On April 4, 2021, President Russell M. Nelson confidently announced the plans for the Burley Idaho Temple during the 191st Annual General Conference. This remarkable development will stand as the seventh temple in Idaho, a vibrant state that proudly supports a community of over 460,000 members of the faith.
The vision took a significant step forward on June 4, 2022, when Elder Brent H. Nielson, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy and a proud native of Burley, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony. His connection to the location adds a personal touch to this project, as he reflected on his upbringing and said, “It was just a few hundred yards from here where I learned to…love and enjoy life.” Such heartfelt words set the stage for a temple that embodies love and community.
The Burley Idaho Temple will encompass an impressive 38,600 square feet, situated on a beautiful 10.1-acre site at 40 South and 150 East. During the ceremony, Elder Nielson expressed the collective hope of the community: “As we turn this soil, we pray for an eternal harvest as a house of the Lord, a holy temple, rises out of the ground in this place.” This statement encapsulates the faith and anticipation surrounding the temple’s construction.
The temple is poised to open its doors for a public open house from November 6 to November 22, 2025, providing an exceptional opportunity for community members and visitors alike to experience this sacred space. Following this open house, the temple will be dedicated on January 11, 2026, with the dedicatory session broadcast to all congregations within the temple district, ensuring that everyone can participate in this historic event.
Located in Idaho’s picturesque Magic Valley, known for its rich agricultural landscape, the temple’s design will seamlessly integrate with its surroundings. Inspired by the region’s natural beauty, the temple will feature motifs that reflect local flora, including stunning art glass patterns that highlight potato blossoms and an inviting color palette that mirrors the expansive farmland and clear skies.
Standing majestically at 172 feet, the Burley Idaho Temple will be constructed with a robust steel frame clad in striking Bianco Sarda granite, making it a prominent landmark. The property will be beautifully enclosed by a black Ameristar Montage Plus Majestic fence, ensuring both elegance and security.
Inside, the temple will exude a sense of peace and reverence. General areas will be adorned with luxurious soft gold broadloom carpeting, while the celestial and sealing rooms will feature creamy white carpet to enhance the sacred atmosphere. The primary stone used throughout will be Botticino Classico marble, complemented by Jerusalem Gold, Verde Guatemala, and beautifully distinct yellow-gold stones from Italy. Artistic light fixtures, combining bronze, crystal, and faux alabaster elements, will illuminate key areas like the brides’ room and celestial room, creating an atmosphere of sacred elegance.
The interior will echo refinement, featuring quarter-sawn sapele wood and elegant stained glass windows that showcase potato blossoms, subtly honoring the local agricultural heritage. The temple’s interior doors will be crafted from sapele with bronze hardware, and the exterior doors will proudly feature a striking potato blossom design with a rubbed bronze finish.
The Burley Idaho Temple is more than just an architectural achievement; it is set to become a vital spiritual and community pillar.