The open house for the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began on Tuesday, September 8, with a media day for invited guests and journalists. Doors will open to the public from Thursday, September 10, through Saturday, September 26, excluding Sundays.
Downloadable B-roll & Montpelier Idaho Temple Press Kit
The new temple is located at 534 Washington Street in Montpelier. No reservation is required.
The temple will be dedicated on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. (rebroadcast at 2 p.m.). It will be broadcast to all congregations in the Montpelier Idaho Temple district.
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Elder Karl D. Hirst of the United States Central Area Presidency speaks to journalists at media day for the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
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Elder Karl D. Hirst of the United States Central Area Presidency speaks to journalists during media day for the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
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Elder Karl D. Hirst stands with members of the community and press during the Montpelier Idaho Temple media day on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
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Elder Karl D. Hirst of the United States Central Area Presidency and Elder Mark D. Eddy of the Seventy speak during the media day for the Montpelier Idaho Temple on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
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Attendees sit outside the during the Montpelier Idaho Temple media day on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. A public open house for the temple will run from Thursday, September 10, through Saturday, September 26, excluding Sundays.
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Elder Karl D. Hirst of the United States Central Area Presidency and Elder Mark D. Eddy of the Seventy attend media day for the Montpelier Idaho Temple on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Elder Karl D. Hirst of the United States Central Area Presidency presided at the event. He was joined by Elder Mark D. Eddy of the Seventy.
“Temples stand as beautiful, sacred symbols of Jesus Christ’s loving invitation to come unto Him across all generations and in all places,” said Elder Hirst.
Elder Hirst also reflected on his connection to one of Montpelier’s earliest settlers.
“We were baptized within 30 miles of one another, although not at the same time,” he said. “For me, it is a beautiful and meaningful moment to be here and feel that connection with the people who helped settle this community.”
About the Montpelier Idaho Temple
Elder Eddy reflected on the temple’s connection to the area's pioneer heritage and its significance for future generations.
“This region is rich in its pioneer heritage, and we pay homage to that heritage today and remember those who have gone before as we celebrate the opening of this house of the Lord in Montpelier,” he said.
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Exterior of the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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The baptistry of the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the temple, faithful Latter-day Saints can be baptized on behalf of their deceased ancestors, who can choose whether to accept this baptism.
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Stained glass window inside the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Chandeliers inside the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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A sealing room in the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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The waiting room in the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Details of the interior of the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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The celestial room inside the Montpelier Idaho Temple. Entering the celestial room symbolizes coming into the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ.
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The recommend desk of the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Interior of the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Elder Eddy said the temple stands as an expression of God’s love for His children.
“Each and every temple is another manifestation of our Heavenly Father’s great love for His children and of His desire to help them return to His presence and receive eternal life,” he said.
The chicory flower motif, inspired by a flower common in the Montpelier area, appears in various stages of bloom throughout the temple’s interior. The temple’s color palette of gold, blue, green and yellow reflects the local wildflowers and the turquoise waters of nearby Bear Lake.
More than 15,000 Church members in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming will be part of the Montpelier Idaho Temple district. The Montpelier Idaho Temple will become the Church's 225th operating temple worldwide.
Once dedicated, the Montpelier Idaho Temple will serve as the eighth dedicated temple in the state, joining the Idaho Falls, Boise, Burley, Rexburg, Twin Falls, Meridian and Pocatello Idaho Temples.
The Teton River Idaho and Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temples are under construction. The Caldwell Idaho Temple was announced in April 2025.
The temple was announced in April 2022 by President Russell M. Nelson. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in June 2023.
Idaho is home to nearly 483,000 Latter-day Saints meeting in more than 1,300 congregations.
Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ differ from meetinghouses or chapels where members gather for Sunday worship services. A temple is considered a house of the Lord, where the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ceremonies that allow families to be united for eternity through the Savior’s power.