San Antonio Texas Temple

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The San Antonio Texas Temple is the 120th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

San Antonio Temple at night
San Antonio Temple at night
waterfall steps in front of Temple
waterfall steps in front of Temple
Temple spire with night star motiff
Temple spire with night star motiff

On June 24, 2001 the Mormon Church announced it would be building a temple in San Antonio, Texas, making it the state's fourth. Within ten years, the number of Mormon members in the area grew from 9,000 to 12,000. Until the San Antonio Texas Temple was completed, Mormons in the area had to travel over 200 miles to reach the nearest temple, near Houston.

On March 29, 2003 a site dedication and groundbreaking ceremony was held and construction began. As the Mormon temple neared completion in September 2004, a ceremony was held to place a thirteen-foot, gold leafed angel Moroni statue on the spire of the temple.

After the building's completion an open house was held April 16 through May 7, 2005 to allow people to see the inside of a Mormon temple. During these three weeks, more than 50,000 people took a tour through the newly finished temple. The inside of the temple is beautifully furnished with African Cherrywood, stained glass windows, paintings of Jesus' life and a mural by San Antonio artist Keith Bonds. The use of colour in the stained glass windows, in a slightly muted southwest style, and the indigo and star motiff inside the central spire sets this edifice apart from most all other LDS temples.

Mormon Church President Gordon B. Hinckley officially dedicated the San Antonio Temple for use on May 22, 2005. The night before the dedication a celebration was held at the Alamodome. More than 20,000 people attended to watch a show featuring over 4,000 singers and dancers, horses, fireworks, and presentations of Texas history, family values, and Mormon beliefs. President Hinckley also spoke to those in attendance about the temple.

The San Antonio Texas Temple serves about 45,250 members living in an area spanning from Waco to Brownsville. It has a total of 16,800 square feet, two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.

Contents

[edit] Latter-day Saint temples in the Western United States

This list excludes temples in Utah and California.

[edit] Images Showing Colour

[edit] See also

[edit] External links