SALT LAKE CITY — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints revealed plans for 15 new temples worldwide during the Church’s April 6 General Conference — including one to be constructed in Spanish Fork, Utah.
The Spanish Fork location will mark the 31st temple in Utah, further solidifying the state’s central role in the Church’s global footprint. Spanish Fork Mayor Mike Mendenhall described the announcement as long-anticipated by residents of the community, which was founded by Mormon pioneers in the early 1850s.
“This is something many people here have hoped for over generations,” Mendenhall said in an interview with ABC4.com. “Our city has deep roots in the faith, and this feels like a natural next step.”
The new temple is expected to ease the strain on nearby temples in Provo and Payson, which Mendenhall noted are frequently overbooked, with appointments for temple worship often scheduled weeks in advance. Spanish Fork sits conveniently between these two cities, making it an ideal location for another temple.
Mendenhall emphasized that although the Church did not seek local input before announcing the site, Church leaders clearly recognized the area’s growing need. “They didn’t need to ask — they knew,” he said. “This will serve the spiritual needs of a thriving and faithful population in south Utah County.”
The mayor added that Spanish Fork has spent the past decade focusing on self-sufficiency, encouraging residents to live, shop, and work within the city’s boundaries. The addition of a temple is expected to further support this effort by bringing even more people to the city for religious purposes.
In Latter-day Saint practice, temples serve a different role than regular meetinghouses or chapels. While Sunday worship services in chapels are open to all, temples are reserved for sacred ordinances and are accessible only to members in good standing. They are regarded by Church members as the most holy locations on Earth.
“This means people will no longer have to travel outside the city to participate in sacred worship,” Mendenhall said. “It’s a blessing for the community.”
Since assuming leadership of the Church in 2018, President Nelson has announced the construction of 200 new temples. That includes 15 in April 2024 and another 17 announced later in October of the same year — reflecting the Church’s rapid global expansion and continued emphasis on temple worship .
- Kings Score Three in Final Period to Top Utah in Exciting Finish - April 18, 2025
- Health Alert: Measles Cases in Utah Spark Concern Across Western U.S. - April 18, 2025
- Unidentified Body Found in Garbage Bag Sparks Investigation in Brigham City - April 18, 2025
