Billings Montana Temple
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. Sister Hawkins, age 88, served many years
at the nearest Mormon temple
in Idaho Falls, now she is grateful "they're bringing the temples to
us. It's going to be good for my family that lives in Billings." 1
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.
About 4,800 people gathered during a spring snowstorm to witness the
groundbreaking of the Billings, Montana temple. During the
groundbreaking a choir of 700 youth sang. One of the choir members,
17-year-old Maggie Koernig said, “This has been one of the most
beautiful days of my life. Just sitting here and feeling the energy of
all of us being together and strong in the faith and knowing that it is
true was really awesome. Even though it was really bad weather, I
wouldn’t trade it for anything, being able to see the groundbreaking
and know that some day I can go in that temple and be married." 2
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Elder Pinnock, of the Seventy
asked members living in the temple district to do three things before
the temple was dedicated: “Live the commandments"2
and be good neighbors, prepare names of your ancestors so that when the
temple is completed you can "accomplish the vital ordinances and
covenants for your relatives," 2
and teach the youth, like Maggie Koernig, so that will be worthy to do baptisms for the dead and be married in the temple.
Before the LDS (Mormon) temple
was dedicated it was open to the public where 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," 3
and these take place within temples.
Eight dedicatory sessions were held to accommodate all of the members of the area on 20-21st
of November 1999. President 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.”4
For more information about Mormon temples visit the sites below:
LDS (Mormon) Temple resources
LDS Temples - Mormon Temples - Salt Lake Temple
USATODAY.com - Mormons open temple doors to share beliefs
BBC - Religion & Ethics - Mormon Temples
Manhattan Mormon Temple New York City.com : Arts & Attractions ...
Mormon Temple: Information From Answers.com
History of Mormon Temples
Mormon Temple Ordinances - ReligionFacts.com
(1) 27 November 1999, Church News.
(2) “News of the Church,” Ensign,
May 1998, 119
(3) Jeff Lindsay, Mormon Temples and "Secrecy", http://mormanity.blogspot.com/2005/01/mormon-temples-and-secrecy.html
(4) News of the Church,” Ensign, Feb. 2000, 74
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