Boise Idaho Temple
| Boise Idaho Temple | ||||
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| Number | 27 | |||
| Dedication | May 25, 1984, by Gordon B. Hinckley | |||
| Site | 4.83 acres (1.95 ha) | |||
| Floor area | 35,868 sq ft (3,332.2 m2) | |||
| Height | 112 ft (34 m) | |||
| Official website • News & images | ||||
| Church chronology | ||||
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| Additional information | ||||
| Announced | March 31, 1982, by Spencer W. Kimball | |||
| Groundbreaking | December 18, 1982, by Mark E. Petersen | |||
| Open house | May 1-19, 1984 | |||
| Rededicated | May 29, 1987, by James E. Faust November 18, 2012, by Thomas S. Monson | |||
| Current president | Larry D. Bishop | |||
| Designed by | Church A&E Services | |||
| Location | Boise, Idaho, U.S. | |||
| Geographic coordinates | 43°35′36.68279″N 116°16′30.12240″W / 43.5935229972°N 116.2750340000°W | |||
| Exterior finish | Light-colored marble face with a slate roof | |||
| Temple design | Modern adaptation of six-spire design | |||
| Baptistries | 1 | |||
| Ordinance rooms | 4 (stationary) | |||
| Sealing rooms | 4 | |||
| Notes | The rededication in 1987 was for an addition only. The Boise Idaho Temple was closed for additional renovations in July 2011 and rededicated in November 2012. | |||
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The Boise Idaho Temple is the 29th constructed and 27th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple is located in the city of Boise, Idaho. The intent to build the temple was announced on March 31, 1982, by Gordon B. Hinckley under the direction of church president Spencer W. Kimball during a press conference. The temple was the second to be built in Idaho and is the only Idaho temple dedicated by Hinckley.[1][2]
History
[edit]Church leaders discussed building a temple in the western part of Idaho as early as 1939. However, with the majority of the church's membership in the eastern part of Idaho, the leaders decided against it and concentrated on building the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple.[3]
Forty-five years later, on March 31, 1982, church leaders announced that a temple would be built in the Boise area.[1] The temple site is located near an exit from Interstate 84 and is visible to those traveling along the highway and for pilots using the Boise Airport.[2]
A groundbreaking ceremony took place on December 18, 1982, marking the commencement of construction. The ceremony was presided over by Mark E. Petersen and attended by local church members and community leaders.[1][4]
The temple was completed in 1984, with an open house to be held from May 1-19, 1984. It was anticipated that 70,000 visitors would tour the temple during the nineteen-day open house, but over 128,000 attended. The open house brought an increased interest in the church. The Boise Idaho Temple was dedicated May 25, 1984 by Hinckley. Temple attendance was much higher than expected,so it was closed for renovation in October 1986. Following renovation, the temple was rededicated in 1987 by James E. Faust.[1] After reopening, the temple served more than 100,000 members in southwestern Idaho and part of eastern Oregon.
In 2020, like all others in the church, the Boise Idaho Temple was closed for a time in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[5]
Design and architecture
[edit]The Boise Idaho Temple has a total of 35,325 square feet (3,281.8 m2), four ordinance rooms, and four sealing rooms. It was built with a sloping roof & six-spire design.[2] The architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the Boise area and its spiritual significance to the church.
Site
The temple sits on a 4.83-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features trees, shrubs, and a large fountain.[1][2] These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.
Exterior
The structure stands 112 feet tall, constructed with white granite. The exterior is characterized by six white spires and a statue of the angel Moroni, elements which were chosen for their symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions.[1][2] The design incorporates elements that reflect local culture and broader church symbolism.
Interior
The interior features green, blue, and earth tones, centered around the celestial room, which is designed to create a spiritually uplifting environment and features stained glass as well as a large crystal chandelier. The temple includes a baptistry, four ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms, each arranged for ceremonial use.[1][2]
Symbols
The design uses symbolic elements representing the temple’s importance to Idaho, providing deeper spiritual meaning to its appearance and function. The interior decorations make repeated use of the syringa, which is Idaho’s state flower.[1]
The Temple is as a place of worship and an architectural landmark in Boise, Idaho, representing the church's commitment to sacred and aesthetically inspiring spaces.
Renovation
[edit]Over the years, the Boise Idaho Temple has undergone several renovations to preserve its structural integrity, update facilities, and enhance its spiritual and aesthetic appeal. The first renovation project commenced in 1986, just two years after the temple was dedicated. A new annex and baptistry were added, and the temple was rededicated in February 1987 after being closed for a year.[1]
On May 20, 2011, church leadership announced that the temple would again close for extensive renovations.[6] The temple closed on July 11, 2011, for extensive renovations and was rededicated on November 18, 2012, by church president Thomas S. Monson.[2][7] Preceding the rededication an open house was held between October 13 and November 10, excluding Sundays.[8][9][10] The renovation included work on the heating and cooling systems and a reconfiguration of the floor plan to make it more efficient.[11] Most visibly, the marble tiles that covered the temple were removed and replaced with gray granite tiles.[2]
Throughout the renovation process, efforts were made to maintain the temple's historical and spiritual significance. For example, when windows were replaced, the old windows were crushed so they could be transformed into art glass and used as interior decoration.[1]
Temple presidents
[edit]The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[2]
The first president of the Boise Idaho Temple was Seth D. Redford, with the matron being Thelma F. Redford. They served from 1984 to 1987.[2] As of 2024, Brian K. Zarkou is the president, with Mary C. Zarkou serving as matron.[2]
Admittance
[edit]Before the temple’s dedication by Gordon B. Hinckley on May 25, 1984, a public open house was held from May 1-19, 1984 (excluding Sundays).[12] During the open house, 128,716 visitors of all faiths toured the temple.[citation needed]
The temple was closed for renovations from July 2011 to October 2012. Following this renovation period, the temple was again open to the public for an open house that ran from October 13 to November 10, 2012. Nearly 170,000 people visited the temple during the open house. The temple was rededicated by Thomas S. Monson on November 18, 2012. [1] [13]
Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship. [13]
See also
[edit]
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Temples in Boise Metro () Eastern Idaho Temples Idaho Map
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- Harold G. Hillam, a former temple president
- Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
- Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Idaho
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Boise Idaho Temple | Church News Almanac". Church News. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Satterfield, Rick, Boise Idaho Temple, ChurchofJesusChristTemples.com, retrieved October 26, 2012.
- ^ "Boise Idaho Temple - Mormonism, The Mormon Church, Beliefs, & Religion - MormonWiki". www.mormonwiki.com. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "Dec 24, 1982, page 16 - The Daily Spectrum at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
- ^ "Boise Temple To Be Closed For Renovation". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. May 20, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ Staff (November 19, 2012), "President Thomas Monson dedicates Boise Idaho Temple", Idaho Press-Tribune, retrieved November 26, 2012.
- ^ Roberts, Bill (October 10, 2012), "Inside the Mormons' sacred space in Boise", Idaho Statesman, retrieved October 26, 2012.
- ^ Funk, John (October 11, 2012), "Temple Opens Doors: Boise LDS landmark renovated, will reopen in November", Idaho Press-Tribune, retrieved October 26, 2012.
- ^ Corr, Justin (October 13, 2012), Thousands tour renovated LDS temple, KTVB, archived from the original on October 17, 2012, retrieved October 26, 2012.
- ^ Christensen, Glenna (July 21, 2012), "Renovation of LDS Boise temple will be completed soon" (NewsBank), Idaho Statesman[dead link] Alt URL.
- ^ "May 04, 1984, page 14 - South Idaho Press at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ a b "Boise Idaho Temple Rededicated After Extensive Renovation". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. November 19, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Boise Idaho Temple at Wikimedia Commons- Boise Idaho Temple Official site
- Boise Idaho Temple at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org
- Boise Idaho Temple page with interior photos
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