St. Paul Minnesota Temple Wiki

Description

The St. Paul Minnesota Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oakdale Minnesota.

The St. Paul Minnesota Temple is one of dozens of simplified temples constructed during the Church’s heavy focus on temple building from 1998 to 2000. These temples, although grand structures in their own right, are small relative to some other temples. These houses of worship were built to be more economical, thus allowing more Church members worldwide to attend the temple.

History

The work of the Lord was initiated in Minnesota when members first came 150 years ago. Then, according to historical accounts, missionaries arrived in 1854, but most converts emigrated west. By 1875, the first formal congregation was established. Growth was slow because of emigration until 1900. In 1914, the Church purchased an existing meetinghouse in St. Paul, then built another in Minneapolis in 1924. In the 1950s accelerated growth resulted from the efforts of a sizeable missionary force and members moving to the twin cities to attend university or accept employment.^[1]“First Temple in the Year 2000.” Church News, 14 Jan. 2000.

The oak trees around the temple provided a fond memory for Elder Thomas A. Holt, a resident of St. Paul and a Church leader, as he spoke of the acquisition of the site. During the groundbreaking he stated that while looking for a place to build a new stake center, he had “looked at several sites and felt nothing” until coming to “this beautiful site heavily wooded with oak trees.” he Spirit bore witness to him that this was to be the place for the St. Paul Minnesota Stake Center.^[2] Janet Kruckenberg, “Ground Broken for Temple in Minnesota,” Church News, Oct. 3, 1998, The site not only became home to the new stake center, but it also became home to the St. Paul Minnesota Temple. The stake center now sits adjacent to the temple, offering a place for Church members to gather and attend regular Sunday services.

Announcement

Plans to construct the temple were announced 29 July 1998.

Groundbreaking

Presiding at the groundbreaking ceremony was North America Central Area president Elder Hugh W. Pinnock. He began his remarks by directing his comments to several dignitaries and city officials who were present and key to the temple plans rapid approval. “We promise you a beautiful edifice will be raised on this site,” Elder Pinnock said. “You will be pleased with what you and others will see built in this community.”

Construction began immediately, and Elder Pinnock indicated that the holy building should be operational a year from the day of groundbreaking. Later in his remarks, he added that the temple “will stand as a remarkable symbol of God’s love of our ancestors. Let us pray that not only the building will be constructed well, but also our own lives will be constructed well. You have prayed for this day for so long.” By way of exhortation, Elder Pinnock said, “Your temple recommend is the most valuable piece of paper you have; we can’t help but be thankful for other blessings a temple brings; our children will grow in righteousness; we become a little more like [the Father] and His Son Jesus Christ because [of the temple]. Temples are great equalizers. We are [all] asked the same questions, as men and women we participate in the same ordinances, make the same covenants and we all dress in white in our beautiful temples. We will be together forever as families if we live as we should here on earth. I testify to you that we are led by a living prophet of God. In his musings today, he is aware of this event and the saints gathering here today. This very day has been scheduled because of your dedication.”

Also in attendance at the ceremony was Elder Thomas A. Holt, Area Authority Seventy and a St. Paul resident who could add some insight on the Church’s history in the area. “We’ve waited a long time,” he said, indicating that the first known Latter-day Saints in Minnesota came in 1847 “from Nauvoo to visit their sons and were persuaded to stay.” As Minnesotans were converted, the new members would move to Utah until priesthood leaders declared that members should stay where they were and build the Church. “For decades,” Elder Holt continued, “the closest temple was Salt Lake City, a two-day drive.” Currently, Minnesota is in the Chicago Illinois Temple District, a seven to fourteen hour drive for most Minnesota members. The first stake in Minnesota was organized in 1960. “Now we have six stakes,” Elder Holt said.

which was then followed by the groundbreaking on September 26, 1998. Hugh W. Pinnock, a Church leader and the North America Central Area President, said in his remarks at the groundbreaking, “Let us pray that not only the building will be constructed well, but also our own lives will be constructed well.”^[3] Janet Kruckenberg, “Ground Broken for Temple in Minnesota,” Church News, Oct. 3, 1998,

Open House

Before the temple was dedicated, around 27,000 people toured the temple interior during a public open house.

Dedication

The St. Paul Minnesota Temple was dedicated on January 9, 2000, by Gordon B. Hinckley, who was the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at that time. The timing of the dedication made it the first temple dedicated in the year 2000, making it the first in a year full of dedications. Over 8,000 attended one of the four dedication services, with some 280 waiting outside in near freezing temperatures for the Cornerstone ceremony.

President Hinckley arrived with his wife, Marjorie, to officially apply mortar along the top edge of the cornerstone. He was accompanied by Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Hugh W. Pinnock of the Seventy and president of the North America Central Area and his wife, Anne, and Elder Thomas A. Holt, Area Authority Seventy, and his wife, Bonnie. ^[4]“First Temple in the Year 2000.” Church News, 14 Jan. 2000.

President Hinckley explained to the gathering that he was not an expert mason. After applying mortar, he said, “Now, top that if you can, Brother Maxwell.” He added, “Now, we’re getting better with age,” a comment that brought a ripple of laughter from those gathered. ^[5]“First Temple in the Year 2000.” Church News, 14 Jan. 2000.

During the dedicatory prayer, President Hinckley quoted from the dedication of the temple in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1836: “May the presence of Thy Holy Spirit be felt by all who enter here. May Thy glory rest down upon them, ‘and upon this Thy house, … that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that Thy holy presence may be continually in this house; and that all people who should enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness’ [D&C 109:12–13].” President Hinckley then continued by dedicating the grounds, saying, “We dedicate the grounds on which [the temple] stands, with the vegetation growing thereon which in the season of summer will add to the beauty of this Thy house.”^[6] St. Paul Minnesota Temple dedicatory prayer, in Church News, Jan. 15, 2000,

Dedication Order

The St. Paul Minnesota Temple is the 69th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the first to be built in Minnesota.

2008 Fire

The temple received minor damage on September 10, 2008 in a fire that inspectors believe was arson.

Smoke and fire were reported in the front entry of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday. Fire Chief Jeff Anderson says it was mostly out by the time firefighters arrived.

The fire was mostly confined to the front doors, but Anderson says some light smoke got into a front room.

Church leaders estimated the damage at $25,000.

Investigators found no signs of forced entry, and authorities don’t believe the case was a hate crime.^[7]“Arson Suspected in LDS Temple Fire in Minnesota.” Deseret News, Deseret News, 10 Sept. 2008.

Presidents

Details

Location

The St. Paul Minnesota Temple stands as a majestic landmark in the suburb of Oakdale, a town about eight miles north of St. Paul.

Situated on a 7.5-acre site, the St. Paul Minnesota Temple rests in a lovely wooded area with impressive oak trees surrounding it.

Exterior

Cladding

Incorporating a modern single-spire design, the St. Paul Minnesota Temple has an exterior finish of gray granite veneer and includes a circle pattern motif etched above the temple’s high windows and imprinted along one tier of the spire

Windows

Symbolism

Inscriptions

Cornerstone

ERECTED
2xxx

Spires and Moroni

Spire

Moroni

On top of the spire, the iconic statue of the angel Moroni, a feature of numerous Mormon temples, overlooks the surrounding woodlands. 

Interior

The interior includes a baptistry, instruction rooms, and sealing rooms, where marriages are performed. A celestial room represents eternal life with God.

The total floor area comes to 10,700 square feet.

Rooms

Individuals and Contractors

Sources and Links

Additional Articles

Sources/Citation