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Nauvoo Temple
Dedicatory Prayer
The
following is the complete text of the dedicatory prayer for the
Nauvoo Illinois Temple, given by President Gordon B. Hinckley on
Thursday, June 27, 2002.
(Click on photos
below for enlargements.)
Crowds of people await dedicatory service on Friday Morning, June
28, 2002.
Almighty God,
we come unto Thee in solemn and reverent prayer in the name of Thy
Beloved Son, our Redeemer, even the Lord Jesus Christ.
On this same
site in the year 1841, Thy people, under the direction of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, and in obedience to revelation from Thee, began construction
of a temple to the Most High. They spared nothing in their efforts.
They used the best materials, and with great skill and in a spirit
of consecration, they labored through the years. Even when their
Prophet and Patriarch were murdered by the ruthless mob in Carthage,
the work on this structure continued. So did persecution against
them. Denied the protection of the law and left to the mercy of
the mob, they knew they would be forced to abandon their homes,
their farms, and their city. Nonetheless, they determined to complete
the temple.
They did so,
and in that holy house ordinances dealing with the things of eternity,
as revealed from Thee, were administered to thousands. They then
left Nauvoo in bitter winter weather, many of them crossing the
Mississippi on the ice, bound for a place of asylum somewhere in
the West.
Thou knowest,
dear Father, of the travails of those who made that long journey.
Many died and were buried along that trail of tears. Great was their
suffering, tremendous their courage.
We thank Thee
that those harsh days are now long past. We thank Thee for this
season in which we live, with the many blessings of peace and prosperity
which we enjoy at Thy hands. Thy Spirit has brooded over us and
moved upon us, and in obedience to its prompting we have now reconstructed
on this hallowed ground the temple that once stood here. Through
the tithes of Thy people and the generosity of faithful Saints there
has been brought together all of the elements and the necessary
skills to create this magnificent structure.
And now, acting
in the authority of the divine priesthood which comes from Thee,
and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we dedicate and consecrate
unto Thee and unto Him this the Nauvoo Illinois Temple of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We dedicate
the ground on which it stands with its beautiful vegetation, the
footings, the foundation, the walls and the tower with its bell,
all surmounted by the figure of Moroni. We dedicate the magnificent
baptistry, the areas for the initiatory ordinances, the endowment
rooms, the beautiful celestial room, the sealing rooms and their
sacred altars. We dedicate every space and facility in this wonderful
structure.
Brought together
in splendid harmony are the stones of the walls, the carefully crafted
woods, the decorative murals and other paintings, the drapes and
carpets, the elegant windows and many other unique and beautiful
features. The entire structure has become a treasured work of art.
We pray that
Thou wilt accept of this our offering. The hearts of the children
have literally turned to those fathers who worked on the original
building. They have done so with love and a wonderful spirit of
consecrated effort.
Now, Beloved
Father, this is Thy house, the gift of Thy thankful Saints. We pray
that Thou wilt visit it. Hallow it with Thy presence and that of
Thy Beloved Son. Let Thy Holy Spirit dwell here at all times. May
Thy work be accomplished here, and Thine eternal purposes brought
to pass in behalf of Thy children, both the living and the dead.
May our hearts reach to Thee as we serve within these walls. May
all who are baptized in behalf of those beyond the veil of death
know that they are doing something necessary under Thine eternal
plan. May those who are here endowed understand and realize the
magnitude of the blessings that come of this sacred ordinance. Seal
upon them the covenants which they make with Thee. Open their eyes
to a clear perception of Thy divine purposes. As they move into
the beautiful celestial room, may their minds be brought to an understanding
of Thy glorious plan for the salvation and exaltation of Thy children.
May those who
gather at the altars in the sealing rooms, whether in their own
behalf or in behalf of their forebears, comprehend by the power
of the Spirit Thy divine will concerning the eternity of the family
- fathers, mothers, and children, joined together in an everlasting
union. May they receive a vision of Thine infinite "plan of
happiness" which Thou hast designed for Thy faithful sons and
daughters.
May all who
come within these hallowed walls be worthy to enter into Thy presence.
Save this structure from desecration of any kind. May it stand immaculate
with "holiness to the Lord." Strike down the evil hand
of any who may seek to injure or destroy. Preserve this Thy house
from the storms of nature and destructive elements of all kinds.
We pray for
the temple presidency and the matron and her assistants. May they
be blessed with strength and energy to carry forward their heavy
responsibilities. Bless all who serve with them as workers that
they may find great joy in their labors. May those who come as patrons
walk reverently before Thee and be brought to a knowledge of Thy
will and Thy ways.
We pray for
those whom Thou hast appointed to stand in responsibilities of leadership
in Thy Church and kingdom. Reveal unto Thy servant Thy will and
bless him and his associates that all may work together for the
accomplishment of Thy purposes.
Bless Thy cause
throughout all the earth. We invoke Thy blessings upon Thy people
wherever they may be.
As was said
in Kirtland: "Remember all thy church, O Lord, with all their
families, and all their immediate connections, with all their sick
and afflicted ones, with all the poor and meek of the earth; that
the kingdom, which thou hast set up without hands, may become a
great mountain and fill the whole earth;
"That
thy church may come forth out of the wilderness of darkness, and
shine forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as
an army with banners;
"And be
adorned as a bride for that day when thou shalt unveil the heavens,
and cause the mountains to flow down at thy presence, and the valleys
to be exalted, the rough places made smooth; that thy glory may
fill the earth" (D&C 109:72-74).
Father dear,
bless this land that those who govern shall never trample the rights
of the people as was once done in Nauvoo. May liberty and peace
be maintained under the banner of the Constitution, which Thou hast
caused to be established "for the rights and protection of
all flesh" (D&C 101:77). Bless this city of Nauvoo, which
came to be known as the City of Joseph. May it shine with a renewed
luster as the home of a Temple of God. May this sacred house stand
as a memorial to him who lived here and was buried here, Joseph
Smith, the great prophet of this dispensation, and his brother Hyrum,
whom he loved.
We love Thee,
Father. We love Thy Beloved Son. Smile with favor upon us. Strengthen
our resolve to walk acceptably before Thee at all times. Increase
our dedication to Thy will. Keep ever bright in our memories the
solemn covenants into which we have entered with Thee. May Thy blessings
attend us, and all who seek to live Thy commandments.
Praise be to
Thee, Thou great Elohim, Thou who dwellest in the heavens and governeth
the universe. Thou art our Father and our God, to whom we may come
in prayer. To Thee we lift our voices in adoration and worship.
Increase our
love for Thine Only Begotten Son, our Redeemer who has snatched
us from the jaws of death and opened before us the wonders of eternity.
Accept this our prayer, we ask Thee in His holy name, even the name
of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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