Two events were held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in recent months heralding the upcoming construction of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple.
Open House, August 25, 2016:
Elected officials, multi-faith leaders, neighbourhood group leaders, community residents and local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered at the Winnipeg Manitoba Stake Centre on August 25 to receive information about the proposed Winnipeg Manitoba Temple. Attendees were able to view architectural drawings, including site plans, elevations and a coloured rendering of the proposed temple.
“As I think of temples,” said Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church, “my thoughts turn to the many blessings we receive therein. As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives” “Blessings of the Temple,” April 2015 general conference).
Members of the community appeared to welcome the temple, particularly the park-like setting that could be enjoyed and appreciated by all area residents. Of particular interest to Jean Paterson, president of the Lee Boulevard Community Association, were the high standards maintained of not only the temple buildings but also the grounds. “I’m feeling positive,” Paterson said, “and I am extremely impressed with the landscaping plans.”
Lee Fehler, the assistant to Terry Duguid, MP Winnipeg South, also commented on the temple design and landscaping. “It looks beautiful. I think it will be exciting, especially in the new community of Bridgewater, with the lakes and the forests. I think the fact that [the temple] is designed in a park-like setting is very interesting as well.”
Commenting on the structure of the proposed Winnipeg Manitoba Temple, Sarah Guillemard, member of the legislative assembly of Manitoba, Fort Richmond riding, stated, “It’s a very well thought-out design. I think it absolutely keeps in line with the historic buildings that we have in Winnipeg.”
City councillor Janice Lukes said, “I’m ecstatic to see the design, the landscaping, the craftsmanship and the beauty of it. It is going to be a jewel in the crown of the community.”
The Winnipeg Manitoba Temple was announced by Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in April 2011 general conference.
Construction of the temple is expected to take approximately 20 months. When the temple is finished, the public will be invited to an open house before the building is formally dedicated.
In Manitoba, there are 4,500 Latter-day Saints organized in 12 local congregations. These Church members currently travel to Regina or Minneapolis to participate in temple worship.
Groundbreaking Ceremony, December 3, 2016:
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with government and community leaders from Manitoba and Ontario on Saturday, December 3, 2016, to break ground for the much-anticipated Winnipeg Manitoba Temple.
Elder Larry Y. Wilson of the Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Temple Department presided at the ceremony. Speaking with media prior to the event, Elder Wilson said, “The temple helps us prepare to be better people, to choose good over evil, to be more kind, more loving, more like Jesus Christ.” He added, “This is a unique design. There is not another temple in the world that looks like this.”
Janice Lukes, city councillor for South Winnipeg, St. Norbert Ward, and Terry Duguid, a member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, spoke at the service and participated in the turning of the soil at the temple site.
Latter-day Saint temples differ from the meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord,” where the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ceremonies that unite families for eternity. Inside, members learn more about the purpose of life and God’s plan of salvation and make covenants to serve Jesus Christ and others.
There are currently 155 operating temples throughout the world with another 22 temples under construction or announced, and four are being renovated.
In Canada, eight temples serve the 194,000 Latter-day Saints across the country, located in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Cardston, Regina, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax. The Winnipeg Temple will be Canada’s ninth.
More information about the purpose of temples, including downloadable, high-resolution photos, is available on http://www.mormonnewsroom.ca and http://www.presse-mormons.ca .
Links: Temples
http://canada.lds.org/the-right-place-for-a-temple
Topics: Temples, Communities, Jesus Christ