By Cortney Bean
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Sunday the decision to build a temple in the Corner Canyon area of Draper to accommodate high temple attendance in the Salt Lake Valley.
LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley shared plans to build a third temple in the Salt Lake Valley during general conference last month, but no location was specified.
'It may appear that we are unduly favoring this area,' Hinckley said. 'But temple attendance is such that we must accommodate those who wish to come.'
Members of Draper stakes were notified of the decision Sunday by a letter from the First Presidency of the church.
Draper City Mayor Darrell H. Smith said the address of the new temple will be roughly 2000 E. 14000 South, a piece of land recently purchased by the church. A stake center is currently under construction there, occupying two of the 12 acres. The stake center and the temple will share a common parking lot, he said.
Draper City Manager Eric Keck said he thought the location was chosen because of the natural setting that invites people to recognize God''s creations.
'I think was chosen because it is probably one of the most beautiful locations for a house of worship,' Keck said.
Draper city residents recently approved an open space bond that will keep the area surrounding the new temple as a natural preserve overlooking the valley and the canyon, Keck said.
According to the 2000 census, 77 percent of Draper residents are members of the LDS church.
Keck described the location as one that resembles the Bountiful Temple with housing developments nearby.
'It really will be an icon for the church and the city of Draper because of its location,' Keck said.
The new temple will relieve overcrowding at the Jordan River Temple and will be the 12th LDS temple in Utah. The church has 130 temples in use or in planning worldwide.
There is no current timeline or date set for construction to begin.