Idaho
Ground broken for second house of the Lord in Rexburg, Idaho
REXBURG, Idaho — With Rexburg to become Idaho’s first city with two temples, the Gem State isn’t losing its luster anytime soon.
Hundreds gathered for the groundbreaking of the Teton River Idaho Temple on Saturday, June 1, with clear skies and warm weather to contrast hail and rain in recent weeks. “The Lord is smiling down,” said one attendee.
Elder Ricardo P. Giménez, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the North America Central Area presidency, presided over the ceremony, joined by his wife, Sister Catherine Giménez.
Others in attendance included Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, a General Authority Seventy and president of nearby BYU–Idaho, and his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith; Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke and his wife, Sarah Bedke; Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill and his wife, Marianne Merrill; and Sugar City Mayor Steven Adams and his wife, Michelle Adams.
In a prayer to dedicate the site for temple construction, Elder Giménez said: “Help us, O Father, to secure our foundation upon Jesus Christ, to be able to stand strong and secure because our spiritual foundation is solid and immovable. Because of this, we ask Thee, Father, for Thy help in our efforts to build ourselves and be prepared to partake of the eternal blessings available in Thy holy houses.”
Guidance back to a heavenly home
Noting the beauty of the groundbreaking event’s sunny climate, Elder Giménez shared that “we can see the hand of the Lord in the things that are important to Him.” He testified to those in attendance that the reason they were all there was because of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
“He’s behind everything in our lives,” said Elder Giménez. “He is the reason why we can receive strength, guidance, forgiveness, is because of His infinite love and His infinite sacrifice for us.”
In the temple, Saints can learn about the plan of salvation and make covenants that can strengthen them in their journey back to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Elder Giménez said, “Heavenly Father wants all of us to return home and to have joy and comfort in our lives. He will never, ever leave us alone. That’s why He has created the plan for us — so we can return home.”
The house of the Lord, he said, is a tool Saints have in these latter days to be guided in their mortal journey and receive strength to move forward.
“And yes, sometimes it’s going to be challenging,” he said, “but we trust, we love, and we keep moving forward. And one day, we will look back, and we will connect the dots, and we will understand — and every promise will be fulfilled.”
‘The cleanliness and beauty of this place’
Trixie Smith, a young woman from the Terreton Idaho Stake, shared with those at the groundbreaking that when she attends the temple to do baptisms for the dead, she seeks wisdom and guidance for hard decisions.
“I don’t always receive an answer,” she said, “but I never leave the temple feeling worse about the situation.” She continued, “You will never leave the temple and think, ‘Wow, I wish I didn’t do that today.’”
Although Rexburg will soon have two temples within 5 miles of each other, she said, “I can almost guarantee you that they will constantly be busy with faithful members of the Church coming to serve and participate in the gathering of Israel.”
Rebekah Russell of the Rexburg Idaho YSA 1st Stake shared that in 1855, Brigham Young sent a party of early Latter-day Saint pioneers to Idaho’s Upper Snake River Valley to see if it could be settled.
They returned and recounted the region’s harsh winters that seemed to take up most of the year. Yet Brigham Young told them: “That’s all right, perfectly all right. When we need that country it will be all right and we will settle it.”
Russell said, “And so pioneers continued to establish the city of Rexburg, bent on following the direction of a Prophet of God and bent on permanency.”
She invited listeners to draw closer to the Lord and make the temple a permanent addition to their lives, especially through frequent attendance and keeping temple covenants.
“I know that it is worth every ounce of our effort to be in the house of the Lord, even if it requires you to endure a bitter winter.”
Brent Kinghorn, patriarch of the Sugar City Idaho Stake, has called Sugar City home for over 80 years of his life. “To one who never thought there would be a temple in Rexburg, I’m overwhelmed to think we’re going to get one even closer to where we live.”
The collapse of the Teton Dam in 1976, he pointed out, sent a mighty wave of water from the Teton River Canyon and engulfed the region, including the temple site.
“I wonder … if perhaps that flood cleansed this location for a future temple,” said Kinghorn, “and that the work here that will be accomplished can do so because of the cleanliness and beauty of this place.”
How attendees were taught by the Spirit
Kassandra Mackley of the Rexburg Idaho YSA 4th Stake has been to the temple site several times before the groundbreaking, but she said it feels different now that the grounds have been dedicated.
“Knowing in just a few short years what this place is going to be is so beautiful,” she told the Church News. “Where are all of us going to be in a few years? If we can turn this place into a beautiful temple, what can the Savior do with us?”
Randy Lords, superintendent of the Madison School District in Rexburg, said he is excited that students will have more opportunities to serve in the house of the Lord.
“It’s fun to go to our schools and see students who have come from the temple before school to start their day,” he said. “So I think that we’re seeing a great push by the rising generation to be in the temple, to make covenants and to serve their ancestors.”
President Greg Venema, president of the Rexburg Idaho YSA 11th Stake, felt peace and comfort at the groundbreaking as he recognized the individual strength a temple will bring.
“This is the way the Lord is blessing us in this difficult time to be able to have temples close to remind us of the permanence of our covenants, to help us to get through whatever is coming.”
President Venema’s wife, Sister Bonnie Venema, felt the Spirit’s powerful witness that this was sacred ground preserved for a purpose.
“I love the idea of being still,” she said. “Attending the temple allows us probably one of the fewest places to just be still, and I think people can reverence this site by coming here and being still.”
History of the Teton River Idaho Temple
Church President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple for Rexburg North, Idaho, on Oct. 3, 2021. Rexburg had a population of approximately 39,500, making it the smallest city in the world to have a second temple announced.
The Teton River temple will be the sixth house of the Lord to be built in the same city as another operating temple. It will also be built on the same street as the Rexburg Idaho Temple.
Located on a 16.6-acre site northwest of Second East and 2000 North in Rexburg, Idaho, the Teton River temple will have approximately 100,000 square feet.
This will be the ninth temple built in Idaho, which is currently home to more than 470,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25025988/merlin_3002642.jpg "Orem temple dedicatory prayer: Elder Christofferson notes the nobility, sacrifices of past generations")
It’s one of the most legendary sights anywhere in the State of Idaho! The Perrine Bridge, in Twin Falls, Idaho!
If you have ever driven through Twin Falls, odds are that you have crossed it and maybe didn’t know its significance. The bridge is 1,500 feet long and it offers amazing views for drivers and pedestrians alike. That said, you can hike anywhere along the canyon and the bridge itself, from afar, is a sight!
Over the years, it has become a popular destination for base jumping! There’s nothing illegal about it, even Visit Idaho brags about its appeal for the adventure enthusiasts!
One base jumper that has made a real name for himself online for jumping the Perrine Bridge has taken his viral hobby to a new level–this time, but having a ‘colorful creature’ join him!
Take a look at these amazing shots captured as this Idahoan did the craziest leap imaginable!
Flying Unicorn? Only in Idaho!
Take a look at the journey this inflatable unicorn and one brave Idahoan took over the weekend
Gallery Credit: Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
Do you think you could do something like this?
One can find dozens and dozens of videos of base jumping from the bridge online but this one might just be the most unique and the most Idaho of them all.
We suppose if base jumping is such a normal activity for this guy, there are only so many ways to ‘spice it up’. He certainly found one!
You can watch this brave bridge-jumper and his unicorn friend take a leap of faith, below! Video posted by Jonathan Cox and DZONE Skydiving!
Man Jumping Off Perrine Memorial Bridge
He has done it over 160 times.
Gainer Off The Perrine Bridge
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
I was diagnosed with a norovirus once. A dozen years ago. It wasn’t pleasant. Driving home from work one day, I had to pull over and get out of the car, where I was unwell along the roadside. Too much information? Consider it a warning. I had GI issues for a couple of days, and was advised to avoid other people for a week. It was a boring stretch and a waste of personal time off.
This is Sweeping the Country
A highly unusual strain of norovirus is afflicting some parts of the country, including California. Being that we’re at the start of the summer travel season, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes widespread in Idaho. You’ll know if you have it, and possibly 24 hours after exposure. My experience was that it came about fast, and it was furious.
Check out this link for more details. People don’t have much immunity to this particular strain. The usual advice is to wash your hands frequently. But we’re not always near a sink, and we share a lot of door handles. I was at a busy travel plaza a few days ago, and dozens of people were going in and out of the building in the few minutes I was there.
Disease of the Week
I can’t speak for every case, but what I had wasn’t pretty, but the worst was over in a couple of days. Then I self-quarantined for a few more days. It should sweep across the state quickly, and then be gone, and offer some immunity for the foreseeable future.
LIST: Norovirus Symptoms
If you begin to feel any or all of these symptoms, see your doctor to make sure youw on’t spread the bug to others!
Gallery Credit: CANVA
Westside Drive In has been serving burgers, fries, and milkshakes from its corner at State and 21st streets for decades. Many know them for their Famous Idaho Ice Cream Potato.
The dessert, which resembles a baked potato complete with toppings, has helped put Westside Drive In — and Idaho — in the national spotlight. The sweet treat has been featured on national television and has become one of the state’s most recognizable culinary creations.
“This is the greatest drive-in in the United States of America, bar none,” said longtime customer Victor Miller.
WATCH | “Food, fun and fifties”—
Famous Idaho Ice Cream Potato helps put Boise landmark on the map
The novelty dessert offers a sweeter version of Idaho’s most famous crop. Made to resemble a baked potato, it has attracted attention from customers across the country and around the world.
The restaurant’s roots stretch back decades, but its modern identity took shape after Chef Lou Aaron purchased the business in 1994.
“When I bought the West Side, I thought I got to make this 50s [themed],” Aaron said. “So we came up with a little slogan, and the slogan was, I mean, when you think of fun, and happy days, you think of 50s.”
Now, Aaron’s daughter Emily Bolton and son Josh Aaron help oversee operations, continuing the family legacy.
“We both grew up working, you know, I cashiered, he cooked, and we both laughed and said never again, and then here we are,” Bolton said.
The restaurant’s profile grew even larger when Food Network personalities, including Guy Fieri of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” featured Westside Drive In and its signature dessert.
“He says, you know, you better be ready because the people are gonna be flooding in here after this episode airs,” Josh Aaron recalled. “And he came here and really put Boise on the map by, you know, featuring us and all the other restaurants that he has the last few times he’s been here.”
For customers like Miller, the appeal goes beyond the food, “It’s a special Idaho place. It’s like a place that identifies Idaho, Boise, and it’s put us on the map.”
While families continue gathering at the restaurant for a classic American dining experience, Aaron says Westside Drive In also serves another purpose.
As someone in long-term recovery, Aaron has made hiring people facing difficult circumstances a core part of the restaurant’s mission.
“I’m an alcoholic, and I’ve been clean for 36 years now,” Lou Aaron said. “Someone picked me off the ground when I was in the gutter, and it helped change my life. So, almost 90% of our employees at both places are either out of prison, in prison, homeless, you name it. So, we try to help them to rehabilitate them.”
Customers say that commitment to helping others is part of what makes the restaurant special.
“That’s what West Side is about,” Miller said. “It’s about second chances and the lives that he has improved and saved in a lot of ways by giving people another chance in life.”
For the Aaron family, preserving that mission is just as important as preserving the menu.
“You have so many memories here. We have so many customers who’ve been coming here since they were kids,” said Lou Aaron. “It’s more of an institution than it is a restaurant. We will never sell it. I’ll always be in the family.”
Today, Westside Drive In continues serving customers at both its original State Street location and its Parkcenter Boulevard restaurant — carrying on a legacy built on food, family and second chances.
-
Pennsylvania2 minutes agoA gap in Pennsylvania law has put fire companies and county treasurers at odds over online raffles
-
Rhode Island10 minutes agoRI Day of Portugal parade names 2026 grand marshals
-
South-Carolina12 minutes agoAnderson County voters to weigh in on Statehouse races. Who’s on ballot?
-
South Dakota17 minutes agoSouth Dakota Community Foundation encourages nonprofits to apply for funding
-
Tennessee24 minutes agoGov. Bill Lee wraps up America 250 tour after visiting all 95 Tennessee counties
-
Texas27 minutes agoWomen’s College World Series championship series set: Texas to rematch Texas Tech
-
Utah32 minutes agoAdoptee shares gratitude as Utah’s Safe Haven law turns 25 years old
-
Vermont40 minutes agoBurlington Trout Parade celebrates kids raising fish, learning nature
