(Featured photo by Alan Fullmer – Star Valley Temple – Star of All Valleys)

The recent completion of the renovations of the Idaho Falls Temple made us think of the prophecy that it fulfilled when it was originally built. And this temple isn’t the only one in the world that fulfilled a prophecy. Over the past 100 years or so, prophets and apostles have foretold of temples that would be built in countries around the world. The Nairobi Kenya Temple that President Monson recently announced is one such temple, and we’ll cover that prophecy in a future post. But for now, here are three LDS temples in the United States that were foretold by leaders of the Church long before they were built to serve the Saints.

Idaho Falls Temple – Reflection of Color by Kenny Latimer

Idaho Falls Idaho Temple

In 1884, when the saints were struggling to colonize the desert prairie of the Idaho Falls area, the saints were uplifted by President Wilford Woodruff, who was an apostle at the time, when he told the Saints in the area to “be not disheartened because God’s blessing is upon this land. As I look into the future of this great valley, I can see temples—I can see beautiful temples erected to the name of the Living God where holy labors may be carried on in his name through generations to come.”

The Idaho Falls Temple is considered to be a fulfillment of that prophecy given by President Woodruff. And not only was the building foreseen, but the design of the temple was also inspired. Architect John Fetzer, Sr. prayed for guidance with the design of the temple. The design was inspired by a vision that he had of an ancient Nephite temple.

The temple was originally dedicated by George Albert Smith on September 23 to 25, 1945, and it was recently re-dedicated on June 4, 2017, following extensive renovations.

Star Valley Temple – Sunrise Northeast by Rory Wallwork

Star Valley Wyoming Temple

In the late 1870s, Elder Moses Thatcher, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, visited Star Valley, Wyoming looking for a place for the Saints to colonize. He ended up naming the valley Star Valley because “it is the star of all valleys.” Later, he prophesied to George Goddard, an officer of the Church, that “a fine tract of bench land on the eastern portion of Afton will afford a beautiful site for a temple.”

On October 1, 2011, President Monson fulfilled Elder Thatcher’s prophecy with the announcement that the Star Valley Temple would be built in Afton. The temple was indeed built on the east side of Afton, and on October 30, 2016, the Star Valley Temple was dedicated by David A. Bednar.

Vernal Temple Twilight by Phill Monson

Vernal Utah Temple

The Vernal Temple was the first temple to be built from an existing building – the Uintah Stake Tabernacle. When the tabernacle was originally built in 1907, during its dedication President Joseph F. Smith told the congregation in attendance that “the day would come when a temple would be built in your own midst here.”

In 1993, the idea to convert the tabernacle into a temple was proposed to the First Presidency of the Church and the announcement for the Vernal Utah Temple was made on February 13, 1994. Work began on the alterations and the dedication followed on November 2, 1997.