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This is a drawing of what the new Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple in the Rogue Valley will look like. LDS church plans to build temple here Would be 2nd one established in state By KATHY MORGAN The number of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' temples in Oregon is about to double. A 10,000-plus-square-foot temple will be built in Medford or Central Point in the next year, said Edward Hanson, president of the Central Point Stake. The exact location has not been announced. "The land is there, we just have to decide where to build," Hanson said. "We'll know in two months. It's up to Salt Lake City.'' Hanson said it was typical of smaller temples to be built near stake centers. The Central Point center is on Taylor Road; the Medford center is on Juanipero Way. Church officials already have done some planning with the city of Central Point. "They have discussed the option of annexation to the city and use of city water with us," said Tom Humphrey, Central Point planning director. "They've also checked with the county," Humphrey said. "It's my understanding that whichever is faster is the course they will choose." Church officials have not yet applied for any permits. This is the only the second temple to be built in Oregon, and the 103rd temple worldwide to be built by the church. The other Oregon temple faces Interstate 5 near Lake Oswego. "A couple of years ago, a new program was initiated by the church to build smaller temples in more remote areas," Hanson said. ``We made an application to Salt Lake City to be considered as one of the sites." Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, who probably will be on hand to dedicate the temple after it is completed, sent written notice of the decision to Hanson last weekend. Although it is smaller than the largest temples -- about a third as large as the one in Lake Oswego -- the building will not be petite by any means. The 10,700-square-foot temple will be made of white marble with a spiral heading toward heaven, adorned with a statue of the angel Moroni with a trumpet. Southern Oregon was chosen as a location for the temple on the basis of the number of LDS members in the area. There are 3,000 at the Medford Stake and 3,000 at the Central Point Stake, Hanson said. Plus there are stakes in Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Roseburg and Coos Bay. Another determining factor was the distance to another temple. "In our case, Portland and Oakland are the two closest temples," Hanson said. The temple is important to LDS members, as it's the place where marriages and other ceremonies are performed. "I'm thrilled," said Jadine Brown, director of public affairs at the Central Point Stake. "It is going to be so much easier than traveling to Portland." Because the temples are considered holy places, only members with a recommendation from the ward bishop are allowed in the buildings after they are dedicated. But the temple will be open to the public before the dedication, Hanson said. Hanson said he hopes the temple will draw converts to the fold, but he says it will also have an economic impact on the area. There will be jobs for local people when it's being built. And once it's completed, "it will draw additional people from Lakeview, the coastal area and Northern California," Hanson said. "They'll eat, buy gas, stay in motels and have a huge economic impact on the area." Julie Petretto, executive director of the Medford/Jackson County Chamber, agreed. "In other cities and towns, I know their temple gatherings have a major economic impact," she said. "It's a good group of people to attract to town." But for Hanson and other LDS members, the spiritual lift of having a temple in the area is first and foremost. "I'm elated," he said. "All of us are. It's a dream of the members to have a temple this close." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA