Brigham City Temple

Tuesday was a big day in the construction of the Brigham City Temple.  The Angel Moroni statue was placed on the front spire of the Temple.  It was quite the event.  People were going into the Brigham City Cemetery to watch it.  The Cemetery is about 1/4 mile from the Temple.  It was also broadcast into local stake centers.

The Temple is located on Main Street between 200 and 300 South.  It is across the street from the Brigham City Tabernacle.  The Tabernacle has been the major local landmark; it's easily seen from the highway and really stands out at night. 

The Temple was announced during the October 2009 General Conference.  It took us by surprise.  I don't know anyone who expected that our small town would get our own temple.  This whole process has been quite the experience.  

The block where the Temple is being built is one of the smallest in town.  The Temple is very close to sidewalks on both sides.  It is a small temple design.  Parking will be underground.

When the groundbreaking and dedication ceremony was held last year on July 31st, President Boyd K. Packer was presiding.  President Monson was not available for the groundbreaking.  It was very appropriate that President Packer presided.  He was Brigham City born and raised and was a Seminary teacher at Box Elder High.  President Packer said that he was convinced this site was reserved by the Lord to build this Temple.

The site where the Temple is being built was the location of Central Elementary. The School District tore down the school a few years ago.  A local developer purchased the land.  He planned on having arts type businesses, in their own buildings there.  By 2005, he had sold two of the lots.  They had a number of interested people.  They put in the parking around the site.  Then, things came to a rapid halt.  There were no sales of any lots and by 2007 the development had come to a halt.  In 2009 the Temple was announced and, within six months, the lot had been sold.  Shortly after the "sold" sign went up, it was announced that this was the chosen site for the Temple.  When the development came to halt, many of us were surprised.  I am absolutely convinced that the words President Packer spoke were absolutely correct.

I drive by the Temple lot every day as I go to school.  Construction is approaching the one year mark.  It's been quite a site watching the progress.  For the first few months, when the foundation and parking was being dug, nothing could be seen.  Then the first part of the Temple's structure rose above the fence.  I've seen it go from the metal structure, to the walls go up, to steeples being put on the Temple, to the placing of Moroni on the steeple.  It's been quite the site.

We're excited for the day that construction is done, landscaping finished, tours completed, and the Temple dedicated.  It will be great having a temple just down the street.