This week in Church history
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50 years ago
Ground was broken for the Los Angeles California Temple in ceremonies presided over by President David O. McKay on Sept. 22, 1951.
"I now declare the first shovel of dirt raised over the site of the Los Angeles Temple which is to be reared to the glory of God and to the salvation of His people," President McKay declared, as recorded in the Sept. 26, 1951 Church News.
The 10th operating temple of the Church was to be built on Santa Monica Boulevard in Westwood on a hill overlooking much of Los Angeles County, the Church News article said.
Joining in the groundbreaking were President McKay's counselors — President Stephen L Richards and President J. Reuben Clark Jr., — and other General Authorities, stake presidents and Church officials. Also attending were Los Angeles Mayor Fletcher Bowron and Beverly Hills Mayor Dean Olson.
According to the Church News, Mayor Bowron "spoke briefly, congratulating the Church on its undertaking and promising the full support of the mayor and people of Los Angeles to bring it to a successful completion."
