Magic Valley
The Magic Valley is an area in south central Idaho composed of eight counties. Glenns Ferry though not in one of those counties is sometimes grouped with the magic valley as well as it is just outside the boundaries of Gooding County.
The northern part of Blaine County is referred to as the wood river valley though it is in the magic valley. The towns of Ketchum sun valley, hailey and Bellevue compose the wood river valley.
Members of the LDS church immigrated to what is now the magic valley in the 1880's in Minidoka and Cassia county. The mini Cassia area consists of the towns of Burley, Rupert, Paul and Oakley among others.
Twin Falls is the largest economic center of the region. It was founded in 1904. Towns in neighboring counties came about the following years. With the advent of water power and electricity, farms came into existence with modern farming methods and modern irrigation and other businesses that farms support and things such as banks and schools made the are grow there.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) make up roughly half of the Magic valley. With estimates of 25 percent in Twin Falls county and upwards of 60 to 70 percent in the eastern magic valley.
There are 4 stakes in Twin falls county, 1 in Jerome county, one in Gooding County that covers Camas County as well, One that covers Lincoln and Blaine County, 5 in Cassia county and 2 in Minidoka County,
Dallin H. Oaks lived in Twin Falls during some of his early growing up years before his father passed away and mothers need of education necessitated a move. His brother Merrill who served in the second quorum of the seventy was born there. David B Haight grew up in Oakley. Didn't live there as an adult but had family there and returned many times to visit. His grandfather was a pioneer of the Oakley valley and several of his grandfathers posterity are church leaders in the Magic Valley. D. Rex Gerratt a Burley dairy farmer is a member of the second quorum of the seventy.
The Sun Valley branch since it is a resort has hosted several visitors many being General authorities and general auxiliary officers. Prophets in that area for non church reasons have been speakers in that area too.
As a pinnacle to there faithfulness Church President Gordon B Hinckley announced a temple to be built in Twin Falls in the October 2004 General Conference. Will cut down on travel costs and time faithful members of the church have made as they trekked to Logan, Idaho Falls and Boise. It should be completed in late 2007 or early 2008.
