Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Dedicated 1–4 June 1983
by Gordon B. Hinckley

Our Beloved Father in Heaven, the Father of the spirits of all mankind, in the name of Thy Beloved Son we come before Thee in this Thy house to dedicate it unto Thee. Thou art the great Elohim, the creator and ruler of the universe, and we are Thy sons and daughters. We acknowledge Thee as our Father and our God. We love Thee and we love and honor Thy Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, He who gave His life as a ransom for all, our Saviour and our Redeemer, the anchor of our faith, the author of our salvation.

We thank Thee for the Prophet Joseph Smith, to whom Thou didst reveal Thyself with Thy Son, to open this the promised dispensation of the fulness of times. We thank Thee for that great divine manifestation, unsurpassed in glory in all the history of mankind. We thank Thee for those heavenly messengers whom Thou didst send to the earth to restore the keys of the Everlasting Priesthood, that there might be a restitution in this glorious age of all authority pertaining to Thy work.

We thank Thee that since that restoration Thou hast never left Thy Church alone, and that from the days of Joseph Smith to the present Thou hast chosen and appointed a prophet to this people. We thank Thee for him who presently holds this great and sacred office, even Thy servant President Spencer W. Kimball. We miss his presence among us on this sacred occasion. We pray for him. We plead with Thee that Thou wilt comfort and sustain him and bless him according to his needs and Thy great purposes.

We pray for his counselors, for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, for the brethren of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric, that all may be endowed with strength and direction from Thee to carry the burdens of their various responsibilities. Wilt Thou inspire each by Thy spirit, that through the labors of these dedicated servants Thy work may be governed and moved forward according to Thy divine will.

Bless those who direct the work of the great auxiliary organizations of Thy Church. Give unto these men and women wisdom and vision and understanding to formulate and pursue those programs which will improve the lives of Thy people throughout the world, and bring them ever closer to Thee.

We invoke Thy blessings upon those who serve in presidencies of stakes and missions, in wards and branches, and all who hold office and responsibility in Thy kingdom. May each be inspired in his or her assignment, that all may labor in unity and love for the blessing of Thy saints and the advancement of Thy cause. We remember before Thee Thy servants the missionaries who are called to bear witness to the world of the truth and divinity of the restored gospel of Thy Holy Son. Cause the doors of the nations of the earth to be opened to Thy servants that we may fulfill the commandment given by Thy Son to carry the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

We remember before Thee all who are engaged in the great work of salvation for the dead. Open the way before those who are searching out the records of their forebears. Bring gladness into the hearts of the many thousands who daily labor in Thy temples wherever they be established.

Holy Father, bless all who seek to do Thy will, all who walk in righteousness and faith and obedience to the commandments Thou hast given. Wilt Thou comfort them when they face adversity, wilt Thou strengthen them when the winds of opposition blow against them, wilt Thou bring joy and peace into their hearts and the assurance that Thou dost love them and that Thou dost approve of their labors, and that at some time they will hear Thy welcoming and reassuring voice, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

Now, acting in the authority of the Holy Priesthood with which Thou hast endowed us, we dedicate to Thee, our Father and our God, and to Thy Beloved Son, this the Atlanta Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wilt Thou accept of it as the gift of Thy people.

It has come of their consecration and love. Many have sacrificed to make its construction possible. Please smile with favor upon each one, we humbly pray, and open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings upon them that there shall not be room enough to receive them.

We pray that Thou wilt feel pleased to visit this, Thy sacred house, and that Thy Beloved Son will feel likewise. May Thy Holy Spirit ever sanctify it.

May all who enter its portals realize that they are entering Thy house as Thy guest, and conduct themselves always with reverence and respect and love for Thee.

May all who enter these holy precincts feel of Thy spirit and be bathed in its marvelous, sanctifying influence. May they come in ever-increasing numbers to partake of those blessings which are offered only in these holy houses. May they come with clean hands and pure hearts and in a spirit of love and dedication. May their minds be lifted above the mundane affairs of the world to a higher and more heavenly plane. May any spirit of selfishness or unkindness or evil whose influence may affect them in the world, leave them when they enter the doors of this sacred and holy sanctuary. May they be worthy of the washings and anointings herein to be administered, of the endowments herein to be given, of the eternal sealings here to be pronounced. May they be touched by the spirit of Elijah to seek more diligently the records of their ancestors and to labor for them in this Thy holy house.

May the very presence of this temple in the midst of Thy people become a reminder of sacred and eternal covenants made with Thee. May they strive more diligently to banish from their lives those elements which are inconsistent with the covenants they have made with Thee. Wilt Thou bless them, dear Father, with peace in their hearts and peace in their homes. Bless the fathers in those homes that they may lead their families with kindness and love. And in a special manner bless the mothers as they rear their children that they may be inspired to plant and nurture faith in each young heart.

Father, wilt Thou bless this temple. We dedicate the land on which it stands and the structure itself in all of its components. Wilt Thou watch over it and sanctify it. May the grounds be beautiful with the lawns, the flowers, the shrubs which are of Thy creation. May the building be protected and blessed from the foundation to the top of the steeple. May it function properly in all of its mechanical facilities. May it be a place of beauty to those who look upon its exterior walls and surroundings, and a place of holiness to all who enter its portals.

May it be a house of service, a house of prayer, a house of love, a sanctuary of peace.

Inspire and direct the temple presidency, those who hold the sacred sealing authority, the ordinance workers and all who labor here.

Frustrate the evil designs of those who would demean the sacred ordinances which will be administered herein. Bless Thy worthy saints who come here, that they may grow in faith and testimony concerning Thee and Thy Beloved Son, and may they grow in understanding of Thy eternal purposes in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of Thy sons and daughters.

O God, wilt Thou accept this sacred edifice and watch over it and bless it in every way. We so dedicate it unto Thee, and in so doing dedicate anew our lives to Thee and Thy purposes, all of which we do in the name of Thy Beloved Son, our great Redeemer, the Lamb without blemish who "taketh away the sins of the world," even the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Rededicated 14 November 1997
by Gordon B. Hinckley (baptistry only)

O God our Eternal Father, Thou great Elohim, we bow before Thee as Thy sons and daughters on this day of dedication. This sacred house was dedicated to Thee and to Thy Son fourteen years ago. Now it has undergone renovation, with the construction of a new baptistry and other extensive work.

The workmanship is beautiful. The basin, as it is called in the Old Testament, rests on the backs of twelve oxen, symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel. Here will be carried forward the great work of vicarious baptism in behalf of the dead. Without this work in their behalf, they cannot go forward on the way that leads to eternal life. They must be born of the water and of the spirit. This is the great foundation ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Lord Himself spoke of it when He walked upon the earth. The Saints in the ancient Church practiced it, and in this, the dispensation of the Fullness of Times, Thou hast again instituted it. Obedient to Thy will, these baptismal fonts are found in all of Thy dedicated temples, and, now, acting in the authority of the holy priesthood in us vested, the priesthood which comes from Thee, as a delegation of Thine authority, and in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer, we dedicate and consecrate this baptismal font and other features unto Thee and Thy Son for the sacred work to be done in this, Thy holy house.

Wilt Thou accept it, dear Father, and sanctify it, and bless it to Thy divine purposes. May it be regarded by all who serve here with holiness before Thee. Bless those who come to this house for this work, and particularly the youth of Thy Church, with a great sense of appreciation for the opportunity that is theirs? May they be touched by Thy Holy Spirit with the knowledge that they are doing something of everlasting importance? May they come to realize through this service that life is eternal, and that all, either in life or in death, must accept the ordinance of baptism if they are to move forward on their eternal journey. May this consecrated service lead to increased appreciation for the great Atonement of Thy Beloved Son in behalf of the sons and daughters of God of all generations.

Father, we pray that Thou wilt bless all who serve in this, Thy sacred house, whatever the ordinance may be. Watch over them, guide them, increase their faith, strengthen their testimonies and bless them to work with unselfishness in behalf of those who have gone beyond the veil of death.

We pray for the temple presidency, for all of the ordinance workers, for the matron and her assistants, and the women who serve here, and every one who has to do with the operation of this, the House of the Lord.

Now, dear Father, we express our overwhelming appreciation and love for Thee, our God, and Thy Son, our Lord and Redeemer. Help us to live worthy of the blessings Thou hast showered so richly upon us. Bless the great work of redemption that goes on in this and all other temples. Bless Thy people everywhere that they may walk in faith before Thee. Bless all who serve Thee in righteousness, wherever they may be, that Thy will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.

And, now, on this sacred day of dedication, may we resolve to dedicate ourselves more fully to the accomplishment of Thy holy work and the consummation of Thy divine purposes, we humbly ask, in the name of our Redeemer, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Rededicated 1 May 2011
by Thomas S. Monson

O God, our Eternal Father, Thou great Elohim, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we come before Thee this sacred and blessed day with bowed heads, full hearts and subdued spirits.

This beautiful temple has been a haven of peace. It has served well. Showing the effects of such service, it became necessary to improve and renovate it. We are grateful for this long-awaited day of rededication, when the renovations have been completed.

Our Father, the atonement wrought by Thy Son gives purpose to our being and turns our thoughts heavenward. The Plan of Salvation, taught in the temple with simplicity yet with power, serves as a never-failing beacon of divine light to guide our footsteps and keep them constantly on the pathway of eternal life.

As we do the work in this temple for those who have gone beyond the veil, we are reminded of the inspired counsel of President Joseph F. Smith who declared: "Through our efforts in their behalf, their chains of bondage will fall from them, and the darkness surrounding them will clear away, that light may shine upon them; and they shall hear in the spirit world of the work that has been done for them by their children here, and will rejoice."

We seek to be like Thee, O Father; we seek to pattern our lives after the life of Thy Beloved Son; we desire righteousness for ourselves and for our children and for our children''s children.

Our Father, we plead with Thee to make us worthy of those blessings found only in Thy holy temples—those blessings which come to us as the family unit continues forever.

Bless the missionaries of Thy Church that they may proclaim Thy truths with persuasion and power. Protect them, watch over them, and lead them to those whom Thou hast prepared to hear, to believe, and to embrace the Gospel of Thy Beloved Son.

Father in Heaven bless, we pray Thee, the President of the Church and his counselors who comprise the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Quorums of the Seventy and the Presiding Bishopric with Thy guiding influence and inspiration.

Bless the temple president and his counselors, together with their wives, and all who will assist in the operation of this temple.

We express our gratitude for all those who have participated in the preparations for this day of rededication. We are grateful for those who made possible the open house which preceded this rededication. We ask Thy blessings to attend all those who walked within these sacred walls and felt the spirit of this Holy House. May that spirit continue with them.

Now the doors have closed once again to all but Thy faithful Saints, so that within these walls, again hallowed and sanctified, Thy holy work may go forward.

In the authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, we now rededicate this, the Atlanta Georgia Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We rededicate it as a house of baptism, a house of endowment, a house of sealing, a house of righteousness, for the living and for the dead.

We pray humbly that Thou wilt accept this edifice. Let Thy blessings be upon it. May Thy spirit attend and guide all who officiate herein, that holiness will prevail in every room. May all who enter have clean hands and pure hearts. May they be built up in their faith and depart with a feeling of peace, praising Thy holy name.

We rededicate this beautiful structure from the unseen footings to the majestic figure of Moroni crowning its highest point. We dedicate the baptistry, all of the facilities for administering the sacred ordinances, the endowment rooms, the sealing rooms with their sacred altars, and the beautiful celestial room. We dedicate the ground on which this temple stands. We dedicate all ancillary facilities and the beautiful grounds with their lawns, flowers, trees and shrubs. We pray that Thou wilt protect all from any devastating influence, destruction or defacement.

As we rededicate this sacred edifice, we rededicate our very lives to Thee and to Thy work. May we leave Thy house this day with a renewal of faith and with an added spirit of dedication to Thy work and that of Thy Son.

O Holy Father, bless Thy children everywhere with the peace promised by Thy Son—even the peace which passeth understanding. Shield us, we pray, from selfishness or sin and provide the power that we might rise above all that is sordid or below the dignity of Thy children.

And now we rededicate this temple as an abode for Thee and Thy Son. Let Thy glorious light ever shine upon it. Wilt Thou place Thy ratifying seal of approval upon this service and upon all we have done and shall do in this, Thy Holy House.

May we, Thy children, merit Thy bounteous blessings and Thy watchful care, we pray, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, even the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord, Amen.