Billings Montana Temple
The Billings Montana Temple is the 66th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Before the Billings Montana Temple was built, members of the Church had to drive six to eight hours (depending on the weather) to go to the temple. When the Billings Montana Temple was announced, Latter-day Saints in the area rejoiced. About 4,800 people gathered during a spring snowstorm to witness the temple groundbreaking, during which a choir of 700 youth sang.
Before the temple was dedicated, it was open to the public and visitors were encouraged to walk through, enjoy the artwork and depictions of Christ, and learn about what takes place in a temple—to learn that Latter-day Saint temples are not secret, but sacred.
To accommodate all of the members of the area, eight dedicatory sessions were held on 20-21 of November 1999. President Gordon B. Hinckley said in his dedicatory prayer of the Billings Montana Temple,
- Bless those who have worked so long and diligently in the face of opposition to obtain the necessary permits and to erect this sacred temple. May a glad acceptance now prevail concerning it, even a sense of gratitude for its presence. We pray that this area, in fact this whole city, may feel the Spirit that emanates from this hallowed structure. [2]
Accompanying President Hinckley to Billings were his first counselor, President Thomas S. Monson, and his wife, Frances; Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Elisa; and Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi of the Seventy and first counselor in the North America Central Area presidency and his wife, Toshiko.
The Billings Montana Temple sits on the hillside in front of 300-foot high red Rimrock cliffs. The single spire rises from a tiered tower. Stained-glass windows dominate the west end. Inside, a clear skylight allows patrons to glimpse the angel Moroni atop the spire. The exterior features Wyoming white dolomite with tan sandstone finish. The temple will service the 51,000 members in Montana and more in northern Wyoming. The Billings Montana Temple has a total of 33,800 square feet, two ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms.
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Notes
- Jeff Lindsay, Mormon Temples and Secrecy
- News of the Church,” Ensign, Feb. 2000, 74.
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