IN DEPTH: LDS church announced plans for Pocatello temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plans to build five more temples across the globe.

Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said Sunday during a twice-yearly Mormon conference that one of them will be in Pocatello.

“When they announced Pocatello, we screamed and my daughter came up from downstairs and said, “what’s going on?'” Bill McKee, of Pocatello LDS Public Affairs, said.

The Pocatello temple will be the sixth operating temple in Idaho. Idaho has an estimated 450,000 LDS members, according to Mormon Newsroom. It brings the total number of temples built or under construction to 182 worldwide.

Out of courtesy, the church told Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad of the plans last week. He said it was a hard secret to keep, but he said he’s thrilled for the LDS members who have longed for a temple.

“A lot of praying, a lot of fasting have been happening from the saints in our community,” Blad said. It’s an exciting day for us and our community.”

Local families in Pocatello are happy to know a temple will soon be at their back door. Family members of all ages had some thoughts about the new temple.

The Lewis family said when they heard the announcement, they were excited. They were yelling and cheering and were really happy to hear it.

“I wasn’t expecting him to say Pocatello and then when he said ‘Pocatello,’ I heard my mom scream super loud and I was like, ‘Whoa. We’re getting one,'” said Keaton Lewis.

One Idaho State University student was also excited said she’s excited for the opportunity another local temple will bring.

Mallory Miner said she grew up in Hawaii where it is difficult to go to the temple. They had to fly to another island and pay for the costs of flying and for a hotel to stay. When she moved to Idaho to go to school, she was happy that there were so many temples within driving distance and soon one just minutes away.

“There was audible excitement,” Miner said. “My heart was pounding. It was just such an answer to prayer and I was in shock honestly. It’s a dream come true.”

As for where the new temple will be built, the church owns 10 acres behind the stake center on Satterfield, but Blad says church officials may look at other locations as well.

Bill McKee, who is the LDS representative to the Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship, says other religions will be happy for their Mormon neighbors.

“We do a lot with many of the faiths here in town, and any time any faith grows or any faith expands within their faith, we’re all excited,” McKee said.

The Pocatello temple will mark the sixth one in Idaho. There are currently actives temples in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Boise and Rexburg with a temple currently under construction in Meridian.

The temple will not only have a positive religious and spiritual impact on members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Pocatello, but there is expected to be an economic impact as well.

“The community thrives more,” Fisher said. “People move into the community. A temple is a destination so it brings people into the community. To go to the temple people stay in hotels, they spend money at restaurants, they buy gas.”

Blad said it will take time for architects to design the building and for it to be built, so it’s a few years away.

As for how Pocatello was chosen, Blad was told the temple department was listing a number of potential temple locations to Monson, and as soon as they said Pocatello, Monson immediately said “Pocatello will get a temple. The saints there are well prepared and it’s time for them to have a temple.”

The others temples announced Sunday will be in Brasilia, Brazil, the greater Manila area of the Philippines, Nairobi and Kenya, along with Saratoga Springs, Utah.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is approaching 16 million members.

This weekend’s conference in Salt Lake City was broadcast online to church members around the world.