LDS Temple Announcement Stirs Up Star Valley
The spotlight is on Star Valley, Wyoming after President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a new temple to be built there.
In Afton, Wyoming there’s a buzz in the air among local church members. They can’t believe a temple will be built in the rural valley.
It was a historic and shocking moment for members of the LDS church living in a small community tucked away in the mountains. It was so surprising in fact, they didn’t quite believe it at first.
“We thought he said ‘Just kidding, I like the fishing up there.’ So we thought he meant “Just kidding, they’re not getting a temple,” said LDS church member Joyce Hancock.
“It’s still hard to believe that it’s here. I still have to pinch myself,” said her husband Gary.
The Hancocks have lived here for 34 years. They’ve prayed for a temple countless times, especially during the hard winter months. The two-hour drive to the Idaho Falls or Logan temples can become icy and treacherous.
“It’s bad weather. We’ve been in an accident on the way to the temple before,” said Joyce.
That’s part of the reason why these members, so dedicated to their faith, can’t wait to visit a temple a lot closer to home.
But the big question is: just where in Star Valley will the church build it?
Afton is the biggest community in Star Valley. Right next to the tabernacle there is a big, empty sports field. A lot of people think it just might be the spot.
The LDS church won’t confirm that thought, leaving us guessing just where in the valley it will land, from Afton, to Thayne, or even Alpine.
One thing is for sure though, wherever it’s built, the temple will be much closer than before.
“When your area is read across the pulpit telling you you’re going to get a temple, it’s just the greatest feeling you can have in the world,” said Joyce.
LDS media contact Jessica Moody told reporter Jessica Crandall to not expect times and locations of building to be released just yet, because the announcement is so new.
The church also announced a new temple in Provo, Utah. It plans to rebuild the tabernacle there, which nearly burned down in a fire last December.
