SALT LAKE CITY — Church President Russell M. Nelson dedicated the Syracuse Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday. The Syracuse Temple is the 24th dedicated temple in Utah and the 206th temple in the Church.
In his remarks before the dedicatory prayer, he compared the home city of the new temple to Syracuse, Italy, where the Apostle Paul “tarried … three days” on his way toward Rome.
“In similar fashion,” President Nelson said, “this Syracuse, Utah, area of the Lord’s vineyard is important to the Lord. It is known to produce valiant youth, strong families and Saints who are willing to let God prevail in their lives.”
President Nelson promised several blessings as local Latter-day Saints attend and worship in the new temple, including peace, protection and personal revelation.
“As you sincerely seek Jesus Christ, you will find Him here, in His holy house. You will feel His mercy — here. You will find answers to your most vexing questions — here. You will better comprehend the joy of His gospel,” he said.
President Nelson also emphasized the blessings made possible by temples through the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ:
President Nelson was accompanied by his wife, Wendy; Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Mary; Elder Kevin R. Duncan, Executive Director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Nancy; and Elder Hugo E. Martínez of the Utah Area Presidency, and his wife, Nuria.
President Nelson announced the Syracuse Utah Temple during the April 2020 general conference. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 12, 2021, and the public open house for the temple recently concluded on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Utah is home to more than 2.2 million Latter-day Saints, approximately two-thirds of the state’s population of 3.5 million.
Latter-day Saints worship in temples for several reasons: to feel God’s love and peace, to learn more about God’s plan for His children and the gospel of Jesus Christ, to make promises with God and with one’s husband or wife, and to unite families in this life and the next through sacred ordinances.