Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces a new temple

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

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

“We didn’t have a clue that it was going to be announced, and we just immediately got chills. We were so, so excited and filled with love and appreciation,” Tyler Morton, president of the Coeur d’Alene Stake, said. “It’s going to be a wonderful place where everyone is welcome to walk through the grounds and enjoy them.”

The church doesn’t have a location for the temple yet, but it will be located in one of three stakes: Post Falls, Hayden Lake or Coeur d’Alene, according to Richard Dance, the church's North Idaho communications director.

"I am pretty sure that I can speak for all eight congregations and each member in the Hayden Lake Stake when I say how elated that we are to have a temple of God announced for Coeur d'Alene," Hayden Lake Stake President Fred Sharp said. "It will be a beacon in our community as we each strive to be more Christ-like as we worship Him and serve our neighbors. The temple can be a reminder to all that we, as a community, do our best to follow his example and live by His word." 

Brad Moss, president of the Post Falls Stake, said the response to the news has been incredible. “Since yesterday afternoon my phone has been active nonstop,” he said. “The members of the Post Falls Stake are incredibly excited to have a House of the Lord in North Idaho.”

He called their dedication to Jesus Christ awe-inspiring.

“Members of the Church of Jesus Christ are your kid’s coaches, teachers, your coworkers and civic leaders,” he said. “I encourage anyone to ask a member of our faith what temples mean to them."

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 members. The Coeur d’Alene temple will be the state’s 10th temple.

“We have been preparing and praying for this moment for years. This will be a huge blessing to our area,” Morton said.