OREM, Utah (ABC4) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inviting the public to tour the new Orem Temple.

The Orem Temple was announced in 2019 and construction began in September of 2020. The temple sits on a 16-acre plot just west of I-15 near Utah Valley University. The temple is a three-story, approximately 70,000-square-foot building. A 20,000-square-foot meetinghouse will be constructed on the temple site.

The public open house will run from Oct. 27 through Dec. 16, excluding Sundays and Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission is free, but reservations are recommended. Parking will be at designated off-site locations where shuttles will take visitors to the temple.

The construction of the temple pays homage to Orem’s history and culture, according to the Church. As one example, visitors to the Orem Temple will notice cherry blossoms in the wood paneling, metal handrails and stained art on the windows.

“By design, the Orem Utah Temple is unique to its location,” said Church officials in a statement. “However, the images in the art glass and cherry blossom design element pay homage to the history of the site and the culture of the surrounding area.”

The Church specifically points to the settling of the area by the Williamsen family, a Norwegian group of immigrants that settled a 15-acre fruit orchard in 1864. The Church eventually bought the land in 2004.

Other design choices in the Temple include marble finishes and wood columns, which are common throughout the building. Church officials said the detail of the columns, coffered ceilings, and marble wainscot is more articulated as you go through the ordinance rooms. Each has a “subtle” design as to not take way from what is happening in each room, said the Church.

The open house includes a walking tour that lasts about 40 minutes. Information on tours can be found on the temple open house website.