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On April 16, 2000, President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Medford Oregon Temple in four sessions. More than 8,000 members attended the sessions from both within the temple and from the Central Point Oregon Stake Center.
Elder D. Lee Tobler of the Seventy, first counselor in the North America Northwest Area, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony and described Oregon’s second temple as “another ensign to the restoration of the gospel.”
In the dedicatory prayer, President Faust spoke of the youth: “Bless the youth of the Church, dear Father. Lead them in paths of righteousness and truth. Protect them from the alluring and seductive calls of the adversary.”
Read the dedicatory prayer of the Medford Oregon Temple here.
A temple for Medford, Oregon, was announced March 15, 1999, in a letter by the First Presidency to local leaders. The First Presidency then consisted of Presidents Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust.
More than 10,000 members attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Medford Oregon Temple. Presiding over the ceremony was Elder D. Lee Tobler, first counselor in the North America Northwest Area presidency.
Nearly 46,000 people attended the open house of the Medford Oregon Temple, 16,000 more than expected. Two weeks before, local Church leaders released more than 250,000 copies of a 16-page insert announcing the open house of the temple.
President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Medford Oregon Temple in four sessions. President Edward E. Hanson — president of the Central Point Stake and later president of the Medford temple — said the dedication and the open house impressed many nonmembers and members alike.
The Medford temple is the second house of the Lord to be built in the state of Oregon, following the Portland Oregon Temple.
On May 20, 1999, Elder D. Lee Tobler of the Seventy, first counselor in the North America Northwest Area presidency, presided over the groundbreaking services of the Medford temple. Joining him in shoveling dirt were Central Point Mayor Bill Walton and Elder Michael T. Robinson, an Area Authority Seventy.
Following a successful open house, President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Medford temple on April 16, 2000. Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder F. Melvin Hammond of the Seventy assisted in placing mortar around the cornerstone.
The Medford Oregon Temple stands adjacent to the Central Point Oregon Stake Center, 35 miles north of the California border. The temple covers 10,700 square feet and includes a celestial room and a baptistry, two endowment rooms and two sealing rooms.
15 March 1999
16 April 2000
3900 Grant Road
Central Point, Oregon 97502-3911
United States
This was the second temple built in Oregon, after the Portland Oregon Temple.
The general contractor and job superintendent for the temple were both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Church member Gordon H. Smith, a former United States senator, was asked to speak impromptu during the first dedicatory session.
The temple’s open house brought in 46,000 attendees, 16,000 more than what was expected.
This was the second temple built in Oregon, after the Portland Oregon Temple.
The general contractor and job superintendent for the temple were both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Church member Gordon H. Smith, a former United States senator, was asked to speak impromptu during the first dedicatory session.
The temple’s open house brought in 46,000 attendees, 16,000 more than what was expected.