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

Dedicated 21 April 2002
by Gordon B. Hinckley

O God, our Eternal Father, Thou great Elohim, with bowed heads we come before Thee on this Sabbath day of dedication. Our hearts are filled with gratitude as we present to Thee and to Thy Beloved Son this sacred temple, the House of the Lord.

We love Thee and we love Thy precious Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the instrument in carrying out Thy divine plan for the salvation and blessing of all mankind. His great sacrifice brought salvation to Thy children of all generations and the offer of eternal life to all who would obey His commandments.

We thank Thee for the restoration of Thy divine gospel through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith. We thank Thee for a parting of the curtain, revealing Thyself and Thine Only Begotten in this the dispensation of the fulness of times. We thank Thee for the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and for the restoration of the priesthood with all of its power, authority, and keys.

We praise Thy name for the growth and glory of Thy work throughout the earth.

And now, acting in the authority of the holy priesthood and in the name of our Redeemer we dedicate and consecrate this the Lubbock Texas Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unto Thee and unto Thy Beloved Son as a house of holiness, even Thy house. We pray that Thou wilt accept it and that Thy Holy Spirit may ever abide herein.

We dedicate the earth on which it stands with nature''s adornments of grass, flowers, shrubs, and trees. We dedicate the footings and the foundation, the walls and the steeple surmounted by the figure of Moroni the prophet. We dedicate all of the facilities found within these walls—the baptistry, the features for the initiatory ordinances, the endowment rooms, the beautiful celestial room, the sealing rooms, the offices and all other areas and furnishings of this sacred structure.

Dear Father, please accept our offering of this Thy temple. It has been built in obedience to Thy commandment to construct these sacred houses that Thy glorious work may go forward in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Sanctify this house. May Thy Holy Spirit dwell here at all times. Let Thy hallowing influence be felt by all who serve within these walls.

As was said in the dedication at Kirtland: "And now, Holy Father, we ask thee to assist us, thy people, with thy grace, in calling our solemn assembly, that it may be done to thine honor and to thy divine acceptance;

"And in a manner that we may be found worthy, in thy sight, to secure a fulfillment of the promises which Thou hast made unto us, thy people, in the revelations given unto us;

"That thy glory may rest down upon thy people, and upon this thy house, which we now dedicate to thee, that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house;

"And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord''s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness" (D&C 109:10-13).

We pray that Thou wilt protect it by Thy power from any destructive hand and from the storms of nature. May the people of this community look upon it as a place of holiness, a sacred edifice to be viewed with respect unto Thee.

May all who enter be clean of body and mind. May they lay aside the cares of the world as they pass these portals, here to feel at one with Thee in bringing to pass Thy divine purposes.

We invoke Thy blessings upon the temple president and his counselors, upon the matron and her assistants, that they may have strength and energy to carry forward the work pertaining to Thy house. We pray that they will not grow weary in body or mind, but that they may be refreshed and constantly strengthened in their duty. Bless all who serve with them that for each this may be a labor of love, a treasured opportunity, and a great privilege.

We invoke Thy blessings upon those who come as patrons. May they serve in righteousness before Thee as Thy children working together to accomplish Thine everlasting purposes.

This temple has been constructed through the tithes of Thy faithful Saints throughout the world. Open the windows of heaven, as Thou hast promised, and shower down blessings upon them. Bless them for their faith and for their obedience.

Bless all who serve in Thy work throughout the earth. Grant unto them great joy. May the assurance of Thy love crown their lives and bring into their hearts peace and gladness.

We pray for those who shall go from this house as messengers of Thy divine truth. Endow them from on high with power to serve in Thy name. Inspire them that they may speak unto the people words of everlasting truth and bring unto Thee, into Thy kingdom, those whom Thou wilt touch by Thy Holy Spirit with a testimony of the truth of this work.

Smile with love upon those who have been called to lead Thy work at this time. Give them strength and capacity according to their need that they may serve Thee in a manner acceptable unto Thee.

Now, our dear Father, as we dedicate this house we dedicate ourselves that we may more faithfully serve Thee as those called to work in Thy great kingdom.

We invoke Thy blessings upon this community, upon this state, upon this nation. Bless this chosen land that it may remain forever free, that peace and liberty may bless the lives of its people, and that righteousness may reign in the land.

We so pray, as Thy sons and daughters whose great desire it is to do thy will and merit Thy blessings. Accept of our prayer we humbly ask in the name of Thy Beloved Son, the Redeemer of the world, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.