A first look inside the new Montpelier Idaho Temple
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MONTPELIER — Media representatives got a first look inside the new Montpelier, Idaho, Temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, just days before it opens to the public.
Church leaders led media members through the newly completed temple, offering a glimpse inside the sacred building and explaining its purpose and significance to Latter-day Saints.
Elder Mark D. Eddy, a General Authority with the Church’s Quorum of the Seventy, presided at the event and welcomed media guests.
“This is a joyful occasion for members of the church and the entire world,” Eddy said. “This is a region rich in pioneer heritage, and today we pay homage to that heritage.”
RELATED: Montpelier Idaho Temple will open to public next week for tours
The temple, located at 534 Washington Street, will serve more than 15,500 Latter-day Saints in six stakes throughout the temple district.
Scott and Alisha Esquibel, temple open house and dedication coordinators who have been involved with the project since its beginning, said the temple is a blessing not only to Montpelier but to Latter-day Saints in the surrounding areas of Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah.
“The people here are temple-loving people,” Alisha said. “Many times, there are chain laws in effect in the winter to go over the mountain passes to get to the nearby temples, and the people here are so temple faithful.
Until now, many members in the area have traveled to temples in Logan, Star Valley or Pocatello.
“The prophet and the Lord made it possible to have a temple here,” Alisha said. “For many of the older people who can’t make that drive, it’s opened up a whole new world.”
Scott said he also believes the temple will boost the local economy by bringing visitors and potentially new businesses to the area, particularly with nearby Bear Lake already attracting travelers from throughout the region.
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For the Esquibels, seeing the temple completed after years of involvement is especially meaningful.
“It’s been a blessing and a labor of love,” Alisha said. “Come feel, see, and experience.”
“Come and see the temple and enjoy the spirit,” Scott added.
During the open house, visitors will take a walking tour lasting approximately 45 minutes to an hour, passing through a variety of rooms and learning about their purposes. Church representatives will be available to answer questions.
Beginning Thursday, Sept. 10, the public will have the same opportunity to tour the temple during an open house that runs through Saturday, Sept. 26, excluding Sundays. Tours will be offered Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. No tickets or reservations are required.
Elder Karl D. Hirst of the United States Central Area Presidency, who also presided at the event and welcomed media guests, encourages the public to take advantage of the open house window.
“The open house provides a rare opportunity for people who are not church members, as well as others who do not regularly enter Latter-day Saint temples, to see inside,” he said. “After a temple is dedicated, church members who meet the requirements for temple worship are the only ones allowed inside.”
Hirst said the next time the temple has an open house will be when it is remodeled, which won’t be for many years.
The Montpelier, Idaho, Temple will be dedicated Sunday, Oct. 18. Once dedicated, it will no longer be open for public tours.
More information, photos, and videos of the temple can be seen here.