The 149th temple announced by the now-late President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially began construction with a groundbreaking ceremony held Saturday, Sept. 27, just hours before the church president’s death.
“Father, acting (under) the authority of the Melchizedek priesthood and by assignment from President Russell M. Nelson, who is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys, I dedicate and consecrate this sacred place for the construction of the Fairbanks Alaska Temple,” said Elder Peter M. Johnson as he offered the site’s dedicatory prayer.
Elder Johnson, first counselor in the church’s United States West Area presidency, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony held for the Fairbanks Alaska Temple. There, he reiterated some of President Nelson’s words and teachings, after which he prayed over the site where the Fairbanks temple will one day stand.
“Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ,” said Elder Johnson, quoting President Nelson’s October 2024 general conference address.
“Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority.” And President Nelson has taught Christ’s disciples “exactly how to do that,” Elder Johnson continued.
He said President Nelson taught the blessings of the temple would “help prepare a people that will then help prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord.” He also said President Nelson taught that “regular worship in the temple” would help Christ’s followers focus on, learn of and come to know him.
“Here is my promise to you,” Elder Johnson quoted President Nelson as saying, “every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find him in the temple.”
With these words, Elder Johnson urged listeners and Latter-day Saints in the Fairbanks temple district to “prepare now” for the temple’s construction by increasing their “understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ.” He followed this invitation with his testimony of Jesus Christ, and upon closing his remarks, offered a prayer to dedicate the temple site.
“We petition thee father that this site may be sanctified and protected,” Elder Johnson said in prayer. He then prayed for the youth, their parents and all others who reside in the Fairbanks temple district to enhance their testimony, “recognize the ministering of angels” and become “more dedicated” in the work of God.
More details on the Fairbanks Alaska Temple
To be the church’s second operating temple in Alaska — a state currently home to nearly 34,000 Latter-day Saints in more than 80 congregations — the Fairbanks Alaska Temple will be situated on a 7.59-acre site located along Geist Road in Fairbanks, Alaska.
This location — found approximately 265 miles north of the Anchorage Alaska Temple — will make the Fairbanks Alaska Temple the church’s “northernmost house of the Lord,” per the Church News.
Construction plans for the site call for the Fairbanks temple to be a single-story edifice of approximately 10,000 square feet, accompanied by a church meetinghouse and an ancillary building.
To learn more about the Fairbanks Alaska Temple and other temples worldwide, visit the Church News’ temple almanac.
