Smithfield Utah Temple
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- October 30, 2024 – 94 year-old-woman excited to see the Smithfield temple finished
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Photo: Kael Wilcox
Smithfield Utah Temple: A Beautiful Cache Valley Landmark
"I have seen much of the world, but this peaceful valley surrounded by these majestic mountains always feels like home to me," said Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Smithfield Utah Temple, held 33 months ago. "It is among the most beautiful places on earth." This heavenly house of the Lord is further beautifying Utah's Cache Valley as exterior stone cladding is installed on the west side of the building.
Photo: Anita Peck Kingdon
Preparing the West Side of the Smithfield Utah Temple for Cladding
As beautiful stone cladding progresses up the north walls of the Smithfield Utah Temple, crews are preparing the west side for the same treatment. An incredible amount of precision is required of both the stone manufacturers and installers to create the temple's timeless exterior. With some stones weighing over a ton and others being delicately carved, it is a job that requires a highly skilled and adaptable crew.
Photo: Patricia Klein Stratton
Aerial Platforms Moved from Front of Smithfield Utah Temple
The aerial work platforms that stood in front of the Smithfield Utah Temple for over a year have now been removed, providing beautiful views of the temple's south-facing facade. The platforms have been relocated to the north side where the work of stone cladding continues. Uncompleted surfaces include the west side, the north and south porticos, and the walls supporting the north dome.
Photo: Kael Wilcox
Smithfield Utah Temple Features Ornate Stonework
With cladding wrapping up on the east side of the Smithfield Utah Temple, work is getting underway on the west side. The ornamentation of the stone is highly detailed, featuring intricate shapes near the top known as coins, shields, and acorns. Other stones feature beautiful twisting vines. The keystones over the largest windows each weigh more than a ton, but each piece is placed precisely to leave only a quarter-inch caulking gap.
Photo: Greg Farley
Glorious Sunset at the Smithfield Utah Temple
Progress on the hardscape of the Smithfield Utah Temple grounds can be seen in a recent photograph taken during a glorious sunset. Asphalt has been paved for the driveways and parking areas, and black posts have been set for the permanent fencing. Scaffolding has been removed from the south and east sides of the building, which have been clad in beautiful ornamented stone panels. Cladding is progressing around the base of the steeple and at the rear of the building.
Photo: Landen Hardy
Northern Lights Over the Smithfield Utah Temple
Recent solar eruptions are creating dazzling displays of the northern lights in locations across the northern hemisphere. In Northern Utah, a beautiful photograph captured the Smithfield Utah Temple against a evening sky painted in red and green hues. Stone cladding continues to be installed on the exterior walls of the temple, which has been under construction for nearly 28 months.
Photo: Justice Cheatham
Golden Field of Corn South of the Smithfield Utah Temple
The golden tassels rising from the corn plants south of the Smithfield Utah Temple coordinate beautifully with the golden domes that were recently installed on top of the temple. The majority of the building's south face and steeple have been clad in stone, and work is progressing up the east face. The temple is anticipated to serve 16 of the 44 stakes located in Cache Valley, including the Idaho side of the valley.
Photo: Stephanie Clark
Rear Cupola Installed on the Smithfield Utah Temple
The rear cupola was installed on top of the Smithfield Utah Temple this morning. The striking structure adds character to this pioneer-style house of the Lord, which is rising on the west end of town. Fence posts are being set around the property, and portions of the hardscape have been installed. Smithfield is the second largest city in Cache Valley, with Logan being the largest city and home to Utah State University.
Photo: Jacquelyn Evans Austin
Paving the Smithfield Utah Temple Parking Areas
In the parking areas behind the Smithfield Utah Temple, curbing has been installed, and a fresh layer of asphalt has been paved. Framing is in place for the rear portico, which is awaiting sheathing, and sections of the rear cupola are being delivered. Once in place, it will coordinate beautifully with the steeple dome that was installed at the end of June. The Wellsville Mountains create a stunning backdrop for the temple.
Photo: Kael Wilcox
Thriving Crops Surround the Smithfield Utah Temple Site
A field of healthy green crops stretches southwest of the Smithfield Utah Temple in Northern Utah's fertile Cache Valley. The gorgeous cupola for the main steeple was installed a month ago, featuring inconspicuous light fixtures that protrude from the base of the lantern. Highly ornamented stonework continues to be hung on the exterior walls while work progresses on the interior.
Photo: Brooke Hall
Dome Installed Atop the Smithfield Utah Temple Steeple
The dome has been lifted into place atop the steeple on the south side of the Smithfield Utah Temple. When installation of the structure became apparent, residents began to gather around the temple site to witness the event. The addition of the dome marks an important milestone in the construction of the temple, which began two years ago.
Photo: Shaun Johnson
Steeple Dome Delivered to the Smithfield Utah Temple Site
The sections for the steeple dome of the Smithfield Utah Temple were delivered and assembled on Monday. Much of the south side of the temple has been clad, and the other three sides will be clad over the coming months. During the April 2019 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced that the pioneer-era temples in St. George, Logan, Manti, and Salt Lake would be renovated. Renovations are underway in Salt Lake and have already been completed in St. George and Manti. No renovation plans have been announced for the Logan Utah Temple, but a closure would likely occur following the completion of the Smithfield temple.
Photo: Wade Lindley
Northern Lights Display at the Smithfield Utah Temple
A powerful geomagnetic storm reached the earth on Friday night, producing a magnificent display of the northern lights that was witnessed by millions. Photographers showed up en masse to capture the magical experience at their favorite locations, including many Latter-day Saint temples. The Smithfield Utah Temple is shown in the accompanying photograph, which has been under construction for nearly 23 months.
Photo: Kael Wilcox
Cladding Progress at the Smithfield Utah Temple
Beautiful stone cladding is steadily moving up the south side of the Smithfield Utah Temple. The temple stands in a valley with deep pioneer roots, and the design reflects that heritage. Smithfield was settled in October 1859 by brothers Robert and John Thornley and their cousin Seth Langton, who were sent north from Salt Lake City by President Brigham Young to found a settlement on Summit Creek. The settlement was originally named Summit but was later renamed Smithfield after the first bishop, John Glover Smith, who was called in 1860.
Photo: Jay Hyer
Agricultural Setting of the Smithfield Utah Temple
The Smithfield Utah Temple stands out prominently from the vast farmland that stretches across much of Northern Utah's Cache County. The county is rich in agricultural production with over 275,000 acres of farms and abundant beef and dairy operations. Patrons will benefit from the orientation of the south-facing building, as the majority of sun exposure during the winter months is from the south, helping to melt snow on the concrete surfaces. Stone cladding continues to move up the south side of the temple, and sheathing on the east side has been waterproofed.
Photo: Kael Wilcox
Cladding the Facade of the Smithfield Utah Temple
Stone cladding is moving up the facade of the Smithfield Utah Temple where lattice towers have been installed to provide vertical support for the movable platforms. Smithfield is a Cache Valley community with deep pioneer roots. Plans to build a tabernacle began in the mid-1800s, and a beautiful building was dedicated in the early 1900s. It operated as a meetinghouse for approximately 50 years until the decision was made to remove the steeple and pinnacles and to convert it into a recreational facility. The aging structure still stands west of Main Street behind the Smithfield Public Library.
Photo: Kael Wilcox
Stone Cladding Moving Up the Smithfield Utah Temple
At the southwest corner of the Smithfield Utah Temple, beautiful stonework is moving up the exterior walls of the three-story edifice. The steel and concrete structure has been enclosed, protecting the interior from the elements. Windows frames and glass have been installed in many of the window openings, and the rest have been boarded or covered in plastic. Construction has been underway for the past 19 months.
Photo: Jorge Branto
All Stages of Exterior Work Underway for the Smithfield Utah Temple
Framing, sheathing, damp proofing, cladding—it's all happening at the Smithfield Utah Temple site. Construction began 18 months ago with excavation for the foundation and forming for the footings. Concrete work was carried out over the next year for the foundation and shear walls, starting on the south end and finishing up on the north end last month. In the meantime, steel framing, sheathing, and damp proofing got underway. The frame for the front steeple is in place and framing has begun for the rear steeple. Several weeks ago, stone cladding began to appear at the southwest corner.
Photo: Broc Johnson
Cladding Begins at the Smithfield Utah Temple
Construction of the rear half of the Smithfield Utah Temple is catching up with the front half. The concrete structural walls are in place, and rebar has been set for the pedestal of the rear dome. Waterproofing and sheathing of the concrete continues while framing on the interior and exterior progresses. The first few rows of stone cladding have been installed.
Photo: Jacquelyn Evans Austin
Installing the Grand Staircase of the Smithfield Utah Temple
On the east side of the Smithfield Utah Temple, installation of the grand staircase has begun. The stairs will give patrons access to the second and third levels of the temple where the highest ordinance spaces are located. The temple is rising next to a Church meetinghouse where four wards are housed including the Smithfield 4th Ward, Smithfield 9th Ward, Smithfield 25th Ward, and Smithfield 31st Ward.
Photo: Bruce Christensen
Steeple Framing Progress at the Smithfield Utah Temple
Framing of the steeple on the south end of the Smithfield Utah Temple is making excellent progress. The structure will have an octagonal-shaped body with four windows topped with a domed cupola, lantern, and finial. The exterior of the temple is at various stages of completion with some portions still being framed and other portions sheathed and waterproofed. Temporary lighting can be seen on the main level where early interior work is progressing.
Photo: Bruce Christensen
Framing the South Steeple of the Smithfield Utah Temple
Steel columns have been secured to the top of the Smithfield Utah Temple for the frame of the domed steeple that will rise over the entrance to the building. Lighter framing can be seen running down the front facade, which will be sheathed and waterproofed like the southwest stairwell. While much of structural frame is in place for the front half of the building, framing for the rear half has not yet reached the second and third floors.
Photo: Brian Munk
Exterior Sheathing of the Smithfield Utah Temple Begins
Sheathing of the Smithfield Utah Temple has begun, starting at the southwest stairwell where panels are being attached to the steel frame and concrete shear walls. Interior framing continues on the south side of the temple while forming for the north basement walls gets underway. The temple is rising on the western edge of the city where there are many farms and fields.
Photo: Marlis Colleen Smith Dobler
South Walls of Smithfield Utah Temple Grow Taller
The south shear walls of the Smithfield Utah Temple have topped out, which feature a large central window opening. Structural framing is underway for the southwest stairwell and the temple's mid-section. An orange and white checkered flag, known as an Airfield Safety Flag, is attached to the top of the crane. It draws pilots' attention to the height of tall construction equipment. Construction has been underway for just over a year.
Photo: Jacquelyn Evans Austin
Second Floor Walls Rising for the Smithfield Utah Temple
Structural walls and steel columns continue to grow taller at the south end of the Smithfield Utah Temple. Concrete crews are currently constructing the second floor walls by setting columns of rebar, encasing them in concrete forms, and then pouring liquid concrete into the forms. The forms stay in place until the concrete has cured. At the north end of the excavation pit, the octagonal footings for the two baptismal fonts have been installed.
Photo: Bruce Christensen
Building the Shear Walls for the Smithfield Utah Temple
The reinforced concrete shear walls for the Smithfield Utah Temple are rising above ground. The walls will provide important structural strength to the building and resist any lateral forces such as high winds. The three-story temple will be approximately 81,000 square feet. Heavy winter weather has affected the speed of construction, which is nearing the 10-month mark.
Photo: Cody Sheffer
Snow Covers the Smithfield Utah Temple Site
Snow has been plentiful this winter in the Cache Valley where construction advances on the Smithfield Utah Temple. Work continues on pouring the walls for the two-level basement where plastic tenting is used so that the concrete cures properly. The first settlers of the Smithfield area arrived in 1859. The settlement was named Summit in 1860, but it was later renamed Smithfield in honor of the first bishop, John G. Smith.
Photo: Cody Sheffer
Building the Foundation Walls for the Smithfield Utah Temple
Concrete shuttering for the foundation walls of the Smithfield Utah Temple is wrapping around the south end where the structural frame for the building continues to grow. A deeper excavation is visible on the north end for the subbasement level. Footings and plumbing lines have been installed for the maintenance building, located on the east side of the property. Cache Valley's second temple has been under construction for six months.
Photo: Cody Sheffer
Forming the Basement Walls for the Smithfield Utah Temple
A heavy equipment operator positions a crawler crane along the edge of the excavation at the Smithfield Utah Temple site where it can lower the heavy materials needed to form the reinforced concrete walls of the south side of the foundation. Deeper excavations have been carried out on the north side where there will be two basement levels. Construction of the temple began four months ago.
Photo: Cody Sheffer
Setting Rebar for the Smithfield Utah Temple Footings
Inside the concrete forms for the footings of the Smithfield Utah Temple, rebar is being tied in a uniform grid pattern. The steel bar will strengthen and reinforce the concrete foundations of the building. Work has begun on the front end of the south-facing temple where forms for the portico footings can also be seen. The north end will feature a subbasement level to accommodate the temple's two baptismal fonts.