History

Announcement

The building of a temple in the Las Vegas area was announced on April 7, 1984. The Las Vegas Nevada Temple was announced concurrently with the Portland Oregon Temple, Toronto Ontario Temple, San Diego California Temple, and Bogotá Colombia Temple. The announcements were made to officers in the Stakes of the future temples prior to the Saturday Morning session of General Conference. President Gordon B. Hinckley, Second Counselor in the First Presidency made the announcement to the General Church after the Sustaining of Church Officers.

^[1]Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Sustaining of Church Officers” LDS.org, April 1984

Groundbreaking

A groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication for the temple were held on November 30, 1985. President Gordon B. Hinckley, then a counselor in the First Presidency, presided and gave the dedication prayer. Construction began soon after the ceremony.

Over six thousand members attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Las Vegas Nevada Temple in the Las Vegas Convention Center downtown. The program included a videotaped presentation of Church leaders and dignitaries at the temple site turning the earth with shovels earlier that day.

Open House

After four years, the temple construction was complete, and a series of open houses were held. The first open house included VIP tours for the media and special guests, including the governor, senators, U.S. representatives and local business and civic leaders. These VIP tours were hosted by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder H. Burke Peterson of the Seventy. After the VIP tours, people who lived near the temple were invited to a breakfast and tour, and nearly all who were invited attended. Later that same day, the temple hosted a luncheon for local clergy members.

During the 23-day open house of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple, 297,480 visitors toured the edifice. More than 99,000 visited the missionary pavilion following their tour, and missionaries reported that teaching appointments tripled in the valley as a result of the temple’s opening.

Dedication

Hinckley dedicated the Las Vegas Nevada Temple in sessions held December 16–18, 1989. Eleven sessions were held and more than 30,000 Latter-day Saints attended the dedicatory services.
Eleven sessions were held and more than 30,000 Mormon members attended the dedicatory services.

Over 30,000 members attended the temple dedication, which was held in 11 sessions between December 16 and 18, 1989. President Ezra Taft Benson presided over the first three sessions on the first day of the dedication. During the dedicatory prayer, President Benson said, “For all who enter the portals of thy house may this be an oasis of peace and life and light, in contrast with the clamor and evil and darkness of the world.”

^[2]Ezra Taft Benson, “Dedicatory Prayer”

Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Las Vegas Nevada Temple December 17-18, 1989 during the remaining sessions

Dedicatory Prayer

Dedication Order

The Las Vegas Temple was is the 43rd active temple built, the first temples in Nevada, and the 21st temple in theUnited States.

At the time of the dedication of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple there were 2 other temples under construction, and 2 temples awaiting ground breaking. Additionally there were 2 temples under rennovation.

Under Construction	Awaiting Groundbreaking	Undergoing Renovation
Toronto Ontario	Bogota Columbia	Oakland California
San Diego California	Guayaquil Ecuador	Cardston Alberta

Presidents

Temple President	Years Served
President Stanford W. Nielson	2015–
President Terry D. Rogers	2012–2015
President Bruce M. Ballard	2009–2012
President H. Bruce Stucki	2006–2009
President Frank F. Dixon	2003–2006
President Neil C. Twitchell	2001–2001
President Don L. Christensen	2001–2003
President Paul Judd	1998–2001
President J. Ballard Washburn	1995–1998
President Samuel M. Davis	1992–1995
President Boyad M. Tanner	1989–1992

Details

Located in the Sunrise Manor CDP near Las Vegas, Nevada, the temple sits on 10.3 acres (4.2 ha) of land at the base of Frenchman Mountain also known as “Sunrise Mountain.” It is the last of 14 Mormon temples built in a 6 spire design with a slopped roof, reminiscent of a tent. All temples of this style were dedicated in the 1980s.

Exterior

The 80,350-square-foot structure has white precast stone walls, a copper roof and other copper detailing. The grounds are replete with desert vegetation, flowers and palm trees.

Cladding

The exterior is a an off white finish of pre-cast stone walls, a dusty rose red foundation of pre cast and a copper roof.

Windows

Art glass windows are placed throughout the temple. These windows are particularly striking in the celestial room, where they reach from floor to ceiling and face southeast and southwest, allowing sunlight to stream in throughout the day. Topping each window is an oval inscribed with a cut-glass star, scattering miniature rainbows throughout the room.

Symbolism

Inscriptions

There is one inscription on the Las Vegas Nevada Temple It is on the east side of the temple at the base of tallest tower of the temple.

HOLINESS TO THE LORD
THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

Cornerstone

There is one cornerstone on the Las Vegas Nevada Temple. It is at the base of the South east most tower, on the south east most side.

ERECTED
1989

Spires and Moroni

Spire

The temple has six spires, the highest of which is 119 feet (36 m). At the top of this tower stands a ten-foot statue of the angel Moroni.

Moroni

The angel Moroni statue of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple faces east, away from the city, symbolically heralding the Second Coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Interior

The temple is 80,350 square feet and has 192 rooms, which includes four ordinance rooms, a Celestial room, six sealing rooms, a baptismal font, and other facilities to meet the needs of the purposes of the temple.

The interior of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple is painted in dusty rose, rust, brown and sand tones, reflecting the soft elegance of the Southwest. Brass and silver accents complement the desert hues to create a feeling of warmth and serenity.

Individuals and Contractors

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Contractor
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Sources and Links