April 28, 2025, 2:26pm MDT
On Saturday, April 26th, the ground broke to make the Lethbridge Alberta Temple the 10th house of the Lord of Canada and the fourth house in Alberta.
Elder Randall K. Bennett, director general and 70 years old, President of Central North America, hosted the groundbreaking ceremony, dedicated his site and construction process.
Over 550 people, including around 100 pagan, government, business and indigenous people representatives, participated in the invitation-only event. Information about the groundbreaking broadcast was published on Monday, April 28th in a news release on the Church’s Canadian newsroom.
“My prayer today is to deliberately schedule your time at the temple, no matter how close you live,” said Elder Bennett, born in McGrath, Alberta, just 20 miles from Lethbridge. “It promises to change your life.”
Elder James E. Evanson also attended, and in April 2025 he maintained the general meeting as 70 members. He grew up in a small village in Burnwell, east of the Lethbridge Temple grounds.
Elder Evanson said: “We must not lose sight of what He is doing now, as we make the temple more accessible and accelerate the pace at which the temple is being built. Everyone is more likely to be spiritually refined.”
Elder David C. Stewart – Region of 70 from Edmonton, Alberta – This temple spoke about being blessed not only by Latter-day saints, but everyone in the area.
“The temple is for everyone,” Elder Stewart said. “The grounds are open to the public and can come anytime. Sit on the grounds in the middle of a chaotic world. You can take a few minutes and talk to God. Spend a few minutes on contemplation and private meditation.”
Another attendee, Floyd Big Head, an indigenous elder of the Brad tribe, said he was very honored to be included in the groundbreaking. He gave voluntary blessings to the temple location. It is a hymn to “honor people and recognize great achievements,” and I pray that the buildings of the future will become a “place of unity.”
Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Heigen said he is grateful that he is part of such a meaningful day. “I can’t wait to see (the temple) complete.”
About the Temple of Lethbridge
President Russell M. Nelson announced the temple on April 2, 2023, in Lethbridge, Alberta. It was one of 15 temples presented at the conference.
Planned as a multistory building of approximately 45,000 square feet, the building is being built on more than nine acres west of Mauretania Road, in the west of Lethbridge. The site also predicts a distribution center.
This Lord’s House joins three other Alberta people. Alberta stands at Cardston (dedicated to 1923), Edmonton (1999), and Calgary (2012). Other dedicated temples in Canada are in Toronto (1990), Halifax (1999), Regina (1999), Montreal (2000), Vancouver (2010) and Winnipeg (2021). President Nelson also announced the temple in Victoria, British Columbia in April 2024.
The restored gospel was first preached in Canada when Joseph Smith Sr., the father of Prophet Joseph Smith, crossed the US border and went to several towns in eastern Canada in 1830. Over the next 20 years, approximately 2,500 Canadians have been converted.
The Alberta shares were created in 1895. Just over a century ago, the Cardston Alberta Temple, the working house of the sixth Lord of the Church, was dedicated to August 1923.
Today, Canada has nearly 206,000 church members in over 500 congregations, and nearly 85,000 church members in about 240 congregations in Alberta.
