Springfield Missouri Temple

Announcement of the Springfield Missouri Temple

President Russell M. Nelson, 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced the Springfield Missouri Temple on April 2, 2023, during the Sunday afternoon session of April 2023 general conference. A house of the Lord for this city near the Ozark Mountains was one of 15 announced worldwide by the Church during this conference — and the third for Missouri.

By the time a sacred edifice was announced for Springfield, Missouri, Keith and Barbara Bird had worked in four temples, including the Nauvoo Illinois Temple. So a temple announced for their area left them speechless — and emotional.

“We had tears of gratitude,” the Birds wrote in an email. “We came to Missouri in 1961. For years we traveled seven hours to the temple in Dallas, then to St. Louis and Kansas City. ... We have longed for a temple close by. The Saints in southwest Missouri love the temple. We recognize the power received therein for ourselves and those who have passed on.”

Other Church members in Missouri reacted on Facebook. Holly Chappell Oberhansly wrote that she has always wanted to live close to a house of the Lord to make attending regularly an option.

“My prayers have been answered. I knew they would, but I thought I would have to be patient a few more years,” Oberhansly wrote. “I am so excited and feel so blessed.”

Sharing similar feelings on social media was Tara Starling. “We are weeping tears of joy and gratitude,” she wrote. “We will have a temple now less than an hour away. Thank you, God, for hearing our prayers and bestowing this precious blessing.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhGbILNPK2U

The Springfield Missouri Temple was announced by Church President Russell M. Nelson on April 2, 2023. Details about the temple’s groundbreaking have not yet been released.

Architecture and Design of the Springfield Missouri Temple

The Springfield Missouri Temple will be built in or near Springfield in southwestern Missouri. The site location and architectural rendering have not yet been released.