The sun sets on the new Helena Montana Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Helena, Montana.
SALT LAKE CITY — Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Helena Montana Temple on Sunday. The dedication was performed by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
The two sessions were broadcast to meetinghouses throughout the temple district, which comprises stakes in Helena, Butte, Bozeman and two in Great Falls, and covers about half of the Big Sky State.
Stevenson said, “This temple dedication serves as a testament of the strength and devotion of the Saints who reside in this beautiful region of Montana.”
President Russell M. Nelson announced the temple in Helena on April 4, 2021 — one of 20 locations identified that day during the faith’s general conference. Of the other 19 temples announced, including the Smithfield Utah Temple, 10 are under construction, one is scheduled for its groundbreaking, five have sites identified and three are earlier in planning and design.
The Helena Montana Temple sits on a 4.8-acre site at 1260 Otter Road, built atop the location of a previous stake center, which was razed to make way for the new building. A new stake center was built adjacent to the temple and has a large room that serves as a waiting area for the temple.
In preparing for the dedication and while studying the Church’s history in the state, Elder Stevenson said he realized how remarkable it is for church members in central Montana to have a temple in their midst now.
Elder Stevenson noted how members previously had to travel to either Idaho Falls, Idaho, or Alberta Canada to attend a temple. The trips would range between 230 and 270 miles.
Some 51,000 Latter-day Saints reside in Montana. The state’s first temple was built in Billings. Another is coming to Missoula.