Temples and Traffic

Logan Wilcox

Staff

Ever since the Ephraim temple open house has started, the traffic has grown. The open house has

brought visitors from out of town. This has increased the activity around the temple, with cars

driving back and forth between Main Street and the designated temple parking.

The Ephraim temple open house started on September 2nd, 2026, and ended on September 19th.

The temple was announced on May 1st 2021. The open house has already received

approximately thousands of visitors from all around the country and globe. There have been

around a hundred people per day in foot traffic, and there are similar rates for driving traffic as

well.

The increase in traffic has created inconveniences both on and off campus. Micah Friant, a

current computer science major at Snow College, had this to say about the traffic: “The traffic is

bonkers; going to Roy’s takes an hour when you used to go in and get seated immediately.”

While the increase in traffic can be inconvenient, there are positives to it. Local businesses are

getting more customers, with their signs being changed to greet them. It also allows volunteer

opportunities for the students.

Some of Snow's students who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

have volunteered at the open house. Sarah Millet was one of these volunteers, specifically

covering people’s shoes with plastic to not get the temple dirty. She said, “It was fun, good, and

a LOT of people,” when asked about the experience.

Despite Manti already having a temple, Ephraim still got one. Manti is only fifteen minutes away

from Ephraim if driving. There is a reason why the two temples were built despite being fifteen

minutes apart.

The Ephraim temple was constructed because of the lack of disability access in the Manti temple.

The Manti temple had been set for renovation but was changed by President Russel M. Nelson.

He explained that he had received very clear instruction from the Lord that the pioneer

craftsmanship of the Manti Temple should be preserved on May 1st 2021. Renovation still

happened, but it was to restore the temple instead.