The intent to build the temple was announced on October 3, 2009, by church president Thomas S. Monson, during general conference.

[8] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on June 18, 2011, conducted by Walter F. Gonzalez, of the Presidency of the Seventy.

[9] The announcement of a temple in south Florida was made by church president Thomas S. Monson on October 3, 2009, during general conference.

[10] It was announced concurrently with the Brigham City Utah, Concepción Chile, Fortaleza Brazil and Sapporo Japan temples.

Subsequent to the announcement, a local church official indicated that the temple would likely be constructed somewhere in western Broward County, rather than within the city of Fort Lauderdale itself.

[18] The exterior has “a series of arches that lead to the main entrance.”[6] The interior has art glass and murals, centered around a motif of long grass leaf in a color palette of blue, green, and earth tones.

The design has symbolic elements representing Florida’s natural landscape to provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function.