Casper Wyoming Temple

Casper Wyoming Temple
Map
Number201
Dedication24 November 2024, by Quentin L. Cook
Site9.52 acres (3.85 ha)
Floor area9,950 sq ft (924 m2)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
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Additional information
Announced4 April 2021, by Russell M. Nelson[1]
Groundbreaking9 October 2021, by S. Gifford Nielsen
Open house29 August-14 September 2024
Current presidentMillard L. Smathers
LocationCasper, Wyoming, U.S.
Geographic coordinates42°48′35″N 106°21′47″W / 42.8097°N 106.3630°W / 42.8097; -106.3630
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms1
Sealing rooms1
NotesThe temple's dedication was originally scheduled for October 13, 2024. On August 26, 2024, as the temple's open house began, it was announced the dedication was rescheduled to November 24, 2024.
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The Casper Wyoming Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Casper, Wyoming. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 4, 2021, by church president Russell M. Nelson, during general conference.[2]  This will be the second in Wyoming, following the temple in Star Valley,[3] with a third under construction in Cody.[4] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on October 9, 2021, conducted by Gifford Nielsen, a church general authority.[2] The temple was dedicated on November 24, 2024, by Quentin L. Cook, of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.[5]

History

See also: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wyoming

On April 4, 2021, the intent to build the Casper Wyoming Temple was announced by Russell M. Nelson.[6] The site for the temple was announced on June 10, 2021, “as a 9.5-acre property at the corner of Wyoming Boulevard (Highway 258) and Eagle Drive in a developing area of southwest Casper near the highway to martin’s Cove.”[3]

On October 9, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony took place marking the commencement of construction, with Gifford Nielsen presiding and local church members and community leaders attending.[7] Once construction completed, a media day was held on August 26, 2024, followed by a public open house from August 29-September 14.[2] The temple was dedicated on November 24, 2024, by Quentin L. Cook.[5]

Design and architecture

The building has a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design which reflects the cultural heritage of Casper and its spiritual significance to the church. The temple is on a 9.5-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features small bushes, grass, and trees.[2]

The temple is a single-story building and is topped by “a three-tiered tower with three rectangular windows on each side of the middle tier and one arched window on each side of the top tier.”[2] The temple includes a baptistry, a sealing room, and an instruction room, each arranged for ceremonial use.[3]

The design has elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism, providing spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is an important subject to church members. This includes the temple itself. According to church president Russell M. Nelson, each temple “stands as a symbol of our faith in life after death and as a stepping stone to eternal life for us and our families.”[8]

Temple presidents

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[9] The first temple president is Millard L. Smathers, with Jo Rae C. Smathers serving as matron.[2]

Admittance

On February 12, 2024, the church announced the public open house that was held from August 29-September 14 (excluding Sundays).[10] The temple was dedicated by Quentin L. Cook on November 24, 2024.[5] Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Prophet Announces Twenty New Temples at April 2021 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church, 4 April 2021
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Casper Wyoming Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  3. ^ a b c "Temples and Church Units of Wyoming". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  4. ^ "Most recently announced temple locations in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming". Church News. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  5. ^ a b c "Elder Quentin L. Cook Dedicates Casper Wyoming Temple: The Apostle promises great blessings for those who engage in temple work". Church Newsroom. 2024-11-24.
  6. ^ Saints, President Russell M. Nelson President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day. "COVID-19 and Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  7. ^ "Groundbreaking Held for Casper Wyoming Temple". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  8. ^ a b "Inside Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  9. ^ "Presidents and Matrons of the Casper Wyoming Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  10. ^ "Casper Wyoming Temple dedication, open house dates announced by First Presidency". Church News. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-08-26.