At 100, President Nelson Dedicates 200th Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Deseret Peak Utah Temple in a ceremony held Sunday afternoon, November 10, 2024.
“As I consider the privilege of dedicating the Deseret Peak Utah Temple this weekend, I am filled with awe at all the Lord is doing for His people,” President Nelson said.
The Lord is speeding up His work
“When I was born, there were only six operating temples in the Church. The Deseret Peak Temple will be the 200th in the world. Think about that! It took until the year 2000 for the Church to reach the first 100 temples, and now, just 24 years later, we are dedicating the next 100. The Lord is accelerating His work. I am deeply grateful for His mercy in leading us and bringing temples closer to Church members around the world,” the prophet enthusiastically declared.
The Deseret Peak Utah Temple is located in Tooele, Utah, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southwest of Salt Lake City. President Nelson announced this new house of the Lord in April 2019.
“I hope that our members in the Deseret Peak Temple District will not only appreciate the addition of a beautiful building to their community, but will organize their lives to worship and serve in the House of the Lord as often as possible,” he noted.
“The temple is a place of peace and power, and spending time there will change a person’s life.”
“As we reflect on what is happening today, this is truly unprecedented in several ways,” Elder Stevenson said. “First, we have a 100-year-old prophet of the Lord in this dispensation dedicating a temple, which is something special. And then, the 200th temple of this dispensation is being dedicated by our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.”
Special blessing from President Nelson
During the ceremony, President Nelson offered several promises to those who enter the house of the Lord.
“I promise you today that your time in the temple will bless your life in ways that nothing else can,” he said. “ My promise to you is that as you sincerely seek Jesus Christ, you will find Him in the temple . This is His home! You will feel His mercy, find answers to your deepest questions, and better understand the joy of His gospel.”
President Nelson invites us to attend the temple as our circumstances permit,” Elder Stevenson said.
“With 367 temples around the world, many Church members now have the opportunity to attend a temple. Once all are operational, 95 percent of Church members will live within two hours or 200 kilometers of a temple. This is a testament to our Heavenly Father’s love for His children and President Nelson’s love for each of us.”
Temples in Utah and around the world
Currently, there are 367 temples in operation, under construction or announced around the world.
The Deseret Peak Utah Temple is one of 31 houses of the Lord of The Church of Jesus Christ announced, dedicated, or under construction or renovation in Utah, including temples in cities such as Bountiful, Brigham City, Cedar City, Draper, Ephraim, Heber Valley, Jordan River, Layton, Lehi, Lindon, Logan, Manti, Monticello, Mount Timpanogos, Ogden, Oquirrh Mountain, Orem, Payson, Price, Provo City Center, Provo Utah Rock Canyon, Red Cliffs, Salt Lake, Saratoga Springs, Smithfield, St. George, Syracuse, Taylorsville, Vernal, and West Jordan.
To read more from MasFe: MasFe.org
