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McAllen Texas Temple dedicatory prayer: Read Elder Uchtdorf’s blessing upon the Saints

‘Bless Thy faithful sons and daughters in this part of Thy vineyard with Thy love and Thine encircling arms of mercy’

Following is the text of the prayer offered by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to dedicate the McAllen Texas Temple on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.

O God, our Eternal Father, our humble hearts are filled with gratitude and love for Thee on this sacred and blessed day of dedicating the McAllen Texas Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We rejoice in this season of celebration, and our hearts are filled with praise to Thee.

We are grateful for Thy Beloved Son Jesus Christ and the restored gospel. We thank Thee for the Prophet Joseph Smith, through whom Thou hast revealed eternal gospel principles and practices, including the ordinances of Thy holy house. We thank Thee for our dear Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, under whose direction and with the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood we act today.

We acknowledge and give thanks for the generations of faithful Saints who have gone before in this sacred work and made this joyful day possible. We are deeply grateful for their sacrifices, courage and faith. We are equally grateful for all who are building Thy work and kingdom today. We acknowledge and are grateful for the many not of our faith who have kindly helped along the way. We invoke a blessing upon them and their families. 

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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talks with Church News after he and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, toured the McAllen Texas Temple on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talks with Church News after he and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, toured the McAllen Texas Temple on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

We ask Thee to touch the lives of the people who live within the reach of this holy edifice so that their hearts will be drawn unto Thee. Bless them with a desire to seek out the message of the restored gospel and Church of Jesus Christ. 

O God, Thou hast sent Thy prophet Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. This sacred space opens the gates to eternity that these purposes may be fulfilled. 

We ask Thee to strengthen families, individuals and especially our youth. Make them equal to the challenges of this generation. Bless them with courage, humility and charity. Bless them with the desire to make their homes and places of congregation havens of peace, spirituality, truth, love and unity.

Dearest Father, forgive us our many shortcomings. Strengthen our faith and fortify us against weakness. Give us power to resist the deceits of the adversary. May love for Thee and Thy Son grow in our hearts, and may it be expressed in our dedication to Thee, in our love for one another and in our striving to keep Thy commandments.

And now, acting in the authority of the everlasting priesthood, and as Thy humble servants, we dedicate to Thee and Thy Beloved Son the McAllen Texas Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

The McAllen Texas temple on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
McAllen Texas Temple is photographed the evening of Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

We include in this prayer of dedication the recently constructed adjacent meetinghouse. We dedicate these two sacred buildings to Thee and Thy work, from the unseen footings to the top of the steeples, including the grounds on which they stand with all ancillary facilities and the beautiful landscaping. We pray that they will fulfill the purpose of their creation. 

Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of our lives, and He is the chief cornerstone and center of this sacred temple.

Protect this temple from any devastating influence, destruction or defacement. 

Wilt Thou accept this temple as the gift of our hearts and hands. Wilt Thou honor it with Thy presence. May Thy holy Spirit dwell here always and be felt by all who come within its portals. May a mantle of holiness come upon this sacred edifice. May it be a beacon of everlasting truth and light, and an invitation to come unto Thee. 

Bless all who enter this temple to make covenants with Thee. May they do so worthily and with a desire to serve Thee with all their hearts. Wilt Thou seal upon them an endowment of righteousness that will become a guardian throughout their lives. Bless them with the desire to be Thy covenant people. Bless them with a willingness to give Christlike service unto Thee, to Thy children and to Thy purposes. 

Bless the youth of Thy Church with an understanding that Jesus Christ is their strength and that they may trust Him at all places and at all times. Bless our rising generation with courage, wisdom and a hunger to learn to succeed in this life and eternity. Implant in their hearts a desire to follow Jesus Christ and come to the house of the Lord often. 

The McAllen Texas Temple on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
The McAllen Texas Temple on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Bless those who serve in the temple and watch over it, with divine joy and with the assurance in their hearts that they are on the Lord’s errand.

We thank Thee for faithful tithe payers whose offerings make these holy temples possible. Open the windows of heaven and shower blessings upon them.

Bless Thy faithful sons and daughters in this part of Thy vineyard with Thy love and Thine encircling arms of mercy. Magnify them. Prosper them. Shield them from selfishness and sin and bless them with Thy power that they might rise up to their divine potential.

Our Father in Heaven, we love Thee and Thy Beloved Son. We thank Thee for His atoning sacrifice. How glorious and complete is Thy plan for the salvation and exaltation of Thy children. 

Our hearts are filled with love and gratitude as we now present the McAllen Texas Temple unto Thee. In the name of our Redeemer and Master, the Savior of the world, even Jesus Christ, amen.

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