Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Ephraim Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. Describing the location as "sacred ground," Rasband noted that the community of Ephraim and the surrounding temple district will be transformed by the presence of the holy house of God.
Distinguished Leaders Attend Dedication
The dedication ceremony brought together various high-ranking Church leaders and local community members. Elder Rasband was accompanied by his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband. Other attendees included Elder K. Brett Nattress, General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Shawna Nattress; Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Sister Nathalie Mutombo; Elder Thabo Lebethoa, General Authority Seventy and member of the Utah Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Andronica Lebethoa; and Bishop L. Todd Budge, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, and his wife, Sister Lori Budge.
Global and Local Temple Milestones
The Ephraim Utah Temple is the Church's 223rd dedicated temple. On the same day, the Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple was also dedicated by Elder Gerrit W. Gong, bringing the total number of dedicated temples worldwide to 224. In Utah, there are currently 32 temples that are operating, under construction, announced, or undergoing renovation.
The Purpose of Temple Work
Elder Rasband highlighted the spiritual purpose of temple work, stating that it focuses on the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil. He explained that people are gathered on the other side through temple ordinances and on this side through missionary work. "In the temple we become more Christlike, more kind, forgiving, repentant, patient and holy," Rasband said. He added that through temple service, individuals understand and draw upon the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and center their worship on God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
A Legacy of Faith
The temple's location in Ephraim carries deep historical and spiritual significance for Elder Rasband. He noted that the city's name harks back to Ephraim, the son of Joseph in the Old Testament and to the tribe of Ephraim, which holds the responsibility of gathering scattered Israel. Rasband shared that his own great-great-grandparents left a prosperous family farm in Denmark in 1850 to seek "the promise of temple ordinances" and eventually settled in Ephraim. His great-grandfather also contributed to the construction of the Manti Utah Temple, located just seven miles south of Ephraim.
Origins of the Ephraim Temple
The decision to build a temple in Ephraim was first announced by the late Church President Russell M. Nelson on May 1, 2021, via a prerecorded video shown at a press conference in the Manti Tabernacle. President Nelson noted at that time that he had received clear instruction from the Lord to build a new temple in Ephraim following the April 2021 general conference. President Nelson maintained a personal connection to the area, as his mother was born just a street away from the current temple site and all of his grandparents lived in Ephraim. Following the 2021 announcement, the groundbreaking for the temple took place on August 27, 2022.
Local Community Impact
The presence of the new temple has drawn reactions from local residents of the Sanpete Valley. While some expressed wonder at having two temples in such close proximity, others noted the historical significance. Don Olson, a member of the Ephraim 4th Ward in the Ephraim Utah Stake, mentioned that his great-grandparents also settled in the valley after joining the Church in Denmark. Olson remarked that while the community has long been blessed by the Manti temple, the valley is now blessed to have two temples close together.
Serving Local Students
The temple is expected to serve the many students at nearby Snow College. Elder Rasband noted in an interview prior to the dedication that students will have opportunities to participate in the gathering of Israel through missions and temple service. During media day tours held in early September, Snow College student Katelyn Perry expressed her anticipation for the temple, stating that she looks forward to the opportunity to step away from her studies to find peace and calm within the temple walls.
