Details

In the city of Freiberg, Germany, stands the Freiberg Germany Temple, a landmark not only dear to Latter-day Saints but to all the people in the surrounding area. This beautiful temple, built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serves members of the Church in eastern Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary. The locals of Freiberg have called this remarkable edifice “our temple” and named the temple grounds “Temple Square.”^[1] Scott Taylor, “Non-Mormons Call Freiberg Germany LDS Temple Their Own,” Deseret News, Sept. 7, 2010. They come to the grounds to take wedding photos, sit on the benches and stroll the walkways.

History

Mormon history in Germany goes back to 1840 when members of The Church of Jesus Christ began moving there. A small branch was set up in Darmstadt, but it was not until 1852 when the first Mormon missionaries arrived in Germany. They brought with them the Book of Mormon in German. In 1939, with the onset of World War II, missionaries were evacuated from Germany and missionary work slowed. After the war, missionaries were only allowed to re-enter the Western part of Germany.

It was not until March 1989 when Mormon missionaries were finally able to enter East Germany. In November of the same year, the Berlin wall came down. Today there are 36,000 members of the Church in Germany and 14 stakes. A second temple was built in Frankfurt in 1987.

After the Bern Switzerland Temple was dedicated in 1955, Latter-day Saints throughout Europe visited it for the Endowment and other temple rites. After 1957,^[2]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :98-100 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12. East German governmental restrictions on foreign travel prevented the country’s Latter-day Saints—about 5,000 in 1970^[3]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10.—from easily obtaining visas to travel to the temple.^[4]Taylor, Scott (2010-09-07). “LDS leader served beyond Iron Curtain“. Deseret News. Retrieved 2010-09-07. Church members repeatedly applied for visas, were rejected, then applied again. An attempt in the early 1970s by Henry Burkhardt, the de jure head of the church in East Germany,^[5]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10. to present the government with a list of 300 church members interested in visiting the temple almost led to his arrest.^[6]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :100 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12. During its existence the German Democratic Republic spied on every LDS congregation’s meetings,^[7]Taylor, Scott (2010-09-06). “Non-Mormons call Freiberg Germany LDS temple their own“. Deseret News. Retrieved 2010-10-10. and Burkhardt had at least three Stasi agents monitoring him at all times. The Stasi and other East German government institutions viewed the church as connected to “the right wing of American conservatism…ruling circles within the American government…and the American secret service.”

The LDS Church appointed Burkhardt as president of the Germany Dresden Mission in 1969 to comply with a new law requiring churches to be led by East Germans. In the 1970s his role gave Burkhardt access to visas to travel to LDS general conferences in Salt Lake City, Utah. Obtaining the visas required him to meet often with East German government officials, whom church leaders encouraged Burkhardt to build relationships with despite his reluctance.^[8]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :100-101 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12. In 1973 and/or 1978, H. Burke Peterson of the Presiding Bishopric, suggested to Burkhardt that the church build an endowment house in East Germany as an alternative to a temple, combining a chapel and an endowment house in one building, so that the latter could be used with the chapel if desecrated. ^[9]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10 ^[10]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :102 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12. This idea was eventually passed over, but great consideration was put into the idea at the time.

Henry Burkhardt, a Church leader in Germany at the time, often requested that the German Democratic Republic (GDR) allow members of the Church to travel across East Germany’s borders to attend the temples outside of the country. After more travel requests were sent to the GDR in 1977, the GDR suggested that instead of constantly asking to leave, why could the Church not just build a temple in East Germany — much to the surprise of Burkhardt. At first, Burkhardt said no, thinking that the temple would be open to inspection by government officials.

From the Governments point of view, on of the pluses of building a temple within East GErmany would be that doing so would reduce visa requests. Additionally, the cash strapped government had a new policy to cooperate with churches in hopes of obtaining hard currency through construction. The church would be allowed to build not just a temple, but chapels, on the condition that American currency, worth significantly more than the East German currency, be used to pay for materials and labor.^[11]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10 ^[12]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :104-105 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12.

The church emphasized temples’ unantastbar (“sanctity”) nature to the government. After further talks, the GDR promised that only those with temple recommends would enter the temple after its dedication, and from that time the plans to build a temple in Freiberg went forth.

Design

The church intended to locate the building in Karl-Marx-Stadt, a longtime center of Communist ideology, as its LDS congregation needed a new chapel. In 1980 the local government rejected a new chapel within the city despite the national government’s support, and instead assigned the building to Freiberg, about 20 miles (32 km) away.^[13]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :109-111 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12.

Although disappointed at first, Burkhardt and church leaders in Utah came to see the Freiberg location as superior. By April 1981, city officials’ welcoming of the project ahead of the forthcoming 800th anniversary of Freiberg’s founding in 1986 encouraged the church to plan for a separate chapel and temple.^[14]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :111-112,114-115 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12. In 1982 the government also permitted the church to acquire a one-acre (4,000 m2) hillside site instead of the normal long-term lease.

The plans did not include an angel Moroni and no request to the government for one was made, although it would likely have permitted a statue if asked.^[15]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :121 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12.

The temple was built with good quality materials, but under fear that the Temple could eventually be seized, the Temple was not built of the finest materials available at the time. For example, galvanized pipe was used for the plumbing, though copper could have been obtained. This choice would lead to frequent repairs over the years until the plumbing’s replacement during a remodel. So great was the concern over the potential loss of the temple that it lead President Hinckley, Second counselor in the First Presidency, to express the fear during the dedication that the temple might soon become a museum. ^[16]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :121,123-125 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12.

Announcement

On October 9, 1982, the Freiberg Germany Temple was announced.

Groundbreaking

Thomas S. Monson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, presided over the groundbreaking on 23 April 1983.^[17]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10

Construction

The government aided in speeding up paperwork and construction for the temple, in part to help commemorate the anniversary of Freiberg’s founding; by contrast, although the Frankfurt Germany Temple was announced 1½ years before Freiberg, it was not finished until two years after Freiberg.^[18]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10 The church also received approval to tap the new Trans-Siberian Pipeline, which passed near the temple, to heat the buildings with natural gas instead of brown coal, which would have required a large, dirty coal plant on the site.^[19]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10 ^[20]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :119-120 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12. The construction used triple glazing and other advanced methods unusual for East Germany, and despite restrictions on imported materials, architects were able to obtain three high-quality Czech crystal chandeliers for the Celestial and sealing rooms at the Leipzig Trade Fair.^[21]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10

Because the church was unsure of how long the temple’s sacredness would remain intact, however, the bulk of the temple’s materials were of “average” or “mediocre” quality, and steps were not taken to ease future expansion. Unlike the contemporaneous Stockholm and Frankfurt temples, for example, the Freiberg temple did not include an air conditioning system despite its availability in East Germany, causing hundreds to faint during temple rites.^[22]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :121-122 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12.

Open House

The temple was open to the public for tours June 3-15, 1985. Those who attended the tours of the 7,840-square-foot (728 m2) temple were able to see the exterior and its German-influenced design with gothic style arches, as well as the interior with its one ordinance room and two sealing rooms. Though just 40,000 Germans called the city of Freiberg home, crowds of 89,871 people waited up to seven hours to tour the temple during the open house, despite 21 Stasi agents monitoring and photographing all visitors.^[23]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :96,124 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12. The temple was dedicated in seven sessions on June 29-30, 1985, by Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency, and Burkhardt became its first president.^[24]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10

Dedication

On June 29, 1985, the Freiberg Germany Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church at that time. When the temple was dedicated there were 29,900 members in Germany.

Dedicaton Order

The Freiberg Germany Temple was the third temple built in Europe, the first built in the current boundaries of Germany, and the first built in a communist nation.

Operation

During its first few weeks of operation church members who had not visited a temple before received priority in appointments due to concerns over a potential future loss of the temple. ^[25]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :121,123-125 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12.

As East Germany sought in the 1980s to improve its image abroad, however, the Latter-day Saints’ alleged ties to the United States government (President Benson had been Secretary of Agriculture for President Dwight D. Eisenhower while simultaneously serving as an Apostle,) and other Western powers worked in the church’s favor. The Stasi’s close monitoring of East German members over the years gave the church credibility, as the government came to see Latter-day Saints as citizens of good character who, in keeping with the 12th Article of Faith, did not conspire against the nation.^[26]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :125 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12. Accordingly, it agreed that no one without a recommend would enter the temple after the dedication, and fears of electronic surveillance proved groundless.^[27]Taylor, Scott (2010-09-07). “LDS leader served beyond Iron Curtain“. Deseret News. Retrieved 2010-09-07.

After the temple’s dedication, the grounds—nicknamed “Temple Square”—became a popular site for local non-LDS newlyweds’ wedding photos.

Latter-day Saints popularly attribute a hastened fall of the communist regime, and the Freiberg area’s prosperity in relatively poor eastern Germany, to the temple’s presence and influence on the country.^[28] Scott Taylor, “Non-Mormons Call Freiberg Germany LDS Temple Their Own,” Deseret News, Sept. 7, 2010. ^[29]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10

After the reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990, the Freiberg and Frankfurt temples made it the second country, after Canada, outside of the United States to have more than one. (The Toronto Ontario Temple had been dedicated just six weeks prior, making it the second Canada Temple after Cardston Alberta.)

Although when dedicated the temple was originally open only to East German church members,^[30]Boone, David F.; Richard O. Cowan (2003). “The Freiberg Germany Temple: A Latter-day Miracle“. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe: 147–67. Retrieved 2010-10-10 it now also serves those in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary,^[31] Scott Taylor, “Non-Mormons Call Freiberg Germany LDS Temple Their Own,” Deseret News, Sept. 7, 2010. and, before the Kyiv Ukraine Temple’s 2010 dedication, Russia and Ukraine.^[32] Scott Taylor, “Non-Mormons Call Freiberg Germany LDS Temple Their Own,” Deseret News, Sept. 7, 2010.

The temple received badly needed air conditioning in 1994.^[33]Kuehne, Raymond M. (Summer 2004). “The Freiberg Temple: An Unexpected Legacy of a Communist State and a Faithful People“. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. :122 . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-12.

Renovation 2002

Renovations began in 2001 which nearly doubled the square footage to 14,125 square feet (1,312.3 m2) and added 12 oxen to support the baptismal font, a waiting room for those not able to enter the temple, a matron and brides room, as well as an office for the temple president. Sattelite imagery from before and after the renovation indicate this expansion was accomplished by moving the entire front of the temple , including the large arch like spire, further eastward by several feet.

As part of the renovation, on December 20, 2001 an angel Moroni statue was placed on top of the temple. ^[34]”Angel statue added to Freiberg temple,” Church News 12 Jan. 2002: 6.

Open House

A second open house was held August 17-31, 2002.^[35]

Rededication

After renovations, Gordon B. Hinckley rededicated the temple on September 7, 2002. President Hinckley began the dedicatory prayer by saying: “Seventeen years ago we dedicated the original structure. It was built under remarkable circumstances and has well served Thy faithful sons and daughters. Since then, marvelous and wonderful happenings have occurred in this land. The nation of Germany, once divided, has become one. The infamous wall is gone, and the people of the land mingle freely together.” President Hinckley continued by blessing the land of Germany and its people. He then dedicated the temple as a house of God and blessed it “from the footings to the top of the tower.”^[35] Freiberg Germany Temple dedicatory prayer, in Church News, Sept. 14, 2002.

Renovation 2015

Beginning February 9, 2015, for an extensive remodeling and expansion project that added a second ordinance room and created a larger Celestial Room with a raised ceiling.^[36]”Two Temples Scheduled for Renovation in Germany and Idaho“, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2014-12-16 This renovation would expand the temple to the west.

Open House

On January 21, 2016, the church announced that a public open house would be held from Friday, August 12, 2016 through Saturday, August 27, 2016, excluding Sundays.^[37]”The First Presidency Announces Open House and Dedication Dates for Three Temples: Temples to open in Sapporo, Japan, Freiberg, Germany, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania“, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2016-01-21

Cultural Celebration

In conjunction with the rededication, a cultural celebration was held on Saturday, 3 September 2016 that brought together 400 young men and women from eastern Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland.^[38] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Rededicates Freiberg Germany Temple,” 4 Sep. 2016.

Rededication

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, rededicated the Freiberg Germany Temple on Sunday, 4 September 2016. The temple was rededicated in three sessions, 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. The services were broadcast to Church meetinghouses in Germany as well as to Latter-day Saints living in the Freiberg Germany Temple district. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as the Church’s European area presidency, Elders Patrick Kearon, Paul V. Johnson and Gary B. Sabin, accompanied President Uchtdorf for the three rededication sessions. Following the final dedicatory session, President Uchtdorf accompanied by his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, joined the members outside the temple in singing “Gott mit euch, bis wir uns wiedersehn” (“God Be with You Till We Meet Again”). ^[39]”President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Rededicates Freiberg Germany Temple“, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2016-09-04

Details

Location

The Freiberg Germany Temple stands in the northwest section of beautiful and historic Freiberg. Citizens of all faiths feel an owernship and pride in the building, which they refer to as “our” temple. Distribution Services and housing for the temple president, missionaries, and patrons are located west of the temple.

Included on the temple site is an adjacent Latter-day Saint meetinghouse where Church members come to worship on Sundays and have activities during the week. The attractive grounds are lovingly maintained and open to the public.

Exterior

The Freiberg Germany Temple’s exterior is white German stucco over brick walls and incorporates a modern design with German influences. Its unique style includes a high arch that forms a single spire where the statue of the angel Moroni, a prophet from the Book of Mormon, stands. The roof is made of blue-gray slate slab.

Interior

The interior of the Freiberg Germany Temple includes rooms that are found in all Mormon temples: a baptistry; a celestial room, representative of eternal life with God; an instruction room, where members of the Church learn about God’s plan and make sacred promises; and sealing rooms, where marriages are performed.

The Freiberg Germany Temple has a rich legacy and is a beacon today for Latter-day Saints and locals alike. It was constructed despite difficult circumstances and stands today as a reminder of the peace and harmony the temple offers to all.