The Ben Vacation 2015 - Star Valley Temple

Indianapolis Temple

Provo City Center

We drove to Afton, Wyoming today to visit the Star Valley Temple construction site.  During our trip back east two years ago, we stopped to see the Indianapolis Indiana Temple.  At the time, only a piece of one wall with another small piece forming a corner was standing (it's about a month away from dedication).  Last year, we stopped to see the progress of the Provo City Center Temple.  This temple is now several months away from completion with the open house slated for January and February of next year and dedication in March.  As I mentioned in the "Crossing Idaho" post, if we'd had more time, I may have considered stopping at the Meridian, Idaho temple site.  With a choice between two temple construction sites, I decided that the Star Valley site was more exciting because 1) we could spend more time at the construction site; and 2) the location of the temple, only 50 miles north of Cokeville.  If someone had told me back in the 1980's when I lived in Cokeville that a temple would someday be built in Star Valley, I would have thought that person was off his nut.  Now, however, what would have seemed inconceivable back then is becoming a reality.

Star Valley construction

As we approached the construction site, it was difficult to see anything because of the chain-link fence and green barrier attached to the fence (probably placed there to keep gawkers from staring at the construction site and causing accidents ☺).  A "welcome center" trailer was near the construction site.  Inside the trailer, we met Elder and Sister Hesler, the construction missionaries.  They gave us a nice presentation which discussed why the Church builds temples and the importance temples serve.  At one point during the presentation, Elder Hesler, using his electronic tablet, was putting pictures of several temples on the screen and asking Ben and Isaac if they knew where the temples were located—Ben and Isaac knew them all.  Elder Hesler thought he had them with the picture of the Rome Italy Temple, but Ben immediately identified it (Isaac could have as well).☺

He told us that when they first arrived in town, no one knew they were coming or had been told construction was close to commencing.  As soon as people in the area began to learn the Heslers were construction missionaries, it wasn't long before the whole valley knew construction on the temple was close to beginning (one of the "joys" of small town living).  He mentioned another story when he entered in the local Ace Hardware store (wearing his missionary tag as is appropriate) to make a purchase.  The moment he was recognized, all 10 people in the store converged on him to ask about the latest temple news.  Sister Hesler said that both members and non-members are excited about the coming of the temple.  From these and a couple of other stories they told us, I'd have to agree.

The temple is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2017.  The Heslers also told us that in order to reach this goal, the construction company is working to get the outside walls up during the summer so they can work on the inside of the temple during the winter months.  If this target can be reached, my Mom and Dad should be back from their mission by then.  I think it would be fun to return in the summer of 2017 to attend the open house. ☺