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PAYSON — Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the church's newest temple Sunday morning in Payson.
For those in the Payson community, it’s a dream come true.
As church leaders arrived at the Payson temple Sunday morning, they greeted Latter-day Saints gathered there for the dedication. Mortar was applied to the temple’s cornerstone during a symbolic ceremony signifying the completion of the temple.
“It was absolutely beautiful as apostles and prophets were here to dedicate this beautiful temple here in Payson,” said Jeff Spencer, an Elk Ridge resident.
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, presided over three services held inside the temple, which the LDS now consider a house of the Lord.
Payson residents Karl and Kathleen Bingham said they never imagined a temple would be right across the street from their home in what had formerly been a wheat field.
“Every week we took pictures and sent it to an email list of about 200 people with a temple message,” said Kathleen Bingham. “So we have pictures of it every week as it was being built.”
A public open house in late April and May brought nearly half a million people to Payson who had an opportunity to walk through and see the temple that will serve church members from Mapleton to Delta.
“We had a marvelous response, and I think universally and everyone was particularly pleased with the beauty of the temple, with the sacredness and the sweet spirit that was present,” said Elder Kent F. Richards, executive director of the Temple Department.
Sunday was a moment many in the tight-knit Payson community will never forget.
“It is one of the most special days of our lives,” said Kathleen Bingham. “To stand here at the temple and look across the street … it is unbelievable.”
The Payson temple becomes the 15th LDS temple in Utah, and church leaders will travel to Peru in two weeks to dedicate a new temple there.
