SALT LAKE CITY — Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Casper Wyoming Temple, the state’s second temple, on Sunday. The dedication was performed by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and was broadcast to local congregations within the temple district.
Elder Cook promised great blessings for those who engage in temple work — especially for their own ancestors — including protection, peace and unity. He said the temple is also a place of thanksgiving, refuge and instruction — a place to experience tranquility and peace in a world that is in commotion.
Elder Cook was accompanied by his wife, Mary; Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé and his wife, Valérie; Elder Ricardo P. Giménez, a General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor in the North America Central Area, and his wife, Catherine; Elder James R. Rasband, a General Authority Seventy and Assistant Executive Director in the Temple Department, and his wife, Mary.
The first company of Mormon pioneers traveled through Wyoming toward Salt Lake City in 1847. Sixty thousand more would later follow the trail not far from where the temple stands today.
The first branch (a small congregation) of church members was organized in Casper in 1920 as part of the Western States Mission. Members met in private homes until a chapel was built in 1938. A second, larger building was dedicated in 1955. The first two stakes in the region were organized in 1962.
President Russell M. Nelson announced the Casper temple during the April 2021 general conference. Construction began after a groundbreaking ceremony was held October 9, 2021. A public open house was held August 29 through September 13, attended by about 27,000 people.
The Casper temple will serve more than 15,000 members of the Church in nearly 50 congregations. The Star Valley Wyoming Temple was dedicated in 2016. A third temple, the Cody Wyoming Temple, announced in 2021, is under construction.