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Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Elko Nevada Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, October 12, 2025. The ceremony marked a significant event for church members in northeastern Nevada, as the new temple will serve nearly 12,000 members and 36 wards across six counties.
During his remarks, Elder Stevenson emphasized the role temples play in strengthening families. “Temples are blessing the lives of millions of Heavenly Father’s children on both sides of the veil,” he said. He also highlighted that those who make covenants in temples and participate in temple work will draw closer to their families.
Elder Stevenson noted that this dedication took place during an apostolic interregnum, a period between church presidents. He referenced historical precedent: “The last time a temple was dedicated during an apostolic interregnum, the transition of prophetic leadership from one prophet to another, was in 1888, when President Wilford Woodruff was president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during the dedication of the Manti Utah Temple.”
He explained that he had recently met with President Dallin H. Oaks, who currently leads as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “These proceedings all take place under his direction,” Elder Stevenson said. “How reassuring it was to see this in real time as I was able to discuss the Elko Nevada Temple dedication with him and receive presiding direction.”
Quoting President Oaks from a previous general conference, Elder Stevenson shared: “God desires all of us to strive for His highest possible blessings by keeping His highest commandments, covenants and ordinances, all of which culminate in His holy temples being built throughout the world.”
For many local Latter-day Saints, this temple reduces long travel times to other temples in Idaho, Nevada, California, and Utah. Elder Stevenson reflected on this change: “The small group of Latter-day Saints who participated in the organization of the first branch in Elko likely never imagined 100 years later a temple would be announced and dedicated.”
Local leaders expressed optimism about what the new temple means for their community. Elko Nevada East Stake President Mathew N. Spieth said, “We are especially excited that the rising generation will be able to make the house of the Lord their own personal sanctuary... It already feels like home.” Elko Nevada West Stake President Alberto Jimenez added, “The influence felt by the presence of the house of the Lord has already produced and will continue to generate profound and inspiring experiences.”
Elder Stevenson was joined at the dedication by his wife Lesa; Elder Michael A. Dunn, First Counselor in the United States Southwest Area Presidency, and his wife Linda; Elder James R. Rasband, Assistant Executive Director of the Temple Department, and his wife Mary; as well as Bishop L. Todd Budge of the Presiding Bishopric and his wife Lori.
The late President Russell M. Nelson announced plans for a temple in Elko on April 4, 2021. The open house for this new building ran from August 30 through September 13 (excluding Sundays). The Elko Nevada Temple is now one among 382 temples worldwide that are operating, announced or under construction by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is Nevada’s third operating temple after Las Vegas (dedicated in December 1989) and Reno (dedicated in April 2000). A fourth temple in Lone Mountain was announced in October 2022.
