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The Farmington New Mexico Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was dedicated on Sunday, August 17, 2025, by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The temple is located about 50 miles east of the Four Corners region, where four US states meet.
During the dedication ceremony, Elder Andersen said, “This sacred house of the Lord testifies more than any other place of the immortality of the soul and that life continues beyond the veil.” He also emphasized the role of Jesus Christ in connecting families eternally: “Only through the incomparable gift of the Savior do we have power to bind in heaven what is bound on earth.”
Elder Andersen explained that each ordinance performed in the temple focuses attention on Jesus Christ and His atonement. “Every ordinance in this holy house turns our hearts toward our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His atoning gift, and what that gift means for eternal marriage, our family and our posterity,” he said.
In his dedicatory prayer, Elder Andersen asked for peace within the temple walls: “Let this, Thy house, be a sanctuary of peace, a refuge from the distractions of the world. We pray that here in this holy temple the incomparable value of each individual, each son or daughter of God, will be counted greater than all the treasures of the world, allowing the goodness of each disciple to shine in splendor beyond any consideration of cultural identity, personal prosperity or worldly notoriety.”
Addressing current challenges faced by church members, Elder Andersen stated: “We all know that evil is increasing in the world around us. Spiritual dangers can pull us from our spiritual moorings.” He encouraged those who attend temples to seek blessings and strength to become better people: “Amid this world in commotion, the Lord has said that He will prepare a righteous people.” He added that those who dedicate themselves by attending temples would receive help to become who they want to be.
Elder Andersen referred to promises made by President Russell M. Nelson regarding temple attendance. In April 2024 general conference remarks cited by Elder Andersen, President Nelson said: “Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit.”
Elder Andersen concluded with his testimony about preparing for future events: “In this holy house, we will make ourselves ready” for Jesus Christ’s return. He continued: “As you have faith in Him and do your very best, He will lift you from your burdens, your difficulties and your weaknesses and prepare you for His return and the eternal life that awaits you.”
Several church leaders attended alongside Elder Andersen at Sunday’s dedication. These included his wife Kathy; Elder José L. Alonso (General Authority Seventy and President of United States Southwest Area) with his wife Rebeca; Elder Steven R. Bangerter (General Authority Seventy and Executive Director of Temple Department) with his wife Susan; and Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé with his wife Valérie.
After arriving at the site on Sunday morning, Elder Andersen greeted local members warmly. Speaking about local Latter-day Saints’ commitment he said: “I love these people. They have been dedicated and devoted. It is an unbelievable blessing to think that here in the beauty of the desert, suddenly you see this sacred house of the Lord.”
Angie McDaniel from Bloomfield New Mexico Stake noted increased enthusiasm among both church members and nonmembers since news spread about having a temple nearby. She described previous challenges traveling long distances for ordinances such as baptisms but now sees benefits from having a local temple accessible without significant travel costs.
The Farmington New Mexico Temple becomes The Church’s 208th operating temple worldwide. This marks Elder Andersen’s fifth time dedicating a temple—and his first dedication within North America.
