Prank Temple Site Sign Excites, Disappoints People in Layton

LAYTON, Utah – Word spread quickly Saturday morning after a sign mysteriously popped up at the corner of Hillfield Road and 2200 West.

“Someone sent me a message and said, ‘have you seen this?’ I was so excited,” Layton resident, Jamie Shields said. “I gathered up my girls, and I went and of course. We were one of the many that got pictures taken. We had to wait in line, because there was so many people.”

Another nearby resident, Rachel Sherwood saw a friend’s post on Facebook.

“I was excited. It’s really close to where we live,” Sherwood said.

Just as fast as the news spread however, our weekend staff at KSL was able to make a call to church headquarters, and debunk the newly-formed rumor. According to church spokesperson Daniel Woodruff a future site for the temple has not been announced. The sign was a fake.

“If you look at the picture on it, I think it was the Boston Temple,” Layton resident, Melissa Bodily pointed out. “The layout of the temple on it; usually they don’t replicate another temple.”

The truth was disappointing to many.

“Cruel. It’s not nice,” Sherwood said. “Within walking distance, yeah. Would have been nice, right?”

Syracuse resident, Kim Crump couldn’t help but be somewhat impressed with the early April Fools prank.

“I can’t believe someone took the time to do it. I applaud their efforts,” Crump said. “They had the pictures, everything. I don’t know if they stole the logo, or figured out the font. It was all pretty elaborate.”

However, the fact that a temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is still coming to Layton somewhere isn’t lost on people.

“We’re excited to have it in Layton anyway,” Sheilds said. “A mile away, or five miles away, we’re still excited.”