SCOTT GULLEDGE / Scroll

A noble endeavor

BYU-Idaho graduate returns to oversee temple construction

Erin Pitcher ZAN04001@BYUI.EDU Campus Asst. Editor

Project engineer.

It was a job far from his dreams. Now it’s an opportunity close to home.

Only two-and-a-half years after graduating from BYU-Idaho, Andrew Wolford returns as part of Jacobsen Construction to oversee the construction of Rexburg’s temple in the town he grew up in.

For over two years, Wolford has worked on various buildings across the country for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — from Pennsylvania to Alaska, and even some in Rexburg. His most recent projects in this area were the new married student stake center on 7th South along with the Thomas E. Ricks Building, Wolford said.

However, no project compared to the assignment he received last July, two weeks before the temple’s groundbreaking ceremony where Elder John H. Groberg, then of the Presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy, said the temple would take two years to complete.

Wolford’s adventure began when Jacobsen Construction was awarded the contract to build the Rexburg Temple. Wolford expressed interest in helping with it and not long after, he got the job — project engineer. Wolford oversees the temple construction along with two other men.

Wolford feels privileged and blessed to have this opportunity, as the Church is very particular about temple construction.

“There are very few people who are ever selected to work on [an LDS temple]” because the standard of quality far exceeds what the industry’s typical standards are, Wolford said.

“It’s possibly the most meaningful project I’ll ever do in my life, because it’s a temple — but not only that, it’s in an area that I’m close to. I grew up here. I went to college here.”

Virtually nothing less than perfection is expected for these sacred buildings, he said.

Late nights and early mornings of looking over plans have become routine for Wolford, as time constraints are very pressing.

“Temple construction was not scheduled to start until a later date, but the brethren wanted to begin sooner,” Wolford said.

While it is a challenging job at times, Wolford realizes his efforts in no way compare to what early members of the Church sacrificed to construct the first temples.

“I try not to compare myself to [early church members], because it’s a pretty pitiful comparison,” Wolford said. “I love what I do, and get paid for it. For them, their entire life centered around doing that work.”

“Often times I reflect on what they did to build temples and the amount of sacrifices they made,” he said. “It’s a good reminder to me that tithing dollars are being spent on this project. It motivates me to work hard."

Wolford went on to explain how the Rexburg Idaho Temple will be different than other temples throughout the world.

“When the temple is completed it will be unlike anything else in the Church,” Wolford said.

The temple plaza, as it is called, will not only house the temple, but will hold two stake centers, one of which is already in use.

Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and former president of BYU-I, spoke of the tremendous influence the temple will have on students at this university during his August 2004 BYU-I devotional address.

“I pray that we will begin to understand the significance of what was announced last December,” Elder Bednar said. “The Rexburg temple will contribute to a potent and powerfully protected place of preparation for disciples of Christ who will be an influence for good all over the earth.”

The Rexburg Idaho Temple was the 129th temple announced by the Church and is expected to take two years to complete.