{"id":691292,"date":"2026-06-08T08:44:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T08:44:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/691292\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T08:44:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T08:44:22","slug":"president-christofferson-dedicates-the-yorba-linda-california-temple-church-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/691292\/","title":{"rendered":"President Christofferson dedicates the Yorba Linda California Temple \u2013 Church News"},"content":{"rendered":"

YORBA LINDA, Calif. \u2014 President D. Todd Christofferson<\/a> dedicated the Yorba Linda California Temple on Sunday, June 7, calling the new house of the Lord \u201ca testament to the faith of many generations, with the promise of more faithful, covenant-keeping generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Said the second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: \u201cIt\u2019s a testament that the Lord has been doing His work here for many years and that He is now hastening His work.\u201d<\/p>\n

President Christofferson was accompanied at the dedication by his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson. Joining him were three General Authority Seventies and each\u2019s wife: Elder Steven R. Bangerter<\/a>, executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Susan Bangerter; Elder I. Raymond Egbo<\/a>, assistant executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Comfort Egbo; and Elder Takashi Wada<\/a>, president of the United States West Area of the Church, and his wife, Sister Naomi Wada.<\/p>\n

\"PresidentPresident D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, center, prior to dedicating the Yorba Linda California Temple on Sunday, June 7, 2026. President Christofferson is joined by his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, center left; Elder Steven R. Bangerter, executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Susan Bangerter, center right; Elder I. Raymond Egbo and his wife, Sister Comfort Egbo; and Elder Takashi Wada and his wife, Sister Naomi Wada. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints <\/p>\n

This is the first temple dedication President Christofferson has presided over since he was named as second counselor in the First Presidency by President Dallin H. Oaks<\/a> in October 2025.<\/p>\n

In his April 2024 general conference address titled \u201cCovenants and Responsibilities<\/a>,\u201d President Oaks said, \u201cWe have the testimonies of many pioneers that the power they received from being bound to Christ in their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple gave them the strength to make their epic journey and establish themselves in the West.\u201d <\/p>\n

At the temple on Sunday morning, President Christofferson observed: \u201cJust as the temple is in the world and yet is a place apart, here each of us learns how to be in the world and yet not of the world. Gradually all that is impure or unworthy in our character is rooted out as we draw closer to the Lord in His house. Our very desires change over time. It is a conditioning for life in a holy, celestial realm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PresidentPresident D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Elder I. Raymond Egbo and his wife, Sister Comfort Egbo, at the dedication of the Yorba Linda California Temple in Yorba Linda, California, on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints <\/p>\n

Just being in the temple will not in and of itself bring the blessings and transformation one desires, President Christofferson said. Instead, \u201cwe should examine our lives from time to time and ask ourselves, \u2018Is there something unworthy I should put out of my life?\u2019 Or on the other hand, \u2018Is there a Christlike attribute I should more fully cultivate in myself?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can pray and ask God, \u2018What lack I yet?\u2019 and then act on the impressions that come to us,\u201d President Christofferson said. He added that immortality and eternal life cannot be attained without the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. <\/p>\n

\"\"Attendees wait in line to enter the Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its dedication on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

\u201cChrist redeems us from the Fall, and by His grace forgives and sanctifies us from sin on condition of repentance. We cannot keep our \u2018second estate,\u2019 that is, we cannot succeed in this mortal probation without the grace of Jesus Christ to forgive and sanctify us from sin. We need Him to make us holy. To obtain eternal life, we need \u2018to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus\u2019\u201d (Doctrine and Covenants 76:79<\/a>). <\/p>\n

President Christofferson said that this temple and all latter-day temples \u201cconstitute our visible, tangible testimony of the living reality of the Redeemer, since without His Atonement and Resurrection, the temple would serve no purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cI give you my sure witness that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and Savior of the world, the resurrected Lord, that He lives and that this is His Church, His house and His work.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"\"Attendees share a laugh while waiting in line at the Yorba Linda California Temple for its dedication on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News A significant milestone<\/p>\n

The Yorba Linda California temple dedication \u201cmarks a milestone in the progress of the kingdom of God on the earth, and particularly in this part of His vineyard,\u201d according to President Christofferson.<\/p>\n

The history of the Church in Southern California began with the arrival of the Mormon Battalion in San Diego in late January 1847. Then in 1851, more than 400 Latter-day Saints established the San Bernardino colony under the direction of Church President Brigham Young. <\/p>\n

\"AnAn attendee snaps a photo of the Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during its dedication in Yorba Linda, California, on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

From those early days, the Church has grown in California. Today, the state is home to more than 725,000 Church members in almost 1,100 wards and branches. This makes it the second U.S. state with the most Latter-day Saints, after Utah.<\/p>\n

This temple was dedicated on the same day and at the same time<\/a> as the <\/a>Willamette Valley Oregon Temple<\/a>\u2019s dedication, with the Yorba Linda and Willamette Valley houses of the Lord becoming the Church\u2019s 218th and 219th dedicated temples worldwide, respectively.<\/p>\n

Including all those under construction or announced and in planning, the Church\u2019s total count is 385 temples.<\/p>\n

\"\"The newly built Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which is located at 17130 Bastanchury Rd. in Yorba Linda, Calif., is pictured Saturday June 6, 2026.\u00a0 The 30,000-square-foot temple is constructed on a 5.4-acre site and was dedicated on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News \"TheThe Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Yorba Linda, California, on the day it was dedicated by President D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency, on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News The open house <\/p>\n

Joe and Gail Ham, who served as coordinators of the Yorba Linda temple open house and dedication committee, echoed President Christofferson\u2019s words about transformation that comes through Jesus Christ when worshipping and serving in the temple.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe temple provides a help that I could never possibly get anywhere else,\u201d Joe Ham said. <\/p>\n

Gail Ham said that in the temple, she\u2019s learned more about \u201cwhat\u2019s possible\u201d because of Jesus Christ. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe cares about each one of us individually,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s a way for us to say, \u2018OK, I\u2019m willing to improve more. I\u2019m willing to commit more in my efforts to become more like Jesus Christ.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ElderElder I. Raymond Egbo, assistant executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Comfort Egbo, talk with attendees at the dedication of the Yorba Linda California Temple on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

She said people who visited the temple during the open house could feel the Spirit of the Lord while touring the temple. One woman who is not a member of the Church told her that she felt close to Jesus Christ while sitting in the celestial room.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I said, \u2018Wow, that\u2019s exactly what our efforts are inside that temple, is to feel like we are tied to Him and helping Him in His work,\u2019\u201d Gail Ham said. <\/p>\n

Joe Ham said he also witnessed people who stayed on the temple grounds after they toured the inside, pondering what they had seen and heard. <\/p>\n

\"ElderElder Steven R. Bangerter, executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Susan Bangerter, center, talk with attendees at the dedication of the Yorba Linda California Temple on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was the effect the Lord had \u2014 the Spirit of the Lord had \u2014 on people is they could not leave,\u201d Joe Ham said. <\/p>\n

Testifying of the Savior, Jesus Christ<\/p>\n

Yorba Linda California Stake President Justin Dalton said he\u2019s seen miracles in the area since the temple was announced. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen an increase in missionary work,\u201d he said. \u201cJust like the Church has experienced worldwide<\/a>, we\u2019ve seen the same within our immediate area. It\u2019s been such a blessing to our stake. It\u2019s given us a missionary mindset and truly a temple-going mindset throughout our stake.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"\"Attendees wait to enter the Yorba Linda California Temple for its dedication on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

President Dalton said the area is full of faithful people with lots of different churches and religious affiliations. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited for the impact the temple will have on the community as a whole,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that it\u2019ll give us many more opportunities as people drive by and see this wonderful structure and admire the beauty of the outside to speak of the beauty of the ordinances that happen inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

President Dalton also said he\u2019s grateful for the opportunity to testify to friends and neighbors that the temple is the house of the Lord. <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that is what people in our community see,\u201d he said. \u201cWe believe in the Savior and we worship Him. And if there was ever any question, the temple is a beacon of that truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Attendees gather at the Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its dedication on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

Anaheim California Stake President Scott Hicken and his wife, Darsi Hicken, volunteered and led several tours through the temple during the open house. One of those tours included one of Scott Hicken\u2019s former high school teachers, who is Jewish. And that tour has led to further interfaith experiences. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been invited to the local synagogue where they serve,\u201d President Hicken said. \u201cAnd you know what? We\u2019re going to enjoy that thoroughly, being in their presence and in their holy place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"The ornate Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during its dedication on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

Darsi Hicken said she saw the open house bring the community together. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s brought a lot of joy to a lot of people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

President Hicken also said that just as the temple was built from the ground up and transformed into a beautiful, holy place, the local members of the Church have been changed into a more holy people by the temple in their midst. <\/p>\n

\"\"Attendees share a laugh while waiting in line at the Yorba Linda California Temple for its dedication on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

\u201cStatistically speaking, our stake has never seen higher numbers of more people that are endowed with a current recommend than we\u2019re seeing today,\u201d he said. \u201cSo that means that people have desires to be in the house of the Lord. And they\u2019re coming back, and they\u2019re meeting with their bishops. \u2026 And they\u2019re gaining a recommend so that they are prepared.\u201d <\/p>\n

Brea California Stake President David Hatori said temple worship has impacted his family to find clarity through life\u2019s challenges. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs my wife and I worship in the temple, we are inspired to move forward and put our faith in Christ as we navigate the many issues that arise in our lives as parents and grandparents,\u201d he said. \u201cOur faith is stronger because of the love we feel in the temple.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is located at 17130 Bastanchury Road in Yorba Linda, California. The 30,000-square-foot temple is constructed on a 5.4-acre site and was dedicated on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News Yorba Linda California Temple<\/p>\n

Address: 17130 Bastanchury Road, Yorba Linda, California 92886<\/p>\n

Announced: April 4, 2021, by President Russell M. Nelson<\/a><\/p>\n

Groundbreaking: June 18, 2022, presided over by Elder Mark A. Bragg<\/a>, a General Authority Seventy<\/p>\n

Public open house: April 30 through May 23, 2026, excluding Sundays<\/p>\n

Dedicated: June 7, 2026, by President D. Todd Christofferson<\/a><\/p>\n

Property size: 5.46 acres<\/p>\n

Building size: 30,872 square feet<\/p>\n

Building height: 70 feet (including the spire)<\/p>\n

\"\"Attendees gather in front of the Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during its dedication on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News \"\"The newly built Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which is located at 17130 Bastanchury Rd. in Yorba Linda, Calif., is pictured Saturday, June 6, 2026.\u00a0 The 30,000-square-foot temple is constructed on a 5.4-acre site and was dedicated on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News \"\"An attendee has foot coverings placed on her feet before entering the Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its dedication in Yorba Linda, California, on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News \"\"Attendees hug in front of the Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during its dedication on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News \"\"Attendees gather in front of the Yorba Linda California Temple during its dedication on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News \"\"A trio of girls wait to adorn attendees to the Yorba Linda California Temple dedication with shoe coverings before they enter the building on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News \"\"Attendees wait to enter the Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the dedication on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News \"\"Attendees take photos at the Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during its dedication in Yorba Linda, California, on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Rick Loomis for the Deseret News <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"YORBA LINDA, Calif. \u2014 President D. Todd Christofferson dedicated the Yorba Linda California Temple on Sunday, June 7,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":691293,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[23,299969,250621,3,60601,21,19,22,20,25,24],"class_list":["post-691292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-united-states","tag-america","tag-first-presidency","tag-leaders-ministry","tag-news","tag-temples","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-us","tag-usa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/691292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=691292"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/691292\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/691293"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=691292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=691292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=691292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}