Dedicatory Prayer
15–16 April 1975
Dedicated 23–26 October 1927
by Heber J. Grant
O God, the Eternal Father, we, Thy servants and handmaidens, come to Thee with hearts overflowing with gratitude and in the name of Jesus Christ, Thy Well-Beloved Son, we thank Thee that we are privileged this day to dedicate unto Thy Most Holy Name, a temple of the living God.
We thank Thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that Thou and Thy Son, Jesus Christ, did visit Joseph Smith, Jr., in his youth and that he was instructed by Thee and by Thy Beloved Son.
We thank Thee that Thou didst send Thy servant, John the Baptist, and that he did lay his hands upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and ordain them to the Aaronic, or lesser priesthood.
We thank Thee for sending Thy servants Peter, James and John, Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, who ministered with the Savior in the flesh and after His crucifixion, and that they did ordain Thy servants Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, and bestow upon them the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, by which, authority and apostleship we do dedicate unto Thee, this day, this holy edifice.
We thank Thee for sending Thy servant Moroni to deliver the plates from which the
Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God. We rejoice before Thee in the influence for good that the Book of Mormon has had in the world, and that it is indeed a new witness for Christ, confirming His teachings as recorded in the Holy Bible. We thank Thee that thousands and hundreds of thousands of Thy children have proved the truth of the testimony of Thy servant Moroni, which he left on record in the book itself: "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true, and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Grant, we pray Thee, that the
Book of Mormon may have an ever-widening influence in the world and that many more of Thy children may receive the conviction of its truth in their hearts. We rejoice that after the lapse of an hundred years, in spite of all the attacks that have been made against its divine authenticity, it still stands unimpeached as the Word of God, and that the evidences brought forth from archaeological and other sources only tend to confirm its truth.
We thank Thee for the integrity and the devotion of Thy servants, the Prophet and Patriarch, Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith. We thank Thee that they labored in Thy cause all the days of their lives, from the time of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ until the day of their martyrdom, and that they were faithful even to the sealing of their testimony with their blood.
We thank Thee for Thy servants, who have stood at the head of Thy Church since the martyrdom of Thy servant Joseph Smith, who have led and directed Thy people by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and who have sent forth representatives to proclaim an everlasting gospel in nearly every land and clime.
We thank Thee for each and all of the faithful men who have ministered as general authorities of the Church in this last dispensation.
O God, our Eternal Father, we pray Thee to bless the Presidency of Thy Church—Thy servants Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins and Charles W. Nibley. May they be guided by the unerring counsels of Thy Holy Spirit, day by day. May they be even as a three-fold cord that cannot be broken. May they see eye to eye in all matters for the upbuilding of the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth.
Bless, O Father, in like manner, each and all of the Apostles, the Presiding Patriarch, the First Council of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric.
Bless, we beseech Thee, those who preside in all the stakes of Zion, and in all the wards and branches of the Church, and over the various quorums of the priesthood, whether of the Melchizedek or of the Aaronic Priesthood.
Bless those who preside over the missions of the Church throughout the world, together with all Thy servants and handmaidens who have gone forth to proclaim to the peoples of the world the Restoration to the earth of the plan of life and salvation. Be graciously pleased to give the success in their ministry, and grant that every barrier now standing in the way of the proclamation of the gospel may be removed, and liberty of conscience accorded to all peoples.
Bless, O Father in Heaven, all Thy servants and handmaidens who hold responsible positions in the various auxiliary organizations of Thy Church, whether as general, stake, or ward officers: in the Relief Societies, in the Sunday Schools, in the Mutual Improvement Associations, in the Primary Associations, Genealogical Associations and in the religion class organizations. Bless each and everyone who is laboring for the benefit of the members, as well as the members themselves, in these associations. Bless likewise those who preside and who labor in the Church schools and seminaries.
Bless those, O Father, who have been called to preside and labor in this temple and also in other temples that have been erected to Thy holy name. We thank Thee for all the temples that have been erected in this last dispensation, and we pray Thee choice blessings to be and abide with all those who minister therein. We pray that the same sweet spirit which is present in all of the temples that have heretofore been erected may abide with all those who shall labor in this holy house.
We pray that Thy blessings may be upon kings and rulers in all nations, that they may minister in justice and righteousness and give liberty and freedom to the peoples over whom they rule.
We thank Thee for this land of liberty in which we dwell which Thou hast said is "a land choice above all other lands." We are grateful that Thou didst inspire the noble men who framed the Constitution of our beloved country, and we beseech Thee that the principles of that wonderful document may ever be maintained; that contention and bitterness may cease, and that peace and patriotism, love and loyalty, may prevail.
We pray Thee to bless the president of the United States. May he find favor in Thy sight and be governed in all his administration by the principles of righteousness. May Thy blessings also be upon the vice president, the members of the cabinet, the senators and congressmen, and upon all the officers in every state and territory of the nation.
We beseech Thee, O God in heaven, that the people of the United States of America may ever seek to Thee for guidance and direction, that Thy declaration and promise that this is a land choice above all other lands, and shall be protected against all foes, provided the people serve Thee, may be realized and fulfilled, and that the people may grow in power and strength and dominion, and, above all, in a love of Thy truth.
We now pray for the state of Arizona, in which this temple has been erected. We thank Thee for the splendid men and women who were pioneers of this land. We thank Thee for their courage and indomitable purpose, and their lofty ideals which sustained them mid hardships and privations. We are grateful that Thou didst bless the land in answer to their toil, and that the desert has been made to blossom as the rose. We thank Thee for the kind and generous treatment that has ever been accorded Thy people who have settled in this state, by the officers thereof. We pray Thee to bless the governor of the state and all who are charged with the administration of the affairs thereof. And may the people who dwell here be blessed and prospered of Thee in righteousness.
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thou wilt stay the hand of the destroyer among the descendants of Lehi who reside in this land and give unto them increasing virility and more abundant health, that they may not perish as a people but that from this time forth they may increase in numbers and in strength and in influence, that all the great and glorious promises made concerning the descendants of Lehi may be fulfilled in them; that they may grow in vigor of body and of mind, and above all in love for Thee and Thy Son, and increase in diligence and in faithfulness in keeping the commandments which have come to them through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that many of them may have the privilege of entering this holy house and receiving ordinances for themselves and their departed ancestors.
We thank Thee, O God, our Eternal Father, that the land of Palestine, the land where our Savior and Redeemer ministered in the flesh, where He gave to the world the plan of life and salvation, is now redeemed from the thralldom of the unbeliever, and is under the fostering care of the great, enlightened, and liberty-loving empire of Great Britain. We acknowledge Thy hand, O God, in the wonderful events which led to the partial redemption of that land, and we now renew the supplication made unto Thee in behalf of Thy covenant people at the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple: "O God of Israel, turn Thy face, we pray Thee, in loving kindness toward Thy stricken people of the House of Judah. Deliver them from those that oppress them. Heal up their wounds, comfort their hearts, strengthen their feet, and give them ministers after Thine own heart who shall lead them, as of old, in Thy way. May the days of their tribulation soon cease, and they be planted by Thee in the valleys and plains of their ancient home; and may Jerusalem rejoice and Judea be glad for the multitude of her sons and daughters, for the sweet voices of children in her streets, and the rich outpouring of Thy saving mercies upon them. May Israel no more bow the head, or bend the neck to the oppressor, but may his feet be made strong on the everlasting hills, never more, by violence, to be banished therefrom, and the praise and the glory shall be Thine."
We remember before Thee Thy people in all parts of the world. May their hearts be turned unto Thee and to the keeping of Thy commandments, that Thy Name may be glorified in the whole earth.
We pray for Thy Saints in distant lands. May they enjoy the companionship of Thy Spirit, and be blessed with increasing faith and power for good. Continue to remember, we pray Thee, Thy Saints in the valleys of the mountains, whereunto they were led by Thy servant Brigham Young and his associates, under divine guidance, and where the greatest of all temples in this dispensation has been erected and where Thou has blessed and prospered Thy people even beyond all that could have been expected.
We especially pray Thee, O Father in Heaven, to bless the youth of Thy people in Zion and in all the world. Shield them from the adversary and from wicked and designing men. Keep the youth of Thy people in the straight and narrow path that leads to Thee; preserve them from the pitfalls and snares that are laid for their feet. O Father, may our children grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ. Protect them from infidelity and unbelief, and give unto them a testimony of the divinity of this work as Thou hast given it unto us. Preserve them in purity and truth, and lead them in the way of salvation.
We thank Thee, O God, that Thy Son, our Redeemer, after having been crucified, laying down His life for the sins of the world, did open the prison doors and proclaim the gospel of repentance unto those who had been disobedient in the days of Noah, and that He subsequently came to the land of America, where He established His Church and chose disciples to guide the same.
We thank Thee for restoring again to the earth the ordinances of the gospel of Thy Son Jesus Christ, whereby men and women can be, in very deed, saviors upon Mount Zion, and where they can enter into Thy holy temples and perform the ordinances necessary for the salvation of those who died without a knowledge of the gospel.
We thank Thee, O Father, above all things, for the gospel of Thy Son Jesus Christ, and for the priesthood of the living God, and that we have been made partakers of the same, and have an abiding knowledge of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged.
We thank Thee for the words of Thy Son Jesus Christ to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon: "This is the gospel, the glad tidings which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us, that He came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness, that through Him all might be saved whom the Father had put into His power and made by Him, who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of His hands."
We thank Thee, O Father, that thou didst send Thy Son Jesus Christ, to visit Thy servants Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple. We thank Thee for the words of our Redeemer spoken in that temple:
"I am the first and the last, I am He who liveth, I am He who was slain. I am your advocate with the Father. Behold, your sins are forgiven you, you are clean before me, therefore lift up your heads and rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have with their might built this house to my Name, for behold, I have accepted this house, and my Name shall be here, and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house."
We thank Thee, O God, that by the testimony of Thy Holy Spirit Thou hast manifested Thine acceptance of all the temples that have been erected from the days of Kirtland until this present time.
We also thank Thee for sending Thy servants, Moses and Elias, and Elijah, to the Kirtland Temple, to confer upon Thy servants, Joseph and Oliver, the keys of every dispensation of the gospel of Jesus Christ from the days of Father Adam down to the present dispensation, which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.
We thank Thee, that through the visitation of Elijah the prophecy of Thy servant Malachi—that the hearts of the fathers should be turned to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest the earth be smitten with a curse?has been fulfilled in our day, and that our hearts in very deed go out to our fathers; and we rejoice beyond our ability to express that we can, through the ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ, become saviors of our own ancestors.
We thank Thee, O God, our Eternal Father, with all our hearts for the testimony of Thy servants Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon: "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony last of all, which we give of Him, that He lives; for we saw Him, even on the right hand of God, and we heard the voice bearing record that He is the Only Begotten of the Father—that by Him and through Him, and of Him the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God."
We thank Thee, O Father, for the knowledge which we possess, that Thou does live, and that Thy Son Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, and our Savior, and that Thy servant, Joseph Smith, Jr., was and is a prophet of the true and living God. And, O Father, may we ever be true and faithful to the gospel of Thy Son Jesus Christ, revealed through Thy servant Joseph.
We now thank Thee, O God, our Eternal Father, for this beautiful temple and the ground upon which it stands, and we dedicate the ground, and the building, with all the furnishings and fittings thereof, and everything pertaining thereunto, from the foundation of the roof, to Thee, our Father and our God. And we humbly pray Thee, Father, to accept of it and sanctify it, and to consecrate it through Thy Spirit to the holy purposes for which it has been erected.
We beseech Thee to enable us to guard this house that no unclean thing shall enter here. May Thy Spirit ever dwell in this holy house and rest upon all who shall labor as officers and workers herein, as well as upon all who shall come here to perform ordinances for the living or for the dead.
May Thy peace ever abide in this holy building, that all who come here may partake of the spirit of peace, and of the sweet and heavenly influence that Thy Saints have experienced in other temples, may all who come upon the grounds which surround this temple, whether members of the Church of Christ or not, feel the sweet and peaceful influence of this blessed and hallowed spot. And may this building be sacred unto Thee and protected from the elements of destruction.
O God, our Heavenly and Eternal Father, sanctify the words which we have spoken, and accept the dedication of this house, and these grounds, which we have dedicated unto Thee by virtue of the priesthood of the living God which we hold, and we most earnestly pray that this sacred building may be a place in which Thy Son may see fit to manifest Himself and to instruct Thy servants, and in which Thou shall delight to dwell.
All this we ask and do in the authority of the holy priesthood and in the name of Thine Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, amen and amen.
Dedicatory Prayer
23–26 October 1927
Dedicatory Prayer
12 December 2021
Rededicated 15–16 April 1975
by Spencer W. Kimball
Our Father in Heaven, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we come to Thee this day to dedicate and rededicate unto Thee, our Living God, this great temple.
Our Father, we are grateful that Thy Prophet, President Heber J. Grant, was directed by Thee to purchase and set apart this property and to proceed to build this magnificent temple nearly a half century ago. And it was dedicated to Thee and to Thy holy purposes at that time and thousands of Thy faithful people did assemble from great distances around to render to Thee their praise and adulation. And at that time near virgin soil was developed, planted, landscaped and the beautiful new structure was dedicated unto Thee with praise and love and gratitude.
And Father, through all those years of long lines of faithful people have filled those original rooms, climbed those staircases, sung praises unto Thee to the accompaniment of sweet music, and have been warmed and filled.
Through these years, our Father, tens of thousands of Thy sons and daughters have been sealed for eternity within these sacred walls and from these holy ordinances have come numerous children and children''s children to love Thee and appreciate holy blessings.
In those many decades have gathered numerous families to cement their temporary relationships into permanent and enduring ones; in those years have come numerous people who have received the inspiration to change their lives and make them fruitful and abundant and more like Thee.
Thou didst acknowledge the role of the Lamanites, especially in this temple, and numerous of the sons and daughters of Lehi have found in these sacred precincts peace, knowledge and solace to their souls.
Through this nearly half century millions of people have seen and have been caused to wonder and deliberate on the sacred purposes of such a structure. Through these gates and doors, by these sparkling pools, people have walked and loved and gloried. They have wept with joy. They have watched the shrubs and trees grow from spindling plantings to maturity, covered with green verdure and golden fruit to bring joy and gladness.
And now when the growth of the holy work has so increased and multiplied that the temple building was no longer adequate for the fast growing multitudes who crowded its rooms and walls and hallways, it is now enlarged to provide for their comfort, convenience and glory. Thou hast inspired Thy prophets to enlarge its borders and increase its facilities.
We are grateful, our Father, that in these years have come to this temple numerous of Thy beloved Indian people of many tribes in their newly discovered way of life. Many children of Lehi have traveled long distances from other lands at great expense and sacrifice, especially in the borders of old México, and numerous families have been welded together for eternity.
And now, our Father, since workmen have finished their labors and the sounds of the hammer and the saw and the paintbrush have been stilled, we assemble again this day from far and near. Many of us were present at the dedication of this original building 48 years ago, and we do now present to Thee for Thine acceptance this beautiful, enlarged and beautified structure for Thy sacred abode.
We praise Thy holy name, our Beloved Father. We are grateful that Thou didst cause this land to be discovered by an inspired man and settled by people who largely searched for God instead of gold and who, with their posterity, founded a great nation with an inspired Constitution guaranteeing a quality of freedom in which there could come the glorious Restoration of the gospel and the Church of Thy Beloved Son with all its attendant blessings. And now we present to Thee this beautiful temple, provided by the sacrifice of Thy people, made larger with more spacious rooms and wider halls and more elegant furnishings.
We are thankful that Thou didst send Thine Only Begotten Son, our Redeemer and Savior, and Thou didst send the Prophet Joseph Smith, called and named long before his birth in mortality to bring about the Restoration of all truth and that Thou and Thy Beloved Son didst deign to appear to the Prophet in person to open the heavens and to restore to the world the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son and Thy holy purposes, through revelations to prophets.
We are grateful that the Prophet Joseph Smith, until his martyrdom, and his successors have been recipients of Thy revelations through which the priesthood, the apostleship, the temple work, and all Thy true and complete gospel principles have been restored, and holy men have delivered the keys of the kingdom and all vital work for the living and the dead to bring eternal life to Thy children.
We are grateful for the preservation of the sacred records from which the
Book of Mormon came to the Lamanites and to us with all its glorious, untrammeled truths, to show to the house of Israel ". . . that they may know the covenants of the Lord . . . and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God. . ."
Our Father, we bless Thy holy name and magnify Thee day by day as Thou sittest enthroned in glory and with a totalness of power and glory. Increase our faith, as we remember the glorious deliverances of the past, that we may not falter, but may accomplish all Thy holy purposes.
Our Father, bless us that we may live Thy commandments and follow Thy program. Please forgive us our trespasses as we totally repent and forgive and let us earn and enjoy the rich blessings Thou has promised.
Father, we know that the wicked have been punished in the past with famine and pestilence and want and sorrow and war. We pray that we Thy people may live Thy commandments and be able to avert such calamities.
We are greatly concerned, our Father, with the widespread wickedness in this world, the blasphemy, the corruption, the pollution, the immorality, and we are reminded of days long past when the cities were sacked and buildings razed and people taken prisoner, to become slaves of enemy nations.
We remember the devastation of flood which was to cleanse the earth from pollution of men and now we see all the sins and indulgences and permissiveness of the past being replayed before our eyes again, when people worship the gods of this world, walking blindly into the traps which must terminate in destructive calamities. Bless them, Father, that they may return to Thee in total righteousness.
Father, we pray for the political world of today. Bless the nations and their leaders, we pray, that they may rule with a wisdom inspired of Thee to give Thy people freedom to worship Thee in truth and righteousness. Inspire them to open the gates to the army of Thy witnesses.
Our Father, bless the leaders of Thy eternal kingdom. Reveal Thy mind and will to them. Let them be true to Thy cause today, tomorrow, and until the scene is folded up.
Our Father, in blessing Thy people with prosperity, we pray that they may not be surfeited with flocks and herds and acres and barns and wealth which would bring them to worship these false gods as have many people before them.
Be gracious, our Father, and let Thy destroying angel be pacified and let Thy people be forgiven. Let Thy promises be fulfilled, O Lord, with Thy repentant ones when they have suffered and transformed their lives.
Our gracious Father, we are conscious of the command of Thy Son to "Go ye forth into all the world and preach the gospel unto every creature . . ."
Bless our sons that they may live righteously all their years and strive for spiritual excellence to be worthy missionaries to advance Thy cause.
Our gracious Father, there are national gates which seemingly need to be unlocked and doors that need to be opened and hearts of kings, presidents, emperors and ministers which need to be softened, that they may permit the gospel to be taken to their people.
Our Father, bless the countless millions in this world, that they may receive gladly Thy truth and bless the consecrated missionaries that "nothing will prevail against them" in their faithful presentation of Thy gospel, and bless especially, our Father, the sons of Thy people in countries afar that they may devote themselves to this holy cause. Wherein we have been prevented, swing wide the gates and let Thy servants cover the earth with their testimonies as the waters cover the briny deep.
Our Almighty Father, increase our faith as we remember the glorious deliverances of the past. We remember the voice proclaimed in the desert from the unconsumed "burning bush" saying . . . "Draw not nigh hither: put off Thy shoes from off they feet for the place whereon Thou standest is holy ground" (Exodus 3:5).
And help us to keep our unshod feet always in the path of godhood. May we never forget the miraculous deliverance of the children of Israel from Pharaoh''s hungry hands.
O, our Father, as Thou seest the need, touch hearts, and inspire souls, that we may present to the people of this world Thy exalting program as Thy Beloved Son has decreed.
Our Father in Heaven, our hearts go out to the Lamanites, Thy chosen of Israel. Give them listening ears and understanding hearts. Let them believe that they may commune with Thee and rid themselves of all "other gods" and superstitions and fears; let them grow mighty in Thy cause. Bless them that they may know Thy covenants, that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the mercies of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, and be glorified through faith in His name, and that through their repentance they may be exalted.
Our gracious Heavenly Father, bless, we pray Thee, Thy leaders. We are grateful for all the presidents from Joseph Smith Jr., to President Harold B. Lee and thank Thee for the rich contribution that each has made. Bless, we pray Thee, the incumbent President and reveal Thy mind and will to him, and his counselors, that they may receive the oracles for the Church. Give to them wisdom, judgment, peace, protection, inspiration and Thy revelation continually. Likewise, we pray for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, that they may properly, as swift and chosen messengers with others, help take the gospel to every soul of the earth. Thou hast given the holy "keys to open up the authority of my kingdom upon the four corners of the earth, and after that to send my word to every creature" (D & C 124:128). Give holy revelations to Thy chosen leaders.
Bless the Patriarch to the Church, the Assistants to the Twelve, the First Council of Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric, the Regional Representatives of the Twelve, the stake and mission leaders, the wards and branches, the educational institutions, the auxiliaries, and all Thy people in every area who give concerted action to bring growth and development to Thy Church.
Bless, we pray Thee, the presidency of this temple and the matron and all the officiators therein. Endow them with wisdom; help them create a holy atmosphere in this place so that all ordinances may be done with a sweet, spiritual tone that will cause the people to greatly desire to be here. Bless also the watchmen, the guards, the officials and all who attend the mechanical and other needs of this edifice. We are so grateful, our Father, that Thy Son has thrown wide open the doors of the prisons for the multitudes who are detained in the spirit world.
Wilt Thou deign to make this temple Thy house and let holy angels visit it to deliver Thy messages, as the rushing of mighty winds with power and glory.
Holy Father, we are grateful that Thou didst permit the appearance on the earth of John the Baptist, and Peter, James, and John to bring the priesthood and apostleship to Thy servant Joseph Smith and associates, and through them to us.
We have watched with great concern our brethren of Judah. We have seen their persecution and torture and sufferings, and we pray that the hour may speedily come when they will believe the gospel, accept Thy son as their Savior, Redeemer and be redeemed.
Bless the people who come into this building for their sealings, marriages, anointings, and other ordinances. Bless this place that it may be a house of faith, a house of glory, a house of eternal marriage, a house of sealings, and Thy house, the house of God, wherein Thy holy saving work may be done by the living for the countless dead.
Bless those who come here, that their hands may be holy as they lift them high and that no unclean thing shall ever be permitted in this, Thy house, to pollute it.
Our Holy Father, we pray that Thou wilt bless this great nation, organized here on the choicest of all choice lands. Bless the President of this nation, the Congress, the Justice Department, the Cabinet, the lawmakers and the law enforcers in states, counties, and cities, that liberty may continue to be the foundation stone.
Please hear our pleadings; accept our penance; forgive our sins; and help us in our endeavors. Let Thy blessings flow from Thy heaven where Thou sittest enthroned in glory, honor, power, majesty and might, dominion, truth and justice judgment and mercy.
And now, our great and kind Father, accept this house, we pray. We dedicate it unto Thee for Thy holy and righteous proposes and put upon it Thy name. Let us sing hosannas to Thee and the Lamb, and let these, Thine anointed ones, be clothed in salvation, that Thy Saints shall shout for joy.
And now our Father, we ask Thee to accept this house in which Thou mayest dwell forever.
We pray Thee, Father, to accept this building in all it parts, from the foundation to the capstone and all, and sanctify it and consecrate if from the lowest stone to the highest point.
Please bless these walls, that they decay not, and the partitions and floors and roof, the bridges, the elevators, boilers, the dynamos, connecting popes and wires, the lamps, furniture, and equipment of all kinds.
Bless also the veils, the altars, the curtains, rugs, and the baptismal font, and the oxen, the safes, vaults, the record books and documents; bless all the furnishings, the seats, the cushions, the hangings, locks and all appliances and appurtenances, including the friezes, ornamentation, all work in wood and metal, the embroidery and needlework, the pictures and statuary; the silk, wool, cotton; the glass, the china; and all else herein, we humbly present for Thine acceptance,
Thy sanctifying blessing and Thy protection.
Our Father, we present the altars before which Thy servants and handmaidens will receive their blessing and sealing, and we pray that such may be kept holy.
With the buildings, we present the land on which they are build, the walks and fences and ornaments and ponds and trees and plants and flowers and shrubbery. May they blossom beautifully and be pleasant to all and be a haven of peace and rest and holy meditation.
Father, we beg of Thee to protect this building and appurtenances from injury and destruction by fire or flood or the rage of the elements, shafts of lightning and blasts of hurricanes, the upheavals of earthquakes, and all disturbing elements, O Lord, we beg of Thee.
Now gracious Father, permit us Thy loving people, to praise Thy holy name forever in all nations with all kindreds and tongues and people, and let them cry with a loud voice before Thy throne and before the Lamb of God, saying, "Holy, holy, holy. Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb," and let us in unison "praise Thee, saying, Blessing and honor and glory, and power, be unto Thee, our God, and His Son forever, and ever."
And now, by the power of the holy priesthood, we rededicate that part previously dedicated and dedicate all that is new and rearranged. We dedicate this building and all that is connected therewith and all its furnishings contents to Thee, our Holy Father, and ask Thy blessings upon it. In the worthy name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, amen, and amen, and amen.
Dedicatory Prayer
15–16 April 1975
Rededicated 12 December 2021
by Dallin H. Oaks
Our Father in Heaven: We approach Thee in prayer on this great occasion when we will rededicate this Mesa Arizona Temple unto Thee and Thy Beloved Son, for Thy work and Thy glory.
We thank Thee for the plan Thou hast established for the eternal progress of Thy children. We thank Thee for Thy Only Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank Thee for His infinite Atonement through which we have the assurance of immortality and, through His suffering and sacrifice, the opportunity to be forgiven and press forward on the covenant path toward eternal life. We thank Thee for the Holy Ghost, who testifies of Thee and Thy Son and who leads us into truth.
We thank Thee for the Restoration of the gospel, beginning with Thy appearance with Thy Only Begotten Son to the Prophet Joseph Smith whom Thou didst call to bring forth the Book of Mormon as a second witness of Thy Son and the clearest teaching of Thy great plan for Thy children. We thank Thee for restoring the authority and keys of the holy priesthood by which we proclaim Thy word and perform Thy ordinances of salvation.
We thank Thee for the faithful members of Thy Church whose tithing and service have made possible the rededication of this beautiful temple for its sacred work.
We thank Thee for the faith and devotion of the pioneers who initiated Thy work in this region and for their posterity and others whose righteous efforts and growing numbers have established Thy Church as an example for all to see.
We thank Thee for Thy blessings to this nation, where many of Thy temples have been established, and pray that Thou wilt inspire and strengthen all who seek to preserve our constitutional form of government, including the freedom of religion that is so vital to the on-rolling of Thy work. We pray that Thou wilt bless all Thy children in this nation that they will serve Thee and keep Thy commandments and thus qualify for Thy promise that they will prosper in the land. We pray for all who come to this temple to participate in Thy work and to receive strength and inspiration here.
We pray for the youth of Zion — the rising generation — that they may take the truths of Thy gospel into their hearts and manifest them in wise choices. We pray for Thy missionaries, young and old. We pray that Thou wilt give all of Thy servants the wisdom and power to prevail over every obstacle and to go forward to fulfill Thy purposes for all in their care. We pray that Thou wilt open the way for Thy work to be established in every nation and among every people to further the gathering of Israel and fulfill Thy prophecies and promises for Thy children.
We also pray for the millions of Thy children who have been displaced from their homes to become refugees in other nations and places. Please bless them and all who seek to relieve their suffering and give them hope. We also pray for Thy children in every nation who seek to live in peace. Protect them from violence in their own nations and from foreign aggressors.
In this day of selfishness and wickedness, when men’s hearts fail them, we beseech Thee to blunt the powers of evil against Thy work and Thy children, and to bless Thy covenant people with protection and strength to persist in their duties.
We give Thee thanks for Thy Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, from whom we have heard in this meeting. Please prolong his life and renew his strength and continue to reveal to him Thy will for the progress of Thy work through Thy Church and among all Thy children.
We pray that Thou wilt bless the president and matron of this temple and all who exercise the authority of Thy holy priesthood under their direction in the ordinances and covenants of this sacred work.
Now, as we approach the rededication of this holy temple, we repeat some of the inspired dedicatory prayer offered by Thy servant, President Heber J. Grant, Oct. 23, 1927:
"We beseech Thee to enable us to guard this house that no unclean thing shall enter here. May Thy Spirit ever dwell in this holy house and rest upon all who shall labor as officers and workers herein, as well as upon all who shall come here to perform ordinances for the living or for the dead.
"May Thy peace ever abide in this holy building, that all who come here may partake of the spirit of peace, and of the sweet and heavenly influence that Thy Saints have experienced in other temples, may all who come upon the grounds which surround this temple, whether members of the Church of [Jesus] Christ or not, feel the sweet and peaceful influence of this blessed and hallowed spot."
So prayed President Grant.
Today we renew the prayers of Thy servants that Thou wilt protect this Temple and all of its surrounding facilities from every destructive influence of any kind.
Now, Beloved Father in Heaven, by the authority of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood and by appointment of Thy Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, we rededicate unto Thee this Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and consecrate it again for the sacred purposes for which it has been reconstructed.
We dedicate to Thee and to Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, every part of this sacred structure. We dedicate the baptismal font and all that house the initiatory ordinances. We dedicate the ordinance rooms, the sealing rooms, the beautiful celestial room, and all of the other spaces and surrounding landscape of this House of the Lord.
We invoke Thy power to assure that this temple and all of its spaces will be sacred unto Thee so that Thy Holy Spirit will ever be present here and that Thy glory will rest down upon this temple and upon all that has been done and will be done here.
And now, as we dedicate and consecrate this house of the Lord to Thee and to Thy Beloved Son, we ask that Thou wilt place Thy seal of approval upon this holy temple, which we now present unto Thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.