President Oaks Dedicates Burley Idaho Temple, Reflecting on Personal History and Eternal Families
Burley, Idaho – January 12, 2026 – In a deeply personal and spiritually resonant event, President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Burley Idaho Temple on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The dedication marks the 212th operating temple of the Church and the seventh in Idaho, holding particular significance as the frist temple dedication of the year. For President Oaks, the occasion was not merely a fulfillment of his prophetic duties, but a poignant return to the roots of his childhood and a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of family.
The burley Idaho Temple, located at 40 S. 150 East,Burley,Idaho,stands as a beacon of faith in a community with a rich pioneering heritage. Announced by the late President Russell M. Nelson on April 4, 2021, and with groundbreaking ceremonies held on June 4, 2022, presided over by Elder Brent H. Nielson, the temple’s completion represents years of anticipation and dedicated effort from local members. A public open house was held from November 6-22, 2025, excluding Sundays, allowing the community to experience the beauty and peace of the sacred space. The temple itself encompasses 45,300 square feet, rises 172 feet in height (including the spire), and is situated on a 10.12-acre plot.
A Personal Connection to Southern Idaho
President Oaks expressed a deep personal connection to the Burley area, revealing that he specifically requested the assignment to dedicate this particular temple.“I looked over a long list and immediately asked that I be assigned to dedicate this Burley Idaho Temple,” he stated. this desire stemmed from his childhood experiences living in nearby Twin Falls for approximately five years, where his father served on the high council and he attended the first and second grades.
“So, I chose Burley to revisit my roots in this part of Southern Idaho,” President Oaks explained, highlighting the emotional resonance of returning to the place where formative memories were made.This personal connection was further underscored by Sister kristen Oaks, who shared, “This place has so much significance to him as a young boy. He felt like he was drawn back here above all other places in the world.”
Temples: Anchors of Faith and Family
During the dedication, president Oaks emphasized the central role temples play in God’s plan for His children. he taught that temples are not simply stunning structures, but sacred spaces where individuals can draw closer to God and strengthen their families for eternity. “In these houses of the Lord,we are taught the most important things we can learn and do in mortality,” he said. “The work of temples is centered on our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.”
He further elaborated on the significance of temple covenants,stating,“Here in His house,we make sacred covenants with and in the name of Jesus Christ,which among other meanings signify His authority and His work. All who worship here receive the blessings of His power and participate in His saving work. These blessings and this saving work, which we call ‘temple work,’ are supremely critically important for all of God’s children, those still living in mortality and those in the spirit world.”
Sister Oaks echoed this sentiment, sharing how temple worship brings a sense of peace and outlook to her life. “I have felt how precious time is and that you have choices on how to use it,” she said. “I go there for comfort, instruction, revelation. And it makes me a better wife,a better mother.”
Continuing a Legacy Amidst Loss
The dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple occurred within a period of significant transition for the Church, following the passing of President Russell M.Nelson in September 2025 and, more recently, President Jeffrey R. Holland in December 2025. President oaks, who served closely with both leaders, acknowledged the emotional weight of these losses.
He reflected on the enduring power of family, sharing how his own mother comforted him after the death of his father at a young age, teaching him that their family bond would continue beyond this life. “One of the great blessings we have in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is to look at mortality as a small slice of our identity and eternal progress,” he said. “We are pained when we lose the association … and there is an adjustment to be made in trying to go on with your life without their association. But basically death is a graduation to be celebrated as part of the purpose of life on earth.”
In his most recent general conference address in october 2025, President Oaks underscored the centrality of the family in the Church’s doctrine, stating, “Essential to our doctrine on the family is the temple.The ordinances received there enable us to return as eternal families to the presence of our Heavenly father.”
A Temple Built on Faith and Community
The construction and dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple have been a testament to the faith and dedication of local Latter-day Saints. Members of the community have long prayed for a temple in their area, and their efforts were evident throughout the construction process and the recent open house.
Local leaders, Dee and Bonnie Jones, who coordinated the open house and dedication events, noted the miraculous circumstances surrounding the project. Despite typically challenging weather conditions, the open house period was blessed with unseasonably warm days. “It was very evident through the whole process that we were being guided by the Spirit,” Dee Jones said. “I think it just confirms that abiding testimony that we already have of the Savior and that this is his work and the temple is His holy house.”
Youth in the area are notably excited about the temple’s presence. Olivia Hobson, 17, expressed her gratitude, saying, “As it gives us the opportunity to do the Lord’s work, which is so critically important to Him, but also for us here on earth. I’m so grateful to have a temple here.” She plans to continue attending the temple throughout her life, including participating in ordinances for her ancestors.
Roselinda Marange, a visitor from Harare, Zimbabwe, shared her joy at attending the dedication, noting that she will soon have the opportunity to attend the dedication of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple in March 2026. “It’s great knowing that in the Lord’s time things will happen, things that have been promised to us, and this is one of those things,” she said.
Looking Ahead: A Future Anchored in Covenant
The dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple represents a significant milestone for the Church and a source of hope and inspiration for the members of the surrounding communities. As President Oaks emphasized, temples are places where individuals can find strength, peace, and a deeper connection to God and their families. The Burley Idaho Temple stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, the importance of family, and the blessings that come from living a life centered on Jesus Christ.
Idaho currently has 11 temples in various stages of operation,construction,or planning,serving a population of over 462,000 Church members in 1,181 congregations and 132 stakes. The Burley Idaho Temple will serve seven stakes in the Mini-Cassia area, providing a sacred space for members to worship, make covenants, and strengthen their testimonies.
