In the April 2021 General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct 20 new temples. One of them would be in Elko, NV!

Our family was so surprised and excited! Our nearest temple is in Reno, three hours from our house. Although it will still take 2 hours and 15 minutes, going to Elko will cut down on travel time 45 minutes each way.

Back in 1997 President Gordon B. Hinckley and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland visited Elko for a stake conference. While speaking, President Hinckley predicted a temple would eventually be built in Elko. Here’s a clip from the Elko Daily Free Press on April 22, 1997 about that event.

In June of 2021 the temple site and a rendering of what the temple would look like was released. It will be about the same size as the Reno Temple but looks quite different.

On Saturday, May 7, 2022 the groundbreaking ceremony for the Elko Nevada Temple was held. What a privilege it was to be able to attend and have Joseph participate in a small way giving the invocation.

The ceremony was presided over by Elder Paul B. Pieper, who is the president of the North America Southwest Area of the church. The speakers all did a phenomenal job sharing how they are preparing for a temple here and relating the history of the saints in Northern Nevada. The choir was made up of youth, two from each of the four stakes that will be part of the Elko Temple district.

It was a very windy day! One of the speakers pointed out the line in our state song, “Home Means Nevada” which says, “Where the wind blows wild and free.” Many were so distracted by the wind and the cooler temperatures they didn’t pay attention to the sun. Several got sun burned, including Joseph!

After the closing prayer everyone was invited come and turn a shovel of soil. We are excited to see the progress over the next couple of years.