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

Dedicated 18 November 2001
by Gordon B. Hinckley

O God our Eternal Father, Thou great Elohim, Thou who art Governor of the universe and Judge of the nations, we come unto Thee in solemn and sacred prayer. We are met to dedicate another House of the Lord, a temple built to the Most High where Thy divine ordinances may be performed in behalf of the living and the dead.

On this day of dedication we are profoundly grateful unto Thee for Thy revealed plan of salvation and exaltation. We honor Thee and love Thee. We honor and love Thine Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior and the Redeemer of the world whose great atoning sacrifice makes available to all of us the blessings of immortality and eternal life.

We thank Thee for the Prophet Joseph Smith to whom Thou didst reveal Thyself with Thy Son to part the curtains and let the light of the true gospel again shine upon the earth. We thank Thee for the coming forth of the great testament of the New World, the Book of Mormon, which is a witness of the divinity of Thy Son. We are so deeply grateful for the restoration of the holy priesthood, "that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world" (D&C 1:20). We thank Thee for the restoration of other keys, powers, and authority in this the dispensation of the fulness of times.

Now, we as Thy grateful people have erected this house. It has been visited by many thousands. They have come out of curiosity and have left with appreciation. May their hearts be inclined to Thy work and may there grow within them a desire to learn of Thy revealed truth.

And now, acting in the authority of the holy priesthood in us vested and in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Master, we dedicate unto Thee and unto Him this the Columbia River Washington Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wilt Thou accept of it as the offering of our hearts and our hands. Wilt Thou let Thy blessings rest down upon it that it may truly be the House of the Lord with holiness unto Thee. Wilt Thou cause that Thy Spirit may dwell here at all times and that its presence may be felt by those who serve here, be they workers or patrons. We would be pleased, dear Father, if Thou wouldst visit this Thy house and leave Thy voice of approval upon it.

Watch over it. Protect it from the storms of nature and the evil hand of vandalism. Preserve it for the purposes for which it has been erected. Touch the hearts of Thy Saints that they may wish to come here and enjoy the blessings of peace to be found within these hallowed walls.

We pray that Thou wilt accept this edifice as we consecrate it unto Thee. We dedicate the building from the footings to the crowning figure of Moroni. We dedicate all of its rooms and facilities, including the Baptistry, the endowment rooms, the celestial room, and the sealing rooms with their sacred altars. We dedicate the grounds on which it stands with the surrounding shrubbery and trees, grass and flowers. May it be beautiful to Thy people and to all who shall look upon it. May all recognize that this is a consecrated and holy structure, Thy sacred house.

"And do Thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may . . . receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost, and be organized according to thy laws" (D&C 109:14-15).

May there come into their minds and hearts an indelible witness of the reality of Thy plan of salvation, under which the immortality of the human soul is assured and the blessings of eternal life are promised to all who walk in faithfulness to Thee and to Thy divine will. May those who come here to be married and who kneel at the sacred altars of this temple, have implanted within them an assurance of the eternal perpetuity of their union if they will honor and respect the covenants which they make before Thee. May all who gather here be instructed in Thy ways and after Thy pattern, and take upon themselves promises eternal and binding in their nature. May a great work in behalf of the dead be carried forward in this Thy house, that there may be rejoicing on the other side of the veil.

We invoke Thy blessings upon those who will serve here, the presidency, the matron and her assistants, and all who labor in carrying forward the ordinances of the temple. We pray for all who direct Thy work throughout the earth that they may be inspired and blessed of Thee, that they may bear testimony of Thee and Thy Son, that they may be endowed with strength and energy to move Thy work forward. Let Thy Spirit rest upon Thy people wherever they may be. Cause the strong to continue in faithfulness and the weak to gain in strength. Bless Thy cause and kingdom in all the earth that it may shine forth "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners" (D&C 109:73).

We pray that Thou wilt smile upon Thy people and their families. Open the windows of heaven and shower down blessings upon the faithful who contribute of their time and resources according to Thy will and law. May the whole earth become as Zion as Thy work spreads among the nations.

Bless our own land in these perilous times. Bless those who serve as trustees of this government formed under an inspired Constitution, the principles of which have come from Thee. May peace replace conflict, we implore Thee.

Now, dear Father, on this day of thanksgiving and consecration we look to Thee in faith. Please watch over us. Forgive our imperfections. Preserve us from the machinations of the adversary. May we walk with faith before Thee. May we earn through our actions Thy love and blessing.

We ask it all in the name of Him who is our great Redeemer, even the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.