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. Accompanied by his wife, Melanie, the Apostle described the site as sacred ground located 120 miles south of Salt Lake City.
During the dedication, Elder Rasband stated that the community of Ephraim and the surrounding temple district will be changed by the presence of the holy house. He noted that in the temple, individuals become more Christlike, kind, forgiving, repentant, patient, and holy. He added that the temple allows people to understand the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and participate in the gathering of God’s children by centering worship on the Father and His Son.
Elder Rasband shared personal family connections to the area, noting that his great-great-grandparents settled in Ephraim in 1850 after leaving a farm in Denmark for the promise of temple ordinances. His great-grandfather later assisted in the construction of the Manti Utah Temple, located seven miles south of Ephraim. Elder Rasband remarked that the temple provides a way for people to experience the promise of Jesus Christ preparing a place for His followers.
The temple is expected to provide Snow College students with opportunities to participate in the gathering of Israel through missionary work and temple service. Katelyn Perry, a student at Snow College, had previously expressed during media day tours in early September that she looks forward to the peace found within the temple walls.
The Ephraim temple was announced by the late Church President Russell M. Nelson on May 1, 2021, and the groundbreaking occurred on Aug. 27, 2022. The Church has 224 dedicated temples worldwide, while Utah has 32 temples that are currently operating, under construction, announced, or undergoing renovation.
Other leaders in attendance for the dedication included Elder K. Brett Nattress, General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department; Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, General Authority Seventy; Elder Thabo Lebethoa, General Authority Seventy and member of the Utah Area Presidency; and Bishop L. Todd Budge, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. Additionally, Elder Gerrit W. Gong dedicated the Miraflores Guatemala City, Guatemala Temple on the same Sunday.
