Wikipedia

Star Valley Wyoming Temple

The Star Valley Wyoming Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Afton, Wyoming.[1] The intent to build the temple was announced by church president Thomas S. Monson on October 1, 2011.[1] The temple was announced concurrently with the Barranquilla Colombia, Durban South Africa, Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Provo City Center temples.[1] When announced, the total number of temples worldwide increased to 166. When dedicated in 2016, it became the church's 154th operating temple, and the first in Wyoming.

Star Valley Wyoming Temple
Star Valley Wyoming Temple Church of Jesus Christ
Map
Number154
DedicationOctober 30, 2016, by David A. Bednar
Site43.6 acres (17.6 ha)
Floor area18,609 sq ft (1,728.8 m2)
Height123 ft (37 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
←
Fort Collins Colorado Temple
Star Valley Wyoming Temple 		→
Hartford Connecticut Temple
Additional information
AnnouncedOctober 1, 2011, by Thomas S. Monson[1][2]
GroundbreakingApril 25, 2015, by Craig C. Christensen
Open houseFriday, September 23, 2016-Saturday, October 8, 2016
Current presidentKirk Elmo Hathaway
LocationAfton, Wyoming, United States
Geographic coordinates42°42′44″N 110°55′57″W / 42.7121°N 110.9326°W / 42.7121; -110.9326
Exterior finishPrecast concrete panels
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms1 (stationary)
Sealing rooms1
(edit)

This temple was designed using a classical architectural style.[3] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on April 25, 2015, conducted by Craig C. Christensen, of the Presidency of the Seventy.[4]

History

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The temple was announced by Thomas S. Monson on October 1, 2011.[5] On May 25, 2012, the church announced that the temple would be constructed in Afton, Wyoming[6] east of U.S. highway 89.[7] Craig C. Christensen presided at the temple's groundbreaking on April 25, 2015.[8] Star Valley is in Lincoln County, which has the highest percentage of Latter-day Saints in Wyoming.[9]

After construction was completed, a public open house was held from September 23 to October 8, 2016, excluding Sundays.[10] The temple was dedicated by David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, on October 30, 2016.[11]

In 2020, like all others in the church, the Star Valley Wyoming Temple was closed temporarily in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]

Design and architecture

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The building has a classical architectural style[3], inspired by the Star Valley Tabernacle, a historic building dedicated in 1909 and still stands in Afton.[13] Designed by David Hunter,[3] the temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the Star Valley region and its spiritual significance to the church.

The temple is on a 43.6-acre plot, and its landscaping features grass, numerous trees, shrubs, and flowers.[3] These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.

The temple has a single attached end spire with a statue of the angel Moroni.[7] The structure was constructed with precast concrete panels.[7] The exterior has the blue spire and art glass windows depicting fireweed, a local wildflower found in the Wyoming mountains.[3]

The interior has decorative paintings which use Victorian era motifs.[3] The temple also includes a stained glass window rescued from a Presbyterian church in New York.[14] The temple has a baptistry, celestial room, and sealing room, each designed for ceremonial use.

The design uses elements representing the heritage of the Star Valley region, providing meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members and includes the use of fireweed, a local flower found in the Wyoming mountains, in the exterior art glass windows.[3]

Temple presidents

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The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[15] The first president and matron, serving from 2016 to 2019, McKell W Allred Glenae D. Allred.[16][17] As of 2024, the temple’s president and matron are Kirk E. Hathaway and Sheree D. Hathaway.

Admittance

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Following completion of construction, the church announced the public open house that was held from September 23-October 8, 2016 (excluding Sundays).[18] The temple was dedicated by David A. Bednar on October 30, 2016, in three sessions.[19]

Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[20][21]

See also

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Temples in Wyoming (edit)

Temples in Wyoming
  = Operating
  = Under construction
  = Announced
  = Temporarily Closed

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Walker, Joseph (October 1, 2011). "LDS general conference opens with the announcement of six new Mormon temples". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  2. ^ "Mormon church president announces plans for new temples in Utah, Wyoming, Colombia, Africa". Washington Post. AP. October 1, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Star Valley Wyoming Temple Fact Sheet". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  4. ^ "Ground broken for Star Valley Wyoming Temple". Deseret News. April 26, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Church, President Thomas S. Monson President of the. "As We Meet Again". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  6. ^ "Site location announced for Star Valley Wyoming LDS Temple". Deseret News. May 25, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Satterfield, Rick. "Star Valley Wyoming Temple". Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  8. ^ "Ground Broken for Star Valley Wyoming Temple". Newsroom (Press release). LDS Church. April 25, 2015.
  9. ^ Matt (June 16, 2020). "Growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church): Updated Statistical Profiles - Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming". Growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  10. ^ "Public Invited to Tour Star Valley Wyoming Temple". Newsroom (Press release). LDS Church. September 20, 2016.
  11. ^ "First Mormon Temple in Wyoming Is Dedicated: Star Valley Temple is 154th in the world". Newsroom (Press release). LDS Church. October 30, 2016.
  12. ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  13. ^ "Star Valley Wyoming Temple". Church News. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  14. ^ "Why Cedar City and 2 Other LDS Temples Have Stained Glass Windows Rescued from a Presbyterian Church". LDS Living. October 23, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  15. ^ "Presidents and Matrons of the Star Valley Wyoming Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  16. ^ "Presidents and Matrons of the Star Valley Wyoming Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  17. ^ "New temple presidents". Church News. April 28, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  18. ^ "See Photos of New Star Valley Wyoming Temple - Church News and Events". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  19. ^ "A temple in the 'star of all valleys'". Church News. October 31, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  20. ^ Hepworth, Natalia (September 21, 2016). "LOOK INSIDE: An up close glimpse inside Wyoming's first LDS Temple". East Idaho News. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  21. ^ "Inside Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
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