Media of the Elko Nevada Temple by LDS Temple News
The Elko Nevada Temple occupies 5.2 acres, with its groundbreaking and site dedication taking place on May 7, 2022. The public open house ran from August 30 to September 13, 2025, and it was dedicated on October 12, 2025, by Gary E. Stevenson. The exterior showcases white Mount Airy granite, and the design includes a single central tower. Spanning 12,901 square feet and rising 108 feet high, it is situated at 5,133 feet elevation.
This was Nevada’s third temple, following those in Las Vegas (1989) and Reno (2000). It was dedicated shortly after President Russell M. Nelson’s death on September 27, 2025, during a transitional period between church presidents, just before the October 2025 general conference on October 4-5. Nelson’s funeral was held on October 7.
President Nelson announced the temple’s construction on April 4, 2021, during the 191st Annual General Conference. The first Nevada mission began in 1855 in The Meadows (Las Vegas). Nevada was part of Utah Territory until 1864, when it became a state. The first stake in Elko County was organized in 1942, when Nevada had over 184,000 members and about 350 congregations, with the Las Vegas and Reno temples already active.
The temple site was announced on June 10, 2021, covering 5.2 acres adjacent to Ruby View Golf Course. It is planned as a single-story building of approximately 10,000 square feet. The exterior rendering was unveiled on September 17, 2021.
Elder Paul B. Pieper from the Quorum of the Seventy led the groundbreaking on May 7, accompanied by his wife Melissa and other Church leaders. He expressed gratitude for the temple and faithful members who travel to other temples, encouraging greater love for God and neighbors as the work progresses. An open house was announced on August 27, 2025, with tours from August 30 to September 13, excluding Sundays. Elder Gary E. Stevenson dedicated the temple on October 12 via broadcast to district units.
The structure features steel framing with a white Mount Airy granite veneer. Native desert globemallow flowers are incorporated into wood carvings, art glass, paint, fabrics, and metal motifs inspired by Paiute and Shoshone cultures. The color palette of orange, yellow, and green reflects Elko’s landscapes. The main temple and waiting room have green carpets with beige and geometric patterns, echoed in the white tones of the celestial and sealing rooms. Entry and waiting areas showcase wool rugs matching these patterns. Porcelain field tiles mimic stone, using Emperador Light for counters and wall bases; Crema Ella for baptismal and instruction rooms; and Latte for transitions. Lighting includes brass and frosted-glass pendant lights and chandeliers from Preciosa, with crystals enhancing the elegance of the ordinance spaces. The baptismal font features a brass-finished painted aluminum railing, glass panels, and sapele wood accents. Doors made from either sapele veneer or painted metal have custom hardware designed to complement the temple’s motifs.