Description
The Houston Texas Temple district blesses the lives of its members who come from twenty-eight stakes. The closest temple before its dedication (in Dallas) is located five hours from Houston, the fourth-largest city in the United States.
The temple serves over forty-four thousand Church members in the southern half of Texas.
History
Announced
Groundbreaking
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Elder Christofferson spoke of humility, repentance, obedience and submission. He exhorted listeners to ask themselves: “What aspect of my life should I bring into harmony in the next two years? What do I need to give up? What do I need to yield? What should I add? Is my nature one of a sincerely broken heart and contrite spirit?” Over the door of the new temple will be the words Holiness to the Lord. Elder Christofferson asked, “What will make each of us more holy as we enter the temple doors?”
Also in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony was a gentleman by the name of Don Hand, the former land owner of the temple site who worked with Church officials to find the right architect for the beautifully designed temple. In the mid-1980s, when the Houston economy took a downturn, Mr. Hand was hit so hard that he feared bankruptcy. He prayed to the Lord and begged His assistance promising to pay Him back in the future. Mr. Hand was spared financial ruin.
As a developer, Mr. Hand originally purchased 2,000 acres in the area of the temple site and had painted a scene for his wife of his conception the area’s future grandeur. The land had been on the market prior to President Gordon B. Hinckley’s site-selection trip to Houston, but when he visited the city it was not available. He viewed the location anyway and informed Realtor Steve Cook that it was the desired site. However, in response to Brother Cook’s queries, Mr. Hand indicated, “No amount of money would interest me in selling that property.”
The agent persisted and eventually discussed the intended usage of the land, to build a temple for the Church. Mr. Hand’s heart softened. He remembered his promise to the Lord so many years earlier and realized that this would be the perfect opportunity to fulfill it. He agreed to sell[1]Church News, 20 June 1998.[2]”The Beginning of the Houston Temple: Site Selection History,” by Steven Cook
Open House
Dedication
President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Houston Texas Temple on 26 August 2000.
Flooding
In late summer of 2017 the Houston area was struck by Hurricane Harvey. The storm dumped up to 52 inches of rain in some areas, and even locations that had never flooded before were under water. This included the Houston Temple. The floods breached the temple beginning 26 August and flooded the temple annex building, the temple basement and the main floor, with water rising to more than a foot. The second floor was not flooded or damaged.
Closure
The temple closed and remained closed for repairs and renovations. In October 2017 the First Presidency issued a letter to local leaders saying the temple would continue to be repaired and would be scheduled to reopen sometime in the spring of 2018.
On Thursday, 8 February 2018, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that the Houston Texas Temple would be rededicated on Sunday, 22 April 2018.
Rededication
President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, rededicated the Houston Texas Temple on Sunday, 22 April 2018.
Reflecting on the flooding, President Ballard said, “What we saw when we came here (August 2017) was a tribute to the people of Houston, the Church and other churches who volunteered so much of their time to help clean up this mess.”
Elder Larry Y. Wilson and Elder S. Gifford Nielsen of the Seventy and Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church assisted President Ballard in the sacred service.
Elder Nielsen, a 35-year resident of Houston, commented on the tremendous volunteers that played a major part in the recovery following Hurricane Harvey. Bishop Waddell commented on how quickly the repairs were made. He said that completing the renovation in seven months “is nothing short of a miracle.” And Elder Wilson said the temple is just like new. Included in the temple is 54 new pieces of artwork.
In 2020, like all the church’s other temples, the Houston Texas Temple was closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[3]