First Connecticut Mormon Temple Is Dedicated

The New England area of the United States includes a new house of the Lord, as the Hartford Connecticut Temple has been dedicated.

Downloadable video for journalsits: Temple B-roll and  SOTs | Cornerstone b-roll and SOTs

President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the temple on Sunday, November 20, 2016. 

Prior to the dedication, President Eyring conducted the traditional cornerstone ceremony, which signifies completion of the temple.

"There is a cornerstone here. It already has artifacts that were put there, and we will ceremonially seal it in by putting in some mortar," he said. "As you know, the Savior Himself is the cornerstone of this work and of the Church."

He invited children to help him seal the cornerstone with mortar using a monogrammed trowel. He thanked them for coming out on a chilly November morning to be part of the ceremony, "You're so nice to be here in the cold," said President Eyring. "Bless your hearts." 

Choirs comprised of Latter-day Saints from throughout the temple district provided music for the cornerstone ceremony and the three dedicatory sessions. Latter-day Saints were able to participate in the dedication in the temple as well as from their local meetinghouses.

Taking part in the dedication with President Eyring were Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elders Randall K. Bennett and Larry Y. Wilson of the Seventy.

On the evening prior to the temple dedication, President Eyring spoke to the youth performers about the memorable occasion of celebrating the completion of the sacred structure.

“This is a celebration of light, of unity, of hope, of faith in every footstep — every dance step and every musical note," said President Eyring. 

Thousands of Mormon youth danced and sang, depicting the history of the area and of the Church to the audience at the Oakdale Theatre in nearby Wallingford, Connecticut.

President Eyring compared the hymn, "God Moves in a Mysterious Way (His Wonders to Perform)" to the youth and their participation in the cultural event. “Your performance tonight is part of the wonders He performed and will perform in your lives and the lives of others. It is a wonder with effects that can last forever,” he said.

The temple will serve nearly 27,000 Church members in Connecticut, western Rhode Island, western Massachusetts and eastern New York.

The doors of the Hartford Temple opened in September and October to give the public a chance to walk through the edifice before it was dedicated. Approximately 51,000 people toured the temple including state and community leaders. The temple is located at 2 Central Way in Farmington, on the corner of Route 4 and Melrose Drive.

Latter-day Saint temples differ from the meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord,” where the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ceremonies that unite families for eternity.