The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

The state of Utah is blessed with an abundance of temples, from the pioneer-era Salt Lake CityLogan and St. George temples, to the under-construction EphraimLindon and Syracuse temples.

But the dedication of the new Orem Utah Temple “marks a milestone in the progress of the kingdom of God on the Earth, and particularly in this vital part of His vineyard,” said Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Christofferson dedicated the three-story, 71,998-square-foot temple on a chilly, drizzly Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in two sessions at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. He was accompanied by his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson.

Also participating were Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon; Elder Hugo Martinez, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Utah Area Presidency, and his wife, Sister Nuria Alvarez de Martinez; Elder Kevin R. Duncan, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Nancy Duncan; and Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt, General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Alexis Schmitt.

Built in a prominent, visible location just off Interstate 15 and near Utah Valley University, the Orem temple is the state’s 19th dedicated house of the Lord, with another nine temples awaiting dedication or under construction.

Elder Christofferson said when Church members leave the temple, their problems and challenges haven’t changed; but their perspectives have changed, becoming more sure and accurate, he said.

“We now see that what had seemed overwhelming and impossible can, with the Lord’s help, find resolution, and we are more certain of His help,” he said, adding that the temple also helps people realize what small matters need attention so they don’t become more serious issues. “In short, with our time in the temple we have been refined, even if only in a small degree, and heaven is that much closer.”

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.