August 27, 2025

Heber Valley Utah Temple Construction Resumes

News Summary

Construction has resumed on the Heber Valley Utah Temple after nearly three years of delays due to legal challenges. A district court ruling has cleared the way for the church to begin grading the site and installing necessary infrastructure. Despite some community opposition, the temple remains a significant project for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it highlights both the expansion of religious facilities in Utah and the continuing dialogue with local residents regarding their concerns.

Heber City, Utah

Construction has officially resumed on the Heber Valley Utah Temple, marking a significant advancement nearly three years after the groundbreaking ceremony. This temple will be the first house of the Lord located in Wasatch County, where construction was initially postponed due to legal challenges.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received a building permit from Wasatch County almost two years ago. However, construction was halted at the church’s discretion following a judicial review instigated by a lawsuit against the county over the temple’s land use. On July 23, a district court judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the county had adhered to legal procedures and that the temple’s construction did not violate zoning codes, thereby clearing the way for the resumption of construction activities.

Currently, the Church is engaged in grading the site and installing essential infrastructure to support the future temple. This significant project is part of a larger initiative, with the Heber Valley Temple being one of 32 currently operating, under construction, or announced temples in Utah. Other temples under construction in the state include those in Lindon, Smithfield, and Ephraim.

The Heber Valley Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson during the general conference on October 3, 2021. During the groundbreaking ceremony held on October 8, 2022, President Nelson dedicated the site with a prayer and shared the history of Heber City alongside the growth of the Church in the area. He emphasized the importance of honoring the legacy of early pioneers through ongoing temple work.

Despite the clearance for construction, some community members have expressed concerns regarding the temple’s height, which stands at 210 feet, and the proposed lighting plans. A group of residents had previously filed a lawsuit aiming to halt the project, arguing that they had not received adequate notice regarding meetings that discussed the temple’s land use regulations. Following the dismissal of their lawsuit, the residents have expressed intentions to appeal the decision to the Utah Supreme Court. The attorney representing the residents contends that the temple’s construction plans infringe upon the county’s general plan and state land use laws.

Additionally, an attempt to collect enough signatures for a referendum to reverse the county council’s approval of the temple was unsuccessful, failing to gather the necessary support to reach the 2024 ballot. While the current landscape of legal challenges remains unresolved, the appeal process is anticipated to continue, regardless of whether initiated by the Church or the residents.

The Heber Valley Utah Temple is part of the Church’s broader initiatives in the region and exemplifies the ongoing expansion of religious facilities in Utah. The temple’s construction not only underscores the Church’s commitment to serving its members but also highlights the evolving relationship between community concerns and house of worship projects.

As construction progresses, the hopes of many congregants rest upon the completion of the Heber Valley Temple, coupled with the Church’s commitment to engaging constructively with local residents regarding their concerns.

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