LDS Church announces new temple in Brigham City, location still unknown
Oct 06, 2009 | 1424 views | 4 
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This aerial photo was taken in the 1990s for Brigham City Corporation.
Brigham City residents are excited about a temple being built in Brigham City. That surprise announcement was made by President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the Saturday morning session of General Conference.
The town is buzzing with various theories of where the sacred edifice will be built.
Regarding Brigham City and the four other locations listed, the specific sites were not announced. According to church spokesman Scott Trotter, “The specific sites for these temples will be announced later. Some sites are under contract or being negotiated, and in other locations more than one site is being considered. The Church will make further announcements once details are known.”
The other new temples were be built in Concepción, Chile; Fortaleza, Brazil; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and Sapporo, Japan.
Steve Packer, president of the Brigham City South Stake of the church, said, “This is a thrilling event in this community. Most people in town watching conference didn’t see the rest of the morning session because they were calling loved ones on the phone. This is an exciting thing that we have long hoped for.
“There is a lot of speculation,” he continued. “Brigham Young prophesied in the 1870s that Brigham City would have a temple east of the cemetery.”
Other speculative sites include two downtown locations - the Central Square block or converting the Box Elder Tabernacle into a temple.
Packer said news of the sale of Central Square has sparked that speculation but no one knows who is under contract to buy the property. The church already owns various properties in Brigham City that are big enough for a temple. Traditionally the church likes to build temples on a hill.
There are a lot of individuals in Brigham City who have been assigned to the Ogden and Logan temples as ordinance workers, Packer continued. There are about 30 workers from Brigham City South Stake who currently serve in the Ogden Temple.
“This temple will provide a lot more opportunities for the people and a lot more responsibility. That’s good,” Packer concluded.
Brigham City Mayor Lou Ann Christensen said the temple will be a great economic development opportunity for Brigham City. “It will be an advantage to everyone. All property values in the area increase. Visitors will shop here and eat in our restaurants. It’s a win-win for all,” she explained.
“I can’t think of anything better than to have a temple here,” she concluded.
City councilman Bruce Christensen said a temple changes a neighborhood. “The temple is a great spirit-lifting thing for a community.”
Christensen said he looks forward to learning the location and seeing the kind of design and architecture the temple will have.
The Brigham City Temple will be the 14th temple in Utah. There are presently 130 operating temples worldwide with 16 more in various phases of construction. With the five new temples announced Saturday there will be 151 temples worldwide.
According to a press release from the church, Latter-day Saint temples differ from ordinary church buildings where members typically meet for Sunday worship services, midweek classes, and activities. There are thousands of such chapels throughout the world, all open to visitors.
For members of the LDS Church, temples are the most sacred places on earth. They are used solely for the performance of sacred ceremonies such as marriage, and religious instruction aimed at strengthening members’ relationships with God and their fellowman. The temples provide a place of holiness and peace, separate from the preoccupation of the world, where church members make formal promises and commitments to God.
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GRAVEL PIT(S): To the East of the cemetary there are two sites. (1)The 1000 foot by 500 foot triangle West above the Y where 2nd South forks from Highway 89. (2)The several acres on the East of Highway 89 nest to the mountian. Both sites would meet the "prophetic" location of East of the Cemetary. Remenber, they used to be connected before the highway cut was made. The West most end of the hill (Water Tank Hill or Cell Tower Hill) is inadeqate space wise and is mostly covered by water tanks and towers.
CENTRAL SCHOOL: The area of dirt is 252 feet by about 250 leaving the parking as is. Too small for a 179 by 72 foot building.
OLD GOLF COURSE At Main and 9th North and to the West. Posible but high water table with springs all over. Size and access OK.
BRIGHAM CITY WEST SKAKE CENTER: 885 North 825 West. The ball fields or Jay Stuart's alfalfa field to the East is more likely.
BOX ELDER STAKE CENTER: 420 South 800 West on the lot North of the stake center and West of the High School owned by the School District.
INDIAN SCHOOL The area of derilict former dorms.
WEST FORREST STREET. West of Autoliv.
Nearly all will require substantial infrastructure and road improvements. Question does prophacy outweight practicality?