Additional Resource

Purpose of Temples Explained at Media Event for Provo City Center Temple

Leaders who help oversee the worldwide temple operations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with the news media on Monday, January 11, 2016, at the Provo City Center Temple. This was an opportunity for them to discuss the importance of temples with the press prior to the new temple’s public open house that begins on Friday, January 15.


“To members of the Church, temples are the most sacred place on earth,” Elder Kent F. Richards of the Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Temple Department told reporters. “We consider it to be the house of the Lord.”

“There’s been a lot of interest in this temple in particular because of its history and also because it’s the 150th operating temple in the Church,” continued Elder Richards. “We are a temple-building people.”

“The temple becomes the bridge between this life and eternal life that lies beyond,” said Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary general president. “The purpose of the temple is three-fold: to turn hearts to the Savior Jesus Christ, to unite families [and] to provide sacred ordinances necessary for exaltation.”

The former Provo Tabernacle was converted into the Provo City Center Temple after a fire did extensive damage to the former tabernacle in December 2010.

The Provo City Center Temple will be open to the public from January 15 through March 5, 2016. Reservations to tour the temple can be made online or by calling 855-537-2000.

A cultural celebration will be held on March 19 in Provo prior to the temple dedication on March 20.

Read this article for more information on the Provo City Center Temple.

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