'Gift from God': Cody Wyoming Temple opens for public tours

CODY, Wyo. — The Cody Wyoming Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opens this week for public tours.

A public open house starts Thursday and runs every day through Sept. 12, except Sundays. Ahead of that, a media day was held on Monday where reporters could tour the temple and ask questions.

This is the third Latter-day Saint temple in Wyoming. It was first announced in Oct. 2021 by then-church President Russell M. Nelson. Cathryn Soloai, a church member who lives in Powell, Wyoming, called it a "gift from God."

"The temple is the place where I can come and feel the Savior's love for me in a way that gives me the hope and the strength that I need to then carry on with the work he has for me," Soloai told KSL. "I believe it's a gift for the community as well. It's a beacon of light and hope for all."

But the temple faced public opposition along the way as some neighbors were concerned about the height of the building. The Wyoming Supreme Court even got involved before eventually resolving the issue in favor of the church.

"We're grateful that we now have a temple here," said Elder K. Brent Nattress, a member of the faith's Quorum of the Seventy, who emphasized the important role this house of worship plays in the lives of Latter-day Saints. "We hope that those who live in these communities, that, in time, they'll also love and appreciate the temple — that it helps the members of the church become more loving, more Christlike."

The temple design features elements of the area, like the Indian paintbrush flower. Mark McKenna, a Latter-day Saint who lived in the Cody area for 15 years, did one of the oil paintings that hangs inside the temple depicting Heart Mountain, a local landmark.

"I didn't really care if it was just a little tiny painting of some kind in a tucked-away office or closet," McKenna said. "I just wanted to have something that I felt like I could offer to the lord in his house."

Church leaders said the temple teaches members about Jesus Christ, becoming more committed neighbors and friends in the process.

"Having this sacred space helps us to draw nearer to God, and then we hope that in so doing it helps us to be better people," Nattress said.

Following the open house, the Cody Wyoming Temple will be dedicated on Oct. 25 by Elder Clark G. Gilbert, the faith's newest apostle. After that, the temple will be open to members of the church in good standing.

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