AFTON, Wyoming — Some 2,500 gathered for the much-anticipated groundbreaking of the Star Valley Wyoming Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday afternoon.
Elder Craig C. Christensen turned the first ceremonial shovelful of soil for the event, held on what was once the Haderlie Farm just south of Afton, Wyoming, east of U.S. 89.
Elder Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy was joined by Elder Kent F. Richards of the Seventy, along with regional and local LDS Church leaders, with state and local civic leaders and their wives. U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, both R-Wyoming, were among those wielding golden shovels.
The proceedings were broadcast to six stake centers in Wyoming and Idaho and streamed live via the Internet to thousands listening across the country.