Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Cody Wyoming Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. The temple is situated in the Big Horn Basin, an area many consider to have been the last Western frontier in the United States.
The dedication ceremony was the first performed by Elder Gilbert since he became an Apostle in February 2026. It was the 227th dedicated temple for the Church and the third in Wyoming, following the Star Valley Wyoming Temple dedicated in 2016 and the Casper Wyoming Temple dedicated in 2024. The single 10 a.m. dedicatory session was broadcast to congregations throughout the temple district and rebroadasted at 2 p.m.
Elder Gilbert remarked that while modern members are not called to settle physical wilderness frontiers, they face personal spiritual frontiers such as becoming converted, returning to Church, or fulfilling callings. He noted that building a community in the Big Horn Basin historically required vision and sacrifice due to the isolated land, cold winters, and scarce water.
The land for the Cody Wyoming Temple was donated by Glenn and Erica Nielson. Erica Nielson stated she looks forward to serving as an ordinance worker and spending more hours in the house of the Lord. Glenn Nielson remarked that the temple changes everything for those able to serve and worship there.
Worland Wyoming Stake President Duane Whitlock said members in the Bighorn Basin already feel a connection to the temple, calling the presence of a temple in their backyard a miracle. Wyoming is home to nearly 67,000 Latter-day Saints across more than 170 wards and branches.
The Cody Wyoming Temple follows several other dedicated temples in Utah, including the Bountiful, Brigham City, Cedar City, Deseret Peak, Draper, Ephraim, Jordan River, Layton, Lindon, Logan, Manti, Monticello, Mount Timpanogos, Ogden, Oquirrh Mountain, Orem, Payson, Provo City Center, Red Cliffs, Saratoga Springs, St. George, Syracuse, Taylorside, and Vernal temples. Additionally, seven other Utah temples have been announced or are under construction or renovation.
The First Presidency has announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lehi Utah Temple will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026. Elder John A. McCune, a member of the Utah Area Presidency, will preside at that event.
