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Latter-day Saints in Star Valley had long awaited a temple since the late 1870s, when early Church Apostle Moses Thatcher looked out over the valley — which he named “the star of all valleys” — and prophesied that the spires of a temple would one day rise up under the peaks of the surrounding mountains.
This prophecy was fulfilled on Oct. 30, 2016, when the Star Valley Wyoming Temple was dedicated by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during three sessions. Elder Bednar was joined by his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, who was raised in Afton, Wyoming; Elder Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Sister Rosana Soares; and other General Authority Seventies, with their respective wives.
The day before the dedication, Elder Bednar told the Church News, “We can never live off of the faithfulness of our forefathers. Each generation has to stand on its own holy ground. But there is a continuation, a blessing of that faithfulness for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. ... And I think personally the temple here in this valley is a symbol of those generations of devotion and faith.”
One example of this faith is Kay Robinson, the father of Sister Bednar. When Robinson — a pioneer descendant and longtime resident of Star Valley — heard the announcement for this house of the Lord, he was celebrating his 85th birthday. He called Sister Bednar with a birthday wish: “I wish that I would live long enough to see the Star Valley temple dedicated.”
On Oct. 30, 2016, Robinson joyfully attended the dedication — on his 90th birthday.
Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We thank Thee for this beautiful building and for all who have labored to build it. We especially are grateful for the faithfulness of Thy Saints and for their tithes and offerings that have made this temple possible. Please bless them, Father, and open the windows of heaven and shower down upon them every needful gift.”
Read the dedicatory prayer of the Star Valley Wyoming Temple here.
Church President Thomas S. Monson announced the Star Valley Wyoming Temple during October 2011 general conference, on Oct. 1, 2011. This house of the Lord was later announced to be built in Afton, a town in Star Valley, on May 25, 2012.
The groundbreaking for the Star Valley Wyoming Temple was held on April 25, 2015, with around 2,500 people in attendance. Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy presided over the ceremony and was joined by Elder Kent F. Richards of the Seventy, regional and local Church leaders, and state and local civic leaders.
The Church held an open house for the Star Valley temple from Sept. 23 through Oct. 8, 2016. An estimated 79,000 visitors attended the open house, including nonmembers and dignitaries such as former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi.
Around 1,200 youth members of the Church commemorated the temple dedication the evening before at a cultural celebration entitled “Mountain Heir: Clean and Pure,” held in the Star Valley High School gymnasium.
The Star Valley Wyoming Temple was dedicated on Oct. 30, 2016, during three sessions. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave the dedicatory prayer and was joined by his wife, Sister Susan K. Bednar, who was raised in Afton.
Church President Thomas S. Monson announced the Star Valley Wyoming Temple during October 2011 general conference, on Oct. 1, 2011. The groundbreaking for the temple was held on April 25, 2015, with around 2,500 people in attendance.
Once construction was completed, the Church held an open house for the Star Valley temple from Sept. 23 through Oct. 8, 2016. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles then dedicated the Star Valley Wyoming Temple on Oct. 30, 2016.
The Star Valley Wyoming Temple has an area of 18,609 square feet and is the first Latter-day Saint temple in the state, primarily serving members in Wyoming and Idaho. The temple stands near Highway 89 on a slight rise, with towering mountains acting as a backdrop. The exterior of the temple is white with a deep blue spire, topped by an angel Moroni statue, and draws inspiration from local pioneer-era buildings such as the Star Valley Tabernacle.
The interior of the temple maintains the exterior color scheme, predominantly white with deep blue highlights. Behind the recommend desk is a depiction of Jesus Christ in stained glass, which was a refurbished piece originally created for a Presbyterian Church in New York City and belongs to a set of three stained-glass pieces. The other two pieces are located in the Provo City Center and Cedar City temples.
1 October 2011
30 October 2016
885 S. Washington St.
Afton, Wyoming 83110
United States
This was the first Latter-day Saint temple in Wyoming.
The Star Valley Wyoming Temple features a unique stained-glass depiction of Jesus Christ originally created for a Presbyterian Church in New York City. This piece belongs to a set of three stained-glass pieces, with the other two located in the Provo City Center and Cedar City temples.
The temple architecture draws inspiration from the nearby Star Valley Tabernacle, which still stands in Afton and was dedicated on Aug. 15, 1909, by Church President Joseph F. Smith.
Star Valley was initially settled by Latter-day Saint pioneers in the late 1870s, filling the town with a rich history of faithful Saints.
This was the first Latter-day Saint temple in Wyoming.
The Star Valley Wyoming Temple features a unique stained-glass depiction of Jesus Christ originally created for a Presbyterian Church in New York City. This piece belongs to a set of three stained-glass pieces, with the other two located in the Provo City Center and Cedar City temples.
The temple architecture draws inspiration from the nearby Star Valley Tabernacle, which still stands in Afton and was dedicated on Aug. 15, 1909, by Church President Joseph F. Smith.
Star Valley was initially settled by Latter-day Saint pioneers in the late 1870s, filling the town with a rich history of faithful Saints.
