A look inside the renovated St. George Utah Temple

When the St. George Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reopens to normal operations in December, it will re-establish itself as the oldest operating temple in the church.

Those early roots, first planted when the building opened in 1877, were front of mind this week as church leaders hosted a select group of guests and media members for a tour of the temple and its newly completed renovations.

"It tells me something about the people here, the pioneers, their spirit and their dedication," remarked Elder Erich W. Kopischke, a member of the church's General Authority Seventy, noting that a little more than 1,000 people lived in St. George when the temple was first built.

More: Renovated St. George Utah Temple to open for public tours ahead of rededication

Many dedicated a portion of their workweeks to helping build it, toiling long hours to make sure the huge project was done with quality but also on time — although it broke ground after the temple in Salt Lake City, it was done faster and opened sooner.

All these years later, the building is set to resume its regular operations with a rededication ceremony on Dec. 10, about four years after it was closed in 2019 for renovations. It will open with a long list of modern amenities — near heating and air systems, improved electrical systems and structural strengthening, among many other improvements — but officials said they hoped it would also open with respect paid to those pioneer builders, maintaining the overall architectural style and functionality of the original.

"I think the pioneers who built this would be pleased with our work," said Andy Kirby, the director of the church's renovations. "They would be satisfied that we preserved their efforts and the beauty and the intent of their work."

Before its rededication, the temple will be open to the public for an open house period from Sept. 15 to Nov. 11. Anyone interested can schedule a tour of the building via the church website, via the church's official website, churchofjesuschrist.org. The tours run from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. each day excluding Sundays and Saturday, Sept. 30, when Latter-day Saints have a scheduled general conference.

Once the temple is rededicated on Dec. 10, it will resume its normal temple duties and no longer be open to non-church members or to members without clearance.

What happens inside a temple

The St. George Utah Temple will resume all of its previous duties when it reopens, including the sacred and religious ordinances and ceremonies at the heart of the faith.

Once the building is rededicated, only church members deemed worthy enough to earn a "recommend" from church leaders will be allowed inside, and the details of some of the activities that take place inside are often kept confidential.

According to church materials, some of the main activities that take place inside a temple are:

1. Baptisms for the Dead: One of the central ordinances performed in Latter-day Saint temples, baptisms are performed for deceased individuals who did not have the opportunity to be baptized during their lifetimes. Members serve as stand-ins and are baptized on behalf of their deceased ancestors, although church leaders point out that the deceased have a chance to either accept or reject this ordinance in the afterlife.

2. Endowment: The endowment ceremony is a sacred ritual that involves instruction, covenants, and symbolic clothing. It provides participants with knowledge and teachings about the plan of salvation, the purpose of life, and their relationship with God, according to church leaders. It also includes making covenants to live according to specific moral and ethical standards.

3. Sealings: Another significant temple ordinance is the sealing ceremony, which joins couples and families together "for time and eternity." This sealing is believed to endure beyond death, uniting families in the afterlife. Children can also be sealed to their parents.

4. Celestial Marriage: Temple marriages, often referred to as celestial marriages, are considered the highest form of marriage in Latter-day Saint theology. These ceremonies unite couples not only for this life but for all eternity, with the belief that their union will continue in the afterlife.

5. Personal Prayer and Meditation: Temples also provide a peaceful environment for personal prayer, meditation, and reflection. Many members visit the temple to seek spiritual guidance, comfort, and inspiration.

6. Genealogical Research: Temples often have family history centers where members can research their genealogy and prepare names for temple ordinances, such as baptisms for the dead. In St. George, a facility across from the temple offers these services to church members and visitors alike.

History of the St. George Utah Temple

The St. George Utah Temple is one of the oldest and most historically significant temples in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was the first temple built in the Utah Territory and the third temple completed by the church.

Construction began in 1871 under the leadership of then-Church President Brigham Young, who maintained a winter home in St. George. The temple's construction faced numerous challenges, including labor shortages and economic difficulties. The red sandstone used in its construction was quarried locally and gave the temple its distinctive appearance.

The temple was dedicated on April 6, 1877, by LDS Church President Wilford Woodruff. It played a crucial role in the early history of the church as it was a place where members could receive sacred ordinances and participate in religious ceremonies. This was particularly significant as the Salt Lake Temple was still under construction at the time.

The St. George Temple has a unique pioneer-era design, with six spires and intricate architectural details. It serves as a symbol of the faith and determination of the early pioneers who settled in southern Utah.

Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations and restorations to preserve its historical significance and maintain its structural integrity. It remains a beloved and iconic structure for both members of the church and visitors to the region, attracting tourists and religious pilgrims alike. It is the tallest structure in central St. George and is easily visible from most vantage points, including to visitors passing through on Interstate 15.

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: A look inside the St. George Utah Temple