Grand Junction Colorado Temple
Latest News
Recent News Articles
- April 8, 2025 – GJ LDS church plans open house for new temple
- April 8, 2025 – Open House and Dedication Dates for Temples in Nevada and Colorado
- November 4, 2024 – Grand Junction temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- June 30, 2024 – Getting closer: Details coming together for LDS Grand Junction temple
News Stories
Photo: Aaron Hart
Opening Dates Announced for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
The dates for the open house and dedication of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple have been announced. A media day will be held on Monday, September 8, followed by two days of tours for invited guests. Tours for the public will be offered from Thursday, September 11, through Saturday, September 27, excluding Sundays. The temple will be dedicated by President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Sunday, October 19, 2025. The dedicatory session will be broadcast to all units in the temple district.
Photo: Aaron Hart
Grand Junction Colorado Temple Shines in the Darkness
The nearly completed Grand Junction Colorado Temple shines brightly under the dark of night. The Apostle Paul taught: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for…what communion hath light with darkness?…And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Corinthians 6:14,16).
Photo: Zanaan Gregory Frame
Grand Junction Colorado Temple President and Matron Called
Allan Lee Allphin and Diane Peacock Allphin of the Liberty Cap Ward in the Grand Junction Colorado West Stake have been called as president and matron of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple. President Allphin is a ward temple and family history leader, temple ordinance worker, and stake Church service missionary. Sister Allphin is also a ward temple and family history consultant, temple ordinance worker, and stake Church service missionary.
Photo: Grand Junction Colorado West Stake
Trek to the Temple Activity in Grand Junction
Members of the Grand Junction Colorado West Stake recently participated in a "Trek to the Temple" activity on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Grand Junction Colorado Temple site. Volunteers wiped down the entire fence and swept the concrete mow strip and curbing. In the visitors' trailer, 138 cards were written for delivery to the subcontractors. The missionary couple provided lots of information that was well received.
Photo: Logan Nye
Exterior Lighting for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
The exterior floodlighting system for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple is now operational. The beautiful temple, which sits on a hill, produces reflection on these words from the Sermon on the Mount: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).
Photo: Jennifer Barney Lewis
Preparing for More Sod on the Grand Junction Colorado Temple Grounds
The welcome center trailer has been moved from its previous location next to the parking lot entrance for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple to prepare the land for grass sod and hardscaping. At the rear of the property, more flowerbeds have been made ready for rock mulch and plantings. Finish work is nearing completion on the interior of the temple and the on-site grounds maintenance building.
Photo: Michael Holt
Rear Retaining Wall Clad Behind the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
The retaining wall at the rear of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple grounds has been faced with a rustic stacked-stone veneer and topped with coordinating coping stones. Trees with delicate leaves have been planted in the rock-mulched landscape strip that lies between the ornamental fence and retaining wall. Because the temple site slopes from the east to the west, retaining walls are used to create level terraces.
Photo: Bryan Nielsen
View of Grand Junction Colorado Temple from Horizon Drive
A recent photograph of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple taken from Horizon Drive captures the sublime beauty of this house of the Lord that sits above the roundabout at Horizon Drive and North 12th Street. A series of stairs lead from the street to the temple entrance where the front doors were recently installed. The majority of work has been completed on the interior and exterior, and the landscaping is making progress.
Photo: Rich Guggenheim
Laying Sod on the Grand Junction Colorado Temple Grounds
Fresh rolls of grass sod are being laid on the grounds of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple, just outside the ornamental fencing. The temple's exterior cladding and art glass both feature the same design motif—the claret cup cactus. It was named the official state cactus of Colorado in 2014, and it is also known as the hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus). Lamp posts are being installed in the parking area.
Photo: Colorado Grand Junction Temple Facebook page
Spring Flowers at the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
Spring flowers are abloom around the Grand Junction Colorado Temple construction site. Scaffolding has been fully removed from the completed stone exterior, and the installation of stained glass continues. The warmer weather is bringing an acceleration to the landscaping efforts on the grounds of Colorado's third temple. A fourth temple has been announced for the state for the city of Colorado Springs.
Photo: Randy Christensen
Scaffolding Coming Off the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
Scaffolding is being removed from the steeple of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple, revealing the beautifully completed stonework. Portions of the ornamental fence have been installed, and work is progressing on the hardscape. Much more landscaping will take place over the spring and summer. Next Tuesday marks the two-year anniversary of the temple groundbreaking.
Photo: Reg Hass
Landscaping the Grand Junction Colorado Temple Grounds
Pavers have been laid for an attractive hardscape feature on the grounds behind the Grand Junction Colorado Temple. The large floral pattern at the center of the plaza echoes the design found on many other surfaces of this house of the Lord. Concrete bases have been installed for future lamp posts, and numerous trees have been planted and staked in the surrounding soil.
Photo: Steve Smith
Cupola and Finial Installed on the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
The cupola and finial for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple were secured to the top of the steeple on Thursday, March 7, bringing the sacred structure to its final height. The temple rises prominently over the roundabout where Horizon Drive and North 12th Street intersect. Grand Junction is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Denver, Colorado.
Photo: Colorado Grand Junction Temple Facebook page
Cladding of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple Nearing Completion
Cladding of the exterior surfaces of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple is nearing completion. Stone has been attached to the steeple, leaving the front portico to be finished. Picket panels are being installed between the fence posts that were previously anchored to a concrete curb. Construction will reach the two-year mark next month.
Photo: Colorado Grand Junction Temple Facebook page
Fence Installation Progress at the Grand Junction Colorado Temple Site
Installation of the property fence around the Grand Junction Colorado Temple site is making progress. Fence posts are being set in a concrete footer, and concrete walkways are being poured on the grounds. The lower tier of the steeple has been clad in beautiful stonework, and the upper tiers will soon follow. The temple will be the third dedicated in the state of Colorado; a fourth has been announced for Colorado Springs.
Photo: Roger Baer
Planting Trees on the Grand Junction Colorado Temple Grounds
Stone cladding is moving up the walls of the mechanical level of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple, and the steeple will soon follow. On the grounds, many elements of the hardscape have been installed and some trees have been planted. The temple stands about a mile southwest of I-70 across from a new housing development. Construction has been underway for the past 20 months.
Photo: Colorado Grand Junction Temple Facebook page
Stone Cladding Progress at the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
The Grand Junction Colorado Temple is looking more beautiful each day, as more granite pieces and panels are affixed to the exterior. The main body of the temple is nearing completion, and then scaffolding will go up around the mechanical level and steeple where the work will continue. An American flag has flown at top of the steeple for the past six months, marking the completion of the structural framing.
Photo: Colorado Grand Junction Temple Facebook page
Hardscaping the Grounds of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
Concrete elements are giving structure to the front grounds of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple. A short retaining wall crosses the lower end of the property in front of the concrete core for the monument sign. Up the hill are closed strings for the staircase and terraced planters in front of the main entrance. Exterior cladding is working its way to the front of the building.
Photo: Colorado Grand Junction Temple Facebook page
Visitors' Trailer at the Grand Junction Colorado Temple to Close Temporarily
A rainbow patch was recently captured above the horizon at the Grand Junction Colorado Temple site where stone cladding of the building's exterior continues. A metal manufacturer is currently producing the shingles for the cupola and finial that will rise from the top. The missionary couple at the visitors' trailer is reminding guests that the trailer will be temporarily closed from October 5–24, 2023.
Photo: Colorado Grand Junction Temple Facebook page
Stone Cladding of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
Masonry work is nearing completion on the east (rear) side of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple where the sealing rooms will be located. Asphalt has been paved for the north parking lot, and temporary parking lines have been drawn. The building is largely enclosed with glass installed in most of the window openings. Sheathing of the steeple has been completed, which will be capped by a pyramidal cupola.
Photo: Gary R Justice
Grand Junction Colorado Temple Entrance Portico Framed
Framing has filled in for the entrance portico of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple while sheathing and cladding of the exterior progress. Windows have been installed, allowing interior framing and utility rough-ins to move forward. Guests are welcomed at a visitors' trailer where construction can be viewed from an observation platform.
Photo: Colorado Grand Junction Temple Facebook page
Cladding and Curbing at the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
Stone cladding has begun at one corner of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple while the installation of sheathing boards and a moisture barrier continues for the exterior walls. On the temple grounds, curbing is being poured for the driveways and parking areas. An observation platform is available at the visitors' center trailer with excellent views of the construction activity.
Photo: David Koons
Sheathing the Exterior of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
Yellow sheathing boards are being attached to the steel frame of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple. The fiberglass-faced gypsum provides superior mold and moisture resistance to paper-faced boards. Interior framing and light framing of the exterior continues. The temple has been under construction for nearly a year. It sits at a beautiful location at the roundabout intersection of Horizon Dr and N 12th St.
Photo: Trent Lay
Steeple Frame Assembled for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
Structural framing for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple has kicked into high gear over the past month. The steeple frame was recently assembled and secured to the top of the growing framework, taking the temple closer to its full height. In the accompanying photograph, the temple is seen from the parking lot of a grocery store located across the street. Construction began 10 months ago.
Photo: Edward Wilks
Framing of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple Progressing
Structural framing of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple is advancing once again, giving a sense of the size and proportions of the building. Steel columns are fastened to the concrete slab with the help of telescoping crane. The single-level building will have a partial basement where the baptismal font will be located and a mechanical level above the main floor where systems and equipment will be installed.
Photo: Nancy Hymas
Framing of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple Begins
With rough plumbing and foundation work for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple drawing closer to completion, the first steel beams and columns have been set for the structural frame of the building. The temple will serve members living in the Western Slope region of Colorado. The name Grand Junction comes from the city's location at the confluence (or junction) of the Upper Colorado River (formerly the Grand River) and the Gunnison River.
Photo: Nancy Hymas
Grand Junction Colorado Temple Foundation Progress
With deep underlying supports in place, work on the Grand Junction Colorado Temple foundation is making steady progress. Concrete walls are being formed and poured for the partial basement where the baptismal font will stand, and the rest of the temple footprint is becoming more evident as the ground floor foundation walls are installed. The temple is the third to be constructed in the state of Colorado.
Photo: Porter Brothers Construction
Rainbow Over the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
The sun rises on another construction day at the Grand Junction Colorado Temple site, casting light that reflects on the distant rain to form a beautiful rainbow. Crews are pouring pier caps to transfer the load of the temple superstructure to the supporting piers below. Grade beams are also being installed. They will distribute weight from the load-bearing walls to the underlying pier caps.
Photo: Colorado Grand Junction Temple Facebook page
Building the Foundation for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
Construction observers who peer over the chain-link fence surrounding the Grand Junction Colorado Temple can see a variety of construction equipment and materials on site including a boom truck, excavators, portable security tower, conduit, rebar cages, and wooden pallets. Foundation work continues for the temple inside the excavation area. The groundbreaking ceremony was held just over four months ago.
Drilling for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple Foundation
Drilling equipment is making progress on the sturdy pier foundation that will support the Grand Junction Colorado Temple. The drill rig sits inside of the excavation area where shafts are formed and filled with aggregate that is rammed in layers until it forms a pier of superior strength and stiffness. Construction began just over two months ago.