Times-News

Members of the public will be able to see the Twin Falls Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from July 11 through Aug. 16, the church's officials announ-ced Saturday.

The temple will then be prepared for its dedication, to be held in four sessions on Aug. 24 to accommodate congregations of the church from across the Magic Valley.

Leaders in the church's first presidency gave word that the month-long open house will begin with a three-day tour for members of the media and neighbors of the temple, located on Eastland Drive in northeast Twin Falls. Local civic and government officials, ecclesiastical leaders, media representatives, and neighbors who live in the proximity of the temple will be given specific tours from July 8 to July 10.

Tours for the general public will begin July 11, and will be held every day except for Sundays in that period.

"As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Magic Valley, we are delighted with the announcement of the open house and dedication of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple," said Elder Brent H. Nielson of Twin Falls, a member of the church's Quorum of Seventy.

"The open house will give all members of the community an opportunity to come and tour the new temple. Information will be forthcoming in the future as to how to obtain free tickets. … We hope that all of our friends will take time from their day to come and see the beauty of this newly constructed temple and will appreciate this new addition to the landscape of Twin Falls."

The church also announced the date for the youth cultural celebration that will involve a musical and dance festival performed by young members of the church. That event will be Saturday, Aug. 23, in relation to the dedication.

The temple will open for religious ordinances on Monday, Aug. 25, one day after the temple's dedication.

LDS temples differ from regular meeting houses or chapels that are used for Sunday worship. Only members of the church who keep certain standards and have the approval of clergy leaders are permitted to worship in a Mormon temple after its dedication.

The Twin Falls temple will be the LDS Church's fourth temple in Idaho, and will be the church's 128th worldwide.