Area Interfaith Group Visits New Pocatello Idaho Temple

More than 50 people representing 15 different faiths associated with the Interfaith scholarship in the Portneuf valley visited the new Pocatello Idaho temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday.

The opportunity to get together for the temple’s open house felt like a family reunion because the group members haven’t been able to meet as often in recent months, said Sherri Matson, a Latter-day Saint and former president of the interfaith association. group.

“They were all so excited to be a part of it and to share the temple. … They claimed it as ‘our temple’, ”said Matson, who helped organize the tours this week. “They thought it was a beautiful building and their enthusiasm to share the experience was incredible.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The tour was one of many Pocatello Idaho Temple opened for public open house this week. Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit the temple by the end of October. To make a reservation or obtain additional information, visit pocatellotemple.org.

The Deseret News spoke to three religious leaders from the Pocatello area and asked them to share their thoughts on the new temple in the town’s eastern foothills. Here is what they had to say.

Pastor Jacqualine Theresa Thomas, Temple of God of Praise of Pocatello

Walking around the Pocatello Idaho temple was “very moving, very spiritual” for Pastor Jacqualine Theresa Thomas, founder of the non-denominational association of Pocatello Praise to the Temple of God and affectionately nicknamed “Fat mom. “She felt welcome and ‘at home’ in the temple.

“To use my tongue, it was just beautiful for me,” she said. “It was just beautiful. I can’t find words to express how beautiful the temple is.

Her favorite part of the tour was entering the Heavenly Hall, a “place of quiet peace, prayer and reflection meant to symbolize heaven” and the presence of God, according to ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

“I felt the anointing of the Holy Spirit,” she said. “As I began to close my eyes and let the spirit take its course, I began to have a vision of God or of Christ. “

Pastor Thomas, who is African American, was also delighted to see people of different races and cultures portrayed in the temple’s artwork.

“God is a god for all nationalities,” she said. “So it was very touching and moving to see that there. ”

Pastor Thomas summed up the experience in these words: “It was a very good experience. This is what paradise will look like when we all get there. “

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Kristen Johnson, Episcopal Church of the Trinity of Pocatello

Kristen Johnson, from Episcopal Church of the Trinity of Pocatello, believes that any new place of worship will enrich its community.

But she was particularly eagerly awaiting the completion of the Pocatello Idaho Temple, as she lives only a few blocks away and was one of eight members of the Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship invited to participate in the Temple inauguration in 2019.

After two years of waiting, Johnson was deeply honored to visit the new temple with her interfaith family.

“It’s like we’ve come full circle,” she said.

The beauty of the temple left her “speechless” and “stunned,” she said. She was drawn to the windows and works of art that depicted flowers and landscapes unique to the Pocatello region. She also admired the chandeliers.

“I felt the light of the Lord,” Johnson said. “I wasn’t expecting the overall reverence you feel just when you walk through the door. It is very moving. I don’t know how anyone could walk around this temple and not be moved by the presence of God in Christ. I have been an Episcopalian for 55 years. Today I feel like I have experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity and will cherish it for the rest of my life.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Tony Seikel, Portneuf Sangha and Meditation Center

Tony Seikel, from Portneuf Sangha and Meditation Center, a Buddhist group, were grateful for the opportunity to experience the temple.

“I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the church and see these sacred spaces,” Seikel said. “Even though it’s not (dedicated), you can still feel its sacredness as you walk through it.”

Seikel also felt deep feelings in the Heavenly Chamber.

“It’s such a special and perfect place,” he said. “I was very moved by this piece and the spirit of this piece itself.”

As he climbed the stairs and gripped the handrail, Seikel was affected by the idea that thousands of people would likely grab the same handrail and find refuge in the temple.

“I have felt a connection with the people who will attend this temple for many years,” he said. “I was moved. It was a beautiful, beautiful tour.

Seikel had previously visited the Idaho Falls Temple and said that the visit to the Pocatello Temple would not be the last. He is already looking forward to seeing the Salt lake temple when the renovation is completed in 2024.

“It’s definitely one of my bucket list items,” he said. “I can’t wait to walk through such a beautiful building. If I live this long, I will walk through this building.

The Perspective of a Latter-day Non-Saint Journalist

Kalama Hines, reporter for the EastIdahoNews.com, grew up attending an Episcopal congregation in Hawaii.

Hines took part in a tour for reporters on Monday and wrote about his experience. Like religious leaders, he wrote that the Pocatello Idaho Temple is a “magnificent and awe-inspiring building to be enjoyed, whatever your faith.”

“As someone who has never had the opportunity to enter an LDS temple, I implore everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs: do not miss this opportunity to visit this magnificent building,” wrote Hines.