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

Dedicated 16 April 2000
by James E. Faust

Our Eternal Father in heaven, wondrous are Thy works. Reverently and with humility we approach Thee on this historic day of dedication.

In the name of Thy Beloved Son, and in the authority of the holy priesthood in us vested, we dedicate and consecrate this the Medford Oregon Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We pray that Thou wilt accept it as Thy holy house and cause that Thy Spirit shall dwell here to touch the hearts of all who serve within these walls.

We dedicate the ground on which this temple stands. May the lawns, the shrubs, the flowers, be beautiful to look upon. We bless the structure in its entirety from the footings to the figure of Moroni that crowns the steeple. We dedicate all of the interior facilities, the beautiful Baptistry, the endowment rooms, the magnificent celestial room, and the sealing rooms with their sacred altars. We likewise dedicate all other rooms and facilities of this Thy house.

We present it to Thee as our offering, given in love and with deep gratitude for Thy manifold blessings upon us. We pray that it may be secure from any defilement by evil hands. We pray that it may stand strong against the storms, the winds, the snows, the rains, and the sun which beat upon it. We pray that it may ever be a place of beauty that will cause the passerby to acknowledge its sacred nature.

Wilt Thou touch the hearts of Thy people in this temple district that they may ever regard it with gratitude and appreciation, that they may qualify themselves to come here as Thy servants and carry forward the great work for which it is designed.

Please bless this Thy house to the sanctifying of Thy Saints. We pray ''That thy glory may rest down upon thy people, and upon this thy house,...that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may continually be in this house;

"And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord''s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness" (D&C 109:12-13).

Father, may those who labor here be endowed with strength and vitality to carry forward Thy work. So bless the temple presidency and the matron and her assistants. Likewise we pray for all who shall serve in administering the ordinances and in exercising the fullness of the priesthood. We pray for all who come as patrons, that they may be endowed with Thy Holy Spirit, that their hearts may be pure and their hands clean as they enter into covenants with Thee.

We pray for Thy work in all the earth. May it grow and expand according to Thy divine pattern. Bless all who go from this area as messengers of eternal truth, that they may be here endowed and thence go forth to speak with authority in the name of the Lord as they declare Thine eternal truths.

Bless the youth of the Church, dear Father. Lead them in paths of righteousness and truth. Protect them from the alluring and seductive calls of the adversary. May they grow in faith, with testimony in their hearts concerning Thee and Thy Son. May they come to this Thy house to solemnize the most sacred event of their lives, their marriage to partners of equal worthiness, and may the covenants which they will make in this house be kept inviolate throughout their lives.

Now, dear Father, let Thy blessing rest upon Thy servants whom Thou hast appointed to preside in Thy Church. Grant them strength and vitality, energy and purpose to accomplish Thy will in the earth.

On this day of dedication wilt Thou bring into our hearts a spirit of resolution to rededicate ourselves more completely to the work of Thy kingdom we humbly pray as we express our love for Thee and Thy Son in His Holy Name, even that of our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.