Dedication of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple
News of a possible temple in Twin Falls, Idaho, came to light when people found out that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had purchased the property of a failing golf course in the area. Two weeks later, President Gordon B. Hinkley — 15th President of the Church — officially announced in October 2004 general conference that Twin Falls would in fact be getting a temple.
President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the Twin Falls Idaho Temple on Aug. 24, 2008, less than seven months after becoming the 16th President of the Church. He was joined by President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency; Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve; and other Church and local leaders.
The editorial board of a local newspaper — composed of members of other faiths — wrote a house editorial welcoming the new house of the Lord. They wrote, “Collectively, we’re proud that the church chose to build a temple here and that [President] Hinckley personally picked the site. In so doing, he honored Twin Falls residents of every faith.”
After a cornerstone ceremony that sealed a time capsule in the temple’s southwest corner, President Monson looked to nearby children in Sunday best and said, “Boys and girls, remember this day.”
Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May this house provide a spirit of peace to all who observe its majesty, and especially to those who enter for their own sacred ordinances and to perform the work for their loved ones beyond the veil. Let them feel of Thy divine love and mercy.”
Read the dedicatory prayer of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple here.
Timeline of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple
October
02
2004
April
15
2006
Groundbreaking
The Twin Falls Idaho Temple’s site dedication and groundbreaking ceremony were held on April 15, 2006, with approximately 1,000 people in attendance. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Presidency of the Seventy conducted the service.
July
11
2008
Open house
The Church held an open house for the temple from July 11 to Aug. 16, 2008. Almost 160,000 attendees came to the event, with 40% being nonmembers. Local stakes were asked to provide 650 volunteers per day.
August
23
2008
Cultural celebration
On Aug. 23, 2008 — the day before the temple was dedicated — a cultural celebration was held at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds. The celebration’s theme was “Living Water,” referring to the blessings the Snake River had brought to the area. The youth featured 14 dances that celebrated the history of the area. President Thomas S. Monson spoke at the end of the performance to thank those in attendance and said, “I think you will always remember the part you had here. You can’t help but remember it.”
August
24
2008
Dedication
On Aug. 24, 2008, the Twin Falls Idaho Temple was dedicated during four sessions, and the dedicatory prayer was given by Church President Thomas S. Monson.
SEE ALL Timeline of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple
A temple was announced for Twin Falls, Idaho, on Oct. 2, 2004. Ground was broken on April 15, 2006, with Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Presidency of the Seventy presiding over the event.
After an open house from July 11 to Aug. 16, 2008, the Twin Falls Idaho Temple was dedicated by Church President Thomas S. Monson on Aug. 24, 2008.
Architecture and Design of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple
The Twin Falls Idaho Temple is a white, two-story building with a quartz-rock finish. The granite found in the temple was imported from India, and other stone from Montana. The wood trim throughout the structure was imported from Africa, and the mural found within the temple is an original painting done by an Idaho artist, Leon Parson. Statues of oxen in the baptistry are made of fiberglass. A recurring symbol in the temple is the shape of the Syringa flower, Idaho’s state flower.
The architecture, design and interior artwork were inspired by the nearby Shoshone Falls. The 31,245-square-foot structure is topped with a statue of the angel Moroni. At the time of the temple’s dedication, the angel Moroni, at 159 feet in the air, was the highest point in the area.
The grounds offer a stake center for the area and are decorated with tree-lined boulevards and gardens. The temple has a single baptistry, a celestial room, four ordinance rooms and five sealing rooms.
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