Modesto-area Latter-day Saints witness a crowning moment in construction of temple
Thursday morning was foggy and crisp as several members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered to watch the tower go up on the new Modesto Temple.
Located at 4300 Dale Road, the temple will be the 10th in California and is expected to open in early 2026. “We’ve had the tower in two sections for quite a while,” said Modesto North Stake President Dave Neilson. “We were waiting for the time when we could have everybody come and witness the large crane.”
The crane placed the tower frame, section upon section, atop the building as members of the community looked on. In attendance were Kathy and Tracy Walker of Modesto, who said they were overwhelmed with gratitude and amazement.
“I never dreamed I would see a temple built here in my lifetime,” Kathy Walker said as she teared up. “We believe that this is the house of the Lord, that he is there in our midst and it gives us strength. To see this being built is just amazing.”
Her husband, Tracy, added that they were both happy to have a temple in town so they would no longer have to journey to the temple in Oakland. “It’s a beacon, drawing people in from Lodi, Merced, Tracy, and even the mountains,” he said of the temple under construction, “It’s a beacon of hope.”
The completed temple will be a single story and around 30,000 square feet in size. According to Neilson, temples are different from churches in that they are considered the house of the Lord and are used for sacred ceremonies like marriage and other religious customs.
“There are sealing rooms where ordinances are performed, where families are eternally sealed and tied to God and covenant. And there are baptisms that are done by proxy for those that have passed on beyond the veil,” Neilson said.
Because the temple is considered consecrated, nonmembers of the church are not allowed inside. There will be a rare opportunity for the public to tour the temple once it is complete.
“There will be tours and opportunities for everyone to come and witness what the temple is, with explanations of everything that happens inside,” said North Stake communications director Chad Brown, “so that’s a one-time opportunity before the dedication.”
The temple will serve around 40,000 members in the Modesto North Stake. Neilson said the temple will be a blessing not only to church members but to the community at large.
“We feel like the Spirit of God blesses all of God’s children. It’s not just inclusive to us, it’s meant to be a symbol of God’s presence upon this earth, and his awareness of all of God’s children, and so we know it blesses the community in a wonderful way,” he said.
For more information on the temple and updates, visit www.churchofjesuschristtemples.org/modesto-california-temple/
This story was originally published December 20, 2024 at 8:01 AM.
