MONTICELLO — Remodeling of the Monticello Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is nearing completion and the temple will open for public tours beginning Nov. 2.
Because of high use, this first LDS temple to utilize a smaller design is currently being enlarged.
The open house will run Saturday, Nov. 2, through Saturday, Nov. 9, with the exception of Sunday, Nov. 3. At the conclusion of the open house, the temple will be closed to the public. It will be rededicated Sunday, Nov. 17, in one session attended by members of the church in the temple district.
The Monticello Utah Temple will serve more than 13,000 members of the church in an area that covers Moab, Monticello, Blanding and Durango, Colo. The temple sits on a 1.33-acre site adjacent to an existing Latter-day Saint meetinghouse.
The temple will increase in size from 7,000 square feet to 11,225 and will include a second ordinance room and second sealing room. Other areas of the temple have been enlarged to accommodate a waiting room, offices for temple workers and a laundry facility.
The smaller temple concept was announced in 1997 to accommodate Latter-day Saints in remote areas. Since then, many new temples have been built bringing the number of operating temples to 113 around the world.