Montpelier Idaho Temple Open House: 7 Essential Facts You Need To Know Before The 2026 Dedication
Anticipation is building in the Bear Lake Valley as the Montpelier Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues its construction phase. As of today, December 22, 2025, the official dates for the public open house and subsequent dedication ceremony have not been formally announced by the First Presidency. However, based on the construction timeline and recent reports, the temple is expected to be completed and dedicated in 2026, making a public open house a highly anticipated event for the community and visitors worldwide.
This new House of the Lord will become the ninth operating temple in the state of Idaho, serving thousands of Latter-day Saints across southeastern Idaho and parts of Wyoming. The open house, which is a free public event, offers a rare, one-time opportunity for people of all faiths—or no faith—to walk through the sacred interior of the temple before it is dedicated and reserved for sacred ordinances. Here are the essential, up-to-date facts you need to know about the Montpelier Idaho Temple and its upcoming open house.
Montpelier Idaho Temple: Key Facts and Timeline
The Montpelier Idaho Temple represents a major milestone for the Latter-day Saint community in the historic Bear Lake Valley. Here is a comprehensive overview of the project's timeline and core details:
- Official Announcement: April 3, 2022, by Church President Russell M. Nelson.
- Location: A 2.6-acre site located at 345 West Washington Street, situated between North 6th Street and North 7th Street in Montpelier, Idaho.
- Groundbreaking Ceremony: Held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, presided over by Elder Ryan K. Olsen, a General Authority Seventy.
- Temple Size: The structure will be a two-story building encompassing approximately 27,000 square feet.
- Anticipated Dedication Year: 2026. Official open house and dedication dates will be released several months prior to completion.
- Significance: It will be the ninth temple in Idaho, joining those in Boise, Rexburg (two), Idaho Falls, Meridian, Twin Falls, Pocatello, and the recently dedicated Burley Idaho Temple.
- Purpose: To serve members in the Bear Lake Valley and surrounding communities, reducing travel time to other temples like the Logan Utah Temple or the Star Valley Wyoming Temple.
The Temple’s Unique Art Deco Architectural Style
One of the most striking features of the Montpelier Idaho Temple is its distinctive architectural design, which sets it apart from many other contemporary temples. The exterior rendering, released on April 24, 2023, showcases a thoughtful blend of historical reverence and modern elegance.
A Nod to Local History and Design
The temple's design incorporates elements of the Art Deco style, a movement popular in the 1920s and 1930s known for its geometric shapes, rich colors, and lavish ornamentation. This choice of architecture is not accidental; it is a subtle nod to the historical buildings and heritage of the Montpelier community and the broader Bear Lake region.
- Exterior Cladding: The facade is depicted as a beige stone material with a brick-like pattern, giving the structure a sense of permanence and historical weight.
- Window Design: The sides feature rectangular windows, while the front is graced with tall, arched windows and entryways, emphasizing the height and drawing the eye upward.
- Central Arch: A prominent feature is the large arch positioned directly in front of the main entry doors, a classic Art Deco detail that provides a grand sense of arrival and welcome.
The smaller, two-story design of 27,000 square feet is optimized to serve the local Latter-day Saint population efficiently, ensuring that the sacred ordinances of the Church are accessible to members in the Bear Lake Valley.
What to Expect During the Montpelier Temple Open House
While the exact dates remain pending, the typical schedule for a new temple follows a predictable pattern. The Open House is a crucial period, offering the only opportunity for the general public to see the interior before dedication. Understanding this process can help you plan your visit when the dates are announced.
The Open House Experience: A Free Public Tour
The public open house usually lasts for several weeks and is entirely free of charge. Reservations are typically required to manage the flow of visitors, and they are released online a few weeks before the event begins. This tour is a guided, walk-through experience that allows visitors to see the beauty and craftsmanship of the interior rooms.
- Interior Rooms: Visitors will walk through key areas, including the baptistry, instruction rooms, sealing rooms (where marriages are performed), and the Celestial Room—a space designed to symbolize eternal life and peace.
- The Atmosphere: The interior is characterized by high-quality materials, intricate millwork, and local artistry, all meant to create a peaceful, reverent, and beautiful environment. Expect to see furnishings that complement the exterior's Art Deco style.
- Duration: The entire tour typically takes between 40 minutes and one hour.
- Dress Code: While there is no strict dress code, visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable but respectful attire, similar to what one would wear to a church service or a nice public event.
The Dedication and Cultural Celebration
Following the open house, two other significant events will occur, marking the temple’s transition from a public building to a sacred House of the Lord:
- Cultural Celebration: Typically held the night before the dedication, this event features local youth performing music, dances, and skits that celebrate the history and culture of the Montpelier area and the Latter-day Saints in the Bear Lake Valley.
- Temple Dedication: This sacred service, reserved for members of the Church, formally consecrates the building. After the dedication, the temple is no longer open for public tours.
The Deep Historical Roots of Latter-day Saints in the Bear Lake Valley
The construction of the Montpelier Idaho Temple is a profound recognition of the long and enduring history of the Latter-day Saints in the Bear Lake Valley. This area was a key location in the westward expansion and settlement of the Church.
Pioneering the Bear Lake Region: The first vanguard of Mormon colonists arrived in the Bear Lake Valley in September 1863, with Montpelier being formally settled in 1864. These early settlers faced harsh conditions and played a crucial role in establishing communities throughout southeastern Idaho and northern Utah. The town of Montpelier itself was established with a focus on community and faith, with its first city hall even being a log cabin located adjacent to the LDS Tabernacle grounds.
The establishment of a temple in Montpelier, over 160 years after the first settlers arrived, honors the faith and sacrifices of those pioneers. It signifies the growth and maturity of the Church in this region, providing a sacred center for generations of members who have deep roots in this historic valley. The Art Deco design is a beautiful, modern tribute to a rich, resilient past, connecting the present community to its founding heritage. The completion of this temple will be a momentous occasion for Bear Lake County, serving as a beacon of faith and a testament to the community’s enduring spirit.
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