LDS Church May Have Found Temple Site In Afton

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may have found a site for a temple in Afton. It’s not official yet, but the city attorney confirmed the church had entered a contract agreement with a piece of property in town.

Seven months ago, after the church announced it was planning a temple in Star Valley, the station spoke with residents about the prospect of an LDS temple.

?It’s just the greatest feeling you can have in the whole world,? said resident Joyce Hancock.

That feeling isn’t anywhere close to fading.

?It’s a long distance when the closest temple is just about two hours away, so now to have it just be five minutes away is just going to be wonderful,? said resident Corey Miles.

The temple would also be close to other towns in Star Valley, Thayne and Alpine.

The church is looking to buy the 42-acre plot from private owners. The land borders on Highway 89 in the heart of Afton, population 1,800.

But City Attorney Spencer Allred said the deal isn’t set in stone quite yet, and the church won’t openly confirm the location.

?As of right now, the property is under contract. It has not been transferred over to the church at this point,? said Allred.

The church hasn’t supplied details on the building itself, either. Doug Anderson with the LDS Church Media Department said he doesn’t know if it will be built as a full-size version like the ones in Idaho Falls and Rexburg or on a smaller scale.

Regardless of its size, though, Mayor Loni Hillyard said the temple may boost the local economy.

“I think a temple will draw a lot of people that will need a place to sleep overnight,” said Hillyard, adding that she hopes to see restaurants and another motel pop up soon.

Allred said final sale of the property should be confirmed on May 15.