Elko Nevada Temple opens doors ahead of dedication scheduled for October

Tours of the Elko Nevada Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have begun in northeastern Nevada. The temple is located at 2102 Ruby Vista Drive in Elko and serves as the third operating temple for the state.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo attended a media day event on August 27, 2025, along with local government leaders and journalists. “The Elko Nevada Temple will stand as a beacon, a place of peace and devotion and a source of pride for the community and our state,” said Governor Lombardo. He added, “This temple is not only a sacred space for the thousands of Latter-day Saints who call northeastern Nevada home, but also a symbol of the values that bind our communities together through faith, family and service.” Lombardo noted the design’s respect for both faith and community: “From the design to the artwork, it reflects respect for both faith and community. It reminds us that while the government plays a role in providing opportunity and safety, it is families, churches and civic organizations that sustain our moral foundation.”

Elder Steven R. Bangerter, executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, addressed attendees about the purpose of temples. “We hope that you will better understand what a temple is and what it means to us,” Elder Bangerter said. He explained further: “The temple is ‘a place where we more perfectly learn to follow the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ, to more perfectly serve as one child of God to another, regardless of faith, religion or creed.’ Those boundaries are meaningless to God, our Heavenly Father. We believe we are all His children.”

Elko Mayor Reece Keener expressed gratitude for having a temple in Elko. “I would like to thank the Church for making the decision to locate [a temple] in Elko,” said Mayor Keener. “It truly is remarkable. You look at the quality of the stonework, the tile work, all of the furnishings, [and] the windows. Everything is absolutely remarkable.”

Elder Michael A. Dunn from Church leadership also participated in events related to tours and media briefings.

A public open house will be held from August 30 through September 13 (excluding Sundays), with no tickets required for entry.

The dedication ceremony for this new temple will take place on Sunday, October 12, 2025. Elder Gary E. Stevenson from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will preside over this event; it will be broadcast throughout units within its district and rebroadcast later.

The Elko temple district covers towns across six large counties—nearly half of Nevada—and serves part of over 183,000 Latter-day Saints in nearly 340 congregations statewide.

This building measures 12,901 square feet on a 5.2-acre site. Its exterior features structural steel and stone veneer; interior designs incorporate local desert globemallow flowers as well as geometric patterns inspired by Paiute and Shoshone tribal heritage.

President Russell M. Nelson announced plans for this temple during general conference in April 2021; groundbreaking took place May 7, 2022.

Nevada’s other operating temples include those in Las Vegas (dedicated December 1989) and Reno (dedicated April 2000). Another location—the Lone Mountain Nevada Temple—was announced in October 2022 with its site revealed earlier this year.

Temples differ from meetinghouses or chapels used for regular worship services; they are reserved for special ordinances such as marriage or baptism intended to unite families according to church teachings.