Idaho Falls Temple Is Re-Dedicated
Featured photo by Alan Fullmer – Idaho Falls Temple River Reflection
Beginning over a year ago, the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple has been undergoing extensive interior renovations. But now, after being closed for that entire time, the temple was re-dedicated on Sunday, June 4, 2017 by President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The temple, originally dedicated by President George Albert Smith in 1945, was the first temple built in Idaho. Since then, the Twin Falls, Boise, and Rexburg temples have been built. A fifth, the Meridian Idaho Temple, is under construction and scheduled to be dedicated on November 19, 2017. In addition to the other five temples, and sixth was recently announced to be built in Pocatello.
President Eyring was blessed to have the wonderful opportunity of dedicating the temple because it holds a special place in the hearts of him and his wife. During the dedication he said, “This is the temple I came to during the years that my wife and I were at Ricks College [BYU-Idaho], and so I have sweet memories of this place. And also of the people in this place. This is the place of faith among Latter-day Saints.”
Before the dedication took place, more than 250,000 people visited the temple in April and May during the public open house. Visitors included area residents, Latter-day Saints, clergy of many different faiths and business, government and community leaders.
A wonderful cultural celebration was presented on June 3rd by approximately 12,000 youth from Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Lost River, McCammon, Pocatello, Rigby and Salmon. The celebration was themed “Temple by the River — Reflections.” Through drama, music, and dance, a cultural history of the Snake River Valley was shown.
President Eyring said he hopes people who visited the temple during the open house would feel that the temple was the house of the Lord – “I hope they felt that families can be forever.”
President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS Church, at the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple during the re-dedication weekend.