First Latter-day Saint Temple in Indiana Dedicated 

Indianapolis, in the Hoosier state, now has a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Indianapolis Indiana Temple on Sunday, August 23, 2015. He was accompanied by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Kent F. Richards of the Seventy and executive director of the Church's Temple Department.

Downloadable HD cultural celebration and Indianapolis Indiana Temple SOTs, B-roll and video for journalists.

Prior to the dedication, President Eyring conducted the traditional cornerstone ceremony. John Jensen Chipman, temple president, and his wife, Karen Russon Chipman, the temple matron, along with other members of the presidency, were invited to seal the cornerstone with mortar using a monogrammed trowel signifying completion of the temple.

Several members of the Church, including children, were also invited to place mortar around the cornerstone. A choir comprising Latter-day Saints from within the temple district provided uplifting music near the temple. Another choir provided music inside the temple for all three dedicatory sessions.

“I think everyone appreciates how [the temple] compliments everything that is already in Indianapolis,” said Elder Richards. “It’s really a gorgeous place and a lovely environment, and the temple fits right in.”

Before the temple was dedicated, the public was invited to tour the temple. Elder Richards described people’s reactions to the temple. “The community leaders were absolutely blown away by how beautiful the temple is. Everything from the limestone on the exterior to the interior glass work and the marble; just the loveliness of the temple, most especially the light and the beauty and how it enhanaces their understanding of our relationship with God. It’s a very wonderful contribution to their whole community spirit.”

The temple will serve approximately 30,000 Mormons in Indianapolis, South Bend, Lafayette, Muncie, Fort Wayne and Bloomington, Indiana, and Champaign, Illinois. It is located in the city of Carmel, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis, on the southwest corner of the intersection of W116th and Spring Mill Road.

The night before, on Saturday, August 22, 1,600 Latter-day Saint youth, ages 12 to 18, from throughout the temple district, participated in a cultural celebration at Michael Carroll Track & Field Stadium on the campus of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.

The event celebrated the temple’s completion. Through song, dance and narration, the young performers highlighted the significant contributions of Indiana in agriculture, culture, sports and history, including the state’s role in the Underground Railroad. The celebration also recognized notable Hoosiers such as Abraham Lincoln and Ernie Pyle and the long-running Indianapolis 500.

“Let’s fill this stadium with joy, with love and with light,” said President Eyring. He also offered encouragement about the youth's potential during remarks he made at the cultural celebration. “You’ll never forget the feeling of satisfaction as you discover that through effort and determination you can do more that you thought possible.”

Alyssa Hightower, one of the 1,600 youth participants, was excited for the celebration. “I think it’s such an amazing opportunity to be with everyone to come together to celebrate the building of this temple.”

More than 90,000 people were able to visit the newly completed temple during a three-week public open house from July 17 through August 8, 2015.

Latter-day Saint temples differ from meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Jesus Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. Inside, members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to serve Jesus Christ and their fellow man.