Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

News Stories

Photo:  Alexis Dahle

Gorgeous Sunset at the Burley Idaho Temple

Church members in the Burley region are looking forward with excitement to the completion of the Burley Idaho Temple. The area's fertile soil and abundant water makes it an ideal location for cultivating crops, especially the famous Idaho potato, which is incorporated into the interior design of the building. The temple will be the seventh in Idaho. Two more are under construction in Montpelier and Rexburg, and the tenth has been announced for Coeur d'Alene.
Photo:  Parker Lyons

Burley Idaho Temple President and Matron Called

Paul Kenji Tateoka and Nadine Lani Tsutae Saito Tateoka of the Paul Idaho Stake will serve as the first president and matron of the Burley Idaho Temple. President Tateoka is a temple ordinance worker and a former mission president, stake president, and bishop. Sister Tateoka is a temple ordinance worker and a former mission president companion, stake Relief Society presidency counselor, stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, and ward Young Women president.
Photo:  Mark C.

Burley Idaho Temple Entrance Plaza Receives Local Touch

Natural stone from nearby Oakley, Idaho, was recently used to face the walls surrounding the entrance plaza to the Burley Idaho Temple. The temple, which has been under construction for nearly 29 months, is nearing completion. A local communication director for the Church estimates that keys could be transferred from the general contractor back to the Church by early next year. However, no indication has been given as to when the open house and dedication will occur.
Photo:  Sarah Bailey

Burley Idaho Temple Lighting System Fully Operational

The exterior lighting system for the Burley Idaho Temple has been installed and adjusted to illuminate the exterior walls and architectural features of this beautiful house of the Lord in the evenings. The black benches that will be installed on the temple grounds have been staged on site alongside numerous crates of other materials. Much of the finish work on the interior has been completed.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Landscaping Progress on the Burley Idaho Temple Grounds

Large sections of the Burley Idaho Temple grounds have been mulched and planted, as landscapers continue their work of beautifying the temple site. The exterior of the temple has been completed while finish work continues on the interior. Construction of this house of the Lord began 27 months ago. It is one of three temples under construction in the state—the others being the Montpelier Idaho Temple and Teton River Idaho Temple.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Exterior Lighting of the Burley Idaho Temple

Installation and testing of the exterior lighting system for the Burley Idaho Temple is underway. The spotlights are pointed toward the building to subtly illuminate the stone-clad walls and to accentuate the architectural details. On the interior, finish work is progressing, and more stained glass is being installed. Construction of the temple began in June 2022, just over two years ago.
Photo:  Curtis Gayle Richins

Burley Idaho Temple Welcome Center Closing in Mid-July

Visitors to the Burley Idaho Temple are encouraged to make an appointment with Elder and Sister Griffin at the Welcome Center before it closes in mid-July to accommodate the installation of a storm drain where the trailer sits. They offer a wonderful presentation on the construction of the temple that is always being updated. The return of the Welcome Center is uncertain.
Photo:  Isaac Taylor

Potato Blossom Featured in the Burley Idaho Temple Design

The design motif of the Burley Idaho Temple was discussed in a recent KMVT interview with David Wilson, director of the Church's communication council in the Twin Falls region. "This area is famous for potatoes," he said. "We have a lot potato farms so as they were looking for a logo, or a symbol to be used they picked the potato flower." The temple, which sits on a former potato farm, features depictions of small potatoes in the stained glass with both the roots and the green foliage on top.
Photo:  Isaac Taylor

Stunning Sunset at the Burley Idaho Temple Site

Landscaping progress on the grounds of the Burley Idaho Temple can been seen in a stunning aerial photograph taken at sunset. Concrete has been poured for the planter boxes at the temple entrance, and sprinkler lines are being run. Trees have been planted in the parking lot islands that surround the building in a circular pattern. Construction of the temple began nearly two years ago on Saturday, June 4, 2022.
Photo:  Rob Welker

Rising Sun Creates Silhouette of the Burley Idaho Temple

Sun rays dance across the water that is sprayed over the farmland near the Burley Idaho Temple. The dawning light ushers in another construction day of Idaho's seventh temple. The sacred structure stands in the aptly named Magic Valley, located in the south-central portion of the state. Landscaping around the temple is making progress, including the planting of trees and installation of sprinkler lines.
Photo:  Burley Idaho Temple Facebook page

Fertile Farmland Around the Burley Idaho Temple

The granite-clad Burley Idaho Temple is a beautiful sight when standing in the farmland that lies west of this house of the Lord. The region is a center for agricultural production given the fertile soil and abundance of irrigation water from nearby rivers. Potatoes were among the first crops that were grown in the area, but they were followed by sugar beets, alfalfa, and grains. The temple site itself is former farmland.
Photo:  Burley Idaho Temple Facebook page

All Scaffolding Removed from the Burley Idaho Temple

All of the scaffolding was removed from the Burley Idaho Temple this week, unveiling the completed stone cladding that distinguishes the exterior of the building. A gap in the stonework can be seen in the header of the entrance portico where the inscription panels will be installed. Ornamental metal spandrels that coordinate with the spire are being secured to the spaces between the first- and second-level windows.
Photo:  Aaron Allen

Exterior and Interior Progress on the Burley Idaho Temple

A spell of unseasonably warm winter weather in the Magic Valley has produced ideal conditions for making significant progress on the exterior stonework of the Burley Idaho Temple. Work has also begun on glazing the stained-glass windows. On the interior, nearly all of the drywall has been hung, dark mahogany millwork is being installed, and decorative gold leaf is being added.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Stone Cladding of the Burley Idaho Temple Nearing Completion

The final pieces of stone cladding are being added to the south side of the Burley Idaho Temple. The spire was installed atop the tower last month, and finish work is well underway on the interior. Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy, who was born and raised in Burley, presided at the groundbreaking services a year and a half ago. He said, "As we turn this soil, we pray for an eternal harvest as a house of the Lord, a holy temple, rises out of the ground in this place."
Photo:  Burley Idaho Temple Facebook page

Tiered Spire Installed on the Burley Idaho Temple

The tiered metal spire for the Burley Idaho Temple was installed atop the tower this afternoon. The handsome structure had been delivered earlier in the day on a flatbed trailer, and news of the impending installation spread quickly. A crowd gathered to celebrate the milestone achievement and to capture photos and videos. The final piece of the steeple to be installed will be the finial, bringing the temple to its full height.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Removing Scaffolding from the Burley Idaho Temple Tower

Scaffolding is being removed from the newly clad tower that rises over the entrance to the Burley Idaho Temple. A fluted, tiered spire will be affixed to the top of the tower to form the full steeple. Cladding will soon be secured to the temple's facade where hanging brackets have already been attached. Much of the hardscape has been installed on the grounds, and trees are now being planted.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Burley Idaho Temple Has Location Near the Snake River

Construction is progressing steadily on the stately Burley Idaho Temple where exterior cladding is moving closer toward completion. Like the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple, the Burley temple is located near the Snake River. It offers miles of lake-like waters for activities that include boating, water skiing, windsurfing, and fishing. Each summer Burley hosts events on the river like the Idaho Regatta boat races and Wake in the Snake wakeboarding competition.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Cladding the North End of the Burley Idaho Temple

White billowy clouds slowly drift over South Central Idaho where crews are busily working to construct the Burley Idaho Temple. With cladding largely completed on the east and west sides of the building, work is now progressing on the north end where the baptistry and celestial room will be located.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Sidewalks and Parking Lot Pavement for the Burley Idaho Temple

At the Burley Idaho Temple site, the installation of sidewalks and parking lot pavement has made excellent progress. Cladding of the temple exterior is nearly finished on the west and east sides. The north (rear) side, south (front) side, and steeple will come next. Ground was broken for the temple about 13 months ago, and construction has moved forward steadily every since.
Photo:  Jeremy Searle

Curbing and Walkways Installed on the Burley Idaho Temple Grounds

An aerial view of the Burley Idaho Temple grounds shows the circular layout planned for the parking areas. The concrete curbing, walkways, and sidewalks have been installed. The large area in front of the temple will be beautifully landscaped, providing a location for photographs with the temple. The majority of the west side has been clad in stone, and the south face is sheathed.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Window Installation at the Burley Idaho Temple

Window frames and glass have been installed in many of the window openings in the Burley Idaho Temple. Stone cladding continues on the west side of the building, and sheathing of the south portico has begun. Most of the yellow sheathing boards have been coated in a dark waterproofing sealer.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Roofing Materials Delivered to the Burley Idaho Temple Site

Roofing materials have been delivered and staged on the Burley Idaho Temple site. Stone cladding continues at the northwest corner where the work began. Some of the granite pieces feature a potato flower design in honor of the area's agricultural roots, especially in potato farming. Burley was originally founded as a railway stop in 1905. It was named after David Ellsworth Burley, a railroad official.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Stone Cladding of the Burley Idaho Temple Underway

Exterior cladding of the Burley Idaho Temple has begun at the northwest corner of the building. The cladding is installed using vertical brackets that are bolted through the sheathing boards to the steel studs underneath. Interior framing, sheathing, damp proofing, and cladding are all in progress. Transparent glass is being installed in some of the window openings.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Wind Storm Takes Down Fence at Burley Idaho Temple Site

Southerly wind gusts of 50 to 70 miles per hour (80 to 112 kilometers per hour) were measured yesterday along the Interstate 84 and 86 corridor between the cities of Burley and Pocatello in the state of Idaho. At the Burley Idaho Temple site, the violent winds knocked down portions of the chain-link fence around the property because the attached privacy screens prevented the wind from passing through. Framing and sheathing of the temple continue.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Sheathing of the Burley Idaho Temple Underway

Yellow sheathing boards are being attached to the steel frame of the Burley Idaho Temple, creating a solid surface for the exterior walls. Openings have been left for the windows, which are arranged in two rows of ten on each of the long sides of the temple. The main entrance of the south-facing building will catch the sun in the winter months, helping to keep the area clear of snow.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Staircases Installed in the Burley Idaho Temple

Staircase frames have been added inside the Burley Idaho Temple, and light framing for the exterior walls is progressing. A crane is used to lift and roughly position pieces of steel while workers in boom lifts make detailed adjustments and fasten them into place. The two-story temple is rising in a developing residential area at the southeast edge of Burley near the Snake River.
Photo:  Joseph Kloepfer

Steeple Frame Added to the Burley Idaho Temple

A telescoping crane lifted the steeple frame for the Burley Idaho Temple into place yesterday. The steeple will reach much higher when it is topped with a fluted multi-tiered spire later in the construction process. The temple in Burley is the only temple in Idaho currently under construction, but two more are in the planning phases: the Teton River Idaho Temple and the Montpelier Idaho Temple.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Framing of the Burley Idaho Temple Progresses

The structural frame for the main body of the Burley Idaho Temple is in place, including the beginnings of the platform that will hold the steeple. The frame for the steeple lies in a staging area near the temple where it awaits installation. The ground floor of the building has been wrapped in plastic sheeting to protect crews and equipment from the winter weather during the rough-in phase. Construction began six months ago.
Photo:  Ethan Searle

Heavy Framing of the Burley Idaho Temple Underway

Construction of the steel frame for the two-story Burley Idaho Temple is making headway. The process began with securing steel columns to anchor bolts in the concrete foundation. Horizontal I-beams were then set in place to roughly tie the columns together. Later, a steel erector will plumb all the columns and square the horizontal sections, tightening any loose-fitting bolts and adding secondary bolts that were left our during the rough-fit phase. A truck-mounted crane is performing the heavy lifting of steel pieces.
Photo:  Shanna Anderson

Building a Drainage System for the Burley Idaho Temple Site

A lone steel column rises from the Burley Idaho Temple site where foundation work has been underway for three and a half months. The heavy steel frame for the superstructure of the building will rise over the coming months. Work is also progressing on a drainage system for the property. Drainage ditches have been dug, and concrete drainage boxes have been delivered.