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

Dedicated 20 May 2001
by Gordon B. Hinckley

Almighty Father, Thou great God of the universe, in reverence and with love we come unto Thee in solemn prayer in the name of Thy Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

On this day of dedication our hearts rejoice in the great and marvelous blessings Thou hast given us. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith Thou hast revealed in this dispensation "things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times" (D&C 124:41).

Thou hast made us partakers of Thy divine love that we may reap wondrous blessings in our own behalf and also in behalf of those who have gone before us.

Thou hast commanded us to build sacred temples wherein these holy ordinances may be administered. In obedience to that command, we present to Thee this day another house of the Lord and dedicate it to Thy holy purposes.

Acting in the authority of the Holy Priesthood which is Thine and which Thou hast given unto us, and in the sacred name of our Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, we dedicate and consecrate this the Perth Australia Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unto Thee and unto Thy Son.

Wilt Thou accept it as the offering of our hands and our hearts. From this day forth may Thy watch care be over it.

We dedicate the ground on which it stands with the trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass that grow thereon. We dedicate the structure from the footings to the figure of Moroni. We dedicate all of the interior facilities including the Baptistry, the areas for the administration of ordinances, the endowment rooms, the beautiful celestial room, the sealing rooms with their sacred altars, and all of the offices, halls, and other spaces within this Thy holy house. May all parts thereof work harmoniously together. May it be a fitting abode for Thee, and may Thy Holy Spirit dwell here at all times.

Let Thy protecting power be felt in its behalf, that it may be preserved from the storms of nature and the evil hand of the vandal and destroyer. May it be holy to all who pass this way. May they recognize it as a place of sacred worship and look upon it with reverence and respect. May all who enter its portals be worthy to do so. May there be no civil disturbance or anything of the kind that might lead to a violation of the sanctity of this sacred house.

May all who enter these portals be uplifted by that which occurs here. May the covenants which they take upon themselves bind them to Thee, and may they never violate nor transgress their sacred promises unto Thee. May they delight to come, and may this house be busy with the work of Thy kingdom.

We thank Thee for this land of Australia where this and other temples have been built. We thank Thee for the freedom of worship which obtains here. May this great nation always remain a place of individual liberty, that men and women may approach Thee within these walls without threat or disturbance of any kind.

We ask Thee, Holy Father, as the Prophet Joseph asked in Kirtland, "that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;

"And from this place they may bear exceedingly great and glorious tidings, in truth, unto the ends of the earth, that they may know that this is thy work, and that thou hast put forth thy hand, to fulfil that which thou hast spoken by the mouths of the prophets, concerning the last days" (D&C 109:22-23).

May Thy Saints in this great temple district make and keep themselves worthy to come to Thy house. When they pay their tithes and offerings as an expression of obedience to Thy will, open the windows of heaven and shower down blessings upon them. Reward their faith. Prosper them in their affairs. May the boys and the girls, the young men and the young women, come here with rejoicing to be baptized in behalf of those who have passed beyond. May this service bring great joy into their hearts, and build within them a desire to partake of the other ordinances which will be available to them as they grow older.

Now Father, bless all who shall administer the affairs of this house, the temple presidency, the matron and the assistants to the matron, and all of those who serve as workers in Thy house. May their service never be a burden, but rather may it be a source of great satisfaction and happiness.

Bless Thy Church and kingdom throughout the earth. Bless all who serve therein wherever they may be. May joy and gladness fill their hearts as they move Thy great work forward in the earth. We pray for the temple presidents everywhere, for the mission presidents, for the missionaries, for stake presidents and bishops, for the General Authorities, and for all who teach and minister in any way. May their hearts be filled with love for Thy great cause and kingdom.

On this sacred and solemn day our hearts turn to Thee and to Thy Beloved Son with affection and thanksgiving. May this day be a day of renewal when we rededicate ourselves to Thy work and the advancement of Thy cause. Forgive our sins that we may stand clean before Thee. We ask it all humbly and gratefully, with glory to Thy holy name, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, amen.