When it was dedicated on November 2, 1997, the Vernal Utah Temple was unique as the church's only one built from a previously existing structure.

Since 1997, the Copenhagen Denmark, Manhattan New York, and Provo City Center temples have been similarly adapted from existing structures.

The tabernacle's foundation was constructed of nearby sandstone with walls built of four layers of fired brick from local clay.

A golden statue of the angel Moroni was placed on top of the spire facing east, which is a common element of many other church temples.

[citation needed] In 2020, like all of the church's other, the Vernal Utah Temple was closed for a time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.