Description

Before the temple’s construction, Church members in the area traveled long distances to attend other temples. At the time of the temple’s announcement, the closest temple was the Toronto Ontario Temple, which is more than three hours away from Detroit. Church President Gordon B. Hinckley described the local Church members’ reaction to the construction of the new temple: “They appreciate it very much. They have indicated that they’re so deeply grateful for this sacred structure and we, too, are happy that it has been erected here and dedicated and that the work of the Lord now goes forward here in this part of the earth.”^[1] Gordon B. Hinckley, in Greg Hill, “A Temple in their Midst,” Church News, Oct. 30, 1999, The Detroit Michigan Temple serves Church members living in most of the southern peninsula of Michigan.

The location is a great blessing to many members, but none more so than those who have lived in eastern Michigan since the area was in the Salt Lake Temple District. One of those, Harold Rice of the North Shores Ward, Bloomfield Hills Stake, was an ordinance worker in the new temple. He listed the temple districts he has been in since Salt Lake and the travel time required to drive to each: Washington, 11 hours; Chicago, 5 hours; Toronto, 4 hours; Detroit, 45 minutes. “And I’ve lived in the same spot for 50 years,” he said. “We’re thoroughly enjoying having this temple.” ^[2]Church News, 30 October 1999

History

The first missionaries of the Church arrived in Michigan in 1831, including the Prophet Joseph Smith’s brother Hyrum Smith. Also in 1831, Joseph Smith’s mother, Lucy Mack Smith, visited the family of Colonel Stephen Mack, her late brother. Stephen Mack had helped found Pontiac, Michigan, and had built the turnpike road that eventually became Woodward Avenue, the road where the temple stands today. During Lucy Mack Smith’s visit, she shared the gospel with many people.

Joseph Smith visited Michigan in 1834 and preached to large groups of people there. In 1880, missionaries from the Northwestern States Mission began to teach the gospel in Detroit, and converts joined the main body of the Church in Utah. The Detroit Stake — a group of congregations similar to a Catholic diocese — was created in 1952. George W. Romney, who served as the governor of Michigan from 1962 to 1969, was named president of the Detroit Stake. 

Announced

The Detroit Michigan Temple was announced on 10 August 1998.

The temple site in Bloomfield Hills was one of the last considered during the search for a suitable site. President Bithell, who was in charge of finding a site, explained that he considered property behind the stake center, but it wasn’t selected because the temple would be hidden behind the meetinghouse, and the property to the north of the stake center was assumed to be too small. But after considering several properties near other meetinghouses, Pres. Bithell again looked at the tree-covered lot outside his office window and wondered about the northward property. It was measured “and it was just perfect,” he said. He said the lot was part of the original eight acres purchased for Michigan’s first stake center in 1952. Although selling the piece was often under consideration, it never happened.

Groundbreaking

At the Detroit Michigan Temple groundbreaking, on October 10, 1998, Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy gave four suggestions to the families that attended. He suggested that families: “Pray that temple construction will progress on time and without injuries or undue delays; hang a picture of a temple in the home where children will see it and think, “Someday I will go there;” gather family histories, perhaps starting simply by asking family members questions and writing down the answers; and obtain a temple recommend and always carry it worthily.” ^[3] News of the Church, Ensign, Jan. 1999, 77

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Detroit Michigan Temple was held on the same day as the groundbreaking ceremony for the Spokane Washington Temple, marking the first time that groundbreaking ceremonies were held on the same day.

Open House

Before the temple’s public open house, Church officials conducted private tours for various civic and religious leaders and representatives of the media. Many of the 749 people who attended the private tours were touched by a new film the Church had recently released that introduced the temple and highlighted the importance of eternal families. Following their tour, two local government leaders said of the angel Moroni statue, “We are glad to have an angel watching over our city.”^[4] In Patricia Michalek, “Detroit Open House Visitors Feel ‘Serenity of the Temple,’” Church News, Oct. 23, 1999. Approximately 30,000 people visited the temple during its public open house.

Dedication

On the day of the temple’s dedication, a cold front brought a northern wind mixed with freezing rain. Thomas C. Bithell, president of the Bloomfield Hills Michigan Stake, observed, “For the members, it’s a warm day.” He then pointed to the temple and said, “There’s lots of sunshine inside.”^[5]http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/36712/A-temple-in-their-midst.htmlThomas C. Bithell, in Greg Hill, “A Temple in their Midst,” Church News, Oct. 30, 1999, .

President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Detroit Michigan Temple in six sessions on October 23 and 24, 1999. In his dedicatory prayer he prayed for faithful Church members everywhere: “Pour out Thy blessings upon Thy faithful people wherever they may be. Open the windows of heaven and let blessings shower down upon them. Hear and answer their supplications. When they are called upon to walk in the dark shadows of life, bring them light and understanding, reassurance and peace.”^[6]“Detroit Michigan Temple: ‘The Offering of Our Hands and Our Hearts,’” Church News, Oct. 30, 1999,

Dedication Order

It is the 63rd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is the only temple in Michigan. 

Presidents

Temple President	Years Served
Kaplin S. Jones	2019–2019
Raymond W. Pollard	2016–2019
Steven A. Hedquist	2013–2016
Phillip G. Pulsipher	2010–2013
William J. Schilling	2007–2010
David R. Shurtz	2004–2007
Cyrus J. Webber Jr.	1999–2004

Details

Location

The Detroit Michigan Temple is a peaceful refuge surrounded by 3.1 acres of carefully landscaped lawns and trees in Bloomfield Hills, a suburb about 24 miles north of Detroit.

The temple is located near Woodward Avenue, a major eight-lane road in Bloomfield Hills, but the mature trees and expansive lawn provide tranquility around the temple despite the busy area. The temple’s location has created interest, and people are welcome to visit the grounds, where attendants are available to answer questions.

Exterior

The temple’s exterior finish is composed of 50 tons of Imperial Danby marble, which was quarried in Vermont close to the home of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

A gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni tops the temple’s single spire.

The exterior is adorned with long, slender art-glass windows topped with circular designs in the stone, similar to several other temples with smaller designs announced by the Church in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The smaller temples are generally about 10,700 square feet in size and were part of the Church’s efforts to bring temples closer to its members.

Interior