Idaho Falls temple marks 70th anniversary

Editor’s Note: It is actually the 70th anniversary, not the 75th as reported earlier.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – It was on September 23, 1945 that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President George Albert Smith dedicated the building. The temple is currently closed for a major 18-month interior reconstruction project.

Temple President Donald Archibald says the demolition work inside has been completed and the rebuilding of the walls and new mechanical systems has begun. He said the interior was basically gutted to bring everything up to code, but the historic murals on the walls of some of the rooms are being preserved.

The visitor’s center next to the temple remains open. Renderings on display there show interior rooms of the temple before the remodeling and how they will look when it’s complete. There appear to be no major differences — just an updated look.

President Archibald said the project is right on schedule. It should be complete in October of next year. He said he’s looking forward to hosting an open house at that time where everyone is invited to come tour the temple. After it is rededicated only church members in good standing are allowed in.