President Christofferson Dedicates the Yorba Linda California Temple

President D. Todd Christofferson of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Yorba Linda California Temple on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

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“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 Christofferson said in remarks broadcast throughout the temple district. “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.”

He was joined by his wife, Kathy, as well as 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 Yorba Linda California Temple is one of eight operating temples in the Golden State. The San Diego California Temple will reopen for free public tours on June 18. The Modesto California Temple is under construction, and temples in Bakersfield and Sunnyvale have been announced.

“We make it possible for people to have a temple close and be in the temple with greater frequency,” President Christofferson said in an interview on Saturday, adding that while temples vary in size and design, “the ordinances are always what they are … [and] that’s what’s essential.”

The Yorba Linda Temple is a single-story structure of approximately 30,000 square feet.

In his remarks Sunday before the dedicatory prayer, the Second Counselor in the First Presidency emphasized that time spent in the temple can help people improve.

“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 Christofferson said. “We should examine our lives from time to time and ask ourselves, ‘Is there something unworthy I should put out of my life?’ or on the other hand, ‘Is there a Christlike attribute I should more fully cultivate in myself?’ We can pray and ask God, ‘What lack I yet?’ and then act on the impressions that come to us.”

About the Yorba Linda Temple

The temple features design elements that reflect the local landscape and communities, including palm leaves in exterior stone carvings and colors and patterns inspired by historic Spanish mission buildings.

“I’ve been very impressed with the beauty of the interior, of the arched doorways all through the temple, the beautiful finish work,” President Christofferson said after walking through the temple on Saturday. “There’s beautiful art glass with the orange blossoms and everything that’s typical about this area of California. It’s been brought together in a beautiful way. The oranges and yellows and blues. It’s a unique temple — and certainly a house of the Lord.”

The dedication of the Yorba Linda Temple followed a three-week public open house of the sacred structure. The temple will serve some 21,000 Latter-day Saints in the area.

The Yorba Linda Temple was announced by the late President Russell M. Nelson at the April 2021 general conference.

Ground was broken for the temple on June 18, 2022. It is located at 17130 Bastanchury Rd in Yorba Linda.

The Church of Jesus Christ in California

Latter-day Saint immigrants first arrived in San Francisco in 1846. They built communities in the area as they progressed toward the Great Basin. In January 1847, the Mormon Battalion, a group of Latter-day Saints preparing to fight in the Mexican-American War, arrived in San Diego. Six Battalion members were at Sutter’s Mill in January 1848, when gold was discovered.

The California Mission was established in 1892. The Los Angeles Branch was created in 1895, and within a few years, missionaries began preaching in Anaheim and Yorba Linda. The Los Angeles Branch grew into 11 branches by 1922, and in January 1923, the Los Angeles Stake was created. It was the only stake outside of Utah at the time.

The Orange County California Stake was created in 1954, and the Yorba Linda Ward was created from the Placentia Ward in 1968. In 1972, the Yorba Linda Ward was divided into the 1st and 2nd wards; the 3rd ward followed in 1977; the 4th ward in 1984; and the Yorba Linda 5th ward in 1988. In February 1985, the Anaheim California East Stake (renamed the Yorba Linda California Stake in 2021) was created.

Today, California is home to more than 725,000 Latter-day Saints spread throughout 1,085 congregations.

“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 Christofferson said. “The cumulative impact of Saints being Saints, living as they should in the community — it can’t help but have a positive influence. And so I say to any group, any place, any people, whether you’re in the Church or not: You ought to want to have temples close to you. There is an ancillary benefit whether you are a member of the Church or not.”