Iowa Will Soon Be Home To One of These HUGE Temples

The state of Iowa will soon be home to a religious temple, marking the first time this denomination will have a temple in the state.

The Des Moines Register reports that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormon church, recently announced plans to build 15 new temples, One of those temples will be built in Iowa. The Register reports that the proposed site near Des Moines would be the first Mormon temple in the state. Iowa has 70 Mormon congregations. While a church is a place for everyday worship, a temple is " the house of the Lord and one of the most sacred places."

Iowans currently have to drive between two and four hours to reach a Mormon temple, according to the Register. While the announcement names Des Moines as the site for the temple, an exact location has not been selected. The Register reports that the church owns land near the intersection of Northwest 62nd Avenue and Northwest 86th Street in Johnson.

Iowa is one of the last Midwest states to get a Mormon temple. While plans for the design have not been announced, temples in Nebraska, Missouri, and Minnesota are huge and made of white granite. According to the church, there are more than 29,000 active Later-Day Saints in the state of Iowa. The temple would be for members of the church who are in "good standing" with the church.

This weekend's announcement was aimed at making temples more accessible to church members.

Get our free mobile app