The Farmington New Mexico Temple Opens for Tours

The Farmington New Mexico Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will open its doors to the public for free tours on July 17, 2025. The open house will continue through August 2, 2025, excluding Sundays. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The dedicatory session will be broadcast to all congregations in the temple district. 

The Farmington New Mexico Temple was first announced by Church President Russell M. Nelson during the April 2021 general conference. Construction began on April 30, 2022. The 29,066-square-foot temple sits on a 6.63-acre site at 4400 College Boulevard. It joins the Albuquerque New Mexico Temple, dedicated on March 5, 2000, as the state’s second temple.  

Downloadable B-roll Interior

Farmington Temple Media Day 

Journalists and media guests were invited to see the new house of the Lord on July 14, 2025. Other invited guests will tour the temple on July 15-16 before the public open house. 

“As we see temples emerging from the ground, wherever they are, wherever they’re constructed, we see a light begin to grow outward from the temple … in the hearts, in the minds, even in the countenance of the people surrounding that temple — both members of the Church and our friends that are not members of the Church,” said Elder Steven R. Bangerter, Temple Department Assistant Executive Director. 

In addition to Church leaders and media, several local authorities attended the temple media day.

“I want to make sure that my support for the Church will always be there,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. “[Promoting God, Jesus, prayer, and purpose is] such a good thing for our communities because that’s something that can last a whole lifetime.”

Farmington Mayor Nate Duckett described how values emulated by the presence of a temple will benefit the community.

“I know what those values are: it’s hard work, and it’s dedication and service to other people and a lot of family values,” he said. “And who wouldn’t want those people in their community?”

Acting Attorney General of the Navajo Nation, Heather Clah said, “It’s just a wonderful feeling and so wonderful understanding that when we listen to the prophets … they say that [the temple is] going to be opening doors to people, particularly Native people.”

Elder Bangerter explained the significance of the temple’s beauty.

“The beauty of the temple, while stunning, is simply a manifestation of our love for God and our desire to put our best foot forward in the construction of His holy house, where the real core of the temple [is] the ordinances and the covenants,” he said.

The Church’s rich history in New Mexico began in 1879, when a pioneer caravan of Latter-day Saints from Southern Utah settled in the Farmington and Durango areas. In 1885, the San Juan stake (similar to a diocese) was organized, composed of congregations in Farmington and areas nearby. More than 69,000 Latter-day Saints in nearly 140 congregations call New Mexico home today. 

The Farmington New Mexico Temple will serve a diverse community of Latter-day Saints, including multiple Spanish-speaking congregations and numerous congregations from the surrounding Native American reservations. 

In the early 1980s, Marlo L. Webb, a local Church leader in Farmington, selected a site for a new chapel on College Boulevard. The chapel was removed to make room for the Farmington New Mexico Temple and a new chapel for Sunday services that will serve four congregations. 

Before the old chapel was demolished, its usable assets, such as pews, organ, pianos, wheelchair lift, audio video equipment, tables and chairs, were donated to local churches of various denominations.

The exterior stone of the Farmington Temple is a warm Portuguese white granite. The landscape design is influenced by the geometric shapes and architecture of other buildings in the area. 

The Farmington Temple’s interior design motifs draw inspiration from local Native American influence, featuring feather patterns, organic chevron and diamond running patterns, geometric line work, and stepped pyramid shapes. Depictions of native flora such as the piñon pinecone and globemallow flower can also be seen throughout the temple.  

The interior’s vibrant colors, including coral, turquoise, green, orange and warm cream, reflect the richness and beauty of Farmington’s culture and landscape. The bride’s room features a Murano glass chandelier.