Full Breakdown
Yorba Linda California Temple Dedicated by President D. Todd Christofferson
6/9/2026, 12:39:53 AM
Event Overview
On Sunday, June 7, 2026, President D. Todd Christofferson of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Yorba Linda California Temple. The dedication followed a three-week public open house and was broadcast throughout the temple district.
Historical Context of LDS Presence in California
Latter-day Saint immigrants first arrived in San Francisco in 1846, establishing the California Mission in 1892 and the Los Angeles Branch in 1895. The Los Angeles Stake, created in 1923, was the only stake outside Utah at that time. The Yorba Linda Ward formed in 1968, later dividing into multiple wards, and the Anaheim California East Stake was renamed the Yorba Linda California Stake in 2021. Today, California is home to more than 725,000 Latter-day Saints across 1,085 congregations.
Temple Specifications and Service Area
The single-story Yorba Linda Temple occupies approximately 30,000 sq ft at 17130 Bastanchury Road. Design elements reflect the local landscape, including palm-leaf stone carvings and colors inspired by historic Spanish missions. The temple will serve roughly 21,000 Latter-day Saints in the surrounding area. It joins seven other operating temples in the Golden State; the San Diego Temple will reopen for free public tours on June 18, the Modesto Temple is under construction, and new temples have been announced for Bakersfield and Sunnyvale.
Key Leaders Present
President Christofferson was accompanied by his wife Kathy, Elder Steven R. Bangerter (Executive Director of the Temple Department) and his wife Susan, Elder I. Raymond Egbo and his wife Comfort, and Elder Takashi Wada and his wife Naomi. The dedication occurred alongside the dedication of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple, performed by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Official Statements from Church Leaders
President Christofferson emphasized that temples are “visible, tangible testimony of the living reality of the Redeemer,” noting that without the Atonement and Resurrection they would have no purpose. He highlighted the role of temple worship in personal improvement, encouraging members to examine their lives and cultivate Christlike attributes. He also asserted that temple blessings extend beyond church members, influencing the broader community. President Uchtdorf, speaking at the Oregon dedication, described the new temple as a unifying force for families.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This temple and all latter-day temples constitute our visible, tangible testimony of the living reality of the Redeemer since without His Atonement and Resurrection, the temple would serve no purpose,” — President D. Todd Christofferson
- “Perfection is not required to enter the temple, but it would be a wonderful thing if we individually worked hard to be at least a little better, a little holier each time we entered the doors of the holy temple,” — President D. Todd Christofferson
- “I’ve been very impressed with the beauty of the interior, of the arched doorways all through the temple, the beautiful finish work,” — President D. Todd Christofferson
- “What takes place here [in the temple] and what the Lord blesses the people with, influences beyond the members of the Church, beyond the people who are in the temple,” — President D. Todd Christofferson
- “I 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.” — President D. Todd Christofferson
- “Everyone who came here for the open house saw it is focusing on families; it’s uniting families,” — President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree on the dedication date, location, and service population; no contradictory information was identified.
What’s Next
The San Diego California Temple will reopen for free tours on June 18, 2026. Construction continues on the Modesto Temple, while announcements for Bakersfield and Sunnyvale temples signal ongoing expansion of temple access across California.
