President Christofferson Rededicates the San Diego California Temple

The San Diego Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now a dedicated house of the Lord.

President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the iconic temple on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The temple, which first opened in 1993, closed in 2023 for extensive renovation.

“This temple and all latter-day temples constitute our visible, tangible testimony of the living reality of the Redeemer since without His Atonement and Resurrection, the temple would serve no purpose,” President Christofferson said.

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The Church’s temples, of which there are 385 in operation or various stages of development, are the faith’s most sacred spaces. In these special buildings, Church members seek peace and guidance, learn more about the purpose of life, make covenants to follow Jesus Christ and serve their neighbor, and participate in marriage or sealing ceremonies that, through the power of Jesus Christ, allow families to be together for eternity.

The public was invited to tour the San Diego Temple from June 18 through July 11. More than 250,000 people walked through this house of the Lord during that time.

The dedication comes during a period of heightened focus on temples throughout the world. Latter-day Saints are also preparing for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration that will take place from April 5 through October 1, 2027. Each temple open house and dedication is an opportunity to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and deepen appreciation for temple worship.

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Sunday’s dedication marked the latest chapter in a history of Latter-day Saint worship in the San Diego area that stretches back nearly two centuries. It began with the arrival of members of the Mormon Battalion in 1847.

Over the decades, Church membership gradually grew through migration, missionary efforts and the establishment of congregations throughout Southern California. The San Diego California Stake was organized in 1941, and continued growth eventually led to the announcement and dedication of the San Diego California Temple in 1993.

In an interview before the dedication, President Christofferson reflected on the legacy of those early Latter-day Saints. “I believe the Church still provides a strong positive force in this community,” he said. “The faith of those who participated in the Mormon Battalion and what they accomplished, I believe, carries through. It’s still here. It’s a legacy that blesses the area and is in a degree memorialized with this temple.”

It’s a theme he echoed in his dedicatory remarks. “The San Diego California Temple is a testament to the faith of many generations, with the promise of more faithful, covenant-keeping generations to come,” he said. “It is a testament that the Lord has been doing His work here for many years, and that He is now hastening His work.”

President Christofferson was joined at the dedication by Elders Steven R. Bangerter and Taylor G. Godoy (Executive Director and an Assistant Executive Director of the Temple Department) and their wives, Susan and Carol; Elder Hugo E. Martínez (United States West Area Presidency) and his wife, Nuria; and Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell and his wife, Carol.

Bishop and Sister Waddell lived in the San Diego area for many years and attended the temple’s original dedication in 1993. They said returning for the rededication brought back memories of family, friends and service in the temple.

“It was not infrequent that I would attend the temple and walk through those entry doors and see my father sitting behind the recommend desk or see him in some other location in the temple,” Bishop Waddell said. “Coming back and walking through those doors brought back some great memories.”

Sister Waddell said the temple reminds her of seeing their children’s sealings there.

“They know that they have this bond. And I think that’s a very special thing,” she said. “It’s a special reminder to come back here frequently to remind ourselves of this beautiful covenant relationship that we’re in.”

The San Diego Temple, originally the Church’s 45th temple, is a four-story building that sits just off Interstate 5 near the city’s La Jolla community. The structure’s unique design features 10 spires, unlike any other temple. The spire on the east side features a statue of Moroni, a prophet from the Book of Mormon.

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The temple’s renovation was primarily driven by the need to replace aging art glass windows that had suffered heat damage and cracking. During the project, the windows were redesigned with modern insulated glass units and repositioned to allow the art glass to breathe, preventing future heat buildup. This required extensive scaffolding, which prompted the team to address all other aging systems simultaneously.

“On behalf of all of us, I wish to congratulate and thank all those who have worked to renovate this temple and to finish it so carefully in every detail,” President Christofferson said. “Most of us, of course, have not participated directly in the work of restoration, refurbishing, and upgrading, but we have taken part through our tithes and offerings. ... I am confident that our gracious God will accept this temple as a worthy offering because it is our best, our very best, and it is offered in the humility and sincerity of our hearts.”

President Christofferson concluded his pre-dedication interview with a reflection that everything occurring in a temple is a witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“If He was not resurrected, none of this makes sense. There’s no purpose in it,” President Christofferson said. “But if He is resurrected, this is very critical, and it’s essential work and activity. The very fact that we’re here and the very fact we build the temple is as powerful a testimony of Him and His Resurrection — of His living reality — as we could possibly make.”

For more information about why the Church of Jesus Christ builds temples, visit temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

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