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

Dedicated 9–10 January 1999
by Gordon B. Hinckley

O God our Eternal Father, Thou great Elohim, the Creator and Ruler of the universe, we come unto Thee in the name of Thy Beloved Son Jesus Christ to dedicate this the Anchorage Alaska Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We are grateful for this sacred and hallowed structure. We are grateful for the purposes for which it has been built. We thank Thee for the faithful Saints who will use it. We thank Thee for the light of the everlasting gospel which has come into our lives and given purpose for our being. Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving unto Thee, our Father and our God, as we acknowledge Thy benevolent hand in our behalf.

We, as Thy faithful sons and daughters, and as Saints of the Most High, love Thee. We love Thy Beloved Son, who gave His life for each of us, our Savior and Redeemer.

We love the Prophet Joseph Smith through whom Thy work has been restored in this the dispensation of the fullness of times. We thank Thee for the everlasting truths which have come of that Restoration, for the Book of Mormon as another witness for the divinity of our Lord, for the organization of the true and living Church which carries His name, and for divine authority to act in these temples in service to Thy sons and daughters of all generations.

We thank Thee for the eternal ordinances which will be administered in this Thy Holy House. We thank Thee for the keys governing these ordinances, for the wonderful work of baptism for the dead, for the initiatory ordinances associated with Thy Holy House, for the endowment service with its sacred and binding covenants, for the beautiful and matchless sealing ceremony performed in the authority of the eternal priesthood. We thank Thee for the work carried on in temples throughout the world to bless the living and bring eternal life and the opportunities for exaltation to the dead. O Father, we are so deeply grateful for these remarkable and wonderful gifts, blessings, keys, and authority which make this possible.

Now we have this sacred house in which to carry forward this work. Acting in the authority of the holy priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, Thy Divine Son, we dedicate this the Anchorage Alaska Temple to Thee and to Him as Thy Holy House, a sacred sanctuary which Thou might call Thine own. Accept of it as the offering of Thy thankful people. Bless and sanctify it and hallow it with the presence of Thy Holy Spirit.

We pray that all who enter these portals may recognize that we come here as Thy guests. May no evil thing, or influence, cross the threshold of this Thy house. We dedicate all of the elements of its structure from the foundation to the figure of Moroni. We dedicate every facility found herein, together with the land on which it stands.

We are grateful for the inspiration which has come to build it, and pray that Thy faithful people in this part of Thy vineyard may treasure it and use it for the purposes for which it is designed. Increase their faith, deepen their understanding of things divine, acquaint them with Thy holy and everlasting purposes. Bless them as they walk in righteousness before Thee, contributing their tithes and offerings, working with faith to build Thy cause and kingdom. Open the windows of heaven and shower down blessings upon them.

We pray that this temple may stand against the storms of nature through the years to come. May no unholy hand vandalize it in any way. May it be recognized even by those not of our faith as a place holy and sacred, the house of the Lord, built as an expression of love for Thee.

May this great work of temple building go forward across the earth to bless Thy people wherever they may be found. May all who come with hope and high expectation, leave with satisfaction and gratitude, having tasted of the sweet things of Thy divine work.

Bless, we pray Thee, all who shall serve here, the temple presidency, the matron and her assistants, and all who work in any capacity. Theirs will be a labor of faith and love. Bless them with joy in their service.

And now, to the accomplishment of Thy work we, with love and appreciation, dedicate this Thy Holy House, again asking that Thy sanctifying blessings may rest upon it, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, the Redeemer of the world through whose Atonement all of these blessings are made possible, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Rededicated 8 February 2004
by Gordon B. Hinckley

Almighty God, Thou Great Elohim, we solemnly gather before Thee on this peaceful Sabbath in this Thy holy house.

Five years ago we met in these sacred precincts to dedicate to Thee and to Thy Beloved Son, our Redeemer, this, the Anchorage Alaska Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since that time, a great and wondrous work has here gone forward. Thousands of ordinances in behalf of the living and the dead have been performed within these walls. Husbands and wives, families and children, have been sealed together for all eternity. The living have here entered into solemn covenants before Thee, and the prison doors have been opened, freeing those in bondage to move forward on the way of eternal life and exaltation.

To accommodate an increase in the work, and to facilitate its progress, it has become necessary to renovate and to add to this sacred structure so extensively as to require a rededication of the enlarged facility.

And so, acting in the authority of the priesthood in us vested, and in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, we dedicate and consecrate the new additions and rededicate the renovated original structure with all features and appurtenances pertaining thereto. We consecrate the entire temple unto Thee and unto Thy Son. Wilt Thou accept of that which is accomplished and smile upon it as the gift of Thy thankful people.

Touch those of this temple district with Thy Holy Spirit, and stir within them a desire to use this beautiful facility in the accomplishment of Thy divine will. May they find great joy in coming here. May it be a haven of peace from the cares and stress of the world, a refuge from the hurried pace of their lives. As they here serve, may they be lifted in spirit, and may there come into their vision something of the divine light that is of Thy nature.

May they be worthy as Saints of the Most High.

As we have previously prayed, preserve this edifice from the harsh elements of this land. Shield it against defilement or vandalism of any kind. May all who look upon it know that it is Thy house, the house of the Lord, a place hallowed and sanctified.

Accept the work of baptism for the dead. This great vicarious labor is a part of Thy divine plan in behalf of Thy sons and daughters of all generations. Endow those who serve here with the gift of the ordinances of eternal life. Seal upon them the promises of exaltation.

Our Beloved Father, bless Thy work in all the earth. May it shine among the people of the world with increasing luster. Chart its path and direct its course that there may be a harvest of the righteous in many lands. Endow from on high Thy servants who go forth as messengers of eternal truth.

Open the windows of heaven and shower down blessings upon Thy people who walk in faith, wherever they may be. Watch over the righteous and preserve them from harm and evil. Strengthen their faith and increase their will to live after the pattern of Thy gospel. May peace and gladness abide in their hearts and in their homes.

Strengthen the youth who walk in a world saturated with evil. Give them the courage and the will ever to stand in virtue before Thee.

Overrule, O Lord, among the nations of the earth that they shall lay down their arms and walk together in brotherhood as Thy sons and daughters. Remember those who stand in positions of leadership across the world that they may look to Thee and lead their people in the ways of peace.

We pray for all who are called to positions of responsibility in Thy Church and kingdom. Bless Thine ordained servants, and grant unto them life and strength, and give them revelation that they may lead Thy people in righteousness.

We know that Thou dost love us as Thy children. We are profoundly grateful for that love. We love Thee, and we love thy Beloved Son. May we ever conduct our lives in the light of that love.

Accept of our thanks, dear Father, for every blessing and continue to smile with favor upon us we humbly pray, in the sacred name of our Redeemer, the King Immanuel, the Prince of Peace, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.