Grand Junction Colorado Temple

The Grand Junction Colorado Temple was announced by Russell M. Nelson during the church's April 2021 general conference.{{Cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Sean |last2=Cardenas |first2=Xoel |date=April 4, 2021 |title=President Nelson announces 20 more temples, including second in Cache Valley |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50139815/president-nelson-announces-20-more-temples-including-second-in-cache-valley |website=KSL}} A groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 16, 2022, with Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, a church general authority, presiding.{{Cite web |title=Ground Broken for Grand Junction Colorado Temple |url=https://latterdaysaintmag.com/ground-broken-for-grand-junction-colorado-temple/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=LDS Magazine|date=April 18, 2022 }} The event, which was livestreamed locally,{{Cite web |date=2022-05-02 |title=The Church broke ground for 4 new temples in April. Find out where |url=https://www.ldsliving.com/the-church-broke-ground-for-3-new-temples-in-april-find-out-where/s/10622 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=LDS Living |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-02-25 |title=Groundbreakings announced for Grand Junction Colorado, Elko Nevada Temples |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/2/25/22949352/grand-junction-colorado-temple-elko-nevada-temple-groundbreaking-announced-lds/ |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} was attended by local church members, community representatives, and members of other faiths.{{Cite web |last=Woodbrey |first=Adam |date=April 16, 2022 |title=Groundbreaking for new temple in Grand Junction |url=https://www.kjct8.com/2022/04/17/groundbreaking-new-temple-grand-junction/ |access-date=March 31, 2025 |website=KJCT |language=en}}

The temple is on a {{convert|6.94|acre}} site at the intersection of Horizon Drive and North 12th Street in Grand Junction.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Ann |date=2025-04-09 |title=Dates set for LDS temple opening |url=https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/dates-set-for-lds-temple-opening/article_2cdda112-b99c-4d2e-8675-a9034cc1697b.html |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |language=en}} The plans call for a single-story structure of approximately {{convert|29000|ft2|m2}}.

During construction, several challenges were encountered. The land was primarily shale, which prevented the use of standard footings. To resolve this, 206 piers were drilled 25 feet into the ground to support the temple, which stabilized the foundation above the shale. Additional challenges included material supply chain delays and labor shortages common during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |first=Adam |last=Woodbrey |date=2023-06-19 |title=Temple construction progressing, despite challenges |url=https://www.kkco11news.com/2023/06/19/temple-construction-progressing-despite-challenges/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=KKCO 11 News |language=en}} After it is completed, it will be the church's third temple in Colorado.{{Cite web |last=KUTV |first=Sara Knox |date=2021-09-17 |title=Church releases renderings of four planned temples |url=https://kutv.com/news/local/church-releases-renderings-of-four-planned-temples |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=KUTV |language=en}}

The temple is on a 6.94-acre plot{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2023 |title=Grand Junction Colorado Temple |url=https://templescoop.com/f/grand-junction-colorado-temple |website=Templescoop.com}} at 12th Street and Horizon Drive in Grand Junction. The single-story structure has a single spire and is being constructed with granite imported from Portugal.{{Cite web |last=Ann.Wright@gjsentinel.com |first=ANN WRIGHT |date=2024-06-30 |title=Getting closer: Details coming together for LDS Grand Junction temple |url=https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/getting-closer-details-coming-together-for-lds-grand-junction-temple/article_790a83c4-2f69-11ef-8e5e-17734a517651.html |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |language=en}} The temple has two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms, and a baptistry.

The temple will reduce travel time for church members in western Colorado, who previously had to travel long distances to Utah or other parts of Colorado.{{Cite web |last=Bott |first=Mark |date=February 1, 2023 |title=Progress update on the Grand Junction LDS Temple |url=https://www.westernslopenow.com/top-stories/progress-update-on-the-grand-junction-lds-temple/ |website=WesternSlopeNow}} Local members have described the temple as a long-anticipated development. According to media reports, some members expressed strong enthusiasm for the temple, describing it as a fulfillment of a long-held hope.

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each typically 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. In November 2024, it was announced that Allan L. Allphin and Diane P. Allphin will serve as the temple's first president and matron.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-28 |title=Learn about the leaders who will preside over three new temples in Kenya, Colorado and Utah |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/11/28/new-temple-presidents-kenya-colorado-utah/ |website=Church News |language=en}}

On April 8, 2025, the church announced that a public open house will be held from September 11 to 27, 2025 (excluding Sundays).{{Cite web |title=Open House and Dedication Dates for Temples in Nevada and Colorado |url=https://latterdaysaintmag.com/open-house-and-dedication-dates-for-temples-in-nevada-and-colorado/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419080431/https://latterdaysaintmag.com/open-house-and-dedication-dates-for-temples-in-nevada-and-colorado/ |archive-date=April 19, 2025 |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=latterdaysaintmag.com |date=April 9, 2025 |url-status=live }} The temple will then be dedicated on October 19, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Mahon |first=Spencer |date=April 9, 2025 |title=2 LDS Temples preparing to welcome visitors to open houses — here's when and where |url=https://www.abc4.com/news/religion/2-lds-temples-preparing-to-welcome-visitors-to-open-houses-heres-when-and-where/ |website=ABC4}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Kiser |first=Andrew |date=2025-04-09 |title=GJ LDS church plans open house for new temple |url=https://www.westernslopenow.com/news/gj-lds-church-plans-open-house-for-new-temple/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411040145/https://www.westernslopenow.com/news/gj-lds-church-plans-open-house-for-new-temple/ |archive-date=April 11, 2025 |access-date=2025-06-06 |work=WesternSlopeNow.com |language=en-US |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Deal |first=Nathan |date=2022-02-26 |title=Groundbreaking for Grand Junction LDS Temple set for April 16 |url=https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/groundbreaking-for-grand-junction-lds-temple-set-for-april-16/article_12ee28d0-9677-11ec-8861-c3e83e54b728.html |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |language=en}} The church teaches that temples are the "house of the Lord" and represent the most sacred spaces for its religious ordinances. In the temple, members perform proxy baptisms for deceased ancestors, and marriage ceremonies (called sealings).

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