Susan; and Elder Kevin R. Duncan, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Nancy. (Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Elder Bednar was accompanied at the dedication by his wife, Susan; Elder Brian K. Taylor, General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor in the Utah Area Presidency, and his wife, Jill; and Elder Kevin R. Duncan, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Nancy.
The temple was one of two temples dedicated on Sunday. Fellow Apostle Elder D. Todd Christofferson dedicated the Salta Argentina Temple three hours before the Layton Temple dedication.