• It is the 225th operating temple worldwide

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the Montpelier Idaho Temple on Sunday, October 18, 2026. This is the Church’s 225th operating temple worldwide and the eighth dedicated temple in Idaho.

During the dedicatory session, President Eyring taught that temples connect families across generations and help draw worshippers closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

“Temples are evidence that God is a God of covenants and that His plan reaches beyond mortality into eternity,” President Eyring said. “The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls. It allows us to reach through the veil of death and across generations to allow the Lord unite families in the joy of eternal life.”

Temples are houses of the Lord where people can draw closer to Jesus Christ, make sacred covenants with God and participate in ordinances that, through the power of Jesus Christ, allow families to be united for eternity. Temples are not the same as meetinghouses, where congregations gather for weekly Sunday worship services.

“I’m hopeful that because this building’s here, the Saints will be a little more Christlike, that even those who are not members of the Church will be able to feel that spirit,” said Kenneth Petersen, a local leader of the Church from Cokeville, Wyoming.

President Eyring said that dedicated temples bring “the promise of closer communion with Heavenly Father, the Savior, and those we love who are in the spirit world.”

He testified that temple covenants provide strength during trials and help bind families together in lasting love.

“The privilege of serving here will bring blessings across the world and across generations,” he said.

“When I see this temple, I just feel joy,” said Grace Jensen following the dedication. “I love being able to have it here, so I have a chance to grow closer to my Heavenly Father.”

Her younger sister Claire also feels that joy and is excited about her chance to attend the temple in the years ahead.

“I’m not old enough yet to get my [temple] recommend, but I’m very excited for when I do, because I would like to come each week and be able to be in the temple,” she said.

President Eyring also reflected on the blessings that come from simply being near the house of the Lord. Recounting an experience involving his late wife, Kathleen, he said that as her illness progressed and she could no longer participate in temple worship, she would often drive to the nearby Bountiful Utah Temple and sit outside for hours.

“She no longer felt able to go inside, but she must have felt the comfort of being at the door of the Lord’s house,” he said.

He concluded by expressing gratitude for faithful Saints who built and supported the temple and testified of Heavenly Father’s love for His children.

“My prayer today is that we may feel, in this house of God, Heavenly Father’s love for His children and of His desire to bring us back into His presence,” President Eyring said.

“Having a temple here in Montpelier so close to home will bless my family’s life and bless my personal life,” said Treygen Nelson, a resident of Montpelier. “It’ll be a lot easier to go to the temple a little more regularly and also better keep our family focused on the temple and raising our kids in the way that Heavenly Father wants us to.”

“When this temple was announced, I was surprised. The Star Valley [Wyoming] Temple is so close, but I think there’s something more that’s going to happen in this community, in the surrounding communities. I think our Heavenly Father is preparing us for whatever is coming next,” said Petersen.

“It was like a piece of heaven,” said Monique Flake, a native of Montpelier following the dedication. “I know our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ want us to come to the temple often to feel Their love, to do the work for our ancestors, and to keep strengthening our families by coming to the temple.”

President Eyring was joined at the dedication by Elder Steven R. Bangerter, Executive Director of the Temple Department, his wife, Susan, Elder Ricardo P. Giménez of the United States Central Area Presidency, and his wife, Catherine.

The Montpelier Idaho Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson in April 2022. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in June 2023.

More than 15,000 Church members in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming are part of the temple district.