LDS Church leaders advance temple plans for Coeur d’Alene and Caldwell, Idaho

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LDS Church leaders advance temple plans for Coeur d’Alene and Caldwell, Idaho

Officials confirm Coeur d’Alene temple site and design, while Caldwell awaits further details

By Max Broennle | FāVS News Reporter

Main Points

Two new temples for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are approved to begin construction in Coeur d’Alene and Caldwell, Idaho. 

Construction has not begun for either temple, but the Coeur d’Alene design and location has officially been chosen. The Caldwell location has not yet released information other than their approval to build. 

The Coeur d’Alene temple is on track to be the tenth temple in Idaho. The first Idaho temple was dedicated in 1945, in Idaho Falls.

The Montpelier Idaho Temple, the eighth temple and the first in Bear Lake Valley in south eastern Idaho, will be dedicated Oct. 18 following a public open house from Sept. 10–26. 

Temples are used for religious ceremonies — not weekly church services — like endowments, seals and covenants. 

Community reaction

“We hope [people] just see it as kind of a light and a reminder, especially with the architecture as it points to heaven,” Terreton Idaho Stake President Stephen Lance Moss said. “That’s what I hope becomes the biggest thing that comes from having a temple — and that’s whether you’re a member of the church or not.” 

Both the Caldwell and Coeur d’Alene communities have responded positively to the prospective temples, according to the stake presidents.

“In general, there’s been a lot of excitement. Temples bring an increased awareness of Jesus Christ to an area, even for non-members of the church,” Caldwell, Idaho Snake River Stake President Jason Robert Nielsen said. “It doesn’t look like a standard commercial building or a standard church, so there’s interest in what they are and there’s lots of questions that get asked and, of course, the answers all revolve around Jesus Christ and his gospel.”

Following construction, but before the official dedication, they plan to have a period of time for non-members of the church to go inside and see the building. Dedication happens when a member of the first presidency dedicates the temple to the Lord through a prayer. 

“Once the dedication is done, then only recommend holders, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are able to enter the temple, but prior to that dedication the open house is open to anybody from the community, anyone who would like to come in and see what the temple looks like on the inside, see the rooms and get a better understanding of what goes on in the temple,” Nielsen said.

Although choosing where to build the temple is not up to the stake presidents, President Moss feels that Coeur d’Alene works well with the message they are trying to send with its presence.

A place that ‘points heavenward’

“Coeur d’Alene is a wonderful place, and it’s surrounded, I think, by what reminds people of goodness and God and just the nature around us really point us heavenward,” Moss said.

Moss especially feels connected to the church, after finding solace in the temple following a loss in his family.

“Our bishop told us ‘Well, what you need to do to find healing is go to the temple,’” Moss said. “The temple made a huge impact on us when we were early in our marriage, and it connects us to heaven for me and for my wife in ways that no other place does.”

Moss emphasized his want for the surrounding Coeur d’Alene community to utilize the space — members or non-members of the church.

“​​It’s going to be a beautiful landmark building in our area that you can use the grounds and enjoy, even when you’re not a member of our church — and there’ll be no pressure for you to ever be  a member of our church if you’re walking on the grounds,” Moss said.

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