Reno Nevada Temple

Dedication of the Reno Nevada Temple

R. Bruce Brinkerhoof of the Galena Ward, Reno Nevada Stake, spoke of the Reno Nevada Temple as a “new beginning” at its groundbreaking ceremony.

That “new beginning” was evident at the dedication of the house of the Lord, when Reno Nevada North Stake President Robert A. Trimble told the Church News that “having the temple here in Reno has awakened a spirit in the people that I don’t believe has been here previously. I’ve heard bishops and stake presidents say they’ve had lines of people getting dedication tickets and temple recommends — both new and renewed.”

The Reno Nevada Temple was dedicated in four sessions on April 23, 2000, by President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency. He was joined at the ceremony by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Rex D. Pinegar, a General Authority Seventy and president of the North America Southwest Area.

One of the attendees at the dedication — Penni Abney of the Stead Ward, Reno Nevada North Stake — was baptized Feb. 28, 1998, and would be one of the first to receive the endowment in the new temple.

She told Church News that, although she wanted to make the trip to the Oakland California Temple across the Sierra Nevada Mountains several times, “every car we’ve had has broken down — every one of them. Now I don't have to worry about that. Knowing [the temple] is here is such a comfort.”

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Dear Father, bless all who have made possible this beautiful structure. May they gain satisfaction from the knowledge that they have had a part in creating this sacred edifice. May they recognize that it is no longer simply a building, but rather a house consecrated unto Thee and Thy Beloved Son, a place of holiness, a sanctuary of faith.”

Read the dedicatory prayer of the Reno Nevada Temple here.

The First Presidency of the Church announced a temple for Reno, Nevada, on April 12, 1999. The groundbreaking ceremony was held July 24, 1999.

Once the temple was constructed, more than 28,000 visitors toured the completed house of the Lord from April 8-15, 2000. President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Reno Nevada Temple on April 23, 2000.

Architecture and Design of the Reno Nevada Temple

The 10,700-square-foot Reno Nevada Temple was built on 1.2 acres of land. An iron fence runs around the perimeter of the temple grounds, which border a steep hill that gives templegoers a view of downtown Reno and the surrounding valley.

The interior of the temple features two ordinance rooms and two sealing rooms. The exterior finish is made of granite.