BEAR LAKE COUNTY, Idaho — A top leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Montpelier Idaho Temple on Sunday, marking the global faith’s 225th operating temple worldwide and its eighth in Idaho.
President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the church’s First Presidency, presided over the dedicatory session. In his address, Eyring emphasized the doctrinal role of temples in uniting families across generations and offering spiritual reassurance during personal trials.
“Temples are evidence that God is a God of covenants and that His plan reaches beyond mortality into eternity,” 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.”
Eyring also shared a personal reflection regarding his late wife, Kathleen. He recounted that as her health declined and she could no longer worship inside, she regularly drove to the nearby Bountiful Utah Temple to sit outside for hours, drawing comfort from its presence.
Unlike meetinghouses, which are open to the public for weekly Sunday worship, Latter-day Saint temples are reserved for faithful members to participate in sacred ceremonies, including eternal family marriages.
Church President Russell M. Nelson first announced the Montpelier project in April 2022, and construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony in June 2023. The new building will serve a district of more than 15,000 members across rural communities in southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming and northern Utah.
Local church members gathered to celebrate the opening, welcoming the addition to Bear Lake Valley. Kenneth Petersen, a church leader from Cokeville, Wyoming, said the temple would uplift the region.
“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,” Petersen said.
Residents noted the temple will ease travel for local families who previously drove to Star Valley, Wyoming.
“Having a temple here in Montpelier so close to home will bless my family’s life and bless my personal life,” said local resident Treygen Nelson. “It’ll be a lot easier to go to the temple a little more regularly.”
Eyring was joined by Elder Steven R. Bangerter, executive director of the Temple Department, and Elder Ricardo P. Giménez of the United States Central Area Presidency, alongside their wives.