Wyoming’s Second LDS Temple Opens In Casper, With Third On The Way

CASPER — The second Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple to be built in Wyoming opened its doors in Casper on Monday, giving media and some others a sneak peek inside a building that will soon be accessible only to certain members of the LDS faith.

Church leaders gave members of the media a tour of the 9,950-square-foot, 97-foot-tall temple, which is the second in the state after the 2016 dedication of the Star Valley Temple in Afton.

It was one of the few and only looks that members of the general public will get of the inside of the Casper Wyoming Temple, because after Nov. 24 when the facility is dedicated, only members of the faith will be allowed in.

“After being dedicated, it’s set aside for the members of the church,” said James Rasband, the church’s assistant executive director of the temple department.

A public open house of the temple will run Aug. 29 through Sept. 14, excluding Sundays.

It’s not often that a media tour and series of public engagement events are held when a new spiritual facility is built.

“It’s just an opportunity for us to share the inside of the temple with the world and transparency,” Rasband said. “It’s pretty exciting to us.”

The Casper Wyoming Temple has been met with far less resistance than a similarly sized temple that’s being proposed in Cody, which has been met with challenges for local residents and lawsuitsThe two buildings have roughly the same footprint and height, but the Cody facility is being built on a much smaller site and in a more dense neighborhood setting.

Rasband said he’s not sure why the Cody Wyoming Temple has had so much pushback, but acknowledged disputes over the church’s proposed temples are not totally unheard of.

“We always make an effort to try and fit them into the landscape,” Rasband said.

What’s Inside?

Temples are seen as particularly sacred sites within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They host marriages and other ceremonies, but aren’t typically reserved for weekly prayer services like a typical church, of which there are many within the LDS religion in Wyoming.

Previously, Wyoming members of the church had to travel to either Afton, Billings, Montana, Salt Lake City or Fort Collins, Colorado, to get to their nearest temple. Due to the length of those distances, most people only could attend a temple once every six months to a year.

“We hope it can become a beacon in the Casper area and eastern Wyoming,” Rasband said.

The temple being a home to peace and tranquility from the outside world was a phrase repeated numerous times during Monday’s tour.

Although temples usually look very similar on the outside, featuring sand-colored glass fiber-reinforced concrete supported by a steel-framed modular structure, the inside has some Wyoming touches.

Indian paintbrushes, the official flower of Wyoming, dot the soffits on the walls and the building’s sparkling white carpets. There are also a few sagebrush designs throughout the walls and glass ornaments.

‘Peace, Calm And Tranquility’

But more notable is the immaculate presentation inside — bright and clean with high stained glass that invites tranquility and reflection.

“We hope you feel the peace, calm and tranquility,” said Camille Johnson, Relief Society general president for the church.

In some ways the temple feels not unlike a small palace or mansion.

Large paintings hang on most of the walls, many of which are originals made by Wyoming artists. Some of these paintings also include local Wyoming landscapes such as the Devil's Gate rock feature on the Sweetwater River.

One of the most revered locations in the temple is its Celestial Room, which Rasband explained is for members of the church to sit in the presence of God.

“It’s a place of peace and calm,” Rasband said. “A place to pray or ponder about the challenges in life.”

This room features a lavish layout with gold-hued mirrors, a large chandelier and a massive bouquet of flowers.

There are also rooms in the temple for services and weddings, the latter known as the Sealing Room. Not only are ceremonies held for newlyweds in this room, but so for children, who can be sealed within the faith in circumstances like second marriages.

There’s also a baptistry room where not only children can get baptized, but so can deceased relatives and ancestors upon a child’s request and without the permission given of that person. Johnson said she sees this as providing an opportunity for children to practice selflessness and see outside their own lives.

“It’s an act of love for ancestors who may not have had the opportunity to be baptized, to accept that offer of love,” Johnson said.

No matter who enters the temple, they are expected to change into the white garb that’s associated with the religion in designated locker rooms located inside. It’s just one of a number of practices that separate the LDS faith from religions that view Jesus Christ as their lord and savior.

“We believe because of Him, we get to live after death,” Rasband said.

Back Outside

The Casper Wyoming Temple is the 201st built by the church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints religion is spreading rapidly around the world, with notable growth seen in the Philippines and Africa, Rasband said.

He was vague about how the church selects temple sites, but said it’s based on a combination of factors, including congregation population and demand.

He said the church is opening around 15 temples around the world a year, a rate he expects to pick up in the next few years.

All involved parties in a lawsuit attempting to halt construction of the Cody temple are still awaiting a decision on the matter after giving their final arguments in May. Although the church legally already has the green light to start construction, it has chosen to wait until a decision is returned.

“We hope we can come to a solution that brings resolution and blessings to the community,” Rasband said. “I’m sure the wonderful people of Cody would prefer to have the drama be over and would prefer a peaceful resolution too.”

Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.