By Elizabeth Stohlton
After eight months of renovations, the Monticello Utah Temple is nearing completion, again.
The Monticello Temple was the first small temple built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1998.
It is one of only three temples to utilize the smallest of the three designs announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997, said Dale Bills, spokesman for the Church.
Now, a little over four years later, the Monticello Temple is expanding because the needs of the patrons have outgrown the existing temple''s capacity.
'Because it was the first small temple built by the Church, they did not have a model to go by,' said Lyle Adams, president of the Monticello Temple.
Adams said that they are now finding out that the Monticello Temple needs to be made larger.
'This is just catching up with the other small temples,' Adams said.
Bills said that the purpose of building smaller temples is to take them to the people and make them smaller so that many more could be built.
In a recent General Conference address, President Hinckley urged members of the Church to utilize temples.
'These wonderful buildings of various sizes and architectural designs are now scattered through the nations of the earth. These temples have been constructed to be used,' President Hinckley said.
Bills said that one reason why the Monticello Temple is being enlarged is to handle the large workload.
Adams said that members are eager to do temple work in Monticello.
The Monticello Temple has been closed for remodeling for more than six months.
Construction began on the temple in March, but the temple was not closed until the beginning of April.
The temple will increase in size from 7,000 square feet to 11,225, and will include a second ordinance room and a second sealing room.
Other areas have been enlarged to accommodate a waiting room, offices for temple workers and a laundry facility, Adams said.
The Monticello Temple district includes Moab, Monticello, Blanding and Durango, Colo.
It services 14,000 members of five stakes, Adams said.
All of the smaller temples are opened on an as-needed basis, meaning that the patrons need to call the temple ahead of time and tell them which session they will be attending, Adams said.
Sessions are already scheduled and the temple is open daily, Adams said.
The temple sits on a 1.33-acre site adjacent to an existing Latter-day Saint meetinghouse.
The open house will run Nov. 2, through Nov. 9, with the exception of Nov. 3.
The temple will be rededicated Sunday, Nov. 17.
The temple is scheduled to reopen Nov. 18 for invited guests, and will be open to all temple patrons Nov. 19, Adams said.