This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
When the Ogden Temple closes Saturday for a face-lift, there will be two LDS temples under construction in the state, while a third is in the planning stages.
Work is proceeding on the Brigham City Temple, which is anticipated to be completed within 15 months, while The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints works on architectural plans for the Payson Temple, which was announced in January 2010.
But there is one common theme in each city: The temple construction is an exciting step forward for each city.
"From where [the Payson Temple] is going to be built and where you can see it from the freeway, it will be good for Payson," said JaNae Friedli, a Payson resident.
The Payson Temple will be built at 930 W. and 1550 South, on a sloping field facing Interstate 15. Houses are being built around the temple site.
Scott Trotter, LDS Church spokesman, could not confirm reports that the Payson Temple will be 96,000 square feet, comparable in size to the Bountiful and Mount Timpanogos temples. Nor would he confirm that a contractor has been chosen.
But the dearth of official information hasn't stopped people from creating a Facebook page for the temple that has more than 9,600 followers. One wag from Spanish Fork created a rendering that has circulated online of how the temple would reflect Payson's perceived culture: A trailer home with a steeple.
Friedli said the temple is something city residents hoped to see for years. "I just thought it was wonderful," Friedli recalled about hearing the news.
For Payson residents, it will mean not having to drive more than 20 miles to the Provo Temple.
When the Ogden temple closes, an overhaul will change the exterior. The plan calls for replacing the precast, exterior drum shape with a combination of stone and art glass, with a center spire. The 40-year-old building's entrance will be moved from the west to the east side, and some rooms will be reconfigured. But the church has said the interior core will remain intact.
In concert with the temple remodel, the spire of the neighboring Ogden Tabernacle will be removed to shift the visual focus to the temple.
While the temple is being renovated, members will have to go to Logan or Bountiful to participate in temple ceremonies, including marriages and baptisms for the dead.
Kimberly Thompson, an Ogden resident, said the inconvenience will be worth it. "It's not going to be fun traveling that far, but I'm all for progressive change," Thompson said.
Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey sees the temple renovation as a vital step in revitalizing downtown.
"I think it will be a huge asset to downtown, and not just visually for what it will do for downtown," Godfrey said.
Up the road in Brigham City, Mayor Dennis Fife said the temple, which is under construction, will also be an asset to the city.
"It is not only a great spiritual contribution to our city, but an economic generator, with many people coming here and eating in our restaurants and hopefully staying in our hotels," Fife said.
And the city could use an economic boost. With layoffs at Alliant Techsystems, the city's unemployment rate is about 9.4 percent. But he said there was an increase in new construction, such as an orthopedic clinic, senior-citizen center and affordable housing, since the announcement.
Fife said the church, in an homage to Brigham City's agricultural history, will incorporate peach leaf patterns into the building's decor.
Twitter: @donaldwmeyers