Historic home movies of 1940 Idaho Falls Temple cornerstone ceremony discovered
An interesting sidebar story to the Idaho Falls Temple Rededication was the recent discovery of some historic old home movies. Jay Hildebrandt talked to John Strobel who was surprised what was on one of the 77-year-old films he got transferred to DVD.
This suitcase filled with old super 8 millimeter home movies was in John Stobel’s aunt’s basement for 36 years. Late last year, they were given to him, and he took them to a friend who transfers old movies to DVD.
“And he was so excited and he said I have something I need to show you.”
And this is the video that caused such excitement.
“This was the cornerstone dedication, October 19th, 1940.”
It was historic film of this special cornerstone event at the construction of the Idaho Falls temple. 77 years ago. What was especially exciting is the clip actually shows President David O. McKay sealing the cornerstone of the temple in place with mortar. He was a counselor in the first presidency at the time and later became president of the Church. And it’s in color … something very rare for home movies in 1940.
It’s also interesting to see what that part of town looked like 77 years ago.
“Look at the river in the background on the other side. Then you’ll see the LDS hospital.”
The LDS church history department was contacted and they included part of the film in the temple open house introductory video.
John Strobel, who also happens to the president of the Idaho Falls South Stake of the LDS church finds the film priceless and the timing of the find remarkable.
“In my mind it’s a coincidence that we call not a coincidence. It’s a neat thing that something that was buried for 36 years came out just in time for the temple open house and rededication.”
Along with thousands of local Mormons, President Strobel is happy to have the two-year temple renovation come to an end.
“I think the time that we’ve not had our temple has made us appreciate our temple more. And having to be inconvenienced just a little bit to drive to Rexburg or somewhere else I think that now we’ll appreciate the temple much more.”
Idaho Falls was the 8th temple built. There are currently 156 operation temples in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
