Monson to dedicate new temple in Rexburg

LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson will perform his first public acts when a new temple is dedicated this weekend in Rexburg, Idaho.

The temple dedication originally was set for Feb. 3, but was delayed by the Jan. 27 death of President Gordon B. Hinckley at age 97.

Rescheduled events begin at 5 p.m. today with a cultural celebration on the campus of Brigham Young University-Idaho during which Monson will speak and Mormon teens will sing and dance.

Dedication ceremonies will be Sunday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the temple, 750 S. 200 East.

The temple is the 125th built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which also has Idaho temples in Boise and Idaho Falls. A fourth Idaho temple is being built in Twin Falls. The church says it has nearly 400,000 members in Idaho.

More than 57,000 square feet in size, the Rexburg temple is 168 feet, 9 inches to the top of the statue of the Angel Moroni.

Among other artwork, it features 700 art-glass windowpanes, most of which depict wheat stalks, created by Utah artist Tom Holdman, according to the church.

The Salt Lake Tribune