Groundbreaking of the Teton River Idaho Temple
The groundbreaking of the Teton River Idaho Temple was presided over by Elder Ricardo P. Giménez, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the North America Central Area presidency, on June 1, 2024. Others in attendance included Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, a General Authority Seventy and president of nearby BYU–Idaho, and his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith; Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke and his wife, Sarah Bedke; Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill and his wife, Marianne Merrill; and Sugar City Mayor Steven Adams and his wife, Michelle Adams.
Elder Giménez testified that the infinite sacrifice of the Savior, Jesus Christ, is the reason for the strength acquired through keeping covenants made in the holy temples.
“Help us, O Father, to secure our foundation upon Jesus Christ, to be able to stand strong and secure because our spiritual foundation is solid and immovable,” Elder Giménez said as part of his dedicatory prayer on the site. “Because of this, we ask Thee, Father, for Thy help in our efforts to build ourselves and be prepared to partake of the eternal blessings available in Thy holy houses.”
Timeline of the Teton River Idaho Temple
The Teton River temple was announced on Oct. 3, 2021, by President Russell M. Nelson. On June 1, 2024, Elder Ricardo P. Giménez presided over the groundbreaking of this house of the Lord.
Architecture and Design of the Teton River Idaho Temple
According to building plans, the Teton River Idaho Temple will be a three-story edifice of approximately 130,000 square feet. It will stand on a 16.6-acre site west of Second East, between 2000 North (Moody Road) and the North Rexburg exit interchange of Highway 20. Brigham Young University–Idaho resides less than three miles away from the temple site.
Architectural renderings of the house of the Lord show a gray exterior surrounded by tall, arched windows. A tower with arched windows stands above the center of the building.