The intent to build the temple was announced on October 4, 1997, by church president Gordon B. Hinckley during general conference.

It was the first of a new generation of smaller temples announced by Hinckley, with a more compact design to serve Latter-day Saints in remote areas.

[3] The Monticello Utah Temple was announced by church president Gordon B. Hinckley on October 4, 1997, during general conference.

[3] In the same month, Hinckley announced the building of smaller temples throughout the world to increase access for those in remote areas.

[3] Located at the base of the Abajo Mountains, the temple's exterior is finished in a marble called Noah's Crème.

[8] During the open house, an unusual event occurred when thousands of moths covered the temple grounds and walls one morning.

[15] The temple is on a 1.33-acre plot at 365 North 200 West in Monticello, Utah,[3] with surrounding landscaping of gardens and lawns, designed to provide a tranquil setting to enhance the site's sacred atmosphere.

The design has elements representing Latter-day Saint beliefs, to provide spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function.

This includes the angel Moroni statue which symbolizes the restoration of the gospel and the role of the Book of Mormon in Latter-day Saint theology.