Meridian Idaho Temple Is Dedicated

Posted November 19, 2017 at 3:38 PM in Announcement, Temple News

Featured photo by Jason Miller – Tucson Temple – Calming the Storms

More than 8 years after it was announced in April, 2011, and after more than 3 years of construction, the Meridian Idaho Temple was dedicated today, November 19, 2017. The dedication was performed by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the 5th temple in Idaho and the 158^th temple in the world.

Before the dedicatory prayer was offered, President Uchtdorf said, “The Lord has decided through his living prophet even President Monson to put a house of the Lord in this place.” Speaking of President Thomas S. Monson, he said, “He is aware what is happening here and is grateful for your prayers and your participation in this marvelous and wonderful work.”

President Uchtdorf referred to his experience as an aviator and how meridian has so much to do with navigation in following an exact course. “When we look at the terrestrial navigation, which we find with the help of the meridians around this globe, we are also guided towards the celestial navigation. Make sure that you’re following the right path in life.”

During the three-week public open house in October and November, more than 208,000 people visited and toured the temple, including clergy, community leaders and residents living near the temple, as well as members of the Church.

The temple is unique among the many temples of the Church, and really a first of it’s kind as far as the design goes. Throughout the temple, both inside and out, are design mofits of the camas flower and the Syringa flower, the state flower of Idaho. The stone used inside the temple is marble that was quarried in Egypt, Italy and Spain. And thousands of plants and shrubs were used to landscape the temple grounds, including native conifers and hundreds of rose bushes.

The Meridian Temple is the fifth temple in Idaho. It follows the Idaho Falls, Boise, Rexburg, and Twin Falls temples. There are currently eight stakes, 63 congregations and nearly 28,000 church members in Meridian.

If you haven’t seen pictures of it yet, or didn’t have a chance to attend the public open house, be sure to take a look at the pictures of the beautiful interior of the Meridian Temple!