Font ResizeOn Aug. 23, Mormons across the state will be not be attending their weekly Sunday services.
In a rare move, LDS officials have canceled the three-hour block of meetings scheduled on that Sunday "to make it easier for members to attend or watch the dedication services for the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple," says Scott Trotter.
Though other LDS temple dedications, such as the one in Manhattan, have also pre-empted Sunday services, this is the first time it has happened in Utah.
With its dedication, the Oquirrh Mountain Temple will become the faith's 130th in operation. And South Jordan, also home to the Jordan River Temple, will be the only city in the world with two such edifices.
The Salt Lake Valley, home to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' headquarters, now has four temples, including one that opened in Draper earlier this year and the century-old Salt Lake Temple.
The Oquirrh Mountain Temple is intended to serve about 83,000 members of the faith along the Oquirrh range from Bluffdale to Magna. Like other LDS temples, it contains a series of small rooms used for religious instruction, contemplation and ceremonies, such as weddings, in which couples are "sealed" together for eternity. Mormons also perform temple ordinances, including baptism, for deceased ancestors.
Tours of the new temple will continue Mondays through Saturdays until Aug. 1 (excluding July 4 and 24). Reservations are required and are
