SYRACUSE—Elder Kevin R. Duncan of the Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Syracuse Utah Temple last Saturday June 12. President Russell M. Nelson announced the temple in the April 2020 conference.

“I am very familiar with these fields where we stand, where we are gathered today,” said Elder Duncan. “From this temple site, I can see the barn roof of my childhood home. Some of you are new to this area, but this is your home too. Whether you are a longtime resident, or a ‘new pioneer,’ this temple will be your temple.”

The 89,000 square foot three-story building will be located on a 12-acre site at the intersection of 2500 West and 1025 South in Syracuse. When completed, the temple will be the third in Davis County.

“This will be a special temple,” Elder Duncan said. “It will be a light to the community. It will bring peace and joy to those who enter therein.”

South of the Syracuse Temple site, the Layton Temple is under construction at the corner of Oak Hills Drive and Rosewood Lane. The three-story temple is approximately 87,000 square feet. 

President Russell M. Nelson announced the temple in April 2018. A small groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 23, 2020 limited in size due to COVID-19. Utah Area President Elder Craig C. Christensen and Elder Walter F. Gonzalez, also of the Utah Area Presidency, spoke at the groundbreaking. 

“The Layton Temple will be a large and beautiful temple,” said Elder Christensen. “Like every temple, it is the product of the faith of Latter-day Saints who live in this area and around the world.”