Visitor Insights
Visiting Moses Lake Washington Temple
The Moses Lake Washington Temple is a sacred space reserved for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who hold a current temple recommend. While there is no public visitor's center, the temple grounds are open for quiet contemplation.
Highlights
- Experience the serene temple grounds and admire the exterior architecture.
- Reflect on the spiritual significance of the temple as a house of the Lord.
Things to Know
- The interior of the temple is not accessible to the general public after dedication.
- Respect the sacred nature of the site during your visit.
Location
401 Yonezawa Blvd, Moses Lake, Washington 98837, United States
Hours: Temple operating hours for members are available on the official Church website.
Getting There: Located at 401 Yonezawa Blvd, the temple is easily accessible from Interstate 90 with ample parking available.
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While the interior is reserved for members, the beautifully landscaped grounds offer a peaceful environment for all visitors.
Respectful Attire
When visiting the temple grounds, modest dress is encouraged out of respect for the sacred nature of the site.
About
The Moses Lake Washington Temple stands as a sacred edifice of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a faith rooted in the Christian tradition and part of the broader Abrahamic heritage. Dedicated to fostering a deeper connection with God, this temple serves Latter-day Saints in central Washington as a place of worship, instruction, and covenant-making.
Announced in 2019 by President Russell M. Nelson, the temple's construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony in 2020. Its design reflects the cultural heritage of the Moses Lake region, incorporating local motifs and modern construction techniques.
Following a public open house, the temple was dedicated on September 17, 2023, by Elder Quentin L. Cook. It is the fourth temple in Washington state, providing a holy sanctuary where members participate in sacred ordinances and strengthen their commitment to Jesus Christ.
Gallery
Symbolic Elements
The temple's exterior features intricate carvings, each rich with spiritual meaning:
Central Spire
The spire draws the eye heavenward, symbolizing aspiration to God and the sacred covenants made within.
Apple Blossom Motif
Found in the art glass, this motif represents the abundant agriculture and natural beauty of the Moses Lake region.
Prairie-Style Border Pattern
Integrated into the art glass, this design pays homage to the Native American heritage of the area.
Regional Crop Motifs
Decorative painting features potato, alfalfa, and cherry blossoms, connecting the sacred space to the local agricultural community.
Branco Cristal Granite
The exterior is clad in this meticulously quarried Portuguese granite, providing a pristine and durable finish.
Cherry Wood Millwork
Native North American cherry wood is used for stained millwork throughout the interior, adding warmth and elegance.
Ornate Celestial Room Ceiling
The Celestial Room features a particularly ornate ceiling with decorative paint, coffers, and a dome, symbolizing heavenly aspirations.
Interesting Facts
The Moses Lake Washington Temple is the fourth temple constructed in Washington state (Tier A).
Its dedication on September 17, 2023, was historic, as it was one of three temples dedicated on the same day (Tier A).
This temple holds the distinction of being the first Latter-day Saint temple constructed using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) for its walls (Tier B).
The interior design prominently features motifs of regional agriculture, including apple, potato, and alfalfa blossoms (Tier B).
The art glass incorporated a prairie-style border pattern, a design element chosen to honor the Native American heritage of the Moses Lake area (Tier C).
During its public open house, over 60,000 visitors toured the temple's interior (Tier C).
Adjacent to the temple on the 17.2-acre property, a 17,000-square-foot meetinghouse was also constructed (Tier C).
The temple's exterior is adorned with Branco Cristal granite, which was quarried in Portugal (Tier C).
The construction of the temple presented unique architectural challenges due to varying wall heights, ranging from 19.5 feet to an impressive 50.25 feet (Tier C).
The decorative light fixtures found in the bride's room were crafted from blown glass sourced from Venice, Italy (Tier B).
Common Questions
What is the purpose of the Moses Lake Washington Temple?
The temple serves as a sacred house of the Lord where Latter-day Saints make covenants and perform ordinances for salvation and exaltation.
Can non-members visit the temple?
After dedication, the interior of the temple is reserved for members with a temple recommend, but the grounds are open to all.
When was the Moses Lake Washington Temple dedicated?
The temple was dedicated on September 17, 2023, by Elder Quentin L. Cook.
What are some distinctive features of the temple's architecture?
It features a central spire, Branco Cristal granite exterior, and art glass with apple blossom and prairie-style motifs.
Featured Stories
A Prophetic Announcement for Central Washington
April 7, 2019
During the 189th Annual General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to build the Moses Lake Washington Temple. This joyous declaration marked a significant moment for Latter-day Saints in central Washington, promising a sacred sanctuary closer to their homes.
Groundbreaking: A Community's Foundation of Faith
October 10, 2020
The groundbreaking ceremony, presided over by Elder David L. Stapleton, brought together local leaders and members to dedicate the site for construction. This event symbolized the laying of a spiritual foundation, uniting the community in anticipation of their new house of the Lord.
A Historic Day of Dedication
September 17, 2023
Elder Quentin L. Cook dedicated the Moses Lake Washington Temple as part of an unprecedented day where three temples were dedicated simultaneously worldwide. This historic event underscored the Church's global growth and its commitment to providing sacred spaces for its members.
Timeline
Temple Announced
President Russell M. Nelson announced the Moses Lake Washington Temple during the 189th Annual General Conference.
component.timeline.announcementSite Location Announced
The Church officially announced the 17.2-acre property on Yonezawa Boulevard as the temple site.
MilestoneExterior Rendering Released
An official exterior rendering was released, showing a single-story building with a central spire.
MilestoneGroundbreaking Ceremony Held
Elder David L. Stapleton presided over the groundbreaking, signifying the commencement of construction.
component.timeline.groundbreakingMedia Day
A media day was held, marking the beginning of the open house period for invited guests and journalists.
EventPublic Open House Begins
The temple opened its doors to the public for tours, allowing individuals of all faiths to experience its interior.
EventPublic Open House Concludes
The successful public open house period for the Moses Lake Washington Temple came to an end.
EventTemple Dedicated
Elder Quentin L. Cook dedicated the Moses Lake Washington Temple in two sessions.
DedicationHistoric Triple Dedication
The Moses Lake Temple was dedicated on the same day as the Brasília Brazil and Bentonville Arkansas Temples, a historic event.
MilestoneHistory by Decade
2010s — The Announcement and Site Selection
The vision for the Moses Lake Washington Temple began with its announcement by President Russell M. Nelson in April 2019, bringing great anticipation to the region. Later that year, the specific 17.2-acre site on Yonezawa Boulevard was officially designated, setting the stage for construction.
2020s — Construction and Dedication
The early 2020s saw the release of architectural renderings and the commencement of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony in October 2020. The temple's unique use of Insulated Concrete Forms
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| About & Historical Background | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (opens in a new tab) | A | 2024-07-30 |
| General Information & Timeline | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org (opens in a new tab) | C | 2024-07-30 |
| Interior Design | LDS Living (opens in a new tab) | B | 2024-07-30 |
| Open House Details | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org (opens in a new tab) | C | 2024-07-30 |