10 Idaho Falls Temple Pictures: A Haven After Hardship
Many LDS temple pictures that we see feature the fountains and waterfalls on temple grounds. But part of what makes the Idaho Falls Temple photos unique is that it stands directly across the street from a much larger water feature: the Snake River.
However, even given the stunning beauty of the sacred building, there is still a lot more to its meaning and history than meets the eye.
Idaho Falls Temple - Covenant Path series by Robert a. Boyd
Was the Idaho Falls Temple the First Temple in Idaho?
The short answer is yes. The dedication was on September 23, 1945, followed by the Boise Idaho Temple in 1984, the Rexburg Idaho Temple and Twin Falls Temple in 2008, and the recent groundbreaking for the Pocatello Idaho Temple last year.
Idaho Falls Temple - river at sunrise by scott jarvie
The Idaho Falls Temple was the first and last temple that George Albert Smith dedicated during his brief time as the president of the Church, just six years before his death in 1951.
According to Church history records, this temple was the prophesied result of the early saints’ labor and sacrifice. Anyone who has weathered an Idaho winter would know that trying to settle the land along the Snake River would not have been an easy task. The beauty of the building is a tribute to the hard work and effort of those early founders.
How Big is the Idaho Falls Temple?
Idaho Falls Temple - from the front by scott jarvie
According to the Church newsroom, the Idaho Falls Temple covers 85,624 square feet and is 77 feet tall. The property includes 7 acres of generously donated land, including a solid 18 feet of lava rock to support the foundation.
President Heber J. Grant wanted the design for such a sacred building to remain: “Chaste, simple, symmetrical and well proportioned, without much ornamentation or decoration.” These qualities are reflected well in the architecture itself as well as in the LDS art that portrays it.
How Long Did it Take to Build the Idaho Temple?
Even without all the extra ornamentation, the Idaho Falls Temple temple still took over five years after the initial announcement to be built. World War II had begun. The government ordered a halt on the construction and the saints, again, patiently waited for their temple. However, ever since it's completion, the Idaho Falls Temple has proven to be a place of peace and refuge for all who visit.
Brightness of Hope by Mandy Jane Williams
Since the first dedication in 1945, the temple has been remodeled. The rededication was in June of 2017.
Given the context and the time period of the temple’s construction, a passage from the second dedicatory prayer is especially meaningful: “Bless those who govern in this nation that they may be inspired to do that which will ensure peace and freedom for the people of this land. Similarly, bless leaders in all nations, where Thy children dwell.”
“Bless those who govern in this nation that they may be inspired to do that which will ensure peace and freedom for the people of this land. Similarly, bless leaders in all nations, where Thy children dwell.”
Seasonal Idaho Falls Temple Pictures
Believe it or not, it doesn’t just snow in Idaho. The warmer seasons can be quite beautiful, especially on the immaculate temple grounds. Here are a few of our "warmer" Idaho Falls Temple pictures.
Flowers
Idaho Falls Temple - River by robert a. Boyd
Idaho Falls Temple - tulips by mandy jane williams
Idaho Falls pink spring - by mandy jane williams
Waterfalls
Idaho Falls Temple - vibrant Morning by Robert a. Boyd
Idaho Falls Temple - from the Falls by Scott jarvie
Idaho Falls Temple - Waterfall by Robert a. boyd
Have a favorite Idaho Falls Temple picture? We'd love to know! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or to peruse our full collection of Idaho Falls Temple pictures for more inspiration.