Grand Junction Colorado Temple
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| Grand Junction Colorado Temple | |
|---|---|
| Dedication scheduled | |
 | |
| Number | 210 |
| Dedication | 19 October 2025, by Jeffrey R. Holland[3] |
| Site | 6.94 acres (2.81 ha) |
| Floor area | 29,000 sq ft (2,700 m2) |
| Official website • News & images | |
| Additional information | |
| Announced | 4 April 2021, by Russell M. Nelson[1] |
| Groundbreaking | 16 April 2022, by Chi Hong (Sam) Wong[2] |
| Open house | 11-27 September 2025 |
| Location | Grand Junction, Colorado, United States |
| Geographic coordinates | 39°06′05″N 108°33′05″W / 39.1014°N 108.5513°W |
| Baptistries | 1 |
| Ordinance rooms | 2 |
| Sealing rooms | 2 |
| () | |
The Grand Junction Colorado Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under construction in Grand Junction, Colorado. Announced in April 2021 by church president Russell M. Nelson, the temple is being constructed on a 6.94-acre site at Horizon Drive and North 12th Street in Grand Junction. The design includes a single-story layout with a central spire, and the exterior is being built using granite sourced from Portugal. A groundbreaking was held on April 16, 2022, and the temple is scheduled to be dedicated on October 19, 2025, by Jeffrey R. Holland, the acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. A public open house will precede the dedication from September 11 to 27, 2025.
History
[edit]The Grand Junction Colorado Temple was announced by Russell M. Nelson during the church's April 2021 general conference.[4] a groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 16, 2022, with Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, a church general authority, presiding.[5] The event, which was livestreamed locally,[6][7] was attended by local church members, community representatives, and members of other faiths.[8]
The temple is on a 6.94 acres (2.81 ha) site at the intersection of Horizon Drive and North 12th Street in Grand Junction.[5][9] The plans call for a single-story structure of approximately 29,000 square feet (2,700 m2).[8]
During construction, several challenges were encountered. The land was primarily shale, which prevented the use of standard footings. To resolve this, 206 piers were drilled 25 feet into the ground to support the temple, which stabilized the foundation above the shale. Additional challenges included material supply chain delays and labor shortages common during the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]
As the church's third temple in Colorado,[11] it will be dedicated on October 19, 2025, by Jeffrey R. Holland.[9][12]
Design and architecture
[edit]The temple is on a 6.94-acre plot[9][13] at 12th Street and Horizon Drive in Grand Junction.[10] The single-story structure has a single spire and is constructed with granite stone imported from Portugal.[14] The inscription ‘Holiness to the Lord. The House of the Lord.’ appears above the entrance, a phrase used on all of the church’s temples.[10]
The temple has two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms, and a baptistry.[9]
According to the church, the temple is expected to reduce travel times for members in western Colorado and eastern Utah, who previously traveled to temples in Denver, Fort Collins, or even Utah (Monticello and Vernal).[8][15] Local church leaders and members have expressed that the temple holds religious significance for them and may serve as a spiritual resource for the Latter-day Saint community.[8]
Preparing to open
[edit]The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each typically 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. In November 2024, the church announced that Allan L. Allphin and Diane P. Allphin will serve as the temple's first president and matron.[16]
On April 8, 2025, the church announced that a public open house will be held from September 11 to 27, 2025 (excluding Sundays).[9][17] The temple will then be dedicated on October 19, 2025, by Jeffrey R. Holland.[9]
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.[18]
References
[edit]- ^ "Prophet Announces Twenty New Temples at April 2021 General Conference". Newsroom. LDS Church. April 4, 2021.
- ^ https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreaking-dates-set-for-temples-in-nevada-and-colorado
- ^ "Open House and Dedication Dates for Temples in Nevada and Colorado". Newsroom. LDS Church. April 8, 2025.
- ^ Walker, Sean; Cardenas, Xoel (April 4, 2021). "President Nelson announces 20 more temples, including second in Cache Valley". KSL.
- ^ a b "Ground Broken for Grand Junction Colorado Temple". LDS Magazine. April 18, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ^ "The Church broke ground for 4 new temples in April. Find out where". LDS Living. May 2, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ^ "Groundbreakings announced for Grand Junction Colorado, Elko Nevada Temples". Deseret News. February 25, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Woodbrey, Adam (April 16, 2022). "Groundbreaking for new temple in Grand Junction". KJCT. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Wright, Ann (April 9, 2025). "Dates set for LDS temple opening". The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c Woodbrey, Adam (June 19, 2023). "Temple construction progressing, despite challenges". KKCO 11 News. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ^ KUTV, Sara Knox (September 17, 2021). "Church releases renderings of four planned temples". KUTV. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ Mahon, Spencer (April 9, 2025). "2 LDS Temples preparing to welcome visitors to open houses — here's when and where". ABC4.
- ^ "Grand Junction Colorado Temple". Templescoop.com. March 16, 2023.
- ^ Ann.Wright@gjsentinel.com, ANN WRIGHT (June 30, 2024). "Getting closer: Details coming together for LDS Grand Junction temple". The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ Bott, Mark (February 1, 2023). "Progress update on the Grand Junction LDS Temple". WesternSlopeNow.
- ^ "Learn about the leaders who will preside over three new temples in Kenya, Colorado and Utah". Church News. November 28, 2024.
- ^ "Open House and Dedication Dates for Temples in Nevada and Colorado". latterdaysaintmag.com. April 9, 2025. Archived from the original on April 19, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ Kiser, Andrew (April 9, 2025). "GJ LDS church plans open house for new temple". WesternSlopeNow.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.