President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Burley Idaho Temple on January 11, 2026. This marked a significant moment, as it was his first temple dedication since becoming president of the Church in October 2025. The Burley Temple is the seventh such house of worship in Idaho.
Insights from President Oaks
In an interview prior to the dedication, President Oaks reflected on his feelings regarding the prophetic mantle, describing it as a “very holy” responsibility. He also addressed the lowering of the mission age for young women and announced future temple projects. In conjunction with National Religious Freedom Day on January 16, he emphasized the importance of religious freedom.
Devotional Events and Teachings
- During a devotional at Utah State University, Elder David A. Bednar shared his testimony of Joseph Smith and discussed pivotal events from 1820 to 1830 that advanced the Restoration.
- A worldwide Relief Society devotional is planned for March 17, 2026, where women and young women turning 18 are invited to participate and celebrate the organization’s founding.
Upcoming Temple Details
Several temple updates have been announced:
- The Yorba Linda California Temple will have an open house from April 30 to May 23 and will be dedicated in June.
- A groundbreaking ceremony for the Huehuetenango Guatemala Temple is set for March 14, 2026.
- New temple sites have been designated for Spanish Fork, Utah, and Beira, Mozambique.
- Scaffolding on the Salt Lake Temple is scheduled for removal in the coming months.
Messages from Church Leaders
During the J. Reuben Clark Law Society Annual Fireside, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson highlighted the importance of peacemaking and religious freedom, emphasizing the role of women in society.
University Devotionals Begin New Semesters
Presidents from three Church universities addressed students in their opening devotionals, encouraging self-belief and kindness:
- President C. Shane Reese of Brigham Young University honored President Oaks while promoting self-esteem among students.
- BYU–Idaho’s President Alvin F. Meredith III called for small acts of kindness to combat prejudice.
- President R. Kelly Haws, the new acting president of BYU–Hawaii, reminded students to heed divine prompts.
Church News Podcast Highlights
The latest episode of the Church News podcast features Norman C. Hill, an associate professor at BYU, discussing aging with faith and the significance of focusing on eternal values.
The Unit History Tool
Since its introduction in 2024, the Unit History Tool has facilitated the documentation of over 260,000 faith stories. In 2025 alone, it recorded approximately 150,000 stories contributed by over 77,000 individuals, promoting the sharing of personal histories within the Church community.
