Columbia River, Washington - Mormon Temple
The Columbia River Washington Temple is the 3rd temple in Washington. Church membership in Washington has grown from 67,000 members in 1970 to nearly 230,000 Latter-day Saints in 2001. Because of the tremendous growth members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now enjoy the blessings of having three Mormon temples within their state. The Columbia River temple serves 32,000 members in eastern Washington and northern Oregon.
“The temple has been accepted very well in the community,” said Allan D. Alder, temple president. “And the Church members are so thankful. The tears just run because they’re so appreciative to have a temple this close to them.”1
Members of the Church have to be prepared to go to the temple and receive a recommend that says they are worthy. At the groundbreaking ceremony Elder Stephen A. West, of the Seventy, reminded members, "Our homes are where we become prepared to go to the temple. Carved over the temple door is the phrase, ‘The House of the Lord.’ Our houses should be homes where the Lord could be comfortable to visit. In the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple it was said…’establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.’ May that be said of our homes as well." 2
The Mormon Church is very concerned about families. That is one reason they build temples. Because it is in Mormon temples that families are sealed together for eternity. But these blessings are only realized when families learn to love each other and the Lord while living on earth. By making homes a heaven on earth, members achieve happiness in this life and the next.
Before the temple was dedicated it was opened to the public. Nearly 65,000 people visited the temple during the open house period. Visitors were able to see the inside of the temple and learn the purpose of temples.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the Columbia River Washington Temple, located in Richland, Washington, on 18 November 2001.
During the dedicatory prayer President Gordon B. Hinckley prayed, “Thy grateful people have erected this house. It has been visited by many thousands. They have come out of curiosity and have left with appreciation. May their hearts be inclined to Thy work and may there grow within them a desire to learn of Thy revealed truth." 3
His prayer was answered as many of the visitors after touring the temple asked to hear more about the gospel. Within a few weeks of the of the open house the Washington Spokane Mission reported, "that more than 20 open house visitors had joined the Church and many more were investigating." 4
President Hinckley also asked "that Thou wilt smile upon Thy people and their families. Open the windows of heaven and shower down blessings upon the faithful who contribute of their time and resources according to Thy will and law. May the whole earth become as Zion as Thy work spreads among the nations." 5
For more information about Mormon temples visit the sites below:
LDS (Mormon) Temple resources
LDS Temples - Mormon Temples - Salt Lake Temple
Teachings About Mormon Temples
(1) “News of the Church,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 74
(2) 4 November 2000, Church News.
(3) "Dedicatory prayer: ‘The offering of our hearts and our hands,’" Church News 24 Nov. 2001, 25 Jun. 2005
(4) “News of the Church,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 74
(5) "Dedicatory prayer: ‘The offering of our hearts and our hands.’"