Bismarck North Dakota Temple
The Bismarck North Dakota Temple is the 61st operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
October usually means cold weather in North Dakota and the day of the new temple groundbreaking -- October 17, 1998 -- was no exception. Despite the overcast skies and chilly temperatures, over 1,000 people attended the ceremony. During the ceremony Bishop McMullin, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, urged members, “As the walls of the temple go up, let your faithfulness go up." [1]
Members of the Mormon Church were encouraged to be prepared. Elder Holt, an Area Authority Seventy, suggested that while the acronym CTR means, “Choose the Right” to Primary children, it could also mean “Current Temple Recommend,” for adults. He counseled members, “Prepare yourselves ... Be ready. Be worthy to serve in the house of the Lord.” [2]
The Bismarck North Dakota Temple district covers about 200,000 square miles and serves about 9,000 members. Although small in numbers, members faithfully drove great distances to reach a temple. Recognizing their need for a closer temple, the Lord directed President Gordon B. Hinckley to build a small temple in North Dakota.
President Hinckley attended the dedication of the temple. Prior to the dedication the prophet had never been to North Dakota, the only state he had not visited. Members rejoiced to have the prophet in their midst.
During the dedicatory prayer, President Hinckley prayed specifically for the members in the area saying,
- We thank Thee for the faith of Thy sons and daughters in the vast area of this temple district, men and women who love Thee and love their Redeemer and have stood steadfast as Thy people. They have felt much alone. They are out on the frontier of the Church. Their numbers are still not large. But they are entitled to every blessing which the Church has to offer, including the ordinances here administered. [3]
The new Mormon temple sits on 1.6 acres. The exterior is finished with granite veneer from Québec. A gold-plated statue of the angel Moroni, blowing his trumpet, tops the single spire. The Bismarck North Dakota Temple has a total of 10,700 square feet, two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.
Notes
- News of the Church, Ensign, Jan. 1999, 77
- News of the Church, Ensign, Jan. 1999, 77
- News of the Church, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 109
See also
External links
- Official LDS Bismarck North Dakota Temple page
- Bismarck North Dakota Temple page
- Bismarck North Dakota Temple page
- Unofficial LDS Temples Site
- Mormon Temple Worship - BBC Religion & Ethics
- Mormon Temple Ordinances - ReligionFacts
- Mormon Temples - Lightplanet
- Mormon Temples - Wikipedia
- Temples and Mormon Temples - Answers.com
- Resources about the History and Symbolism of Mormon Temples
- Mormon Temples and Secrecy
- History of Mormon Temples - Lightplanet
- Mormons Open Temple Doors to Share Beliefs - USAToday
