Visitor Insights
Visiting Star Valley Wyoming Temple
The Star Valley Wyoming Temple offers panoramic views of the Salt River Range in a serene alpine setting. The surrounding 43.6-acre manicured grounds are open to the general public for quiet walking and reflection.
Highlights
- Picturesque views of the Salt River and Caribou mountain ranges.
- Beautiful high-altitude landscaping featuring native mountain flora.
- Exterior architecture mimicking classical pioneer tabernacle designs.
Things to Know
- Interior admittance requires an active temple recommend for Church members.
- Winter temperatures in Star Valley can drop well below zero; dress warmly.
Location
885 S Washington St, Afton, Lincoln County, Wyoming 83110, United States
Hours: Grounds open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Getting There: Located directly off U.S. Highway 89 on the south edge of Afton, Wyoming, about 70 miles south of Jackson.
Get DirectionsTips for Your Visit
Grounds Walk
Take time to stroll the paved exterior walkways to view the fireweed glass details up close.
Sunday Services
Visitors of all faiths are welcome to attend Sunday services at the meetinghouse across the street.
About
The Star Valley Wyoming Temple stands as a sacred beacon on a high bench overlooking the town of Afton, Wyoming. Dedicated in 2016 as the first temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the state, it fulfills a prophetic declaration made in 1884 by Apostle Moses Thatcher. The temple serves thousands of Latter-day Saints across western Wyoming and eastern Idaho, offering a dedicated sanctuary for sacred worship and eternal ordinances.
Rooted in the Christian heritage of the Latter-day Saint tradition, the temple's purpose is centered on Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of humanity. While regular congregational Christian worship takes place in nearby meetinghouses, this holy house is reserved for higher covenants that unite families for eternity and deepen personal devotion to God. The structure beautifully integrates local pioneer heritage with rugged alpine durability.
Gallery
Symbolic Elements
The temple's exterior features intricate carvings, each rich with spiritual meaning:
Angel Moroni Statue
The gold-leafed statue symbolizes the ancient restoration of the everlasting gospel preached to every nation.
Fireweed Art Glass Motif
Stylized native fireweed blooms represent spiritual resilience and renewal emerging after trial.
Presbyterian Christ Window
A century-old stained-glass window depicting Christ underscores shared Christian faith in the Savior.
Twelve Bronze Oxen
Twelve oxen supporting the baptismal font represent the twelve tribes of Israel gathered through faith.
Off-White Precast Panels
Durable precast concrete panels symbolize purity and structural strength built for harsh alpine winters.
Moca Chino Bronze Finishes
Muted bronze exterior finishes echo the rugged earth tones of the surrounding Salt River Range.
Sapele Wood Millwork
Rich handcrafted wood interior detailing creates a solemn, reverent atmosphere honoring pioneer craftsmanship.
Interesting Facts
The temple was dedicated in 2016 as the first Latter-day Saint temple operating in Wyoming. (Tier A)
Apostle Moses Thatcher predicted the exact temple bench site 128 years before construction began. (Tier A)
The main foyer showcases a restored century-old Presbyterian stained-glass window of Christ. (Tier A)
President Thomas S. Monson joked during announcement that he wanted to dedicate it for the local trout fishing. (Tier A)
Over 78,000 people attended the open house, nearly seven times Star Valley's total population. (Tier A)
The custom art glass features fireweed wildflowers, symbolizing resilience after mountain harshness. (Tier A)
More than 2,500 dedicated members gathered outdoors in active snowfall for the groundbreaking. (Tier A)
The baptistry font rests on twelve bronze oxen finished in satin brass. (Tier A)
Common Questions
Is the Star Valley Wyoming Temple open to the public?
The landscaped grounds are open to everyone, but interior entry is reserved for Church members holding a temple recommend.
Why is this temple historically significant to Wyoming?
It was dedicated in 2016 as the very first Latter-day Saint temple operating in the state of Wyoming.
What wildflower is featured in the temple's stained glass?
The art glass windows feature the pink-and-green fireweed wildflower native to local Rocky Mountain slopes.
What unique historic artwork is located in the foyer?
The foyer features a restored 100-year-old Presbyterian stained-glass window depicting Jesus Christ knocking at a door.
Featured Stories
A 128-Year Pioneer Prophecy
1884
In 1884, Apostle Moses Thatcher traveled through western Wyoming and named the region 'Star Valley' for its breathtaking beauty. Pointing to a bench of land above Afton, he prophesied to local leader George Goddard that a fine temple would one day stand on that spot. Exactly 128 years later in 2012, Church leaders acquired that exact bench site to build Wyoming's first temple.
Source: Church News & Historic Records
A Preserved Christian Heritage
Early 1900s–2016
Inside the temple foyer behind the recommend desk sits a 100-year-old stained-glass window depicting Jesus Christ knocking at a door. Originally created for a Presbyterian church in Queens, New York, the artwork was carefully preserved and restored by Holdman Studios before installation. Its presence warmly greets all entrants, emphasizing the shared Christian faith in Jesus Christ as the Lord of the temple.
Source: Church History Department
Snowy Groundbreaking Celebration
April 25, 2015
On April 25, 2015, over 2,500 Latter-day Saints gathered in Afton for the groundbreaking ceremony led by Elder Craig C. Christensen. Despite active spring snowfall and frigid cold, local families stood outdoors with joyful gratitude to celebrate the start of construction. The cold snow contrasted warmly with the community's deep enthusiasm for their long-awaited house of the Lord.
Source: Official Church Newsroom
Timeline
Prophecy of Temple Site
Apostle Moses Thatcher prophesies that a temple will one day stand on the bench land above Afton.
MilestoneFirst Wyoming Stake Organized
The Star Valley Stake is established as the first Latter-day Saint stake in Wyoming.
EventTemple Announcement
President Thomas S. Monson officially announces the Star Valley Wyoming Temple.
MilestoneSite Selection Confirmed
The official temple site is selected on the exact bench land prophesied 128 years earlier.
EventGroundbreaking Ceremony
Elder Craig C. Christensen presides over the snowy groundbreaking ceremony.
component.timeline.groundbreakingAngel Moroni Installed
The gold-leafed Angel Moroni statue is raised atop the central spire.
EventPublic Open House Begins
A 14-day public open house opens the temple interior to community visitors.
EventPublic Open House Concludes
Over 78,000 visitors tour the temple during the two-week open house period.
EventTemple Dedication
Elder David A. Bednar formally dedicates the temple as Wyoming's first operating temple.
DedicationHistory by Decade
1880s–1890s — Prophecy and Pioneer Settlement
Elder Moses Thatcher named Star Valley in the late 1870s and prophesied a temple site near Afton in 1884. Latter-day Saint pioneers soon established farming communities across the valley, forming Wyoming's first stake in 1892.
1940s–2000s — Decades of Long-Distance Faith
For over seven decades, Wyoming Saints traveled treacherous mountain passes to attend temples in Idaho Falls and Rexburg. Families braved severe winter storms each year to keep their sacred covenants.
2010s — Announcement, Construction, and Dedication
President Thomas S. Monson announced the temple in 2011, fulfilling Thatcher's 1884 prophecy. Groundbreaking occurred in 2015 during a snowstorm, and Elder David A. Bednar dedicated the completed temple in October 2016.
Architecture & Facilities
The Star Valley Wyoming Temple exhibits a Classical Revival style adapted for high-country alpine durability. Its clean off-white precast concrete facade incorporates subtle pilasters, classic pediments, and geometric window trim echoing pioneer tabernacle design, topped by a single 123-foot central tower.
Building Materials
Exterior Wall Cladding
Durable off-white precast concrete panels engineered by Hansen Precast to endure sub-zero mountain weather.
Roofing and Trim
Muted bronze metal finishes designated as Moca Chino applied to window frames and entry accents.
Art Glass Windows
Custom glass crafted by Glass Images featuring pink fireweed wildflower designs on wood-lattice backgrounds.
Millwork and Wood Trim
Rich sapele hardwood millwork crafted into detailed molding and doors throughout the interior.
Interior Features
Foyer and Recommend Desk
Welcoming entryway featuring stone floors, sapele millwork, and a historic stained-glass portrait of Christ.
Baptistry
Central baptismal font supported by twelve bronze oxen finished with a satin brass patina.
Instruction Room
Single stationary endowment room adorned with green carpet tiles and delicate ceiling stenciling.
Celestial Room
Quiet contemplation room furnished with cream wool rugs, crystal chandeliers, and gold wall accents.
Temple Grounds
A 43.6-acre landscaped property featuring high-altitude native conifers, perennials, paved walkways, and panoramic valley views.
Additional Facilities
An adjacent Latter-day Saint meetinghouse sits across the street, offering regular Sunday worship services and meeting space.
Religious Significance
Within the broader Christian heritage, Latter-day Saints venerate Jesus Christ as the Divine Son of God and Redeemer of mankind. The Star Valley Wyoming Temple serves as a sacred sanctuary devoted entirely to Christ's divine mission and the eternal exaltation of God's children.
To provide a holy place for sacred covenants, eternal marriage sealings, and proxy baptisms that unite families eternally under Christ's grace.
Sacred Ordinances
Baptisms for the Dead
Proxy baptisms offered on behalf of deceased ancestors, ensuring all people have the opportunity to accept Christ's gospel.
Endowment
A sacred ceremony where members receive instruction on God's plan of salvation and make covenants of righteousness.
Sealing Ceremony
Sacred marriage and family ordinances performed at holy altars, binding relationships eternally through priesthood authority.
The House of the Lord
As with ancient biblical sanctuaries, the temple is designated as a holy house of God where believers draw nearer to Jesus Christ.
Eternal Family Covenants
Latter-day Saint theology emphasizes that family bonds endure beyond mortality when sealed by divine priesthood authority within the temple.
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 (5)
| Field | Source | Tier | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious Significance & Architecture | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (opens in a new tab) | A | 2026-02-17 |
| Architecture & Interior Features | Church History Department (opens in a new tab) | A | 2026-02-17 |
| Visitor Insights & General Details | LDS Temples Directory (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-17 |
| Architecture & Materials | Jacobson Construction (opens in a new tab) | D | 2026-02-17 |
| Architecture & Stained Glass | Holdman Studios (opens in a new tab) | D | 2026-02-17 |