[2] The temple was designed by church architect Edward O. Anderson, and the plans were redrawn into German specifications by Wilhelm Zimmer.

Snow visited Switzerland in February 1851 to dedicate the land for missionary work, and in March of 1851 the first Swiss converts were baptized.

Gordon B. Hinckley, as a church employee, supervised the initial making of the film and was the person responsible for transporting it to Switzerland.

[9] After the complete renewal of the interior, the temple was rededicated by Hinckley, who was then a member of church's First Presidency, on 23 October 1992.

[15] In connection with the fiftieth anniversary of its dedication, a 4-metre-tall (13 ft) statue of the angel Moroni was placed on top of the tower on 7 September 2005.

The building has a modern-contemporary architectural style coupled with a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design.

Designed by Edward O. Anderson and Wilhelm Zimmer, the temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of Bern and the spiritual significance to the church.

The structure stands 140 feet tall[19], constructed with reinforced concrete with gray terracotta trimmed in white.

The design has elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism, which provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function.

[20] The Bern Switzerland Temple in particular is one of “...the Church’s most visible and oldest structural manifestations of growth and dedication.”[21] Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations to preserve its structural integrity, update facilities, and enhance its spiritual and aesthetic appeal.

[18][22] These changes were made to ensure the temple's compliance with contemporary building standards and to accommodate the evolving needs of church members.