A year to the day after a fire destroyed the Provo Tabernacle, the LDS Church’s plan to restore the historic building and convert it into a Mormon temple is expected to bring more to the city than spiritual blessings for devout Latter-day Saints. Civic and business leaders figure it also will bring people — and their wallets — downtown, further energizing the heart of Provo.
"What it has done is legitimize the efforts of a lot of people to bring prosperity to downtown," said Richard Gregory, owner of the Provo Town Square commercial center across the street from the tabernacle.