Feather River California Temple

On Sunday, October 7, 2018, during the Sunday afternoon session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced that a temple would be built in Yuba City, California. Building and maintaining temples may not change your life, "but spending time in the temple surely will," said President Nelson. He continued, "To those who have long been absent from the temple, I encourage you to prepare and return as soon as possible."

The Feather River California Temple is located on nine acres at 1470 Butte House Road in Yuba City, California. An existing meetinghouse on that site was demolished. Plans called for a temple of just over 38,000 square feet, as well as a new meetinghouse and distribution center to be built next to the temple.

With 728,995 members in 1,134 congregations in California, the Feather River California Temple will be the eighth temple in California and the first temple built in the Northern California city, which is 40-plus miles north of Sacramento, California.

At the time of the announcement, Yuba City Mayor, Preet Didbal, issued a statement pledging support for the future temple:

"I’m excited The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chose Yuba City to located their next temple. I know the members of the Church in our city, region and Northern California will benefit from this important religious facility. Yuba City is the ideal location for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days to build a temple. Known for our diversity, our city embraces all cultures and religious beliefs. I look forward to working with the Church to ensure the smooth and efficient processing of this project."

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Feather River California Temple

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a small groundbreaking ceremony for the Feather River California Temple in Yuba City, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2020. Attendance at the ceremony was limited because of COVID-19 social guidelines.

Elder Paul H. Watkins, an Area Seventy, presided at the ceremony and offered the dedicatory prayer.

“Only months ago, a stake center held its last meeting on this site,” said Elder Watkins as he opened the groundbreaking service, “and since then, the Yuba City stake members and many leaders and the groundbreaking committee have worked very hard to prepare this ground for this event today.”

In the dedicatory prayer, Elder Watkins prayed, “for the surrounding community that they will see and know that this temple is a blessing to them.” Elder Watkins asked for a blessing, stating that “ancestors of those who are not . . . members . . . in this area will have an increased influence upon their families here on earth.”[1]

Elder Watkins was joined by his wife, Dena, along with Peter Hall and his wife, Melody, co-chairs of the Feather River California Temple groundbreaking committee.

At the service, Sister Watkins shared her thoughts on the importance of having a temple close by the youth in Yuba City.

“I hope that the youth here will take advantage of this closer temple and be able to go to the temple and have their own sacred spiritual experience,” said Sister Watkins.[2]

Open House and Dedication

The public open house for the Feather River California Temple began on Saturday, August 19, 2023, and ran through Saturday, September 9, excluding Sundays.

Before the public open house, a media day was held Tuesday, August 15. Invited guests toured the Feather River California Temple from Wednesday, August 16, through Friday, August 18.

The temple was dedicated on Sunday, October 8, 2023, in two sessions: 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the temple, five years and one day since it was announced in 2018. The dedicatory sessions were broadcast to all units in the Feather River California Temple district.

“The dedication of this and all the other temples testifies that God has a divine vision and plan for His sons and daughters from all generations,” Elder Soares said. “It is indeed evidence of the divinity of His true gospel. This temple stands as a beacon in this area.”[3]

Elder Soares was joined by his wife, Sister Rosana Soares; Elder Kevin R. Duncan, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Nancy Duncan; Elder Mark A. Bragg, a General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s North America West Area, and his wife, Sister Yvonne Bragg; and Elder James R. Rasband, a General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Sister Mary Rasband.

The McAllen Texas Temple was dedicated the same day.

Picture Gallery of Feather River California Temple

Feather River California Temple
The gardens featuring 100-year-old olive trees transplanted from a local orchard
A drone shot of the pathways and stonework leading up to the front doors of the Feather River California Temple
100-year-old olive trees transplanted from a local orchard in the gardens of the Feather River California Temple
The baptistry
The bride's room
An instruction room
A view of the celestial room
Celestial room
Art glass on a door of the Feather River California Temple
The art glass's main design motif is the regionally significant almond blossom
A crystal chandelier in the celestial room
A crystal chandelier in the Feather River California Temple
A view of the spire of the Feather River California Temple/Deseret News
The angel Moroni atop the Feather River California Temple