The first settlement attempt of Cache Valley occurred in 1856. Having endured the brutal winter, more Latter-day Saints migrated north, and Cache Valley became an established community. But even before the area was well established, prophecies were given by church leaders on the future construction of a temple.
\nIn an 1863 meeting, Wilford Woodruff of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said that the day would come when great cities would fall but that Logan and its temple would outlast them. Ground was finally broken on the temple in 1877, beginning a seven-year construction process. Financing the temple was a challenge for these pioneers, but they rose to the occasion. The total expenses for the temple amounted to just over $600,000, with half consisting of labor costs. Through various programs and 100% volunteer labor, the Saints were able to complete the temple and have it ready for dedication exactly seven years after breaking ground.
\nThe dedication services were held from May 17th to 19th, 1884. Church president John Taylor presided and offered the dedicatory prayer. As part of that prayer, he said, “We feel, O Lord God, our weakness and unworthiness before Thee, and our inability to do anything without Thy guidance and assistance; but as Thou hast given us a commandment…we have built this house, and present it to Thee, and pray that Thou wilt accept it in the name of Thy Son Jesus Christ.” This prayer reflects the attitudes of those that built the temple, who believed their total reliance was on God and saw the majestic building as a humble offering.
As part of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Logan Temple in 1934, poet Harrison R. Merrill wrote of the temple:
“Against the turquoise Utah skies
Two solemn temple towers rise,
Twin beacons marking well the place
Where children of a mighty race
Of Pioneers assemble. They came from far
The temple gleams – A guiding star.”
The temple has since undergone major renovations, including a complete gutting of the interior in 1976. The renovation aimed to improve efficiency in temple ordinance work but came at the expense of historic pioneer craftsmanship. Many lament the loss of pioneer heritage, but plans are in place to restore some of the original style. In 2019, church president Russell M. Nelson stated, “Ours is a sacred responsibility to care for [pioneer-era temples]. Therefore, these pioneer temples will soon undergo a period of renewal and refreshing and, for some, a major restoration. Efforts will be made to preserve the unique historicity of each temple wherever possible.” As of December 2024, no additional plans for renovations have been announced.
","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"Those descending out of Sardine Canyon are welcomed into Cache Valley by the Logan Temple. Perched atop the east bench of the valley, it stands 170 feet tall. For nearly a century and a half, the temple has been an icon of the valley and a testament to the diligence of the pioneers who built it.","website":"","related_resources":["Nelson, Russell. “Closing Remarks,” Church of Jesus Christ, April 2019.![https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Logan2.jpg](\"https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Logan2.jpg\"){kind=link}
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