Columbus Ohio Temple
The Columbus Ohio Temple is the 60th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ohio was the site of the first Mormon temple built by the Mormon Church. Under the direction of the prophet Joseph Smith the Kirtland Temple was dedicated in 1836. It served as the site where the keys to bind in heaven and on earth were restored by the prophets Moses, Elias, and Elijah. Not long after the sealing keys were restored, the persecution of the early Saints grew too severe and the Mormons were forced to abandon their temple in Kirtland (which is no longer owned by the LDS Church) and leave the state.
For years after this there were few Mormons in the state of Ohio, but after World War II, many LDS soldiers and their families went to Ohio for schooling and then stayed. Since then the Mormon Church has grown steadily, with about 46,000 members in the year 2000.
Now a new Mormon temple is located about 150 miles southwest of Kirtland in Columbus, Ohio. The Saints of Ohio are once again blessed to have a temple within their midst. Gordon B. Hinckley, the President of the Church, said, “Our people are more accepted now. It is a new day of opportunity. The struggles of Kirtland are past.” 1
Columbus Ohio Temple
Columbus Ohio Temple
Columbus Ohio Temple
Columbus Ohio Temple
Columbus Ohio Temple
Teri McGlaughlin, a member since she was a child said, “I never thought that in my lifetime we would have a temple so close by. I grew up thinking temples were only in Utah and you went there to get married.” 2 Now Ohio Saints can receive the blessings of a Mormon temple marriage in Ohio. Smaller temples, like the Columbus Ohio temple with its marble exterior and art glass windows, are being built all over the world. It is part of President Hinckley’s plan to bring the temples to the people.
President Hinckley dedicated the Columbus Ohio temple on September 4, 1999. About 11,000 members attended the six dedicatory sessions. About 30,000 people attended the open house prior to the dedications.
In his dedicatory prayer, President Hinckley quoted verses from Joseph Smith’s dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland temple, “ ‘that thy church may come forth out of the wilderness of darkness, and shine forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners; and be adorned as a bride for that day when thou shalt unveil the heavens.’ ” 3
President Hinckley also said: “We pray for Thy cause in all the earth. Bless the faithful tithe payers throughout the Church whose consecrated offerings have made this structure possible. Shower blessings upon them, and increase their faith as they give of their means to the building of Thy kingdom.” 4
The Columbus Ohio Temple has a total of 10,700 square feet, 2 ordinance rooms, and 2 sealing rooms.