Billings Montana Temple

The Billings Montana Temple is the 66th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Billings, Montana, United States.

Billings Montana Temple
Number	66
Dedicated	November 20, 1999 by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site	10 acres (4 hectares)
Floor area	33,800 sq ft (3,140 m^2)
Preceded by	Regina Saskatchewan Temple
Followed by	Edmonton Alberta Temple
Official website • News & images
Additional information Announced August 30, 1996 Groundbreaking March 30, 1998 by Hugh W. Pinnock Open House October 8–23, 1999 Current President Kenneth D. Getz Designed by CTA Architects Engineers Location 3100 Rim Point Drive Billings, Montana United States Exterior finish Wyoming white dolomite precast concrete Temple design Classic modern, single-spire design Ordinance rooms 2 (Movie, two-stage progressive sessions) Sealing rooms 3 Clothing rental Yes Cafeteria Limited Visitors' center No

History

Plans to build a temple in Montana were announced in August 1996.[1] About 4,800 people gathered during a spring snowstorm to witness the groundbreaking on March 28, 1998.[2]

Eight dedicatory sessions were held to accommodate all of the members of the area on November 20–21, 1999. LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley gave the dedicatory prayer.

The Billings Montana Temple sits on the hillside in front of 300-foot (91 m) high sandstone cliffs. The single spire rises from a tiered tower. Stained-glass windows dominate the west end. Inside, a clear skylight allows patrons to glimpse the angel Moroni atop the spire. The exterior features Wyoming white dolomite with tan sandstone finish. The temple is used by the 36,000 members in Montana and northern Wyoming. It has a total floor area of 33,800 square feet (3,140 m²), two ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms.

In 2020, the Billings Montana Temple was closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[3]

See also

• Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
• Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Montana

Additional reading

• "Go-ahead given for Montana temple", Church News, November 1, 1997
• "Statue placed atop temple in Billings", Church News, November 21, 1998
• Kruckenberg, Janet (October 16, 1999), "Big Sky Country splendor graces open house tours", Church News
• Olp, Susan (October 30, 2004), "Neighbors learn to live with familiar landmark", Billings Gazette
• Olp, Susan (October 30, 2004), "Drawn to the Temple: 5 years after it opened, LDS temple attracts people, business", Billings Gazette

References

1. Olp, Susan. "Thousands expected to mark milestone", Billings Gazette, 19 October 2000. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
2. Hein, David G. "Temple ground made `white and pure'", Deseret News, 4 April 1998. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
3. Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.

External links

• Media related to Billings Montana Temple at Wikimedia Commons
• Billings Montana Temple Official site
• Billings Montana Temple at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org