{"id":441839,"date":"2026-08-24T08:16:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T08:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/441839\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T08:16:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T08:16:14","slug":"latter-day-saint-leader-rededicates-the-san-diego-temple-deseret-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/441839\/","title":{"rendered":"Latter-day Saint leader rededicates the San Diego temple \u2013 Deseret News"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN DIEGO, California \u2014 When President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the San Diego California Temple<\/a> in April of 1993, he noted the structure\u2019s striking beauty. <\/p>\n

The 45th temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints literally shimmers in the Southern California sun on a ridge above the Interstate 5 freeway in the north San Diego neighborhood of La Jolla. Drivers have a full view of the temple\u2019s soaring double-towers, surrounding spires and the gleaming statue of angel Moroni.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe San Diego California Temple at sunrise on the morning of its rededication on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Rick Loomis, for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

And yet, as President Hinckley participated in one of the 23 dedicatory sessions for what was then California\u2019s third temple, he emphasized that whether temples are large or small, grand or rather simple, the construction of the buildings is not an end in itself. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a means to an end,\u201d he said, \u201dwhich has to do with that magnificent promise that \u2018God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life\u2019 (John 3:16<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is the purpose of building temples,\u201d President Hinckley declared, as recorded in a 1993 Church News article<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"PresidentPresident D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, greets Evaly Monroe while his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, waits to enter the temple during the rededication ceremony of the San Diego California Temple on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Rick Loomis, for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

That connection \u2014 of the Savior to his house \u2014 was echoed by President D. Todd Christofferson<\/a>, second counselor in the First Presidency, who rededicated the sacred structure more than 33 years later on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince Jesus Christ is essential for our exaltation, it is not surprising that so much in the temple and temple ordinances is tied to him,\u201d President Christofferson said.<\/p>\n

The San Diego temple and all Latter-day Saint temples constitute \u201cour 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 declared.<\/p>\n

The San Diego California Temple closed in July 2023<\/a> for extensive renovations, including improvements in accessibility; upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; and repairs to the roof. A public open house<\/a> from June 18 to July 11 attracted close to 300,000 visitors.<\/p>\n

\"\"From left, Elder Hugo E. Martinez and his wife, Sister Nuria Alvarez de Martinez; Sister Susan A. Bangerter and her husband, Elder Steven R. Bangerter, General Authority Seventy; President D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson; Sister Carol S. Waddell and her husband, Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell; Elder Taylor G. Godoy and his wife, Sister Carol Tatiana Pacheco Agostinelli, pause for a photo at the rededication ceremony of the San Diego California Temple on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Rick Loomis, for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

Some 550 Latter-day Saints gathered within the walls of the temple on Sunday for the single 11 a.m. rededication session that was broadcast to the 16 stakes in Southern California and southwest Arizona that make up the temple district. <\/p>\n

The San Diego temple rededication marks President Christofferson\u2019s second Southern California temple dedicatory service this summer. He dedicated the Yorba Linda California Temple in Orange County<\/a> in June.<\/p>\n

\"\"The San Diego California Temple on its rededication ceremony day on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Rick Loomis, for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

Since its original dedication, the San Diego temple has become an iconic landmark in the community, said Drew Page, who served with his wife, Linda Page, as the temple open house and dedication coordinators. Local news stations will use it to report on traffic. \u201cThere\u2019s a mural painted of San Diego County, and one of the things in the mural is the San Diego temple,\u201d he said. Colloquially, it\u2019s known as \u201cthe castle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because of its prominence, the open house became an \u201cincredible opportunity,\u201d said Linda Page. \u201cPeople would come to the open house saying, \u2018I\u2019ve driven past this for 33 years. I\u2019m dying to see what\u2019s inside.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"President D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, greets a young boy at the rededication ceremony of the San Diego California Temple on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Rick Loomis, for the Deseret News A noble history <\/p>\n

The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Diego dates back to the early Restoration when the U.S. government recruited Latter-day Saints migrating west after fleeing persecution in Nauvoo, Illinois. <\/p>\n

Known as the Mormon Battalion, the group of Latter-day Saint volunteer infantrymen marched nearly 2,000 miles from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to San Diego, California. Though they never saw combat, they established routes and reported information that proved crucial to the settlement of the American Southwest.<\/p>\n

\"\"The San Diego California Temple at sunrise on the morning of its rededication on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Rick Loomis, for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

When the Mormon Battalion reached San Diego in late January 1847, many mustered out and traveled to Utah to be reunited with their families, but Company B stayed and built sidewalks, dug wells, built the courthouse and continued to build the community.<\/p>\n

A few stayed in California, establishing a Latter-day Saint presence in the coastal state that has continued to grow.<\/p>\n

In 1893 \u2014 the year the Salt Lake Temple<\/a> was dedicated \u2014 there were about 80 members of the church in California. By 1930, there were more than 21,000.<\/p>\n

Today, the San Diego temple is one of nine operating temples in California, with one in Modesto scheduled to be dedicated<\/a> in November and two others in planning stages.<\/p>\n

Speaking of the history of the church in the area, President Christofferson called the San Diego California Temple \u201da testament to the faith of many generations, with the promise of more faithful, covenant-keeping generations to come. It 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

\"TheThe grounds of the San Diego California Temple are pictured on Monday, June 15, 2026. | Rick Loomis, for the Deseret News San Diego temple facts<\/p>\n

Address: 7474 Charmant Drive, San Diego, California 92122-5000<\/p>\n

Announced: April 7, 1984, by the First Presidency, with President Spencer W. Kimball as Church President<\/p>\n

Groundbreaking: Feb. 27, 1988, presided over by President Ezra Taft Benson<\/a>, Church President<\/p>\n

Dedicated: April 25, 1993, by President Gordon B. Hinckley<\/a>, first counselor in the First Presidency<\/p>\n

Rededication open house: June 18 through July 11, 2026, excluding Sundays<\/p>\n

Rededicated: Aug. 23, 2026, by President D. Todd Christofferson<\/a>, second counselor in the First Presidency<\/p>\n

Property size: 7.2 acres<\/p>\n

Building size: 58,005 square feet<\/p>\n

Building height: 169 feet to the top of the spire<\/p>\n

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