Payson Utah Temple

Temple #35

June 16, 2015

Payson Utah

 

     The Payson Utah Temple! This temple was announced in January 2010, which excited many people at the time. There are sixteen operating temples in Utah at the moment, and one which is under construction, and another, Saratoga Springs, was just announced. It's always exciting to receive more! 

     While Ivy and I lived in Kamas, we would drive down south to either Ivy’s sister’s home in Holden, or to my parents home in La Verkin, quite often. While the Payson temple was being built we saw it progress as we passed it often. It was exciting to see when it was finally finished. 

     The Payson Temple is built right off I-15, the main freeway vein of Utah. As you head north and come over the hill and begin to see the Utah County Valley, the Payson Temple is one of the first things that catches your eye. It is magnificent!

     Ivy and I had the fun experience of going to the Payson Temple open house, but not alone. We took a few of our nieces and nephew, Ivy's brothers kids, with us when we went. We made a fun day out of it by going to the open house, feeling the spirit inside, and then getting pizza and Kong Kones from Macy’s, which are delicious! 

 

     It was really neat taking some of our nephew and nieces to the temple to show them what we love so much. They enjoyed it and could feel the peace and the spirit which dwell in the temple’s walls. 

    When the temple was then dedicated some time after, we were able to go through and do a session. We were familiar with it since we did the open house tour, yet it was more enlightening and spiritual, for there was no crowd, no line, it had been dedicated, and we were there for the work for the dead. 

     The outside of the Payson temple is brilliant and bright, and glows as a beacon while you drive down the freeway at night. It has a single spire in the center of the temple, and looks similar to the newly remodeled Ogden Temple. 

     The inside of the Payson Temple was even more astonishing. Everything was of the best materials, and was made by some great craftsmen. I love working with wood, and so to see the work and time put into the woodwork was fun for me. The wood was all African Mahogany, a very nice, elegant wood, which shimmered a tint of red. 

     It was marvelous going throughout the newly built temple. The spirit was strong, and the building was beautiful. 

     We have had a few opportunities to go to the Payson Temple since it's dedication. One of Ivy's close friends and also one of my close friends have both been married and sealed there, and so we were able to go to two sealings there. The sealing rooms are gorgeous, elegant, and chandeliers brighten the rooms. 

     The Payson Temple is quite the temple, and makes it now a little easier for many people to attend the temple. We recommend, if you live in Utah or are visiting the area, to go to the Payson Temple and enjoy its beauty. It in itself is a fantastic reminder to go to the temple as it shines alongside the freeway. Take every chance to go, because every time we have gone, it is beyond worth it.