Latter-day Saints announce a new temple in Coeur d’Alene

COEUR d’ALENE — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Saturday that a new temple will be coming to Coeur d’Alene. 

During the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced that 17 new temples will be built worldwide, including the one in North Idaho. 

Elder Hal C. Hunsaker said he was overjoyed at the announcement of a new temple to be built in Coeur d’Alene. 

“Temples assist faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in our journey to know and follow Jesus Christ. This new temple will be a great addition to the Pacific Northwest,” Hunsaker said. 

Hayden Lake residents Richard and Julienne Dance said many people in the community drive two to three hours to serve and attend the Spokane Washington Temple and that the prospect of having a North Idaho temple means greater accessibility to the people here.  

Early Church pioneers settled in Idaho in 1855, and Idaho is home to more than 475,000 LDS members. The Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple will be the state’s tenth temple.

“We have been preparing and praying for this moment for years. This will be a huge blessing to our area,” Tyler S. Morton of Coeur d’Alene said.