Temples

Okinawa temple dedicatory prayer: Elder Stevenson expresses gratitude for the gift of peace

In the Okinawa dedicatory prayer, the Apostle acknowledged the many who suffered ‘deprivation, hardship, even loss of life through the tragedy of war’

By Rachel Sterzer Gibson Nov 14, 2023 2 p.m. EST

An exterior photo of the Okinawa Japan Temple with trees in the foreground and blue skies in the background.

Temples

Okinawa temple dedicatory prayer: Elder Stevenson expresses gratitude for the gift of peace

In the Okinawa dedicatory prayer, the Apostle acknowledged the many who suffered ‘deprivation, hardship, even loss of life through the tragedy of war’

By Rachel Sterzer Gibson Nov 14, 2023 2 p.m. EST

Following is the text of the prayer offered by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to dedicate the Okinawa Japan Temple on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. He offered it in Japanese for one session and in English for the other.

Our Beloved Father in Heaven, in reverence and humility we bow our heads before thee to dedicate the Okinawa Japan Temple, for its sacred work of salvation and exaltation. Gathered as members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, our hearts are full of gratitude for this Thy holy house and this historic day of its dedication.

How grateful we are that Thy Kingdom on earth has been established with all its attendant blessings. We are thankful for the divine visitation of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith, followed by numerous other heavenly manifestations and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. We thank Thee for the restoration of priesthood keys, commencing the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil, renewing Thy covenant made with Abraham and to restoring the sealing keys that bind us to both our kindred dead and our posterity.

In a place once defined by war, Elder Stevenson dedicates the Okinawa Japan Temple — a symbol of peace and unity

Okinawa Japan Temple in Okinawa on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

We offer our deepest measure of gratitude for living prophets of this dispensation, even our dear Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, whom we love, honor and sustain and under whose direction the dedication of this holy temple takes place. We ask Thee to bless him.

We stand on holy ground, on this island of Okinawa, consecrated by thousands of Thy children, many who suffered deprivation, hardship, even loss of life through the tragedy of war. Father, please accept our deepest expression of gratitude for the gift of peace and hope in Christ for each of them, their ancestors and posterity. We pray that through the great plan of happiness, and the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ, all that is unfair will be made right for all of Thy children.

We gratefully stand on the shoulders of early Church pioneers, members and missionaries, who established the Church on this island of the sea as prophesied. They did so with great labor, sacrifice and devotion. We are grateful to enjoy the fruit of their labor as we dedicate the Okinawa Japan Temple and commence the sacred work of redeeming our beloved ancestors.

We pray that the close proximity of this temple will be a blessing to those who reside in the wards and branches of this temple district, and that Thou wilt bless each member and family with a desire to worship here often. We pray a special blessing upon the rising generation to stir in their hearts an eagerness to walk the covenant path to this Thy holy house. We pray that as they participate in Thy ordinances, the power of godliness will be manifest unto them.

Church leaders walk the grounds of the Okinawa Japan Temple.

Please bless the members of the Church who reside here to find joy in living the gospel of Jesus Christ, instilling in them a desire to “love, share and invite” friends in their neighborhoods and communities to come unto Christ, that Thy work may spread throughout this land.

The temple open house allowed many families, friends and neighbors who are not members of the Church to visit this temple. We pray they remember how we honor our ancestors by performing ancestral ordinances for them in Thy temples. May the spirit of Elijah instill in their hearts a desire to return to this Thy holy house.

We ask Thee to bless the president and matron of this temple, the counselors and assistants to the matron and all those who will serve in these roles in the future. Bless the temple workers in their sacred duties and temple patrons in their sacred service. We pray that each patron of this temple taste the fruit of the gospel of Jesus Christ as they serve here. That diversity of language, culture and nationality knit their hearts together in unity.

Now, our Beloved Father, as Thy servants, in the authority of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood and in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, we dedicate and consecrate unto Thee and Thy holy Son, this the Okinawa Japan Temple. We dedicate its entire structure, from its spire above to its footing and foundation below and the space around it. We dedicate each room for its respective sacred purpose: the baptistry, the instruction room, the celestial room and the sealing room and its sacred altar. We dedicate the furnishings and fixtures of this holy house. We dedicate the grounds upon which this temple stands, including the trees and flowers, grass and shrubs. Please bless that these premises be protected from ravages of nature, time and the hands of those who would do it harm.

We close with an expression of our love, gratitude and devotion to Thee, as we rededicate ourselves and dedicate this, the Okinawa Japan Temple, as the “House of the Lord” with “Holiness to the Lord,” in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.