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

Dedicated 19–24 October 1984
by Gordon B. Hinckley

O God, Our Eternal Father, Thou Great Elohim, we come unto Thee in solemn prayer. Praise be to Thy name. Praise be to the name of Thine Only Begotten, our Redeemer and our Lord. Hear us, we beseech Thee, as we dedicate Thy holy house.

Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving as we bow before Thee. We are grateful for Thy priceless blessings. We thank Thee for the gift of Thy Beloved Son, who gave His life for us and all mankind. Through His sacrifice He broke the bands of death and unlocked the door to immortality and eternal life.

We thank Thee, Father, for this glorious season in the history of the earth, this dispensation of the fulness of times when Thou hast restored the gifts, blessings, and authority of all prior dispensations, ushered in by that glorious first vision given the Prophet Joseph Smith. We thank Thee for him, and for all of the gifts and authority restored to the earth through him. We thank Thee for the mighty faith and the marvelous works of those who have preceded us in laying the foundation and building Thy kingdom in the earth. Help us to be worthy of the heritage they have left.

We thank Thee for the manner in which Thou hast prospered Thy work. It has grown over the earth in breadth and strength and numbers. Thy people bear witness of its truth and beauty in many tongues.

We thank Thee for this day when with grateful hearts we present to Thee this holy house. We thank Thee for the vision of Thy prophet of our day in declaring that a temple should be built here. Bless all who have aided in its construction. It is now complete, and as Thy servants, acting in the authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, we dedicate to Thee and to Thy Beloved Son this, the Dallas Texas Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We dedicate the ground on which it stands, and all parts and facilities of the structure. We dedicate the furnishings and the equipment associated therewith. We dedicate it as Thy holy house and as the house of Thy Son, for the sacred purposes which Thou hast revealed for the blessing of Thy children, both the living and the dead. Please accept it as the consecrated offering of Thy thankful saints.

We pray that Thou wilt honor it with Thy presence, and with the presence of Thy Beloved Son. May Thy Holy Spirit abide here, and may all who enter bask in its warmth.

We pray that Thou wilt bless the surrounding grounds, that their beauty may reflect the beauty of Thy handiwork. Bless the structure that it may stand with dignity and strength as an expression of the dignity and strength of this, Thy great latter-day work. Preserve it from wind and storm, and from the desecrating hands of those who are instruments of the adversary of truth. May their evil designs be stayed by Thy mighty power, and wilt Thou touch their hearts that they may see the error of their ways and cease from further efforts against Thy work and Thy people. May this beautiful temple, standing in this community, become a declaration to all who shall look upon it, of the faith of Thy saints in the revealed things of eternity, and may they be led to respect that which is sacred unto us, Thy people.

May all who enter this Thy house be clean of mind and body. May they labor here with an eye single to Thy glory, and wilt Thou bless them with a spirit of gratitude for the great eternal gifts here to be given. Wilt Thou cultivate within their hearts a desire to labor in behalf of the dead, and wilt Thou grant them joy and gladness in so doing as they extend vicariously to those beyond the veil of death those ordinances required of Thy sons and daughters that they may go forward on the way that leads to eternal life.

Father in heaven, hallow these halls and sanctify these rooms and all of the facilities of this sacred edifice. May all of the structure, together with its furnishings and equipment, function harmoniously for the accomplishment of the work to be done herein. May this be a house of peace and worship, a house of faith and prayer to all who shall serve here. We pray that Thou wilt bless the temple presidency and all who labor with them in this Thy holy house.

Prosper Thy work in this part of Thy vineyard. May the dedication of this temple mark the beginning of a new and glorious day for Thy Church in this area. May the voices of evil be stilled. May the declaration of Thy truth be strengthened. May many hearts be opened to Thine everlasting gospel as it is proclaimed by Thy faithful servants. Father, may Thy work grow both here and across the world.

We pray for Thy prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, that Thy healing, sustaining power may be upon him. We pray for all associated with him in directing the work of Thy kingdom and for all who have responsibility therein wherever it may be organized. Open the doors of the nations to the teaching of the everlasting gospel that all who are inclined toward truth may hear Thy word and partake of Thy blessings.

Now, our beloved Father, please smile with favor upon us and upon our generations after us. Help us to walk the straight and narrow road that leads to life eternal. Help us to be true and faithful in all things according to Thy pattern and commandments.

O God, our Father, we worship Thee and love Thee. Accept of our thanks. Extend Thy mighty arm in our behalf to our eternal blessing and our everlasting joy, we humbly pray in the name of Him whom we also love and reverence, even Thy Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.