Dedication
Dedication is the act of devoting or consecrating something to the Lord, or "setting apart" something for a specific purpose in building the kingdom of God.[1][2]
For example, whenever The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints constructs a new building, there is a dedication ceremony held when the building is finished. The purpose of this ceremony is to set aside the building for the work of God. A Latter-day Saint dedication ceremony includes a special prayer designating the building for Church use and asking God to bless the structure and grounds.[3]
Dedication is a priesthood function performed through an official and formal act of prayer.[4]
- For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedications serve at least two clear functions. First, they call down the powers of heaven to establish a sacred space or time in the furthering of the desired purpose. Second, they consecrate the participants, focusing their souls upon the meaning of the dedicated object or act. In this way the secular is brought into sacred relationships, and the blessings of God are invoked so that the powers of heaven and earth are joined to bring about works of righteousness.[5]
In addition to the dedication of Church buildings, such as temples, meetinghouses, schools, visitors centers, and historical sites, members of the Church of Jesus Christ are familiar with the dedication of other things. When a Latter-day Saint dies, an ordained member of the Church uses the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood to dedicate the person’s burial plot as the resting place for the body and prays that the place will be hallowed and protected until the resurrection. Lands and countries may also be dedicated for purposes such as preaching of the gospel. “On October 24, 1841, Elder Orson Hyde ascended the Mount of Olives and dedicated the land of Palestine for the return of the Jews and the rearing of a temple. It was rededicated on six other occasions.”[6]
Members of the Church often dedicate their homes [7] by the same power of the Melchizedek Priesthood so that they can be “sacred edifices where the Holy Spirit can reside, and as sanctuaries where family members can worship, find safety from the world, grow spiritually, and prepare for eternal family relationships.”[8] The home does not need to be debt free.
