Groundbreaking of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the North America Central Area presidency, presided at the groundbreaking of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple on April 16, 2022.
In his dedicatory prayer for this new house of the Lord, Elder Wong said, “This is a day of dedication not only of this temple site, but for each of us in our individual lives. ... We are grateful for the Atonement of Thy Son Jesus Christ and the blessing of the promised Resurrection. As we dedicate this holy ground, we pray that we can maintain this positive spiritual momentum in our lives.”
The Grand Junction Colorado Temple is scheduled to be dedicated Oct. 19, 2025, by President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Timeline of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
President Russell M. Nelson, 17th President of the Church, announced a house of the Lord for Grand Junction, Colorado, on April 4, 2021. A groundbreaking ceremony was then held on April 16, 2022, with Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong — first counselor in the North America Central Area presidency — presiding.
After a public open house from Sept. 11-27, 2025, the Grand Junction Colorado Temple will be dedicated Oct. 19, 2025, by President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Architecture and Design of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
The 29,630-square-foot Grand Junction Colorado Temple incorporates elements celebrating western Colorado’s natural environment — especially the state’s official cactus, the claret cup cactus. Other design motifs tied to the desert landscape include Indian paintbrush, cliffrose blossoms and peach blossoms.
The peach blossom design can be seen in the door hardware as well as the African sapele hardwood millwork throughout the house of the Lord, a subtle nod to the region’s orchards. Mineo marble, the primary flooring stone, is accented by new saffron, red jasper, verde laguna and quetzal green marbles, reminiscent of southwestern canyon landscapes.
Art glass and additional elements throughout the building draw from the crimson color of the claret cup cactus flower, as well as shades of amber, green and pale pink. Carpets and nylon area rugs throughout the temple use warm colors and organic patterns inspired by the regional landscape.
Interior Photos of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple
