Edmonton Alberta Temple
The Saints in the Canadian province of Alberta are feeling very blessed because they now have two Mormon temples one in Cardston and a new temple in Edmonton. “To have a temple located here is going to bless lives in ways we really don’t even understand yet,” said Elder Bennett. “This has literally been a fulfillment of the hopes and dreams and aspirations of a generation that has lived and served in Edmonton.” President Donald D. Salmon, the new temple president, echoed Elder Bennett's sentiments when he said, "We have become something we never thought we would become—a temple city."1
Previous to the building of the Edmonton temple many LDS couples would move to Cardston after retirement to be near a temple. Now the building of the Edmonton temple has changed their lives. President Salmon and his wife had planned on moving soon, "We are staying and many others are staying, too," he said. Some like the Merkley's are even moving back to Edmonton, "We are coming home to family and the temple; we can't beat that," said Sister Merkley. 2
The Church had a slow start in Edmonton with the first meeting actually not held until 1933, with only 15 members present. It was not until 1951 that the first official Mormon meetinghouse was built. Now the new temple will serve about 15,700 members in the area. Many members expect the Mormon temple to bring even greater growth to the church; among them is Stake President LeRoy Rollins who said about the new temple, "I imagined it. I worked toward it. I knew we would have a temple in Edmonton, it had to be. It marks a status we have not had before. It will cause even greater growth in this city." 3
President Salmon also believes that the new temple will unite members in the area. "The temple gives us the association with all members," he explained, "We are coming together to work and serve." 4
Within temples members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perform their own saving ordinances, serve the Lord, and those who have died through proxy work. They perform sealings, baptisms, and endowment services for themselves and those who did not have a chance to perform the ordinances while living.
The exterior of the Edmonton Alberta temple is white granite and has a single spire topped by a statue of the angel Moroni. The groundbreaking services were held on 27 February 1999. Before the dedication of the Mormon temple a public open house was held similar to the open house for the Manhattan temple.
President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the temple on 11-12 December 1999. During the dedicatory prayer President Hinckley prayed for the nation of Canada saying, “Let Thy providence be felt in this great nation of Canada, that it shall continue to be a land where Thy sons and daughters enjoy the precious boon of freedom of assembly and worship… Bless those who govern that they shall look with favor upon Thy people, and may Thy work grow in numbers, in majesty, and in strength in this good land.” 5
(1) “News of the Church,” Ensign, Mar. 2000, 74 (2) 18 December 1999, Church News. (3) 18 December 1999, Church News. (4) 18 December 1999, Church News. (5) “News of the Church,” Ensign, Mar. 2000, 74
See also
External links
- Official LDS Edmonton Alberta Temple page
- Edmonton Alberta Temple page
- Edmonton Alberta Temple page
- 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
- Mormons Open Temple Doors to Share Beliefs - USA Today
- History of Mormon Temples - Lightplanet
