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Casper Wyoming Temple

Coordinates: 42°48′35″N 106°21′47″W / 42.8097°N 106.3630°W / 42.8097; -106.3630
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Casper Wyoming Temple
Dedication scheduled
Map
Number201
Dedication24 November 2024, by Quentin L. Cook[2]
Site9.52 acres (3.85 ha)
Floor area9,950 sq ft (924 m2)
Official websiteNews & images
Church chronology

Deseret Peak Utah Temple

Casper Wyoming Temple

Tallahassee Florida Temple
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 awaiting dedication in Casper, Wyoming. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 4, 2021, by church president Russell M. Nelson, during the church's general conference.[3]  This will be the second in the state of Wyoming, following the Star Valley Wyoming Temple.[4] A third temple, in Cody, Wyoming, was announced in October 2021.[5]

A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on October 9, 2021, conducted by S. Gifford Nielsen, a church general authority.[3]

History

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On April 4, 2021, 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.”[4]

On October 9, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony took place marking the commencement of construction. The ceremony was presided over by S. Gifford Nielsen and attended by local church members and community leaders.[7]

With construction completed, a media day was be held on August 26, 2024, followed by a public open house from August 29-September 14.[3] The Casper Wyoming Temple is then scheduled be dedicated on November 24, 2024, by Quentin L. Cook.[3]

Design and architecture

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The building has a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design which reflects the cultural heritage of Casper and its spiritual significance to the church.

Site

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The temple sits on a 9.5-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features small bushes, grass, and trees.[3]

Exterior

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The temple is a single-story building. The exterior has rectangular windows and three arched entryways. The temple 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.”[3]

Interior

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The temple includes a baptistry, a sealing room, and an instruction room, each arranged for ceremonial use.[4]

Symbols

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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

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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 president of the Casper Wyoming Temple is Millard L. Smathers, with the matron being Jo Rae C. Smathers.[3]

Admittance

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On February 12, 2024, the church announced that a public open house would be held from August 29-September 14 (excluding Sundays).[10] The temple is scheduled to be dedicated by Quentin L. Cook on November 24, 2024.[11] 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

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References

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  1. ^ "Prophet Announces Twenty New Temples at April 2021 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church, 4 April 2021
  2. ^ As verified here
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Casper Wyoming Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  4. ^ a b c "Temples and Church Units of Wyoming". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  5. ^ "Most recently announced temple locations in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming". Church News. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  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.
  11. ^ "Casper Wyoming Temple dedication, open house dates announced by First Presidency". Church News. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-08-26.