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HEBER CITY — Hundreds of local members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered on Saturday as President Russell M. Nelson walked onto the future grounds of the Heber Valley Utah Temple.
"I love you all. I wholeheartedly rejoice with you," President Nelson, who wasn't expected to be addressing the faithful crowd, told them.
In his dedicatory prayer, President Nelson expressed gratitude for "heavenly possibilities" of returning to God with families, the restoration of the gospel, scriptures, priesthood authority and continuing revelation. He asked God to bless the sacred site and protect those who will work on the temple, and help them feel the importance of the building.
"Each temple stands as a symbol of Jesus Christ, our mediator with thee, our Heavenly Father; each temple stands as a sign of our faith in life after death and as a sacred step toward eternal exaltation," the prophet of the church said.
He asked Heavenly Father to help parents and leaders teach about the temple, to bless the youth in the valley, and to strengthen the bonds of families.
"May the building of this Heber Valley Utah Temple be a wonderful time of preparation and rededication in the lives of all who live in these precincts. May they literally become thy covenant people," President Nelson said.
Elder Kevin R. Duncan, of the Quorum of the Seventy, conducted the dedication ceremony, but also addressed the congregation. He said these ceremonies have been happening throughout the history of the modern Latter-day Saint church as a way to celebrate new temples.
"Let us remember the reason that we build these sacred houses of the Lord," he said. "It is so that we can make sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father and receive priesthood ordinances that will bind us to him and to the Savior, Jesus Christ, forever."
Elder Duncan talked about the sealing ordinance that binds families together 'for time and all eternity,' which happens inside church temples, and said that sealing creates a "hope-filled bond with God." The temple in Heber Valley, he said, will be a place of joy and strength for the local members.
Although President Nelson left as soon as the first soil was turned, he expressed that he would have liked to shake everyone's hand and hear their names. He asked if the attendees remembered when he first announced the temple in October 2021, and, after an affirmative response, he jokingly said, "I thought you would."
President Nelson said the temple, which will be the 28th in Utah, will serve members in Charleston, Wallsburg, Kamas, Oakley, Peoa, Park City, Coalville and parts of western Wyoming.
He spoke about the history of Heber Valley, which was settled by members of the church and named after Heber C. Kimball, a prophet of the church, who, at the time, was first counselor in the First Presidency of the church. President Nelson said that the former prophet had taught many of the initial settlers about the church while on a proselyting mission in England.
Now, there are eight stakes in the Heber City area, and President Nelson said the church will continue growing there.
"This valley will continue to be a fruitful seed bay for devoted and dedicated members of the church," he said.
The specific property where the temple will be built, President Nelson said, was purchased by the son of William and Annie Holmes. The couple was landlords for missionaries in England in 1910. They did not join the church but moved to Midway, Utah. Their son, George Holmes Sr., was born in Midway in 1914. George and his wife Clara purchased the property 1946.
President Nelson said George Holmes dreamed of building a "forever home" at the location. He said their four children can rejoice in knowing the land purchased by their grandparents will be used to fulfill that dream.
"In a very real way, his dream will be realized here," President Nelson said.
Local response
Bonnie Hagen, who lives with her husband and children in a home that is very close to the temple site, said they will be able to watch the building process from their back door. She said she was glad her children were able to attend the groundbreaking and hear the prophet speak, feel the spirit that was at the ceremony, help turn the ground for the future temple and see the importance that temples have for their family.
"Everyone is so excited. It finally feels real. We're so ready for this part of the valley to have an opportunity to serve and to have this spirit so close to us," Hagen said.
There were cars parked lining the road and some people in nearby yards stood outside trying to hear what was going on and participate in an event that was limited to ticket holders only.
Hagen and her family descend from Heber C. Kimball, who she said was a great missionary and dedicated to service.
"It's exciting to be able to carry on his legacy here, right here in our backyard," she said.
Hagen recognizes that in other parts of the world, people must travel farther to get to the temple, but she is excited to not have to take a trip through a canyon into Utah County or to the Salt Lake Valley in order to attend the temple. She said the decreased distance will help her find more opportunities to serve at the temple, as going to the temple has been hard especially in the winter, when roads can be slick.
This whole valley has been looking forward to it.
–Heidi Franco, Heber mayor
"I think any temple is a blessing to families, but to have it here — where we can literally see it out our back door — is a super exciting opportunity. Just that reminder to keep the Lord first in our lives, and to live for that goal of going to the temple. It's going to be great, I can't wait for it to be finished," she said.
Ron Bennion, who helped organize Saturday's event, said people were speculating that President Nelson might come, but actually having the prophet present was ultimately a blessing and a welcome surprise for the community.
Bennion said he learned about the groundbreaking only three-and-a-half weeks ago, but the event came together smoothly. He said it was amazing to see the community effort and volunteers who helped make it happen.
"If you think about a model community, a community that pulls together for people and its believers, it happened," Bennion said.
He and his wife coordinated the event and organized six subcommittees. Bennion said he estimated between 60 and 100 people helped make it run smoothly, giving time and energy throughout the last few weeks.
He said although he lives 40 minutes from a temple, there are communities around them that need to travel over an hour who will be able to shorten their distance by coming to this temple.
Heber Mayor Heidi Franco said she thinks having a temple in the valley will help the city. The temple grounds sit just outside the city in an area overseen by the county.
"This whole valley has been looking forward to it, and we were all wondering about the location. (I'm) very excited for this beautiful location. This is a perfect spot for it," she said, adding that the city is growing significantly — literally doubling in size — meaning they are also working to keep the infrastructure working. She said members of the church in the valley are used to driving to Provo to visit the temple and sometimes go through the canyons in bad whether.
"To have it just down the road is just thrilling, it's absolutely thrilling," Franco said. "The city just stands ready to welcome a new neighbor."
