Utah Governor Commends Church of Jesus Christ for Landmark Great Salt Lake Conservation Efforts

LDS Gospel March 27, 2026

Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox (right) shares a laugh with Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his counselors L. Todd Budge (left) and Sean Douglas (middle) in the Presiding Bishopric in the governor's office at the Utah State Capitol on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

SALT LAKE CITY — In a formal meeting at the Utah State Capitol on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Governor Spencer J. Cox honored the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their pivotal role in the ongoing preservation of the Great Salt Lake.

Governor Cox presented Church leadership with a token of appreciation, citing the institution's environmental stewardship as a catalyst for statewide conservation.

"Having your leadership has helped us get other people involved who may have been hesitant otherwise," Governor Cox stated. "With your help, we have much better outcomes."

A Strategic Partnership for Water Security

The recognition follows a series of substantial water donations and leases initiated by the Church to bolster the receding lake. Key highlights of the conservation strategy include:

Water Share Donations: Since 2023, the Church has contributed thousands of acre-feet of water shares to the Great Salt Lake.
2026 Commitments: A new lease of approximately 6,800 acre-feet of water is slated for completion this year.
Infrastructure Upgrades: The Church has installed roughly 3,000 smart irrigation controllers at meetinghouses across the Intermountain West to optimize usage.

Institutional Commitment to Stewardship

Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox (right) greets Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his counselors in the Presiding Bishopric in his office at the Utah State Capitol on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

The Church’s conservation initiatives align with recently updated directives in its General Handbook, which formalizes the responsibility of members to care for and respect the earth as a spiritual stewardship.

Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell emphasized the importance of civic collaboration during the meeting, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside state leaders on issues impacting the broader community.

The "Watershed" Effect

Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox (far left) and Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Joel Ferry (right) speak with members of the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Utah State Capitol on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Joel Ferry, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, characterized the Church's involvement as a "watershed moment" for the state. He noted that Bishop Waddell’s 2023 address on water conservation at the University of Utah served as a significant cultural turning point.

"The Church leading out and setting that example does more good," Ferry said. "It makes our job so much easier. It’s more ingrained in the culture to help people recognize and say, ‘Yes, if they can do it, we can do it.’"

In addition to large-scale water donations, the Church continues to implement water-wise landscaping at its global headquarters on Temple Square and at various local chapels throughout Utah, aiming to save an estimated 500 million gallons of water annually across the Western United States.