When Marianne Zaugg heard that Fort Collins would be the site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ latest temple, she had one reaction:
“Hallelujah. Absolutely wonderful. Absolutely ecstatic,” said Zaugg, who lives in unincorporated Weld County. “We’re so thrilled because it’s closer. The time to get there is shortened, and it makes you want to go more often.”
LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson announced plans for the new temple Saturday morning at the church’s 181st annual general conference in Salt Lake City, which was streamed live to congregations worldwide.
Right now, local LDS members usually drive to Colorado’s sole temple in Centennial to complete ordinances — marriages, “sealings” of families and proxy baptisms, confirmations and marriages of the dead. Mormons believe by sealing couples and families on Earth, they remain together after death.