Dedicatory Prayer
7 September 2002
Dedicated 29–30 June 1985
by Gordon B. Hinckley
Almighty God, Thou great Elohim, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we bow before Thee in prayer and thanksgiving. On this day of dedication our hearts turn to Thee. We thank Thee for this holy temple in this land and nation. We thank Thee for all who have made possible its building—the officers of the government who have given encouragement and made available land and materials, the architects and the builders, and all who have made possible this glorious day of dedication. We are grateful unto Thee that it is now complete and that we may present it to Thee, our beloved Father, and to Thine Only Begotten Son, the Savior of the world. Wilt Thou accept it as the offering of Thy grateful sons and daughters.
Thou knowest we have long prayed that we might have a temple in our midst. Thou knowest that we love Thee, and that we love the ordinances and blessings of Thy house. We thank Thee that we are able to worship Thee in spirit and in truth. We thank Thee that we may now come to this sanctuary and feel of the hallowed influence here to be found.
We are grateful that prior to this dedication tens of thousands of the people of this land visited this sacred edifice. They partook of its beauty and its influence. We humbly pray that their coming may have brought them to greater appreciation for the good and the beautiful elements of Thine everlasting truth. We are met here today as people of various nations bound by a common love for Thee our Father and Thy Son, the Redeemer of all mankind. We thank Thee for the peace which makes this possible and for the hospitality of this nation in permitting us to join together in this house of sacred worship. Our hearts are touched by the bond of fellowship we feel one with another. Strengthen that bond, and may we reach out in a spirit of love and appreciation and respect for one another. This gospel, which so deeply touches our lives, is the gospel of peace. May we grow in knowledge and understanding of Thine everlasting plan for Thy children, Thy sons and daughters of all nations.
We thank Thee for the consecrations of Thy people which have supplied the means for the building of this sacred house. Bless them each one. Smile with favor upon them and may they feel of Thy divine love. We pray that all who have contributed to this sacred undertaking shall be blessed of Thee with the good things of the earth and the divine things of heaven, and that all shall live with gratitude unto Thee and thanksgiving for Thy great beneficence.
Father, we thank Thee for the measure of peace to be found in the world, and pray that it may continue and grow that men and women everywhere may use their time, their talents, and their means for good. May understanding and respect increase between the nations of the earth.
Comfort and sustain the widow and her children. Soften the loneliness of the bereaved husband who has lost his companion. May each know that through Thy divine providence the sacred bonds of marriage may be made eternal and everlasting. Thou hast restored the priesthood which will be exercised in this house, binding in the heavens as it binds upon the earth, sealing together husbands and wives, parents and children, in generations of families united eternally.
Now, beloved Father, in the authority of the Holy Priesthood in us vested and in the name of Jesus Christ, we dedicate unto Thee and unto Thy Son this the Freiberg DDR Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We dedicate it as Thy holy habitation. Wilt Thou accept of it, dear Father, and wilt Thou sanctify it that all who come here may feel the presence of Thy Holy Spirit. We consecrate it for the great and holy work which will be performed herein. May it be as a bright and shining star to Thy faithful sons and daughters. May the truths herein taught and the ordinances herein performed be accepted with thankful hearts by those who love Thee as our Father and our God.
Bless this house, we pray Thee. May Thy watchcare be over it. May it be preserved from the storms of nature and from any defiling hand or act of man. May it be a place of holiness, a house of peace, a sanctuary of righteousness. May those who enter its doors come with clean hands and pure thoughts. May they leave with joy and peace in their hearts, and sing songs of thanksgiving and worship unto Thee.
Bless the fathers and the mothers among Thy saints that they may be examples to their children, and nurture them with love and truth. Bless the children that they shall honor and respect and love their parents. May Thy peace abide in the homes of Thy people. Smile with favor upon them and grant unto them Thy rich and cherished blessings. May none go hungry or naked or without shelter from storms that blow about them. May knowledge of Thee and Thy ways grow in their hearts and minds. May their love for Thee strengthen. May they reach out with love to their fellowmen, walking in righteousness and faith as becomes the saints of God.
To Thee we lift our voices in anthems of praise. To Thee we pledge our love. To Thee we pray with faith and gratitude. May this day long be remembered in the annals of Thy Church. May it be recalled with gratitude and appreciation. May it mark the beginning of a new day of gladness for Thy people. May their tears turn to smiles. May their burdens be lightened. May their cares be lifted. May the assurance that Thou art near strengthen every heart.
Eternal Father, accept of our thanks. Hear our prayer. Smile with favor upon us. Forgive our sins and shortcomings. Shelter and protect us from evil. Accept of our offering of this house. Bless it from the footings to the top of the tower, its walls, its roof, its halls and rooms and altars, and all the furnishings and fixtures thereof.
As we dedicate this house we dedicate ourselves anew to Thee and to Thine eternal purposes. O God, Thou great everlasting Father, for these things we pray as Thy thankful children and bear testimony of Thee and Thy Beloved Son, in His Holy Name, even the name of the Redeemer of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
Dedicatory Prayer
29–30 June 1985
Dedicatory Prayer
4 September 2016
Rededicated 7 September 2002
by Gordon B. Hinckley
O God our Eternal Father, Thou great Judge of the nations, we come unto Thee in the name of Thy Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer. Our hearts are filled with gratitude as we assemble in this Thy holy house. We are met to rededicate this temple.
Seventeen years ago we dedicated the original structure. It was built under remarkable circumstances and has well served Thy faithful sons and daughters. Since then, marvelous and wonderful happenings have occurred in this land. The nation of Germany, once divided, has become one. The infamous wall is gone, and the people of the land mingle freely together.
We thank Thee for the manifestation of Thy power when this temple was first built, that Thou didst touch the hearts of men in a miraculous manner to make it possible to construct it and dedicate it to the blessing of the very many who have used it.
We acknowledge Thy mighty hand in all of this and thank Thee with feelings beyond our power to express. Surely Thou hast reached down in mercy with blessings upon this nation and its people, and particularly upon Thy Saints.
Now this temple has been totally renovated and enlarged to better accommodate the needs and desires of Thy sons and daughters. It is beautiful as becomes a House of the Lord.
O Father, bless this land and its people. May the nation go forward in peace and its people be prospered. Touch their hearts with a yearning to learn of Thine eternal truths. By the power of Thy Holy Spirit lead Thy servants to those who will accept their message. May Thy work here be blessed and may the numbers of Thy people expand and grow that Thy work may become a mighty force for good in this favored part of Thy vineyard.
O Father, we pray for Thy work here that it may experience an upsurge, a great enlargement, an increase in strength and numbers. Open the windows of heaven and shower down light and knowledge and understanding, as well as prosperity upon Thy faithful. Touch the hearts of an ever increasing number of the good people of this land. Intensify their interest in things of the Spirit. Touch their hearts that they may rise above the mundane affairs of their daily lives to a new reaching up toward Thee and Thine eternal principles.
We remember before Thee the youth of Thy Church. They are surrounded with influences designed to warp their ideals and destroy their resolution. Build within them strength to resist the siren call of the world and help them to stand for truth and right. Give them the will to walk in virtue and faith, to be prayerful and to look to Thee as their constant anchor.
We now repeat essentially that which was spoken when this temple was first dedicated.
In the authority of the Holy Priesthood in us vested and in the name of Jesus Christ, we rededicate unto Thee and unto Thy Son this the Freiberg Germany Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We dedicate it as Thy holy habitation. Wilt Thou accept of it, dear Father, and wilt Thou sanctify it that all who come here may feel the presence of Thy Holy Spirit. We consecrate it for the great and holy work which will be performed herein. May it be as a bright and shining star to Thy faithful sons and daughters. May the truths herein taught and the ordinances herein performed be accepted with thankful hearts by those who love Thee as our Father and our God.
Bless this house, we pray Thee. May Thy watch care be over it. May it be preserved from the storms of nature and from any defiling hand or act of man. May it be a place of holiness, a house of peace, a sanctuary of righteousness. May those who enter its doors come with clean hands and pure thoughts. May they leave with joy and peace in their hearts, and sing songs of thanksgiving and worship unto Thee.
Bless the fathers and the mothers among Thy Saints that they may be examples to their children, and nurture them with love and truth. Bless the children that they shall honor and respect and love their parents. May Thy peace abide in the homes of Thy people. Smile with favor upon them and grant unto them Thy rich and cherished blessings. May none go hungry or naked or without shelter when storms blow about them. May knowledge of Thee and Thy ways grow in their hearts and minds. May their love for Thee strengthen. May they reach out with love to their fellow men, walking in righteousness and faith as becomes the Saints of God.
To Thee we lift our voices in anthems of praise. To Thee we pledge our love. To Thee we pray with faith and gratitude.
Eternal Father, accept of our thanks. Hear our prayer. Smile with favor upon us. Forgive our sins and shortcomings. Shelter and protect us from evil. Accept of our offering of this house. Bless it from the footings to the top of the tower with its shining figure of Moroni. Bless its foundation, its walls, its roof, its halls and rooms and sacred altars, and all the furnishings and fixtures thereof.
As we dedicate this house we dedicate ourselves anew to Thee and to Thine eternal purposes. O God, Thou great everlasting Father, for these things we pray as Thy thankful children and bear testimony of Thee and Thy Beloved Son in His holy name, even the name of the Redeemer of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
Dedicatory Prayer
7 September 2002
Rededicated 4 September 2016
by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
O God our Eternal Father, we come unto Thee in the name of Thy Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer. Our hearts are filled with gratitude as we assemble in this Thy holy house to rededicate the Freiberg Germany Temple.
"It was built under remarkable circumstances and has well served Thy faithful sons and daughters. Since [its first dedication], marvelous and wonderful happenings have occurred.…The nation of Germany, once divided, has become one.…
"We acknowledge Thy mighty hand in all things and thank Thee with feelings beyond our power to express."
Heavenly Father, 14 years ago these words were used by President Gordon B. Hinckley as he rededicated this temple with President Thomas S. Monson by his side. We recognize how much President Monson loves this temple and these people.
This temple has again been enlarged and beautified to even better accomplish Thy purposes. As this temple has grown in physical size and beauty, so have the faith, dedication, and love of Thy people for Thee and Thy Son. We give thanks to the many who helped in this process of renewal and enlargement.
O Father, bless Thy people that this day of celebration and worship will be a new beginning in their lives. The divine blessings of the restored gospel are greatly needed in the nations of the world. Open the windows of heaven and shower upon the Saints, and all people of goodwill, an increased desire to do good at all times and in all circumstances. Renew their willingness to love Thee and their fellowmen and to always keep Thy commandments.
Bless the parents of this temple district that they may be examples of love and truth to their children. Bless the children that they will honor, respect, and love their parents.
Grant a special blessing upon the youth. Increase their understanding of the truth. Make them strong to live according to values of Thy restored gospel. Bless them with a joy for learning and a desire to seek "out of the best books words of wisdom…even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118). Bless them with joyful discipline and commitment to increase "in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). Purify their hearts as they earnestly pray to Thee. Let them feel Thy love and the richness of the gospel.
We ask Thee to bless and guide those who govern the nations of our people. Bless those in political positions to use their power for the benefit of their people, that peace, freedom, and prosperity will grow.
We thank Thee for the great and universal sacrifice of Thy Son, our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Only through His and Thy supernal gift are we able to receive the blessings this temple has in store for Thy children.
We love Thee, Heavenly Father. We love Thy Son, Jesus Christ.
It is in the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the holy priesthood that we rededicate unto Thee the Freiberg Germany Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We dedicate it as Thy holy habitation. Wilt Thou accept it and sanctify it, that all who come here may feel the presence of Thy Holy Spirit. We consecrate it for the great and holy work that will be performed herein. May this temple be a bright and shining star to Thy faithful sons and daughters.
Our Eternal Father, please accept our heartfelt thanks. Forgive our sins and shortcomings. Accept our offering of this house.
We dedicate this temple from the footings to the top of the tower with its shining figure of Moroni. We dedicate the temple grounds and all the ancillary buildings for Thy holy purposes.
Bless this house, we pray. May Thy watchcare be over it. May it be preserved from the storms of nature and from any defiling hand or act of man. May it be a place of holiness, a house of peace, a sanctuary of righteousness. May those who enter its doors come with clean hands and pure thoughts. May they leave with joy and peace in their hearts and sing songs of thanksgiving and worship unto Thee.
As we dedicate this temple we dedicate ourselves anew to Thee and to Thine eternal purposes. O God, for these things we pray as Thy thankful children and bear testimony of Thee and Thy Beloved Son, in the name of the Redeemer of the world, in the name of our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.