The nearly completed temple in Rexburg, Idaho — the 125th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — will be open to the public beginning 29 December 2007 and continuing through 26 January 2008.
This is one of two temples whose opening is imminent. An open house for a remodeled temple is scheduled in Tonga for Saturday, 29 September 2007, through Saturday, 20 October 2007, excluding Sundays.
During each of the open houses, all members of the general public will be welcome to view the temple, tour the interior and learn about the highest sacraments of the faith that take place there. After that, the temples will be open only to members of the Church who are actively engaged in the faith — unlike the thousands of ordinary church buildings that are open to everyone for regular Sunday services, regardless of religious affiliation.
Temples are recognized by Mormons as the most sacred places on earth. There are currently 140 temples in total, including both those announced and under construction in 40 different countries and 32 states of the United States.
“When a temple becomes a dedicated ‘House of the Lord,’ only members of the Church in good standing are permitted to enter,” Church President Gordon B. Hinckley says. “It is not a matter of secrecy. It is a matter of sanctity.”
Unlike temples, Mormon chapels, which number more than 14,000 across the globe, are always open to the public, who may visit freely or participate in weekly worship services and other activities. In addition to Sunday worship, neighborhood buildings include weekday social, recreational and service activities. It’s not uncommon to find a group of people playing basketball in the gymnasium inside a church building or another group using the building to assemble hygiene kits for humanitarian distribution.
Tours for the temple in Rexburg, Idaho, will be held beginning 29 December 2007 from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., except on Mondays when tours will conclude at 6 p.m. and except on Sundays, when the temple will be closed. Free tickets are required to attend and will be made available to the general public beginning 26 November 2007. For tickets, visit www.lds.org/reservations or call 1-800-537-6181 (toll free).
