Las Vegas Council Approves LDS Temple Proposal

The Las Vegas City Council unanimously approved the construction of a 70,000-square-foot temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in the rural Lone Mountain neighborhood. The decision followed months of heated debate, with residents expressing concerns about increased traffic, lighting, and the temple's imposing size, while the church emphasized the need for additional worship space for its growing community. Adjustments to the original plan included lowering the steeple height from 216 feet to 196 feet to avoid FAA-required lighting. Despite significant opposition, largely due to the area's rural zoning, more than 8,000 letters of support were submitted, and over 100 church members attended the council meeting wearing dark blue shirts in solidarity. Mayor Carolyn Goodman stated the conflict was not about religion but the project's scale, which some residents felt was incompatible with the rural character of the area.