LDS leaders announce 2 more temples to be built in Utah
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will build two more temples in its headquarters city to accommodate the increasing number of members practicing the church's most sacred rituals.
Members performed a record 32 million temple ceremonies in 2004, church President Gordon B. Hinckley said Saturday during the opening session of the faith's 175th semiannual general conference.
The LDS church has 122 temples in 37 countries around the world. Of those, 72 have been built in 21 countries during the 10 years that Hinckley has been at the helm of the church.
Temple ceremonies include proxy baptisms and marriage ceremonies known as sealings. They are among the most sacred rituals performed by Latter-day Saints. Temples are not open to the public and members must be deemed in good standing, including tithing 10 percent of annual personal income, to enter and perform such ceremonies.
Part of Hinckley's mission as president of the church has been to increase the number of temples around the world for the convenience of members.
"Temple service is the end product of all our teaching and activity," Hinckley reminded the 21,000 people gathered the church conference center to observe the proceedings.
Nine new temples already are in the works, in Rexburg and Twin Falls, Idaho; Sacramento, Calif.; Helsinki, Finland; Panama City, Panama; Harrison, New York; Curitiba, Brazil; Draper, Utah, and one as yet disclosed location.
Of the new facilities planned for the Salt Lake valley, one will be built in South Jordan about 20 miles south of church headquarters, in a massive 4,200-acre, 13,000-unit housing development under construction.
Hinckley did not disclose a specific site for a second new temple in Utah.
"You may ask why we favor Utah so generously," Hinckley said. "It is because of the degree activity that requires it."
About 12 percent of the LDS Church's 12-plus million members live in Utah, where former president Brigham Young settled the church in 1847 after fleeing persecution in Nauvuoo, Ill., two years after the church's founding prophet, Joseph Smith was murdered by a mob.
Mormons have spent much of the year celebrating the 200th anniversary of Smith's birth, Dec. 23, 1805, with conferences and musical pageants.
In the August issue of the church magazine "Ensign," Hinckley challenged members to reread and study the Book of Mormon, the faith's foundational text, which faithful believe was translated through revelation by Smith from a set of ancient gold plates. The book chronicles the history of the ancient Americas and tells the story of Christ's interactions with ancient inhabitants.
L. Tom Perry, a member of the church's governing Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, encouraged members to meet Hinckley's challenge. Such study, he said, will honor Smith, increase faith and help church members "come into Christ."
He noted that many may question what value the book has in the modern world, but said it provides lessons for living and illuminates the reality and machinations of evil.
"It warns us against pride, indifference, procrastination, the dangers of false traditions, hypocrisy and unchastity," Perry said.
Drawing from the teachings laid out by Smith in the Doctrine & Covenants, Mormons place much emphasis on careful, righteous living as a means of gaining entrance into heaven.
Conference-goers were reminded of the importance of developing self-reliance by obeying church convenants of tithing, fasting, avoiding debt and setting aside provisions that could sustain a family for at least one year.
"Strength and resiliency come by righteous living," said Keith McMullin, a bishop who oversees the management of the church's physical assets. "One is not righteous who is a saint on Sunday and slacker the remainder of the week."
