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Helena Montana Temple

The Helena Montana Temple is the 179th temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and is located in Helena, Montana, United States. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 4, 2021, by church president Russell M. Nelson, during general conference.[5] The temple is the second to be built in Montana, after the Billings Montana Temple.[6]

Helena Montana Temple
July 2023
Map
Number178
Dedication18 June 2023, by Gary E. Stevenson[3]
Site4.75 acres (1.92 ha)
Floor area9,794 sq ft (909.9 m2)
Height96.75 ft (29.49 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
←
Richmond Virginia Temple
Helena Montana Temple 		→
Saratoga Springs Utah Temple
Additional information
AnnouncedApril 4, 2021, by Russell M. Nelson[1]
GroundbreakingJune 26, 2021, by Vern P. Stanfill[2]
Open house18 May-3 June 2023
Current presidentDavid S. Heap[4]
LocationHelena, Montana, United States
Geographic coordinates46°38′01″N 112°01′09″W / 46.6336°N 112.0192°W / 46.6336; -112.0192
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms1
Sealing rooms1
(edit)

This temple was designed by NWL Architects, using similarity to other architectural designs in the area.[7] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on June 26, 2021, conducted by Vern P. Stanfill, a church general authority.[8]

History

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Plans to build a temple in Helena were announced on April 4, 2021, by church president Russell M. Nelson,[9] along with 19 others the same day, the most new temples announced in a single day.[10]

In June 2021, the LDS Church released the location and rendering for the planned temple,[11] with a groundbreaking, to signify beginning of construction, announced for later in the month.[12] The groundbreaking was held on June 26, 2021, with Vern P. Stanfill presiding.[13]

To shorten temple construction time, the Helena Montana Temple is the church's first using modular construction techniques.[14] The Alabama-based company, BLOX, which specializes in modular building for hospitals, built the temple in 25 separate modules in its facility in Bessemer, Alabama, which were then put taken to the construction site in Montana and assembled.[14]

On February 6, 2023, the church announced that a public open house would be held from May 18-June 3, 2023.[15] Approximately 30,000 people toured the temple during the open house.[6] The temple was dedicated in two sessions on June 18, 2023, by Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.[16]

Design and architecture

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Designed by NWL Architects,[7] the temple is built in an art deco style to reflect Montana's 19th-century architectural history and includes designs that draw upon the area's Native American artwork.[17] The temple is on a 4.8-acre site, which it shares with a meetinghouse that was built alongside the temple.[6]

Exterior and interior

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The temple has a single attached central spire,[18] and was constructed with art deco stone cladding.[18] The decorative patterns are derived from the buttercup flower, with the flower and leaf designs utilized to draw upon principles of Native American geometric patterns.[17] The temple includes buttressing and employs horizontal bands to mimic mountain cliff faces.[17] The 9,794 square-foot building is 96 and-a-half feet tall.[17]

The interior features the same buttercup motif as the exterior, centered around a color palette of blue, green, gold, cream, and other neutral colors, designed to mimic the natural landscape around the temple.[18] The temple includes one instruction room, one sealing room, and one baptistry, each arranged for ceremonial use.[18]

Symbols

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The design has symbolic elements representing the heritage of the region, intended to provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church and includes the exterior windows that are split into three parts representing the root of the buttercup plant, its potential, and its full flower, with a blue border to represent Native American beadwork.[17]

Temple presidents

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The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[19] Since its 2024 dedication, David S. Heap and Mary W. Heap are the temple president and matron[20]

Admittance

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On February 6, 2023, the church announced that a public open house would be held from May 18-June 3, 2023 (excluding Sundays).[15] The temple was dedicated by Gary E. Stevenson on June 18, 2023.[16]

Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[21]

See also

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Temples in Montana (edit)

  •   = Operating
  •   = Under construction
  •   = Announced
  •   = Temporarily Closed

References

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  1. ^ "Prophet Announces Twenty New Temples at April 2021 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church, 4 April 2021
  2. ^ Montanans Break Ground for Helena Temple
  3. ^ "Elder Stevenson dedicates Helena Montana Temple, 'a testament' to testimony, strength of local Latter-day Saints", Church News, Deseret News, 18 June 2023, retrieved 28 September 2023
  4. ^ "New Temple Leaders Called to Serve in 2022", Newsroom, LDS Church, 24 October 2022 [26 May 2022], retrieved 24 October 2022
  5. ^ Saints, President Russell M. Nelson President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day. "COVID-19 and Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  6. ^ a b c "Helena Montana Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  7. ^ a b "Helena Montana Temple". www.nwlarchitects.com. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  8. ^ "Ground broken for Helena Montana Temple less than 3 months after it was announced". Church News. 2021-06-26. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  9. ^ Drake, Phil (7 April 2021). "Latter-day Saints church to open a temple in Helena". Montana Standard. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  10. ^ "President Nelson announces 20 new temples during April 2021 general conference". Church News. 2021-04-04. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  11. ^ Stauffer, Mckenzie (21 April 2021). "LDS Church releases location, rendering for new Montana temple". KUTV. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  12. ^ Staff, MTN News (10 June 2021). "LDS Church announces groundbreaking date for new Helena Temple". KTVH. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Montanans Break Ground for Helena Temple: The temple will be Montana's second house of the Lord". Newsroom. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "How the House of the Lord in Helena Was Built Differently: Modular construction is quicker and preserves quality". Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "News for Latest Temple in Montana". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2023-02-06. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  16. ^ a b "Elder Stevenson Dedicates Helena Montana Temple". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2023-06-18. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Helena Montana Temple Facts" (PDF). Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d "Helena Montana Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  19. ^ "Presidents and Matrons of the Helena Montana Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  20. ^ "Read about the new presidents and matrons called to serve at these 8 temples". Church News. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  21. ^ "Inside Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
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