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

Dedicated 28 August 2005
by Gordon B. Hinckley

Our Father in heaven, Thou Great Elohim, we come unto Thee with thanksgiving and in faith on this day of dedication. We have built unto Thee this sacred temple recognized as the house of the Lord. Hear, O God, our petition and our prayer.

We are grateful for Thy divine revelation to the Prophet Joseph, manifesting Thyself and Thy Son in a glorious vision to open this, the last and final dispensation.

Thou hast restored Thy holy priesthood which will be exercised in this, Thy house. Thou hast sent the prophet Elijah to restore the keys of salvation and exaltation for both the living and the dead.

This is the newest of temples erected throughout the world in which Thy faithful Saints may be baptized for those beyond the veil, and where other sacred and marvelous blessings, including the sealing of husbands and wives and children and parents, may be offered to the myriads who have previously walked the earth.

We thank Thee that Thy Church has come out of obscurity and darkness and now shines forth before the world, "fair as the moon, and clear as the sun," as the Prophet prayed in dedicating the temple in Kirtland. May it continue to roll forth in majesty and power to fill the whole earth.

And now, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, and in the authority of the priesthood Thou hast bestowed upon us, we dedicate unto Thee and to Him this, the Newport Beach California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wilt Thou accept it, dear Father, and let Thy divine presence be felt here. May Thy Holy Spirit abide in these premises at all times. Sanctify and hallow it as the house of the Lord.

We dedicate the ground on which it stands with all that grows thereon. This sacred spot of earth has become holy unto us. We dedicate the entire structure from the footings to the steeple crowned with the figure of Moroni. We dedicate the baptistry and all of the rooms provided for instruction and the administration of sacred and eternal ordinances. We likewise dedicate all other equipment, facilities, and furnishings.

This temple has been built with the tithes of Thy people throughout the world, and through the generous offerings of many who in faith have contributed to its construction. Open the windows of heaven and shower down Thy blessings upon them, as Thou hast promised through the prophet Malachi.

O God, our Eternal Father, we pray that Thou wilt watch over and bless this, Thy house. Preserve it against the storms of nature, and from any destructive hand of man. May all who enter within these walls be worthy in every way. Save it from pollution of any kind.

Bless all who serve in Thy holy house. May a spirit of love be manifest in all of their activities. Bless the temple president and his counselors, the matron and her assistants, and those who will succeed them, that they may have strength and energy to carry forward the sacred work which will be done herein. May the youth of this temple district come with rejoicing for the great opportunity to serve in behalf of the dead. May such service build within them a testimony of the truth of this Thy great latter-day work, and fortify them against the wiles of the adversary and the beckoning ways of the world. May they grow in faith and testimony and love for the Thee and Thy Son.

We pray that in this temple district the hearts of the children may be turned to their fathers to search out the records of the past and then to act in behalf of those who have passed beyond and now await the redeeming work that will be carried forward in this, Thy house. May faith increase in the hearts of all of Thy people in this part of Thy vineyard.

We pray for all who serve in positions of responsibility, in stake presidencies, bishoprics, quorum presidencies, presidencies of the auxiliary organizations, as mission presidents and missionaries, and in any other capacity to which they have been called.

May the presence of this beautiful structure lead to interest and desire on the part of those who are not members of Thy Church, that they may be led to inquire and learn the truths of the everlasting gospel.

We pray for Thy Saints throughout the world. Watch over Thy people and safeguard and bless them, and hear their prayers wherever they may be.

We remember before Thee the general officers of Thy Church, those who have responsibility for Thy work throughout Thy kingdom. Grant unto them life and strength and capacity to accomplish that which they desire to do.

Now, as we conclude our prayer of dedication, we bear witness of Thee and of Thy Beloved Son. We acknowledge our dependence upon Thee and pray that Thou wilt direct us in all that we do, that we may strengthen Thy work and build Thy kingdom all to Thy glory and to the glory of Thy Beloved Son, through whose atoning sacrifice we may be redeemed. For this we humbly pray, in His holy name, even the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.