Meridian Idaho Temple Is Dedicated

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the Meridian Idaho Temple on Sunday, November 19, 2017.

Prior to the dedication, President Uchtdorf conducted the symbolic cornerstone ceremony that signifies the construction is complete and the new temple is ready to be dedicated and ready for sacred use.

Downloadable video for journalists: Cornerstone SOTs | Cornerstone b-roll | Cultural Celebration SOTs | Cultural Celebration b-roll

“The Lord has decided through his living prophet, even President Monson to put a house of the Lord in this place,” said President Uchtdorf. Speaking of President Thomas S. Monson, he said, “He is aware what is happening here and is grateful for your prayers and your participation in this marvelous and wonderful work.”

Joining President Uchtdorf were Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Bishop Gérald Caussé, Presiding Bishop of the Church; Elder Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy; and Elder Kevin R. Duncan and Elder Edward Dube of the Seventy.

Plans to build the temple were announced by President Thomas S. Monson in April 2011.

The temple’s dome has an octagonal shape covered with titanium shingles that change color depending on the sunlight, from brown to gold to tan. Stone used inside the temple is marble quarried from Egypt, Italy and Spain.

President Uchtdorf referred to his experience as an aviator and how meridians have so much to do with navigation in following an exact course. “When we look at the terrestrial navigation, which we find with the help of the meridians around this globe, we are also guided towards the celestial navigation. Make sure that you're following the right path in life.”

The Gem State has four other temples located in Boise, Rexburg, Twin Falls and Idaho Falls. A sixth temple, in Pocatello, was announced by President Monson last April.

There are about 426,000 Latter-day Saints in Idaho. The temple will serve more than 60,000 Latter-day Saints in 16 stakes (a stake is similar to a diocese in the number of congregations) in the greater Boise area, including a few stakes in eastern Oregon.

A choir of Latter-day Saints from within the temple district in Idaho and Oregon provided sacred music for the cornerstone ceremony.

As part of the dedication activities, 6,000 local youth participated on Saturday, November 18, in a cultural celebration honoring Idaho and Church history. The musical production followed the theme “Be Strong, Steadfast and Immovable” and featured a 1,100-voice choir and 4,900 dancers depicting the history and culture of the Treasure Valley. The celebration was held at the Taco Bell Arena on the Boise State University campus in Boise.

President Uchtdorf told the youth that he brought the love of President Thomas S. Monson to them and said, “Wherever you go, ... because of your faithfulness and your dedication to the Lord you are a treasure to the people around you.

“We will return and report to President Monson that here in the wonderful Treasure Valley is a great treasure of young people of heaven.”

During a three-week open house in October and November, more than 208,000 people visited and toured the temple, including clergy, community leaders and residents living near the temple, as well as members 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.