LDS Temple News Presents Dallas Texas Temple

The Dallas Texas Temple is truly a special place, and it holds the distinction of being the first temple built in Texas! It warmly opened its doors to the public from September 7 to September 26, 1984, and was dedicated by the beloved Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley a little later, from October 19 to October 24, 1984. The temple even had the joy of being rededicated on March 5, 1989. Set on six beautiful acres, the temple greets visitors with its light-colored marble exterior and a stunning gold-leafed Angel Moroni statue shining brightly at the top. It offers a generous space of 44,207 square feet, standing proudly at 95 feet tall and perched at an elevation of 617 feet. Inside, the temple is thoughtfully designed with five instruction rooms, four sealing rooms, and one baptistry, making it an inviting place for everyone. The announcement of the Dallas Texas Temple on April 1, 1981, sparked a lot of excitement in the community. This enthusiasm was celebrated during the groundbreaking and site dedication on January 22, 1983, which was also graced by President Hinckley. The temple’s six spires gracefully rise above the surrounding trees in a lovely residential area of northern Dallas, symbolizing its important purpose. The grounds are kept beautifully, featuring well-trimmed hedges and colorful flowers that add to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. When the groundbreaking ceremony took place, about 90 special guests, including Regional Representatives and stake presidents, gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion. During the 20-day public open house, nearly 88,000 visitors filled the temple with their enthusiasm and curiosity! President Hinckley highlighted how significant this temple is for Texas, reminding everyone of its unique place among other buildings in the state. In 1987, the temple underwent an exciting remodeling that expanded its space by an additional 22,749 square feet. This enhancement included new features like an ordinance room, a cozy cafeteria, expanded laundry facilities, and a relocated baptistry to better serve the community. The grounds received some loving updates, too, with the completion of improvements in June 2006 that included a lovely cascading fountain and larger flower beds to make the space even more inviting. The announcement of the Dallas Texas Temple brought lots of joy and enthusiasm among local church members. Many felt inspired to participate in temple recommend interviews and renew their commitments to temple activities. While there was some initial concern from a few local religious leaders, many later reassessed their feelings as the temple became a cherished part of the community. At the groundbreaking, President Hinckley expressed how important the temple is for Texas, a sentiment that resonated with those in attendance. The event brought together influential leaders, and Elder Jacob de Jager from the First Quorum of the Seventy shared his personal experiences and joys related to temple ordinances. Throughout the construction, it was heartwarming to see community members step up and lend a helping hand, with many volunteering for clean-up efforts and others generously contributing. One particularly touching moment was when a widow decided to surpass her initial donation, showing her dedication to the temple project. Among the incredible 88,000 visitors during the open house, about 56 percent were new faces—nonmembers who were graciously invited by active church members. This outreach fostered a sense of goodwill and appreciation for the Church, leading to several individuals being baptized shortly after their visit. The Dallas Texas Temple has firmly established itself as a significant place for performing ordinance work for important historical figures, making it a beloved part of the spiritual landscape of Texas.