Boise Idaho Temple: LDS History, Architecture, Services, and Visitor Information

The Boise Idaho Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1211 South Cole Road in Boise, Idaho. It is a prominent landmark beside Interstate 84, serving Latter-day Saints in western Idaho and eastern Oregon.

Plans to construct the temple were announced 31 March 1982, Church leaders broke ground 18 December 1982, and President Gordon B. Hinckley, then a counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the Boise Idaho Temple 25-30 May 1984. Church president Thomas S. Monson rededicated it 18 November 2012 after an extensive renovation.

Boise Idaho Temple at a glance

History of the Boise Idaho Temple

Early hopes for a Boise temple

The Boise Idaho Temple was the second temple built in Idaho, following the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple (1945). In 1939, President Heber J. Grant was invited to Idaho's capital where 15 prominent local businessmen offered to the Church any available site in Boise to build Idaho's first temple, but Idaho Falls was chosen due to the concentration of membership in Eastern Idaho.

President Grant told the men that when membership increased in the Boise area, a temple would be built there. President Ezra Taft Benson, then president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who had lived in the Boise area earlier in his life, spoke of his experience of the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple being dedicated.

He mentioned a promise made by President Heber J. Grant - who announced the Idaho Falls temple as President of the Church - that as the members brought others to the gospel, a temple would be built in the Boise Valley. “Since that time, I have watched with interest and assurance the growth of the Church in Boise, and today we are witnessing the fulfillment of that prophecy made over 45 years ago,” President Benson said.

Announcement and groundbreaking

The Boise Idaho Temple was announced on March 31, 1982. The groundbreaking occurred on Dec. 18, 1982, presided over by Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

On December 18, 1982, approximately 5,000 members huddled on the site of the Boise Idaho Temple to witness the groundbreaking ceremony where Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided. The ceremony took place despite the winter weather.

Public open house and original dedication

The open house ran from May 1 to 19, 1984. About 70,000 visitors were expected to tour the Boise Idaho Temple during its 19-day open house, but expectations were exceed when 128,716 people toured the building.

After an 18-day public open house that welcomed an incredible 128,716 visitors, President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the temple during 24 dedicatory sessions from May 25-30, 1984, making it the 27th dedicated temple in operation. Attendance at the temple dedications totaled approximately 29,000.

The Boise Idaho Temple was dedicated in 24 sessions-more dedicatory sessions than had been held for any temple since the Salt Lake Temple. In the first session, 30 general authorities attended, including President Benson, Elders Howard W. Hunter and David B. Haight of the Council of the Twelve, and all members of the First Quorum of the Seventy, among others.

During a special preview, numerous state officials including Idaho Governor John Evans, Lieutenant Governor David Leroy, and Secretary of State Pete Cenarusa toured the interior of the Boise Idaho Temple. Also part of the group were 246 ministers of other faiths and their family members.

Many visitors to the Boise community attended the tours, including state and religious leaders. A total of 264 ministers of other faiths and their spouses attended the temple open house. From the state government, the then-governor of Idaho, John Evans, attended with other state officials.

Effect of the open house

The usual number of convert baptisms more than doubled the month following the open house; people even called the mission office asking how to get baptized. Interest in the Church grew so dramatically that the number of convert baptisms in the area more than doubled during the following month.

Elder John K. Carmack of the First Quorum of the Seventy, president of the Idaho Boise Mission at the time of the open house, said that the new temple was “the best missionary we’ve ever had. There has been a dramatic shift in the climate in which missionary work will be done.”

Joseph John Bellante, a nonmember, drove past the Boise Idaho Temple during the open house and felt drawn to see the building. “The car seemed to drive itself into the parking lot,” Joseph recounted. “As long as I am here, I might as well go see what it is all about,” he figured.

As he entered the temple, his intrigue continued to grow. Three weeks later, his intrigue turned to action as he entered a baptismal font and entered into covenants with God.

Expansion and 1987 rededication

Because the temple quickly reached capacity, it underwent an expansion just two and a half years after opening and was rededicated in 1987. The Boise Idaho Temple operated at 102 percent of capacity during its first year of operation-a demonstration of the remarkable dedication of the Saints of the temple district.

Due to its high level of use, the Boise Idaho Temple was closed for renovation and expansion just two-and-a-half years after its dedication. The remodeling began in June of 1986, and the temple closed in October.

The project included the construction of a large sealing room, a chapel, and other offices and maintenance rooms. An annex was also created for waiting rooms and a nursery. The remodeled facilities were dedicated by Elder James E. Faust Feb. 14, 1987; the new baptistry was dedicated by Elder Faust May 29, 1987.

Elder James E. Faust of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the remodeled facilities on Feb. 14, 1987, though the baptistry wasn’t reopened until June 2, 1987. Elder Faust emphasized the youth in the dedicatory prayer.

2011-2012 renovation and rededication

The temple closed in July 2011 for extensive renovation. A much larger renovation followed in 2011-2012, modernizing the interior, expanding portions of the building, replacing the exterior stone with temple white granite, and enhancing the beautiful grounds before President Thomas S. Monson rededicated the temple in 2012.

On July 11, 2011, the Boise Idaho Temple closed for an extensive 15-month renovation that included a new baptistry entrance, removal of the cafeteria and clothing rental, expansion of the basement, new walls and trim work, raised ceilings, new finishes and furnishings, updated mechanical systems, and structural reinforcement.

The landscaping featured new sidewalks (that now connect to the public sidewalks), stairways, benches, planters, and retaining walls; new plants, shrubs, and flowers; a beautiful reflecting pool encased in stone; and a new exterior lighting system.

The pearl gray marble tile on the exterior was replaced with temple white granite because the adhesive used to attach the original tile began to seep through and change the appearance of the walls. On February 16, 2012, a new gold-leafed angel Moroni was placed atop the eastern spire of the Boise Idaho Temple as part of an extensive renovation project.

The cornerstone, which had been on the interior of the building since a 1987 expansion project, was quietly relocated to the northeast corner on the exterior of the temple on August 29, 2012.

Renovation open house and rededication

The open house of the renovated Boise Idaho Temple went from Oct. 13 to Nov. 10, 2012. Almost 170,000 people went to tour the house of the Lord. The open house for the rededicated house of the Lord was attended by over 11,000 people on the first day, with almost 170,000 attendees in total.

The night before the Boise Idaho Temple rededication, President Thomas S. Monson presided at a youth cultural celebration. The celebration was attended by 9,200 people, the vast majority of which were youth.

Various performances by the youth made up the program, and President Monson spoke. The planning of the celebration was done mainly by the youth of the temple district. Two youth representatives were called from each of the stakes in the temple district for a total of 60 youth involved with deciding the theme of the program.

The running theme of the program was “Treasure the Light,” a nod to the light of Jesus Christ, shown by yellow throughout the night in the form of flags and banners.

President Monson was accompanied to the rededication by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Bednar described the opportunity as a “homecoming,” as his family lived in Idaho for close to eight years. He said there was enough energy during the youth cultural celebration “to power every home in the United States for six months.”

The temple was rededicated in three sessions by President Monson on Nov. 18, 2012. The temple at the time of rededication served approximately 100,000 members from 31 stakes.

Chronology of major events

Architecture and design

The Boise Idaho Temple is best known for its striking six-spire design. It was the first six-spire temple built since the Salt Lake Temple and the Washington D.C. Temple, and its efficient floor plan became the model for fourteen additional temples constructed during the 1980s.

The Boise Idaho Temple was the first six-spire temple built since the Washington D.C. Temple (1974) and the Salt Lake Temple (1893). The design, created to maximize efficiency, was adapted for 14 other temples built between 1984 and 1989.

The temple design is a modern adaptation of the six-spire design. The architects were the Church architectural staff, with assistance from Ron Thurber & Associates of Boise. Jerry Sears served as construction adviser, and Comtrol Inc. of Midvale, Utah, was the contractor.

It is also considered a sister temple to the Dallas Texas Temple and the Chicago Illinois Temple. The Boise Idaho Temple is a sister building to the Dallas Texas Temple and the Chicago Illinois Temple.

Exterior appearance

For travelers on Interstate 84, the Boise Idaho Temple is a landmark that cannot be missed. Positioned at the I-84 Cole Road Exit, the temple is characterized by its light granite exterior, large sloping roof, and six soaring spires.

The six-spired house of the Lord rises prominently on the 4.83-acre property near a highway. It is faced with light-colored marble with a slate roof. It is surrounded by three detached towers on each end; an 8-foot statue of the Angel Moroni tops the highest spire.

During the 2012 renovations, a new angel Moroni statue was placed on the temple, causing the temple to stand at 112 feet on the east tower. The original multicolored marble tiles on the exterior of the temple were replaced during the 2012 renovations with the more traditional “temple white” granite.

Adjacent to the north is a meetinghouse. The grounds of the temple are enhanced with a beautiful water feature and numerous mature trees.

Grounds and landscape

The beautifully landscaped grounds feature mature trees, colorful flower beds, a peaceful reflecting pool, and a large water feature that creates a tranquil setting despite being near one of Idaho's busiest highways.

A large fountain accents the property, along with numerous trees and grass. The landscaping includes new sidewalks, stairways, benches, planters, retaining walls, new plants, shrubs, flowers, a reflecting pool encased in stone, and a new exterior lighting system.

Although there is no visitors' center or distribution center on the temple grounds, the beautifully maintained property is open for visitors to enjoy. Its reflecting pool, mature landscaping, and distinctive six spires make it one of the most photographed temples in the Pacific Northwest.

Interior design and facilities

The temple is 35,868 square feet after the 1987 addition, with a 6,000-square-foot mechanical shop on the property. There are four ordinance rooms and three sealing rooms in the temple, with the baptistry and celestial room.

The interior of the temple features blue, green and earth tones. A major design element is the focus on the state flower of Idaho - the syringa.

A 1,700-pound lead crystal chandelier brings the attention of temple attendees with 15,000 points for the surrounding light to reflect off of.

The principal temple spaces include a baptistry, celestial room, four ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms. The 1987 expansion added dressing rooms, office space, a large sealing room, a chapel, maintenance rooms, an annex, waiting rooms, and a nursery.

Religious services and purpose

The Boise Idaho Temple serves Latter-day Saints in western Idaho and eastern Oregon. Its district includes 35 stakes in western Idaho and two in eastern Oregon.

The temple is dedicated to sacred work for the blessing of living and deceased persons. The dedicatory prayer described the building as a place for “washings and anointings, for endowments and sealings, for instruction, for meditation, for worship, for the making of eternal covenants with Thee, for inspiration and sanctification.”

Temple services are distinct from regular Sunday worship services held in local meetinghouses. Access to the temple’s ordinance areas is reserved for Latter-day Saints who meet the Church’s requirements for a temple recommend.

Visitors who do not enter the ordinance areas can enjoy the exterior architecture and landscaped grounds. The public open houses held before the original dedication and after the major renovation allowed visitors to tour the interior.

Visitor information

Location and directions

The Boise Idaho Temple is located at 1211 South Cole Road in Boise. The site is just off Interstate 84 at 1211 S. Cole Road, Boise, ID 83709-1871.

For travelers on Interstate 84, the temple is positioned at the I-84 Cole Road Exit. Its prominent six-spire silhouette and light-colored exterior make it a recognizable landmark for travelers entering Boise.

Official temple schedule and directions are available through the temple information page on Temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

What visitors can see

Although there is no visitors' center or distribution center on the temple grounds, the beautifully maintained property is open for visitors to enjoy. The reflecting pool, mature landscaping, water feature, flower beds, trees, and six spires provide the main visitor experience.

The exterior grounds are suitable for appreciating the temple’s architecture and photographing the building. The interior is ordinarily accessible only to members who are authorized to participate in temple ordinances, except during specially announced public open houses.

Temple schedule and access

Current operating hours, appointment information, temporary closures, and directions should be checked through the official Boise Idaho Temple information page on Temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Temple access requirements apply to those entering the ordinance areas. Public access to the grounds does not mean that all interior areas are open to general visitors.

Dedicatory prayer

President Gordon B. Hinckley offered the dedicatory prayer for the Boise Idaho Temple. The prayer expressed gratitude for the restoration of the gospel and priesthood authority, asked blessings upon Church members and leaders, and dedicated the building, grounds, furnishings, and facilities as a house of the Lord.

“We dedicate unto Thee and unto Thy Beloved Son this the Boise Idaho Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, together with the ground on which it stands, with the landscaping thereon, the buildings, all the parts thereof, and all of the furnishings and facilities appertaining thereto.”

“Wilt Thou accept this beautiful edifice as Thy house, the gift of Thy thankful children. Wilt Thou hallow it. Wilt Thou and Thy Son honor it with Thy presence, and may Thy Holy Spirit be felt here at all times by all who enter its portals.”

“May it be a place of holiness to all who come here. May no profane act occur herein. May no unhallowed word be spoken.”

“May Thy faithful saints of this and future generations look to this beautiful structure as a house to which they will be made welcome for their washings and anointings, for endowments and sealings, for instruction, for meditation, for worship, for the making of eternal covenants with Thee, for inspiration and sanctification.”

Stories connected with the temple

Jack and Shirley Ferguson

Jack Ferguson was the head cook at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in 1945 when he saw a young WAVE, Shirley Suter, in the chow line. Later, he told a buddy, “That’s the girl I am going to marry.” He met her again when he coached the WAVE softball team and they began to date. Within six weeks, they were married.

Religion hadn’t been discussed because neither was religious at the time. However, a few years later, after two sons were born to them, Shirley Ferguson turned from being a less-active Latter-day Saint to a very active one.

As the boys grew to manhood, she supported them, and Jack, who was a non-member, attended some of the activities, and even paid tithing. However, he declined her frequent invitations to be baptized.

One day, she said: “I told myself I had to change. I had to quit nagging my husband and love him more, although I’ve always loved him.” At this time, they were members of the Nampa (Idaho) 7th Ward, and a group of caring members fellowshipped him as well.

When her bishop announced in 1986 that worthy women married to less-active or non-member husbands could become endowed, she approached her bishop and received a temple recommend. As she began a frequent and faithful pattern of temple attendance, her husband often drove her.

He patiently waited outside for her to complete her family history work. One day while sitting outside the temple, he had a change of heart and felt a great desire to be baptized.

When he called Bishop Leonard Hennis, “he like to have fallen over,” said Brother Ferguson. He was baptized in 1992. A year later, in October 1993, Brother and Sister Ferguson were sealed in the Boise Idaho Temple.

A large group of friends from the Nampa 7th Ward accompanied them. “It was a wonderful feeling,” said Brother Ferguson. “It feels great to know that I will have her in the next world, and that we’ll be together.”

Sister Ferguson agreed. “It was so spiritual and very emotional. He had not experienced anything like that and neither had I.” Now, about once a week and sometimes more often, the Ferguson car pulls up at the Boise Idaho Temple and now, Brother and Sister Ferguson go into the temple, hand in hand.

Key facts

• The Boise Idaho Temple was the second temple built in Idaho.
• It was announced on March 31, 1982.
• Groundbreaking took place on December 18, 1982.
• President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the temple in May 1984.
• The original dedication took place in 24 sessions over six days.
• More than 128,700 people attended the original public open house.
• The temple features six detached spires and an Angel Moroni statue.
• Its efficient design became the architectural model for fourteen additional temples.
• The temple closed for extensive renovation in July 2011.
• President Thomas S. Monson rededicated the renovated temple on November 18, 2012.
• The temple serves Latter-day Saints in western Idaho and eastern Oregon.
• The grounds include mature landscaping, flower beds, water features, and a reflecting pool.

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