Building a Temple

The Lord told Joseph Smith that they should build a temple (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:4–5). The first latter-day temples were in Kirtland, Ohio, and Nauvoo, Illinois, in the USA.

Now we have almost 200 completed temples all over the world, and more are being built! Look at the pictures to see how we build temples today.

Architects help design temples. Then builders get to work!

When temple construction is ready to begin, Church leaders and members gather for a special ceremony called a groundbreaking. They pray for the temple and the people who live nearby.

When the temple is finished, visitors can take a tour. After these tours, a prophet or apostle visits the temple and says a special prayer to dedicate the temple. This prayer is what helps to make the building a house of the Lord where sacred ordinances can be performed.

Take a picture or draw a picture of yourself in front of a temple and send it to us! Turn to the back cover to see how. You can learn more about temples on page 2.