Boise Idaho Temple Rededicated After Extensive Renovation

The Boise Idaho Temple was rededicated Sunday, 18 November 2012 by Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after receiving significant upgrades and modernizations.

The president of the more than 14 million-member church was greeted by Idaho and Oregon Latter-day Saints eager to enter the temple since its closure in July 2011 for extensive renovation of the interior, exterior and grounds.

President Monson was joined for the rededication by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Craig C. Christensen and Elder William R. Walker of the Seventy. Also attending were members of the temple presidency and the temple matrons.

“It shines as a beacon of righteousness to all who will follow its light,” said President Monson of the temple Saturday evening. “We treasure that light, and we thank our Heavenly Father for the blessings this temple and all temples bring into our lives.”

Elder Bednar echoed that sentiment. “There's a warmth, there's a light, there’s a brightness, there’s a radiance that comes from a temple anywhere in the world. It blesses those who are of our faith and those who are not of our faith.”

Downloadable SOTs of Elder David A. Bednar and B-roll of the Boise Idaho Temple

Latter-day Saints unable to attend the Boise Idaho Temple rededication in person watched the service in their meetinghouses by remote broadcast throughout the temple district, which includes western Idaho and eastern Oregon. Choirs comprised of Latter-day Saints from throughout the temple district provided music for the dedication.

Latter-day Saint and BYU-Idaho student Nathan Ulmer reflected what the temple meant to him as he grew up. “I remember as a youth preparing to serve a mission, this temple just kind of became a symbol to me of what it means to believe in Jesus Christ and to follow Him in word and deed and to prepare to come to this place, which I felt was a holy place.”

A cultural celebration with 9,200 Mormon youth participants was held the evening prior to the rededication. The celebration featured 4,000 dancers, 99 fiddlers and a choir of more than 1,000 singers. The theme of the celebration, “Treasure the Light,” was the inspiration of a representative group of youth leaders who believe that they are who they are today because of the rich heritage of faith, hope and love given to them by their parents, grandparents and all who have gone before them.

“I remember when I had the opportunity to be in such events,” said President Monson. “Road shows, three-act plays, all that type of thing – and I loved it, and I think you'll love it too. You’ll never forget it. Your parents are here, and we’re so proud of you and what you do.”

The temple’s darker exterior has been replaced with white granite. A new gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni sits atop the temple’s tallest spire. The temple’s interior now features a syringa flower and trees motif, which can be seen in the art glass and decorative painting. Beautiful grained hardwoods from Africa and the United States add warmth and ambience. The temple is located at 1121 South Cole Road in Boise, just north of the I-84 Cole Road exit.

During a month-long open house in October and November, 170,000 people toured the temple.

The Boise Temple is the 27th operating temple of the Church’s 140 temples worldwide. It is one of four temples in Idaho, with others in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Rexburg. A fifth temple in Meridian is currently in the planning and approval phase. Currently, there are 31 temples in various stages of construction, renovation or recently announced throughout the world.

The Boise Idaho Temple was originally completed in 1984 and dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley, then a counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

Latter-day Saint temples differ from meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Jesus Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. Inside, members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to serve Jesus Christ and their fellow man.

Downloadable B-roll of the Cultural Celebration

Downloadable B-roll of the Boise Idaho Temple