Unfortunately, the idea of "building community" involves excluding those who do not believe the same way.

Kudos to Richard and Jill and the rest of the good Saints in the Rexburg area on a wonderful open house. As a family we drove up to Rexburg from Layton. When we pulled into the parking lot it was thirteen degrees below zero, yet we were greeted by a host of smiling men in carhart overalls and orange vests who efficiently directed us to our parking spot.

Once inside the adjacent stake center we were warmly greeted. Before entering the temple we went past an army of bright-eyed, beautiful, well-groomed young men and women who had come to the temple "as soon as we heard that school had been cancelled because of the cold," so that they could help put foot protectors over the visitors shoes.

It what a wonderful experience and yes the Temple was absolutely beautiful, but it was the light in the eyes of the people and their excitement and reverence for the Temple that made the trek truely memorable.

God bless the good Saints of southeast Idaho.

I grew up in Idaho Falls, just 20 minutes south of Rexburg. What I loved about the area was the multitude of different churches and church buildings in the area. In Idaho Falls, there is a wonderful lava rock Lutheran church, just a block from an amazing Presbyterian church. I am LDS and I spent many sleepover nights at my Catholic friend's house, which was just across the street from the huge Catholic cathedral. I remember gazing in amazement through her window at the stained glass windows across the street. My aunt was married in that cathedral. All of my children, while we lived in Idaho, had best friends who were not of the LDS faith. All of us, LDS and other religions, built the community together. It's a great area to live in and raise a family!

Great response. Love the response. :)

I too grew up in this community. My ancestors also helped to build the community. What an awesome sense of community spirit and fellowship with the members and non members alike. Everyone worked together for the good of the community. No one was concerned about what faith others were. There was no dispute only working together to make Rexburg grow and devlope into a great community. Too bad people today construct religious barriers and divisions.