The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Saturday the open house and dedication dates for the new Twin Falls Idaho Temple.
Following tours for media and dignitaries, the public will be invited to visit the temple from Friday, 11 July 2008, until Saturday, 16 August 2008, excluding Sundays.
After the open house, the temple will be formally dedicated on Sunday, 24 August 2008, in four dedicatory sessions.
The temple will serve approximately 40,000 Church members living in Twin Falls and throughout Idaho’s Magic Valley.
In conjunction with the temple dedication, there will also be a cultural celebration featuring music and dance on Saturday, 23 August 2008.
Latter-day Saint temples differ from the Church’s meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Christ's teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. In the temple, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and strengthen their commitment to serve Jesus Christ and those around them.
The Twin Falls Idaho Temple was announced on 2 October 2004. It will be the 128th operating temple in the world, and the fourth in Idaho.