[5] The intent to build the temple was announced on April 1, 2018, by church president Russell M. Nelson during general conference.

[7] The temple has a large steeple topped with a statue of the angel Moroni,[7] with its design using local and historical American architecture.

[10][11] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the groundbreaking ceremony was limited to a handful of leaders and was not broadcast to meetinghouses in the temple district as originally planned.

[13] The temple is built in a blend of Georgian, Federal, and Jeffersonian styles[14] with Doric order, with inspiration taken from Monticello, the University of Virginia, the city of Williamsburg, and other locations across the state.

[5] The interior features blue, gold, and red on exterior glass, interior furnishings use early American color palettes,[17][14] and the foyer depicts a 100-year-old art glass piece of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd from an old, East Coast Protestant church.

[5][18] The design uses elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism and the history of Virginia, to provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function.

[7][20] Following the completion of the temple, the church held a public open house from March 25-April 15, 2023 (excluding Sundays).