Deseret News
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Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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When the leader they honor as a prophet of God describes a revelation, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints listen intently.
That leader, President Russell M. Nelson, delivered a video message on Saturday in which he spoke of prayerful thought, study, pleadings, respondings and feeling impressed both to modify the church’s initial plans for the Manti Utah Temple renovation and to build an Ephraim Utah Temple 7 miles away.
Watch what he said here.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles then stood, grasped the tiny wooden pulpit in the Manti Tabernacle in both hands and told the church members in central Utah who were watching the livestreamed broadcast that President Nelson’s announcement was an example of the Biblical saying that God will do nothing without revealing it first to his prophets.
The historic murals in the 133-year-old Manti Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will remain inside the pioneer-era edifice, a change from plans announced earlier.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will begin renovation of the Manti Temple about Oct. 1 and build the Ephraim Temple about seven miles away to preserve the pioneer temple and improve access to temple ordinances.
Nelson announces new Utah LDS temple, renovation plans for another
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President Russell M. Nelson announced a new temple in Ephraim, Utah Saturday for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It will be the church s 252nd temple, and the 27th in Utah.
Nelson also revealed that plans to renovate the nearby Manti Utah Temple will be adjusted.
Ephraim, which is about seven miles away from Manti, is a town of 7,100 people and is home to Snow College, which has 4,100 students.
Nelson made the announcement is a pre-recorded message from inside the Manti Tabernacle, saying the temple will be an important addition for the Church’s growing membership in the area including students at Snow College, a news release stated. Nelson says the temple will serve 30,000 members in the area.