LDS President Russell Nelson rededicates Oz-like D.C. temple, lauds ‘inspired’ Constitution
Church leaders also pray for US leaders – “past, present and future.”
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Wendy Nelson, on Saturday, August 13, 2022, in front of the Washington DC Temple. President Nelson rededicated Temple Sunday.
The renovated and magnificent Washington DC Temple is now rededicated and ready to serve tens of thousands of faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in and around the nation’s capital.
On Sunday morning, Church President Russell M. Nelson rededicated the Oz-like building — some say it resembles the Emerald City from the classic film The Wizard of Oz — and prayed that the six-tower, 160,000-square-foot building will be “a sanctuary for all.” that enter.”
The prayer marked the end of a massive four-year renovation project for the third largest temple of the Utah-based faith and the infilled surrounding grounds with 260 newly planted trees, 5,073 shrubs and 3,911 perennials.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) The exterior of the Washington DC Temple on Saturday, August 13, 2022. It was rededicated on Sunday.
Nelson, who turns 98 next month, noted in a news release that the Church has 167 operating temples worldwide and another 51 are under construction.
“Each temple is a symbol of our membership in the Church, a sign of our belief in life after death, and a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families,” Nelson told Church members ahead of the rededication. “I promise you that if you take the time to attend the temple regularly, your life will be changed. It will bless your families, increase your faith, and open the windows of heaven for you.”
In an ode to the prominent location of the flagship temple in Kensington, Md., just outside the US capital, Nelson paid homage to the nation’s founders.
“Today we are ever grateful for the freedom of worship guaranteed by the inspired Constitution of the United States,” he prayed. “We are grateful for this Constitution and for the past, present and future leaders of this great nation. Please bless them with a desire to do what is right.”
The Church’s 17th Prophet-President also noted the dignitaries flocking to Washington from around the world.
“We think of the many ambassadors and diplomats who come to this great city from many nations of the world,” he pleaded. “We pray that you will bless them and all your children with a desire to seek you and keep your commandments.”
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Wendy Nelson, in front of the Washington DC Temple on Saturday, August 13, 2022. President Nelson rededicated the temple Sunday.
Opened in 1974, the temple closed in 2018 to undergo a major renovation. Originally scheduled to reopen in December 2020, it has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rededication was again postponed because demand to visit the temple during the public open house – which was attended by more than 100,000 guests – pushed the date from June to August.
Latter-day Saints celebrated the resumption of temple service.
“It’s been a wonderful weekend,” said Carolyn Colton, one of many volunteers who helped out during the two-month open house, in the press release. “I look forward to it becoming a place of worship again. I really missed being able to go to the temple anytime.”
The temple’s design is a modernization of the iconic Salt Lake Temple, which is undergoing a five-year overhaul and seismic upgrade.
Temples are distinct from Church meetinghouses. Latter-day Saints regard temples as houses of the Lord, places where devout members can participate in the highest rites of their religion, including eternal marriage.
The newly dedicated temple will open to visitors on August 30th. He will primarily minister to 123,000 church members in Washington, DC; Pennsylvania; Virginia; West Virginia and Maryland.