Dedicated half a century ago, the Idaho Falls Temple, known as the "temple by the river," was extolled for its influence in the lives of members in a jubilee commemoration Sept. 17.

Hundreds of Latter-day Saints gathered in the Idaho Falls Idaho North Stake center, adjacent to the temple, on a warm late summer evening for the special service, which included spiritual addresses and stirring music. Afterward, many present lingered to share memories and hugs.The phrase "temple by the river" is a familiar one to the thousands of Latter-day Saints in this area who serve in increasing numbers in the sacred edifice, located on the banks of the Snake River. In a First Presidency letter read to the congregation, the temple was referred to as a "spiritual beacon."

The letter read, in part: "We rejoice with you on the occasion of the commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the dedication of the Idaho Falls Temple and commend all temple workers and patrons for their faithful temple participation.

"Many who have visited Idaho Falls have viewed this beautiful House of the Lord `by the river' which has served as a spiritual beacon for the past half century. We are grateful for the faithful efforts of so many today who frequently enter the doors of this temple."

A letter from the North America Northwest Area presidency was also read at the meeting. Elder Spencer J. Condie, president of the area, and his counselors, Elders Glenn L. Pace and C. Scott Grow, wrote: "The Idaho Falls Temple is a source of inspiration and is a beautiful symbol of purity, as it is reflected in the river by day and illuminates the darkened sky by night."

Presiding over the event, which was telecast live over local television station KIFI Channel 8, was Elder W. Eugene Hansen of the Presidency of the Seventy and executive director of the Church's Temple Department. Also attending the commemoration were current temple Pres. Preston B. Brimhall and his wife, Elizabeth P. Brimhall, who is temple matron; and counselors Virl N. Jardine and J. Lynn Benson and their wives, Lois Jardine and Fern Benson, who are assistant matrons.

In addition, several former presidents, their counselors and their wives attended the service. (Please see box on this page for list of presidents of the Idaho Falls Temple.) Addressing the jubilee service were Elder Hansen and Pres. and Sister Brimhall.

Included in the service and also telecast throughout the area was a video, "The Temple by the River," which recounted the history of the Church in southeast Idaho, the history of the temple and the purposes of temple work.

The commemorative service was a few days shy of the actual anniversary of the temple's dedication on Sept. 23, 1945, by President George Albert Smith and was the pinnacle of activities held throughout the past year. (Please see article on this page on the history of the Idaho Falls Temple.) Jubilee events have included concerts performed by civic groups and churches - LDS and non-LDS - from throughout the area. These concerts will continue through the end of the year.

In addition, on Sept. 16 at the stake center, a special meeting was held to honor former presidencies and their families. During the meeting, all the children in the congregation - many of them grandchildren and great-grandchildren of members of presidencies - gathered on the podium and sang "I Love to See the Temple."

For Elder Hansen, the commemoration was not only an ecclesiastical duty, but also a time of fond remembrance. He and his wife, Jeanine, who accompanied him at the jubilee, were married in the Idaho Falls Temple Sept. 8, 1950. Also with Elder Hansen for the commemoration were his parents, Warren E. and Ruth S. Hansen.

"Since my bride-to-be was an Idaho girl, it was most appropriate that we come to the Idaho Falls Temple, barely five years old at that time, for that special event," Elder Hansen related in his address. "As we entered the temple that day, I was impressed with the beauty of the building. We spoke in hushed tones as we realized we were in the Lord's House."

Elder Hansen recalled that just before the ceremony, a counselor in the temple presidency asked the bride, "Is this a good man?" She responded in the affirmative. He then added, "Well, eternity is a long time, and you want to be sure that you have someone who understands that and has the character to be considerate of you and true to his principles forever."

Continuing, Elder Hansen noted, "I have conscientiously tried to remember that counsel each day that we have lived our lives together."

He related that the eternal nature of his family became even more poignant in later years as two of their sons died at separate times. "We know that our relationships are eternal because of the great blessing of the temples - our temple ordinances and our temple blessings. If we live worthy, we will all be able to be together again in a place that a kind and loving Heavenly Father has prepared for those who love Him."

In speaking of the history of temple building in the Restored Church, Elder Hansen said: "No doubt many more temples will be announced in the future as the Church continues to spread throughout the earth and the sense of urgency for members to receive the blessings of the temple for themselves and for their departed ancestors continues to escalate.

"We should not overlook an opportunity to go to the temple," he continued. "The more often we attend the temple, if we go with the right spirit, the more Christlike our lives will become."

Elder Hansen spoke of articles and publications he'd read about the history of the temple. "I hadn't realized that there was as much friendly competition among the cities and towns in southeastern Idaho for the privilege of having the temple in their community," he said. "But once the decision was made the communities rallied together, and it was the cooperative spirit that prevailed.

"And so on the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the `temple by the river,' we remember those early residents, those who tamed the land and made it the beautiful and productive place it is today.

"We remember those who worked so hard, both Church members and friends of the Church, to bring about the building and dedication of this beautiful edifice. We salute you and express our gratitude. You have our love and respect and our admiration."

Continuing, he counseled those listening: "May you always be worthy to come to the temple, and may you come often. May you have pictures of this temple in your homes that will serve as a reminder of the significance of the temple in your lives and also help your children to develop a love and respect for the Lord's House while yet in their youth."

In his remarks, Pres. Brimhall spoke of the faithfulness of the temple patrons and officiators. "Patrons are coming in increasing numbers," he said. "Attendance at the holy temple this year will be greater than it has been in the history of the temple. This is an indication of the desire of the members of the Church to participate in this great effort."

Referring to the officiators, Pres. Brimhall said: "Many of them are up in years, and yet they are still very effective and very efficient. We are indeed grateful for them."

Music for the commemoration was provided by the Ricks College Concert Chorale.