The San Diego Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now a dedicated house of the Lord.<\/p>\n
President D. Todd Christofferson<\/a>, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the iconic temple on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The temple, which first opened in 1993, closed in 2023 for extensive renovation.<\/p>\n \u201cThis temple and all latter-day temples constitute our visible, tangible testimony of the living reality of the Redeemer since without His Atonement and Resurrection, the temple would serve no purpose,\u201d President Christofferson said.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTemple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 \/ 2<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload Photos<\/p>\n The Church\u2019s temples, of which there are 385<\/a> in operation or various stages of development, are the faith\u2019s most sacred spaces. In these special buildings, Church members seek peace and guidance, learn more about the purpose of life, make covenants to follow Jesus Christ and serve their neighbor, and participate in marriage or sealing ceremonies that, through the power of Jesus Christ, allow families to be together for eternity.<\/p>\n The public was invited to tour the San Diego Temple<\/a> from June 18 through July 11. More than 250,000 people walked through this house of the Lord during that time.<\/p>\n The dedication comes during a period of heightened focus on temples throughout the world. Latter-day Saints are also preparing for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration<\/a> that will take place from April 5 through October 1, 2027. Each temple open house and dedication is an opportunity to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and deepen appreciation for temple worship.<\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s dedication marked the latest chapter in a history of Latter-day Saint worship in the San Diego area that stretches back nearly two centuries. It began with the arrival of members of the Mormon Battalion in 1847.<\/p>\n Over the decades, Church membership gradually grew through migration, missionary efforts and the establishment of congregations throughout Southern California. The San Diego California Stake was organized in 1941, and continued growth eventually led to the announcement and dedication of the San Diego California Temple in 1993.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTemple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 \/ 2<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload Photos<\/p>\n In an interview before the dedication, President Christofferson reflected on the legacy of those early Latter-day Saints. \u201cI believe the Church still provides a strong positive force in this community,\u201d he said. \u201cThe faith of those who participated in the Mormon Battalion and what they accomplished, I believe, carries through. It\u2019s still here. It\u2019s a legacy that blesses the area and is in a degree memorialized with this temple.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a theme he echoed in his dedicatory remarks. \u201cThe San Diego California Temple is a testament to the faith of many generations, with the promise of more faithful, covenant-keeping generations to come,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is a testament that the Lord has been doing His work here for many years, and that He is now hastening His work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf He was not resurrected, none of this makes sense. There\u2019s no purpose in it. But if He is resurrected, this is very critical, and it\u2019s essential work and activity. The very fact that we\u2019re here and the very fact we build the temple is as powerful a testimony of Him and His Resurrection \u2014 of His living reality \u2014 as we could possibly make.\u201d \u2014President Christofferson<\/p>\n President Christofferson was joined at the dedication by Elders Steven R. Bangerter<\/a> and Taylor G. Godoy<\/a> (Executive Director and an Assistant Executive Director of the Temple Department) and their wives, Susan and Carol; Elder Hugo E. Mart\u00ednez<\/a> (United States West Area Presidency) and his wife, Nuria; and Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell<\/a> and his wife, Carol.<\/p>\n Bishop and Sister Waddell lived in the San Diego area for many years and attended the temple\u2019s original dedication in 1993. They said returning for the rededication brought back memories of family, friends and service in the temple.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was not infrequent that I would attend the temple and walk through those entry doors and see my father sitting behind the recommend desk or see him in some other location in the temple,\u201d Bishop Waddell said. \u201cComing back and walking through those doors brought back some great memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Sister Waddell said the temple reminds her of seeing their children\u2019s sealings there.<\/p>\n \u201cThey know that they have this bond. And I think that\u2019s a very special thing,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a special reminder to come back here frequently to remind ourselves of this beautiful covenant relationship that we\u2019re in.\u201d<\/p>\n The San Diego Temple, originally the Church\u2019s 45th temple, is a four-story building that sits just off Interstate 5 near the city\u2019s La Jolla community. The structure\u2019s unique design features 10 spires, unlike any other temple. The spire on the east side features a statue of Moroni, a prophet from the Book of Mormon.<\/p>\n The temple\u2019s renovation was primarily driven by the need to replace aging art glass windows that had suffered heat damage and cracking. During the project, the windows were redesigned with modern insulated glass units and repositioned to allow the art glass to breathe, preventing future heat buildup. This required extensive scaffolding, which prompted the team to address all other aging systems simultaneously.<\/p>\n \u201cOn behalf of all of us, I wish to congratulate and thank all those who have worked to renovate this temple and to finish it so carefully in every detail,\u201d President Christofferson said. \u201cMost of us, of course, have not participated directly in the work of restoration, refurbishing, and upgrading, but we have taken part through our tithes and offerings. … I am confident that our gracious God will accept this temple as a worthy offering because it is our best, our very best, and it is offered in the humility and sincerity of our hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n President Christofferson concluded his pre-dedication interview with a reflection that everything occurring in a temple is a witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n \u201cIf He was not resurrected, none of this makes sense. There\u2019s no purpose in it,\u201d President Christofferson said. \u201cBut if He is resurrected, this is very critical, and it\u2019s essential work and activity. The very fact that we\u2019re here and the very fact we build the temple is as powerful a testimony of Him and His Resurrection \u2014 of His living reality \u2014 as we could possibly make.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a9 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a9 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n