SALT LAKE CITY — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rededicated the Manti Utah Temple in an evening session on Sunday, April 21. The prophet of the worldwide Church arrived earlier in the day in Sanpete County in central Utah, the home of his pioneer ancestors who helped settle the valley.
During the rededication, President Nelson said he and other members of the faith rejoice in the renewal of the temple.
Latter-day Saints arrive at the Manti Utah Temple for a rededication ceremony on Sunday, April 21, 2024. 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
President Nelson was joined at the rededication ceremony by his wife, Wendy; Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Melanie; along with other area and local leaders.
Elder Rasband said Sunday’s rededication was particularly special to him because of his family history.
“Four of my great-grandparents came, after being converted in Denmark, and settled in Emphraim,” stated Elder Rasband. “Frankly, I am honored deeply so that President Nelson knew this about me and invited me to participate with him in this rededication.”
President Nelson’s father was from Manti and his mother was from nearby Ephraim, where he presided over the groundbreaking of the Ephraim Utah Temple in August 2022. His grandparents and great-grandparents also have ties to the Sanpete Valley.
Refurbishment began in 2021 after President Nelson announced the renovation of the Manti, Logan and Salt Lake temples in April 2019. The renovation included mechanical updates and other changes, in preparation for future generations. Work was also done to preserve the original murals inside the temple.
Elder Rasband said the Manti and other pioneer-era temples are meant to be used and not just looked at.
“They’re just unique, these early pioneer temples,” explained Elder Rasband, “and we ought to love them, preserve them, honor them and use them.”
Original plans to construct the temple in Manti were announced by then-President Brigham Young on June 25, 1875. Ground was broken on April 25, 1877, and Wilford Woodruff, then president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated the temple in a private service on May 21, 1888. This is the second renovation. In June 1985, President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency rededicated the Manti Temple after its initial renovation.