Visitor Insights
Visiting Bentonville Arkansas Temple
The Bentonville Arkansas Temple offers a serene and spiritually uplifting experience for all who visit its beautifully manicured grounds. Nestled in a quiet residential area of Bentonville, the temple site provides a peaceful escape from the bustling corporate and commercial centers of Northwest Arkansas. Visitors can enjoy the stunning landscaping, which is particularly breathtaking in the spring when native dogwood trees are in full bloom. The welcoming atmosphere is enhanced by the warm, glowing beige precast exterior, making it a perfect spot for quiet contemplation and photography.
Highlights
- Stunning native dogwood trees that bloom beautifully in the spring season.
- A peaceful entrance plaza featuring natural stone-clad planter boxes and wide walkways.
- The warm, glowing exterior precast concrete panels that reflect light beautifully at sunset.
Things to Know
- The interior of the temple is reserved exclusively for members of the Church holding active temple recommends.
- The grounds are open to the general public for walking, quiet reflection, and photography.
- The temple is closed on Sundays and Mondays, with varying operating hours from Tuesday through Saturday.
Location
1105 McCollum Drive, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712, United States
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, with varying hours depending on scheduled ordinance sessions. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Getting There: Located at 1105 McCollum Drive, the temple is easily accessible via Interstate 49. Take Exit 88 for Highway 72, head west, and turn onto McCollum Drive. Ample parking is available on-site.
Get DirectionsTips for Your Visit
Golden Hour Photography
Visit the temple grounds during the hour before sunset. The beige precast concrete exterior catches the warm evening light, creating a beautiful, glowing backdrop for photographs.
Springtime Blooms
Plan your visit during the spring months to see the native dogwood trees in full bloom, adding vibrant white and pink colors to the landscape.
About
The Bentonville Arkansas Temple stands as a historic milestone, marking the first temple constructed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the state of Arkansas. Dedicated in September 2023, the temple serves as a sacred sanctuary for thousands of Latter-day Saints in the region, reflecting the exponential growth of the Church in Northwest Arkansas over the preceding four decades. The structure is a physical testament to the faith and dedication of local members who previously traveled long distances to temples in neighboring states.
Architecturally, the temple is a masterpiece of Neoclassical and Colonial Classical Revival design, seamlessly integrated with Art Deco elements. The design team drew inspiration from local historic landmarks, such as the Benton County Courthouse and the Arkansas State Capitol, to create a building that feels deeply rooted in the heritage of the Ozarks. The exterior is clad in warm, beige precast concrete panels, while the interior features exquisite Turkish marble, custom wool rugs, and detailed millwork that repeat regional motifs.
Beyond its architectural beauty, the temple holds profound theological significance within the Christian Latter-day Saint tradition. Unlike standard meetinghouses used for weekly congregational worship, the temple is revered as the literal "House of the Lord." It is a dedicated space where sacred ordinances and covenants are performed, bridging the gap between the mortal world and eternity. Here, families are united forever through the sealing ordinance, and proxy baptisms are performed on behalf of deceased ancestors, reflecting a deep commitment to the salvation of all God's children.
Gallery
Symbolic Elements
The temple's exterior features intricate carvings, each rich with spiritual meaning:
The Dogwood Blossom
Featured prominently in the exterior precast concrete, art glass, and interior wood carvings, the dogwood blossom is a beloved local flower of the Ozarks. Spiritually, it symbolizes renewal, the Resurrection, and the beauty of God's creation.
The Diamond Motif
A stylized diamond pattern is integrated into the art glass, carpets, and stone carvings. This honors Arkansas as the home of Crater of Diamonds State Park, symbolically representing purity, light, and spiritual treasures of eternal worth.
Quilt and Tatted Lace Patterns
The art glass windows feature geometric patterns reminiscent of traditional American quilts and tatted lace. This motif pays tribute to the pioneer heritage of Northwest Arkansas and symbolizes the interweaving of generations through covenants.
Sunbursts
Sunburst patterns are integrated into the Bovard-designed art glass windows. They represent the light of Christ, the dawn of the Restoration, and the warmth of God's love radiating throughout the world.
Twelve Oxen
Supporting the baptismal font, these twelve sculpted oxen represent the twelve tribes of ancient Israel. They symbolize the strength, foundation, and gathering of the covenant people of God.
Single Central Spire
The temple's single central spire points toward heaven, serving as a vertical axis that draws the eye upward. It symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth and the upward focus of temple worship.
Turned Vertical Posts
The bronze railings in the baptistry and sealing rooms feature turned vertical posts designed to mimic early American wooden furniture. This detail honors the craftsmanship and small-town heritage of the region.
Interesting Facts
The Bentonville Arkansas Temple is the first temple of the Church built in the state of Arkansas.
Its dedication on September 17, 2023, marked the first time in Church history that three temples on two different continents were dedicated on the very same day.
Elder David A. Bednar, who dedicated the temple, lived in Northwest Arkansas for nearly 20 years during the 1980s and 1990s.
When Elder Bednar moved to the region in 1980, there were only about 2,000 members in the area. By 2023, the local Latter-day Saint population had grown to nearly 40,000.
Due to COVID-19 safety protocols in November 2020, Elder Bednar dedicated the site and broke ground virtually via a live video stream from Salt Lake City, Utah.
The exquisite Vagnelia marble used throughout the temple's interior floors was quarried and fabricated in Turkey.
The elegant crystal light fixtures in the Celestial Room were custom-crafted by Schonbek, a Swarovski-owned company based in New York.
The bronze railings in the baptistry and sealing rooms feature turned vertical posts designed to mimic early American wooden furniture.
The colorful red, yellow, and blue patterns in the art glass windows are designed to look like a traditional American quilt, honoring Ozark folk art.
A stylized diamond pattern is integrated into the art glass and stone carvings, honoring Arkansas as the home of the only active diamond mine in the United States.
Common Questions
Who is allowed to enter the Bentonville Arkansas Temple?
The exterior grounds of the temple are open to everyone, regardless of faith. However, the interior of the temple is reserved for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who hold an active temple recommend, which certifies they are living according to the core tenets of their faith.
What is the difference between this temple and a regular meetinghouse?
Regular meetinghouses (or chapels) are used for weekly Sunday worship services, youth activities, and community events, and they are open to the general public. Temples are considered the 'House of the Lord' and are reserved for sacred ordinances, such as eternal marriages (sealings) and baptisms for the deceased, which are not performed in standard chapels.
What is the significance of the dogwood blossom motif in the temple?
The dogwood blossom is a prominent local flower in the Ozarks. In the temple, it is featured in the art glass, concrete carvings, and interior painting to symbolize renewal, the Resurrection, and the beauty of God's creation, while also honoring the local natural heritage of Arkansas.
Why was the groundbreaking ceremony held remotely?
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 7, 2020, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the safety of participants and comply with health guidelines, Elder David A. Bednar dedicated the site and directed the physical proceedings via a live digital broadcast from Salt Lake City, Utah.
Is there a visitors' center or patron housing on the property?
No, the Bentonville Arkansas Temple is a smaller-scale temple designed to serve the local regional membership. It does not feature a public visitors' center, patron housing, or an arrival center, though it does host a local Church Distribution Center on-site.
Featured Stories
A Personal Homecoming for an Apostle
September 17, 2023
For Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicating the Bentonville Arkansas Temple was a deeply personal homecoming. In 1980, Elder Bednar and his wife, Susan, moved to Northwest Arkansas, where he worked as a management professor at the University of Arkansas and served as a local priesthood leader. At the time, the local Latter-day Saint population was sparse, with only about 2,000 members in the entire region. Over the next two decades, he witnessed the rapid expansion of the Church firsthand. Returning in 2023 to dedicate the state's first temple, with regional membership having grown to nearly 40,000, was a profound and emotional full-circle moment for the Bednar family.
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom
The Digital Groundbreaking
November 7, 2020
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Bentonville Arkansas Temple was conducted under highly unusual circumstances due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than gathering a large crowd on-site, the Church utilized digital broadcast technology to connect Salt Lake City with Bentonville. Elder David A. Bednar presided over and dedicated the temple site remotely from Utah, while a small, socially distanced group of local leaders physically turned the soil in Arkansas. This marked a rare administrative occurrence in modern temple construction, demonstrating the Church's adaptability and commitment to safety. The broadcast allowed thousands of local members to participate safely from their homes, uniting the community in spirit despite the physical distance.
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom
A Historic Triple Dedication
September 17, 2023
September 17, 2023, became a historic day in the annals of Latter-day Saint history as the Church dedicated three temples on the same day. The Bentonville Arkansas Temple, the Brasília Brazil Temple, and the Moses Lake Washington Temple were all dedicated within hours of each other across two different continents. This unprecedented event highlighted the rapid, global expansion of the Church and the fulfillment of modern prophecy regarding the dotting of the earth with temples. For the saints in Arkansas, sharing this historic milestone with members in Washington and Brazil added a global sense of unity and celebration. It underscored the shared faith and sacred covenants that bind Latter-day Saints together worldwide, regardless of geographic or cultural boundaries.
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom
Timeline
Local Membership Baseline
David A. Bednar and his wife, Susan, move to Northwest Arkansas, finding a sparse local Latter-day Saint population of only about 2,000 members.
MilestoneTemple Announced
President Russell M. Nelson announces the construction of the Bentonville Arkansas Temple during the General Conference, marking the first temple in the state.
MilestoneLocation Selection
The Church announces the exact location of the temple site on an 8.8-acre portion of the McCollum Drive property.
EventDesign Rendering Released
The official architectural rendering of the temple is released to the public, showcasing its classical design.
EventRemote Groundbreaking
Elder David A. Bednar presides over and dedicates the temple site remotely from Salt Lake City due to COVID-19 restrictions.
component.timeline.groundbreakingSite Preparation Begins
Site preparation and excavation begin as heavy machinery arrives on the McCollum Drive property.
EventStructural Steel Erected
The structural steel frame of the temple is erected by B&B Erectors, establishing the building's physical footprint.
EventExterior Cladding Installation
Gate Precast begins installing the beige precast concrete panels on the temple's exterior facade.
EventSpire Hoisted
The temple's central spire is hoisted and secured into place, reaching its final height of over 111 feet.
EventArt Glass Installation
Bovard Studio and Holdman Studios begin the installation of the custom-designed art glass windows.
EventInterior Stone Work
Interior stone installation begins, featuring Vagnelia marble quarried and fabricated in Turkey.
EventMedia and VIP Tours
The Church hosts local journalists, civic leaders, and interfaith representatives for guided VIP tours of the completed interior.
EventPublic Open House Commences
A free public open house begins, allowing tens of thousands of visitors to tour the sacred interior over a two-week period.
EventOpen House Concludes
The public open house concludes, and the temple is prepared for its formal dedication.
EventTemple Dedicated
Elder David A. Bednar physically dedicates the Bentonville Arkansas Temple in two sessions, marking a historic triple-dedication day for the Church.
DedicationHistory by Decade
1980s — Seeds of Growth
In the early 1980s, Northwest Arkansas was a sparse mission field for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When David A. Bednar and his wife, Susan, moved to the area in 1980, they found a small community of only about 2,000 members spread across a vast geographic region. Local saints met in small, rented facilities or modest chapels, often traveling long distances for stake conferences and temple worship. Over the next two decades, the region experienced a massive corporate and commercial boom, drawing thousands of families to the area and planting the seeds for exponential Church growth.
2010s — Revelation and Announcement
The rapid growth of the Church in Arkansas culminated in a historic announcement on October 5, 2019. During the 189th Semiannual General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced that a temple would be built in Bentonville, marking the first temple in the state of Arkansas. The announcement was met with tears of joy and celebration by local members, who had spent decades traveling to temples in Memphis, Tennessee, or Kansas City, Missouri. The selection of Bentonville highlighted the city's emergence as a key regional hub.
2020s — Construction and Dedication
The 2020s brought the physical realization of the temple, beginning with a unique remote groundbreaking in November 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the next three years, construction progressed steadily on the McCollum Drive site. Following a highly successful public open house in June 2023 that drew tens of thousands of visitors, the temple was formally dedicated on September 17, 2023, by Elder David A. Bednar. By the time of dedication, the regional membership had grown to nearly 40,000, completing a remarkable forty-year journey of faith and growth.
Architecture & Facilities
The architecture of the Bentonville Arkansas Temple is a refined fusion of Neoclassical and Colonial Classical Revival styles, heavily influenced by the Art Deco period of the early 20th century. The design team drew direct inspiration from historic local landmarks, including the neoclassical Benton County Courthouse, the colonial-revival Massey Hotel, and the Arkansas State Capitol building in Little Rock. The design philosophy focuses on simplified classical details to evoke the charm and heritage of a traditional, historic American town, seamlessly blending sacred architecture with local history.
Building Materials
Exterior Cladding
Beige precast concrete panels fabricated and installed by Gate Precast of Hillsboro, Texas, providing a warm, durable, and classic exterior finish.
Art Glass
Custom exterior art glass windows designed by Bovard Studio of Fairfield, Iowa, and fabricated by Holdman Studios of Lehi, Utah, featuring local motifs.
Interior Stone Flooring
Vagnelia marble, meticulously quarried and fabricated in Turkey, installed by Peritia Stone of Waterloo, Iowa, in high-traffic areas.
Carpeting and Rugs
Soft, gold broadloom carpets designed by Mannington Mills, paired with custom wall-to-wall wool rugs designed by Rugs International of Georgia.
Interior Features
Celestial Room
A sacred space representing heaven, featuring soft gold carpets, custom blue and gold wool rugs, and a magnificent crystal chandelier by Schonbek.
Sealing Rooms
Two rooms designed for eternal marriages, featuring custom wood inlays, delicate gold-leaf detailing, and furniture-inspired bronze railings.
Instruction Rooms
Two stationary instruction rooms arranged side-by-side, featuring progressive lighting and decorative painting that transitions in color.
Baptistry
Features a round font well supported by twelve sculpted oxen, with antique brass-finished bronze railings and clear glass panels.
Temple Grounds
The temple grounds encompass a beautifully landscaped portion of the 18.62-acre site, designed by the Ecological Design Group of Rogers, Arkansas. The landscaping features native dogwood trees as the primary plantings, alongside local shrubs and seasonal flowers. Concrete retaining walls and planter boxes in the entrance plaza are clad in natural stone, and wide, curving concrete walkways provide peaceful areas for reflection.
Additional Facilities
A local Church Distribution Center is located on-site, allowing patrons to purchase temple garments, scriptures, and ceremonial clothing. Consistent with smaller temple designs, there is no public visitors' center, patron housing, or arrival center on the property.
Religious Significance
In the Christian Latter-day Saint tradition, the temple is a sacred sanctuary that bridges the gap between the mortal world and eternity. Drawing upon ancient Judeo-Christian roots, temples are considered the literal 'House of the Lord,' distinct from regular meetinghouses. They are holy spaces dedicated entirely to God, where members make sacred covenants and participate in saving ordinances that bind families together for eternity.
To provide a dedicated, sacred space where Latter-day Saints can receive saving ordinances, make eternal covenants with God, and perform proxy work on behalf of their deceased ancestors, ensuring the opportunity for eternal salvation for all.
Sacred Ordinances
The Endowment
A sacred ceremony where members receive instruction about the plan of salvation, make covenants to keep God's commandments, and receive spiritual power.
Eternal Marriage (Sealing)
An ordinance that unites husbands, wives, and children in family relationships that can endure beyond death, lasting for all eternity.
Baptism for the Dead
A proxy ordinance where members are baptized on behalf of deceased ancestors, offering them the opportunity to accept the gospel in the spirit world.
The Covenant Path
Temple ordinances represent key milestones along the 'covenant path' in Latter-day Saint theology. Each covenant made within the temple walls is a sacred promise between the individual and God, designed to refine the soul, strengthen families, and prepare members for eternal life in the Celestial Kingdom.
Redeeming the Dead
A core tenet of Latter-day Saint theology is the belief that God's love extends to all generations. Through proxy ordinances performed in the temple, members offer the blessings of the gospel to those who died without receiving them, reflecting the Savior's selfless love and the universal reach of His Atonement.
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Sources & Research
Every fact on Temples.org is backed by verified Sources & Research. Each piece of information is rated by source tier and confidence level.
View All Sources (4)
| Field | Source | Tier | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (opens in a new tab) | A | 2026-02-18 |
| Construction & Dimensions | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-18 |
| Local Impact & History | LDS Living (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-18 |
| Landscaping & Site Design | Ecological Design Group (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-18 |