The Monticello Utah Temple is the 53rd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). In October 1997, LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley announced the building of smaller Latter-day Saint temples throughout the world. The first of these smaller temples was to be built in Monticello, Utah. Less than one year after the announcement, the Monticello Utah Temple was dedicated on July 26, 1998.