Local LDS Leader Seeks Assurance from Fairview for Smaller Temple

FAIRVIEW, Texas — The Allen Stake President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is requesting reassurance from the Fairview Town Council regarding plans for a smaller temple. In a letter sent Monday, President Daniel M. Trythall emphasized that the church would abandon its lawsuit against the town if a compromise to reduce the height of the temple’s steeple from 174 feet to 120 feet is honored.

For months, the proposed temple has faced criticism from town leaders and residents who argue that its size and height do not align with Fairview’s character. Trythall highlighted the church’s commitment to working collaboratively with the community, stating, “We value our relationship with the community and are eager to work together for a positive outcome to this project.”

In November 2024, an agreement was reached that allowed for a 30,000-square-foot single-story building designed according to the new height regulations. However, the church later announced plans to sue the town after it failed to submit revised plans reflecting the adjusted steeple height.

“There is a way forward,” Trythall wrote. “We respectfully invite the Town to reaffirm the commitments it made during the mediation process, which the Town Council unanimously voted to support.”

Some citizens, organized under Fairview United, continue to oppose any steeple exceeding 68 feet, which is the height of the existing Latter-day Saint meetinghouse on the proposed site. Given Fairview’s residential zoning laws, structures in these areas can only reach a maximum height of 35 feet, though churches are eligible for conditional use permits.

According to a church representative, members in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are in need of more temples to accommodate their growing population. Currently, a single temple services approximately 100,000 church members, making the establishment of the new temple increasingly important.

The 60-day notice period initiated by the church under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act expires on March 28. If no resolution is reached, the church is prepared to pursue legal action. “We must stand firm against any actions that would impede the rights of members of our church — or any church — to worship freely,” Trythall asserted in his letter.

Fairview Mayor Henry Lessner has stated that the town would approve a smaller temple if the appropriate plans are submitted, urging the church to engage through the proper process rather than seeking individual meetings with council members.

In a historical context, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans for a temple in Prosper, Texas, in October 2022, with the selected location in Fairview disclosed in December 2023. “The temple is the house of the Lord,” President Nelson remarked, underscoring its significance in the faith.

As discussions surrounding the temple plan continue, Trythall remains optimistic about finding a compromise: “It is important to clarify misinformation that may have circulated. Our intention has always been to collaborate openly, and we hope to find a mutually acceptable solution.”