[4] Church president Gordon B. Hinckley announced the intent to construct the temple during the opening session of the October 2004 general conference.

The temple sits above 1,000 acres (400 ha; 1.6 sq mi) of open space in the canyon below that the city approved in fall of 2005.

[7] The temple groundbreaking occurred during an invitation-only ceremony at the site, and which was broadcast on the church's satellite system to nearby stake centers.

The ceremony was conducted by Russell M. Nelson of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with all members of the First Presidency in attendance.

Designed by FFKR Architects, the temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the Draper region and its spiritual significance to the church.

[4] The 57,000-square-foot (5,300 m2) temple is 166 feet (51 m) high from the main level to the top of the structure's spire, which includes the angel Moroni statue.

The design has elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism, providing deeper spiritual to the temple's appearance and function.

Symbolism is important to church members and include the interior design’s motif of the sego lily, which is Utah’s state flower.