Update on the Twin Falls Temple

As you know, we are all anxiously awaiting the announcement of the open house and dedication dates of our Twin Falls Temple. Sorry, this isn't that announcement, but an update that I received today via email from the Temple Music Committee Chairman. I serve on the 14 Stake Temple Music Committee as the Jerome Stake Music Chairman. I wanted to pass on this information to all interested in our temple progress. Here is what the email said:

Again, thank you for all that you are doing. As soon as you get your choir members and music selected and have emailed them to me, then we will be finished with Phase one of our preparation. At least that is how Elder Nielsen is referring to it. The temple committee met yesterday with Elder Nielsen and we discussed all of the progress that has taken place to date. It is exciting for me to meet with all of these brothers and sisters and catch the excitement of the entire process. The committee has been to Rexburg for an open house where much was learned. As Elder Nielsen is always telling us "it is a very small loop" in Salt Lake that is making the decisions and he is not in the loop. As of now we have not been given any dates for the dedication of the temple or when the open houses, etc. will be held. When those dates are released we will begin phase two of the preparations. It appears that it will probably not be in the spring but more likely to be summer. As he told us, the Church Temple Committee does not want to do it until the Stake Center is completed and can be used. The General Authorities take the entire month of July off and nothing is scheduled during that time. I don't know how safe it is to try and read between the lines but he said that we will know within ten seconds of when he is told when it will be. Phase two will be when we start rehearsing the choirs and preparing for the actual dedication services. In the meantime we will keep our spirits high and continue to look forward with great anticipation to this great event.

It has been quite the process to get Phase One completed as far as the music goes. The Jerome Stake is combined with the Wendall and Carey Stakes to form one dedication choir for one of the dedication sessions. This choir is 16 to 18 members. So you can get some idea of how difficult it has been to select and recommend members of the Jerome Stake to be considered for this choir. Yes, that means I turned in 8 names of which probably which 5 or 6 will be selected from our stake. We have a tremendous amount of talented individuals that could man three or more choirs just from Jerome! But the finalization will come from the Lord as to who needs the experience to participate.

So I guess we learn patience...but we know that things of such value are worth waiting for. It will be exciting to have all of you come visit and go to the temple with us here in the not too distant future.