Billings Montana Temple

Billings Montana LDS Temple

The Billings Montana Temple is the 66th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Before the Billings Montana temple was built, members of the Mormon Church had to drive six to eight hours (depending on the weather( to go to the temple. When the Billings Montana Temple was announced, Latter-day Saints in the area rejoiced. About 4,800 people gathered during a spring snowstorm to witness the temple groundbreaking, during which a choir of 700 youth sang.

Before the temple was dedicated it was open to the public and visitors were encouraged to walk through, enjoy the pictures of Christ, and learn about what takes place in a temple, because contrary to what many believe Mormon temples are not secret, but sacred. After the dedication only worthy members with a temple recommend may enter the temple because "like the earliest Christians, Latter-day Saints have sacred, private ceremonies offering the most lofty and beautiful aspects of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ," [1] and these take place within temples.

To accommodate all of the members of the area, eight dedicatory sessions were held on 20-21 of November 1999. President Gordon B. Hinckley said in his dedicatory prayer of the Billings Montana Temple,

Bless those who have worked so long and diligently in the face of opposition to obtain the necessary permits and to erect this sacred temple. May a glad acceptance now prevail concerning it, even a sense of gratitude for its presence. We pray that this area, in fact this whole city, may feel the Spirit that emanates from this hallowed structure. [2]

The Billings Montana Temple sits on the hillside in front of 300-foot high red Rimrock cliffs. The single spire rises from a tiered tower. Stained-glass windows dominate the west end. Inside, a clear skylight allows patrons to glimpse the angel Moroni atop the spire. The exterior features Wyoming white dolomite with tan sandstone finish. The temple will service the 36,000 members in Montana and northern Wyoming. The Billings Montana Temple has a total of 33,800 square feet, two ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms.

Notes

1. Jeff Lindsay, Mormon Temples and Secrecy
2. News of the Church,” Ensign, Feb. 2000, 74

See also

• Inside Mormon Temples
• Mormon Temples
• The Temple Endowment
• Mormon Undergarments
• LDS Weddings

External links

• Official LDS Billings Montana Temple page
• Billings Montana Temple page
• Billings Montana Temple page
• Unofficial LDS Temples Site
• Mormon Temple Worship - BBC Religion & Ethics
• Mormon Temple Ordinances - ReligionFacts