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| President Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Kristen, arrive at the Burley Idaho Temple on Saturday, January 10, 2026. |
BURLEY, IDAHO — In his first official temple dedication since assuming the presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Dallin H. Oaks presided over the dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
The event was more than a local milestone; it served as a platform for the 93-year-old leader to articulate his vision for the Church’s future, address recent policy shifts, and offer a message of staunch optimism to a global membership facing increasingly "perilous times."
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| The Burley Idaho Temple on Sunday, January 11, 2026. |
A Personal Homecoming
The dedication of the 45,300-square-foot House of the Lord was a poignant return for President Oaks. Having lived in nearby Twin Falls for five years as a child, he noted that the Burley area remains "close to [his] heart."
"We dedicate and consecrate unto Thee and Thy Beloved Son this Burley Idaho Temple," President Oaks prayed during the sacred proceedings. "We invoke Thy power to assure that Thy Spirit and Thy glory will always be present here and upon all Thy sacred work that will be done here."
The Burley temple marks the seventh operating temple in Idaho, joining Boise, Idaho Falls, Meridian, Pocatello, Rexburg, and Twin Falls. With four more temples currently under construction or announced in the state (Caldwell, Coeur d’Alene, Montpelier, and Teton River), Idaho remains a primary stronghold for the faith’s nearly 500,000 local members.
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| President Dallin H. Oaks and his wife, Kristen, meet with the media at the Burley Idaho Temple on Saturday, January 10, 2026. |
The "Heavy Mantle" of the Presidency
In an extensive interview held Saturday afternoon, President Oaks spoke candidly about his transition to the role of Prophet following the passing of President Russell M. Nelson and President Jeffrey R. Holland.
"It feels new, and the way it feels new is that I feel the responsibility," President Oaks shared. "There is reference to the mantle of the prophet. I’ve been used to seeing the mantle on other people, but now I’ve had the experience of feeling the mantle — and it’s heavy and continuous. It’s a very holy responsibility, and I’m trying to grow into it."
Sister Kristen Oaks, who joined him for the interview, remarked on the visible change in her husband’s demeanor, noting that he has become even more "focused and concerned about the kingdom" since taking office.
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| President Dallin H. Oaks and his wife, Kristen, meet with the media at the Burley Idaho Temple on Saturday, January 10, 2026. |
Major Policy Shifts: Missions and Marriage
President Oaks addressed the recent landmark decision to allow young women to begin missionary service at age 18, a year earlier than the previous requirement. He explained that this move is designed to provide young women with greater flexibility in planning their futures and, significantly, to combat the societal trend of delayed marriage.
"I think it’s part of the Lord’s plan to overcome the tendency of waiting until the late 20s to have a first marriage," he stated. "I think we will see a reduction in the age of marriages for Latter-day Saints."
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| President Dallin H. Oaks and his wife, Kristen, along with Elder K. Brett Nattress of the Seventy and his wife, Shawna, arrive at the Burley Idaho Temple on Sunday, January 11, 2026 |
A New Pattern for Temple Announcements
Perhaps one of the most significant administrative shifts discussed was the method of announcing new temple locations. Traditionally reserved for semi-annual General Conferences in Salt Lake City, President Oaks recently announced a temple for Portland, Maine, during a local devotional.
He confirmed this will be a recurring pattern: "It has occurred to me for a long time that the best place to announce a temple is in that temple district. And the best person to announce it is the file leader in that area... This is a pattern that we will follow as long as I have influence in determining those things."
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| Latter-day Saints arrive for the dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple on Sunday, January 11, 2026 |
A Call for Optimism in a "Textbook of Mortality"
Addressing the global climate of economic and social unrest, President Oaks urged members to avoid depression and pessimism. He described the challenges of the modern world as a necessary part of the human experience.
On the State of the World: "Be happy. Don’t be depressed. Trust in the Lord... We don’t grieve over a textbook, and that’s what these challenges are — they’re a textbook of mortality."
On Personal Loss: Reflecting on the recent deaths of his close associates, President Nelson and President Holland, he likened death to a "graduation" to be celebrated rather than an occasion for prolonged grief.
On the Youth: He encouraged the rising generation to look to the temple as a visual symbol of hope. "The Lord has provided us a way to get through all of this... they shouldn't be pessimistic.
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| The Burley Idaho Temple on Sunday, January 11, 2026. |
The Purpose of the House of the Lord
President Oaks concluded his remarks by reinforcing the central doctrine of the Church: the focus on Jesus Christ. He reminded those gathered that the 212 operating temples worldwide—and the 150 more currently in development—exist solely to point individuals toward the Savior.
"The work of temples is centered on our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ," he said. "Here in His house, we make sacred covenants... which among other meanings signify His authority and His work."
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