In the past five years alone, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the construction of 133 new houses of the Lord. That’s nearly double the number the faith had in operation (159) in April 2018 when President Russell M. Nelson first announced new temples at a general conference.
This prolific and unprecedented season of temple announcements has moved Church leaders to consider ways to expedite construction while maintaining the same high-quality craftsmanship.
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Helena Montana Temple Fact Sheet
“The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have often asked the Lord if there are better ways to take the blessings of the temple to His faithful children,” President Nelson has said.
“We can’t take five or 10 years to build a temple now and keep up with President Nelson,” added W. Christopher Waddell, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric—the group overseeing President Nelson’s temple-building vision. “[We must find] ways to be more productive, to use sacred resources more effectively, to perhaps change the way we do things in some ways. We can’t build the Salt Lake Temple all over the world.”
One path currently being considered for select temples is the modular construction employed by BLOX, a company based in Alabama. They are helping the Church of Jesus Christ pilot a faster way of building temples—beginning with the Helena Montana Temple, which opens to the public on Thursday, May 18, 2023.

Temples are currently done in a “stick-built process where you recreate projects every single time” on site and from scratch, said Corinne Ambler, a project director with BLOX. BLOX designs and manufactures the temple at their 50-acre facility in Bessemer, Alabama, and then puts those prefabricated pieces—walls, floors and other components—together at the temple site with cranes and other lifting equipment.
This is how the temple in Helena was done. BLOX arranged the 10,000-square-foot, 96-foot-high temple into 25 separate modules. Each of those 25 pieces was created, shrink wrapped and carried by semitruck to the 4.8-acre site located at 1260 Otter Road in Helena, where workers stitched together the modules. The electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation systems, along with exterior art deco stone cladding and tower assembly, were also done on site.
The modules “piece together perfectly to align so that we can take the temple anywhere in the world,” said Matt Burke of the Church’s Special Projects Department.
Up until this project, BLOX (founded in 2009) had focused on emergency rooms in hospitals and isolation care units rapidly deployed to address COVID-19 bed shortages.

“No buildings have ever been tried to be built at this level with modular construction,” Burke said.
To learn more about the Church’s temples, BLOX officials visited houses of the Lord in Mesa, Arizona, and Memphis, Tennessee.
“The temple program is exquisite. It’s sacred,” said BLOX CEO Chris Giattina. “It is not just something that you casually go about. The first part of that was trying to understand what it was, what it really meant to do a temple.”
Elder Kevin R. Duncan, executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, said recently that God “has spared no expense in giving us the most beautiful earth that we have to live on. And because we’re building His house, we strive to give our very best—our very best craftsmanship, the very best materials that we can.”
After visiting the temples in Mesa and Memphis, Giattina said he learned his company needed to perfect their precision.
“And so we developed a platform,” he said. “And when we assembled the units, we knew within a width of the laser whether it was plumb or not.”

This focus on quality is “what differentiates the Church from any other client that I’ve worked with,” Ambler said.
Zach Hart, a Latter-day Saint in Alabama who oversaw logistics on the Helena Temple construction, said working on this project has been a blessing because others in his family have built temples for the Church.
“When I told my family what I was going to do in my new job, it was a tearful moment to understand that we’re bringing it full circle,” Hart said.
Leo Paul, a native of Haiti who now lives in Utah, is an assistant project manager for the Helena Temple. He said the Helena Temple structure made at BLOX was pieced together on-site in a mere two weeks.

“[It’s] a joy for me,” Paul said of his work on the temple. He served a full-time mission without experiencing the blessings of worship in a temple prior to serving his mission (the house of the Lord in Port-au-Prince wasn’t finished until 2019).
This new modular method of construction will allow the Church to build more temples more quickly, bringing them closer to Latter-day Saints everywhere like Paul in Haiti. He said he’s grateful to “bring temples to many more people in a much faster time period.”
Invited guests are touring the Helena Temple from today, May 15, through May 17, 2023. Beginning May 18, anyone can walk through this house of the Lord until Saturday, June 3 (except for Sundays) to appreciate its style that reflects Helena’s vibrant 19th-century architectural history, as well as the area’s Native American artwork.
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After the open house, only faithful Latter-day Saints can enter—starting on Sunday, June 18, 2023, when Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicates the temple for the performance of sacred rites and ceremonies, such as marriage and baptism for deceased ancestors.
“This is a special day for us,” said Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela of the North America Central Area Presidency during a newsconference in a meetinghouse next to the Helena Montana Temple on Monday, May 15, 2023. “This temple was announced on April 4, 2021. And now just a couple of years after we are in this great setting to share with all of you this miracle to have the house of the Lord built here in Helena, Montana, a great town. We as members of the Church love temples. These buildings are sacred. They are built to the Lord. The purpose of every temple is to bring us closer to Jesus Christ and to help us understand God’s plan of happiness.”
“In a world that can be so chaotic and confusing, the temple is a place of peace,” added Suzi Stanger, a local Latter-day Saint. “We are so excited to invite our friends and neighbors to enter this sacred building and feel of the peace that is there.”
Some 51,000 Latter-day Saints reside in Montana. The state’s first temple was built in Billings. Another is coming to Missoula.
Learn more about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ in Montana.
Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.
FAQs
How does the church decide where to build a temple? ›
Once the decision is made to build a temple in a certain area, the First Presidency then prayerfully chooses the precise spot on which to build — a pattern that has been in place since the Church's beginnings.
Why the Lord commands the building of temples? ›This building was a place where God's people could be in his presence, preparing them to become that holy presence on earth—a crucial role in God's plan to dwell with humanity.
What do the steps of the temple represent? ›Each of the subsequent steps leading to the temple represents obedience to God's commandments. We are supported by our faith and by the Atonement. How easily we climb these steps depends on our attitude.
What is the average cost of a Mormon temple? ›How much does a temple cost to build? It is estimated that they cost between $7 million and $70 million, depending on the size and location.
Where in the Bible does it say we are being built into a temple? ›Ephesians 2:21-22 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
"As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, carry out my regulations and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father. And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel." So Solomon built the temple and completed it.
Why did God ask David not to build his temple? ›“You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great wars; you shall not build a house in My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.” In this verse God tells David that he cannot build the Beit Hamikdash because he “has blood on his hands”.
What is the spiritual meaning of the temple? ›The temple is the house of the Lord. Some gospel ordinances and covenants are so sacred that God permits us to receive them only in special places called temples. A temple is literally a house of the Lord—a holy place set apart from the rest of the world.
How to make your body a temple for God? ›- Don't skimp on sleep. Not only do the scriptures advise getting enough sleep (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:124), but medical experts do too! ...
- Fuel your body. ...
- Exercise regularly. ...
- Manage stress. ...
- Mind your mental health.
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
What does the temple symbolize in the Bible? ›
The temple is a place where Heaven and Earth are united.
The ancient Israelite temple was a symbol that pointed to God's desire to live among his human partners and rule the world through them.
- Temple vestibule or porch (ulam)
- Temple sanctuary (hekhal or heikal), the main part of the building.
- Holy of Holies (Kodesh HaKodashim or debir), the innermost chamber.
Mormon temples are architecturally beautiful and often prominently placed. Because members see the temple as the house of God, the Church asks those who design and construct temples and their grounds to reflect that belief in what they create.
What is the difference between a Church and temple Mormon? ›In the Latter Day Saint movement, a temple is a building dedicated to be a house of God and is reserved for special forms of worship. A temple differs from a church meetinghouse, which is used for weekly worship services.
Is the Mormon Church worth $100 billion? ›Mormon church has $100bn 'clandestine hedge fund', says whistleblower. A former investment manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says that the organization stockpiled more than $100bn in funding intended for charity work but never spent it on such projects.
Does God say our body is a temple? ›In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV), he asks, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” The context of this astounding assertion pertains to the avoidance of sexual immorality.
Who did God want to build the temple? ›The Lord promised David, however, that his son would reign in peace and build a temple (see 1 Chronicles 22:8–10). Chapters 5–7 of 1 Kings tell about the building of that temple, which has come to be known as Solomon's temple.In 1 Kings 5 we are told about an agreement made between Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre.
Are we temples of the Holy Spirit? ›1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
Unlike other large church buildings, there is no large hall or sanctuary inside a temple. Instead, temples contain a variety of rooms designed to accommodate certain functions such as marriages, baptisms, and religious instructional services.
What does your body is a temple mean? ›This means that our bodies are not our own but of God, and that is why it should be clear and pure of unnecessary impurities. Paul encourages us to remember that our bodies do not belong to us but to God in this letter. Glory Dy. Christianity.com Contributing Writer.
What verse talks about the Church being the temple? ›
The Church as the Temple in 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1: Since we are the temple of the living God, we must separate from all idols. We serve the living God and not dead idols. We find life and hope in God over anything else.
What was God's response to David wanting to build the temple? ›I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it. But God said to me, `You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood. '
Did God promise David to build a temple? ›The “house” David wanted to build for the Lord was a temple. The “house” the Lord promised to build David was a posterity—especially a posterity of rulers. Although David was not permitted to build the temple (see activity A below), the Lord did build the house He promised to David.
What did David give to build the temple? ›With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God--gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble--all of these in large quantities.
Why was the temple so important to Jesus? ›2:19-22). Just as the tabernacle and temple of the Old Testament served as the location for God's people to experience God's presence and forgiveness for sin, so now this beautiful meeting point takes place in the hearts of all those who believe in Christ as their Lord and Savior.
What is the power of the temple? ›In His holy temple we receive power through knowledge, sacred covenants and promises, eternal families, and from the presence of the Lord.
How do I keep my body like a temple? ›- Read and follow your body's signals. “In order to trust your body as a guide, the first step is to begin to understand it.” ...
- Prepare and show up for your meals. ...
- Take a bath. ...
- Move to feel good. ...
- Restrict your screen time.
To defile the temple of God is to corrupt or pollute it. Out next point is to point out the seriousness of defiling the temple of God. Paul said that if “any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy” (I Cor. 3:17).
What was Jesus accused of saying about the temple? ›Jesus is accused of threatening to destroy the temple. This could have been a distortion of Jesus' teaching about the resurrection, when he said his body (temple) would be raised in three days.
What did Jesus talk about in the temple? ›Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. He also warned his followers to be on guard — for they would be arrested, tried, tortured, and killed on account of their association with him. He spoke of terrible times in the future, but also gave hope for his glorious return to set things right again.
Why is the temple so important? ›
The primary purpose of the temple is to provide the ordinances necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Temple blessings are as essential for each of us as was our baptism. Temple ordinances guide us to our Savior and give us the blessings that come to us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
What makes a temple a temple? ›A Temple (from the Latin 'templum') is a structure usually built for the purpose of, and always dedicated to, religious or spiritual activities including prayer, meditation, sacrifice and worship.
What are the 2 types of temple? ›Dravida and Nagara architecture
Of the different styles of temple architecture in India, the Nagara architecture of northern India and the Dravidian architecture of southern India are most common.
The following layers can be identified in the temple: skin (layer 1), superficial (subdermal) fatty layer (layer 2), superficial lamina of superficial temporal fascia (layer 3), deep lamina of superficial temporal fascia (layer 4), deep temporal fat (layer 5), innominate fascia (layer 6), loose areolar tissue (layer 7) ...
Why do Mormons wear temple undergarments? ›Garments are required for any individual who previously participated in the endowment ceremony to enter a temple. The undergarments are viewed as a symbolic reminder of the covenants made in temple ceremonies and are seen as a symbolic and/or literal source of protection from the evils of the world.
Why do Mormons wear white in the temple? ›Simple white clothing symbolizes purity and equality.
Can Christians go to a Mormon temple? ›Description. Mormons, or more properly, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe temples are the most holy places on earth. When a temple is first built, there is an open house and anyone can go inside.
Can a non Mormon enter a Mormon temple? ›Anyone, regardless of religion, may enter a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse and attend services. However, because of the sacredness of temples as “houses of the Lord,” only members of the Church, who are in good standing are allowed to enter the temples.
What do Mormons call church? ›The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The full name was given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838.
How much money is the Mormon church hiding? ›Feds fine Mormon church for illicitly hiding $32 billion investment fund behind shell companies. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints engaged in the scheme for more than 20 years.
Does the president of the Mormon church get paid? ›
Local clergy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serve as volunteers, without pay. But “general authorities,” the top leaders in the church, serve full-time, have no other job, and receive the living allowance.
Does the Mormon church pay 10% of your income? ›The LDS Church today teaches that tithing is ten percent of one's annual income. It is left to each member to determine what constitutes "income".
Who built the temple and where? ›According to Jewish tradition, the Temple of Solomon, also known as "the First Temple," was built by King Solomon (circa 990–931 BCE) long ago on the spot where God created Adam, the first man.
Why are churches built to face east? ›History. The first Christians faced east when praying, likely an outgrowth of the ancient Jewish custom of praying in the direction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Due to this established custom, Tertullian says some non-Christians thought they worshipped the sun.
Who ordered the building of the temple? ›Solomon is known for being the king of Israel who built the first Temple in Jerusalem. He was also the second (after his father, David) and last king of a unified Israel, which was at the height of its power during his reign. He is known for stories told in the Bible about his wisdom.
Why do we build places of worship? ›Having a place of worship is important for Christians as it provides the opportunity to feel closer to God, to meet other Christians with the same beliefs and to feel like a part of a community of believers who regularly come together to express their faith.
Who wanted to build the First Temple in the Bible? ›The land on which Solomon built the temple had been acquired by King David, Solomon's father, who thought to build a grand temple himself. But the Lord, according to the biblical story, rejected David's ambition because of the king's sins and the job passed to the son.
Did God want Solomon to build the temple? ›Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work." Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement.
What was the temple called in the Bible? ›However, God, in His grace, decided to progressively reestablish His presence with humanity, starting with the Israelite tabernacle. The tabernacle, described throughout Exodus 25-40, was an intricately designed mobile tent and served as the physical place in which God's presence would dwell with His people.
Should Christians pray facing east? ›Nearly all Christian apologetic tracts published in the 7th century AD in the Syriac and Arabic languages explicated that the reason that Christians prayed facing the east is because "the Garden of Eden was planted in the east (Genesis 2:8) and that at the end of time, at the second coming, the Messiah would approach ...
What are church doors called? ›
The term Royal Doors (Greek: Ωραία Πύλη: Slavonic: Tsárskiya Vratá) is commonly used to describe the Holy Doors, because Christ passes through these gates during the Great Entrance at the Divine Liturgy (and most especially during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts).
Which direction do Christians pray? ›The orientation of Christian churches reflects the historically documented concepts that one should turn eastward to pray and the architectural and liturgical principle that temples and churches should be constructed facing east (often specified as equinoctial east).
Who did God call in the temple? ›The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.
Who brought Jesus to the temple? ›According to the gospel, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn, in obedience to the Law of Moses, Leviticus 12, Exodus 13:12-15.
How many people did it take to build the temple? ›But when the temple was planned, vast numbers of laborers were needed. The Hebrews supplied the workforce, overseen by master builders from Tyre in a rotation system in which 30,000 workers were divided into three groups.
Is the church building important to God? ›Church buildings can be a reminder that God chooses to reveal himself in specific places, such as to Jacob in Genesis 28, to Moses in Exodus 3, and to Isaiah in Isaiah 6, and such places are deemed to be sacred and holy.
Does the church building matter? ›While it is not important to worship in a dedicated building, having access to one such place is not good or bad. The most important feature of a church structure is how it is used to glorify the name of God and uplift people in one's community.
Where in the Bible does it say a place of worship? ›"My house should be called a place of worship." Jesus went into the temple and chased out everyone who was selling or buying. He turned over the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of the ones who were selling doves. He told them, "The Scriptures say, 'My house should be called a place of worship.