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

Dedicated 24 August 2008
by Thomas S. Monson

O God, our Eternal Father, Thou great Elohim, Creator of the heavens, the earth and all things thereon, we come before Thee this sacred and blessed day with bowed heads, full hearts and subdued spirits.

We pray to Thee, our Father, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, Thine Only Begotten, even our Redeemer and our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

We are grateful for this long-awaited day of dedication, when this, Thy Holy House, has been completed. Bless, we pray Thee, those faithful members here and throughout the world who have contributed their tithes which have made possible this magnificent edifice for Thy name''s honor and glory and for the blessing of all who enter herein. Let peace prevail as we lift our voices in songs of praise and words of prayer unto Thee, our God.

We are thankful that Thou sent Thine Only Begotten Son to this earth to be its Savior, and the Prophet Joseph Smith to bring about the restoration, and that Thou did 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.

The atonement wrought by Thy Son gives purpose to our being and turns our thoughts heavenward. We thank Thee for the sacred sealing power, so that in this temple and all Thy other holy houses, Thy faithful Saints may be endowed with power from on high and may enter into those everlasting covenants which open the door to the receipt of all of the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the holy prophets.

The Plan of Salvation, taught in the temple with simplicity, yet with power, will be 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, 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." (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, Chapter 24.)

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 Thy messengers of glory — even 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.

Bless Thy children throughout the world who know hunger, who have no shelter and who face daily suffering. May we reach out in a spirit of love and true charity to those who yearn for our help.

In a time of departure from safe moorings, may youth of the noble birthright carry on in the traditions of their parents and grandparents. They are subjected to the sophistries of Satan. Help such youth to stand firm for truth. Open wide to their view the gates of learning, of understanding, of service in Thy kingdom. Bless them with a lengthened view of their eternal possibilities.

Today when the family unit is under attack and things long held sacred are often ridiculed by the world, we seek Thy help to make us equal to our tasks, that our homes may be havens of peace and happiness. In our families, may we pause to pray and think to thank.

We express our gratitude for all those who have participated in the preparations for this day of dedication. We are grateful for those who made possible the open house which preceded this dedication. 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.

In the authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, we now dedicate unto Thee and unto Thy Son this, the Twin Falls Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We dedicate it as a house of baptism, a house of endowment, a house of sealing, a house of righteousness, for the living and for he 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 dedicate 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.

May this House provide a spirit of peace to all who observe its majesty, and especially to those who enter for their own sacred ordinances and to perform the work for their loved ones beyond the veil. Let them feel of Thy divine love and mercy.

We pray that Thou wilt look upon this temple which we have fashioned and will say of us, as of Solomon of old: "I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually." (1 Kings 9:3.)

As we dedicate this sacred edifice, we rededicate our very lives to Thee and to Thy work.

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 dedicate 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 dedicatory service and upon all we have done and shall do in this, Thy Holy House, which we now present to Thee.

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.