President Nelson Dedicates the Syracuse Utah Temple

Church President Russell M. Nelson dedicated the Syracuse Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, June 8, 2025. This is the 24th dedicated temple in Utah (the Salt Lake Temple and Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple are under renovation) and the 206th temple in the Church.

“This is the Lord’s house,” he said. “It is filled with His power. Those who live His higher laws have access to His higher power. God’s power helps us to grow from the trials of life — rather than be defeated by them.”

President Nelson was accompanied by his wife, Wendy; Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Mary; Elder Kevin R. Duncan, Executive Director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Nancy; and Elder Hugo E. Martínez of the Utah Area Presidency, and his wife, Nuria.

In his remarks before the dedicatory prayer, President Nelson compared the home city of the new temple to Syracuse, Italy, where the Apostle Paul “tarried … three days” (Acts 28:12) on his way toward Rome.

“In similar fashion,” he said, “this Syracuse, Utah, area of the Lord’s vineyard is important to the Lord. It is known to produce valiant youth, strong families and Saints who are willing to let God prevail in their lives.”

President Nelson promised several blessings as local Latter-day Saints attend and worship in the new temple, including peace, protection and personal revelation.

Church News Read President Nelson’s prayer to dedicate the Syracuse Utah Temple

“As you sincerely seek Jesus Christ, you will find Him here, in His holy house. You will feel His mercy — here. You will find answers to your most vexing questions — here. You will better comprehend the joy of His gospel,” he said.

President Nelson also emphasized the blessings made possible by temples through the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ:

“We are such a blessed people! Consider how your life is different because of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without it, we would have no knowledge of the fullness of the gospel, no priesthood ordinances and no temples.

“However, because of the restoration of the priesthood, you and I can be sealed to our loved ones for all eternity! Think of the wonder of that! We can each be endowed with God’s power! We can each receive the gift and ministering of the Holy Ghost. We can have angels watch over us. Because of the Spirit of the Lord, we never need to feel alone.”

President Nelson announced the Syracuse Utah Temple during the April 2020 general conference. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 12, 2021, and the public open house for the temple recently concluded on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

In addition to the new temple in Syracuse, temples currently in operation in the state are found in American Fork (Mount Timpanogos), Bountiful, Brigham City, Cedar City, Draper, Layton, Logan, Manti, Monticello, Ogden, Orem, Payson, Provo (Provo City Center), Saratoga Springs, South Jordan (Jordan River and Oquirrh Mountain), St. George (Red Cliffs and St. George), Taylorsville, Tooele (Deseret Peak) and Vernal. New temples under construction in Utah are in Ephraim, Heber Valley, Lindon and Smithfield. The Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple and Salt Lake Temple are currently under renovation. Temples in Lehi, Price and West Jordan were announced in 2024. A temple in Spanish Fork was announced in April 2025.

Utah is home to more than 2.2 million Latter-day Saints, approximately two-thirds of the state’s population of 3.5 million.

Latter-day Saints worship in temples for several reasons: to feel God’s love and peace, to learn more about God’s plan for His children and the gospel of Jesus Christ, to make promises with God and with one’s husband or wife, and to unite families in this life and the next through sacred ordinances.