Meridian LDS temple gains Angel Moroni statue

On Wednesday morning, the 6-foot, 608 pound statue was carefully placed atop the new temple at 7355 N. Linder Road.

“The placement of the statue indicates construction of the exterior of this sacred building is largely completed.,” local LDS spokesman Brian Whitlock said in a news release. Work will continue on the interior of the temple as well as the grounds into next year, he said.

No completion date has been announced, but during the groundbreaking in August 2014 officials projected the construction would take three years.

A public open house with tours will be held before the 66,000 square foot temple is dedicated, Whitlock said.

This is the second Treasure Valley temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joining the Boise temple, which opened about three decades ago.

This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Meridian LDS temple gains Angel Moroni statue."