by David E Bay, High Councilor

I was recently reminded of activities we in Brigham City were involved in preparing for the dedication of the Brigham City Temple on September 26, 2012, nearly thirteen years ago.

There was a whole buzz of excitement beginning on the day the Brigham City Temple was announced. On Saturday, October 3, 2009, President Thomas S. Monson announced the Brigham City Temple. My emotions were so excited that I could not concentrate enough to hear any of the wonderful talk that Elder Richard G Scott gave immediately after the announcement. I refer to that conference address as the talk that I did not hear when it first entered my ears. Lots of times, I miss much of the content, but this time, the entire speech eluded me.

I could see absolutely no logistical reason to have a temple built here in Brigham City, except that the Lord wanted to bless His saints who live here. The Ogden Temple and the Logan Temple were both about a half-hour away. It would have been easy for us to continue to travel the short distance to do temple work.

The energy continued to build when, that next summer on July 31, 2010 President Boyd K Packer broke ground for the new Brigham City Temple. Looking back at the pictures, I realized that President Russell M Nelson, another member of the 12, was present at the groundbreaking ceremony.

We all watched with anticipation as the hole for the foundation was dug, piles were driven, and the walls went up. The climax was when the golden statue of the Angel Moroni was placed on top.

After the outside was finished, we waited. There were no outward signs of progress inside what we lovingly called “Our Temple”. Finally, on Thursday, April 19, 2012, The Deseret News reported: https://www.deseret.com/2012/4/20/20408035/brigham-city-lds-temple-dedication-date-announced/

BRIGHAM CITY — The Brigham City Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be dedicated Sunday, Sept. 23, according to an announcement late Thursday by the church’s First Presidency.

The dedication will take place during three dedicatory sessions, which will be broadcast to congregations of the church within the temple district.

Before the dedication, the temple will be open for public tours during a special temple open house from Aug. 18 through Sept. 15.

Then we were busy. We had a mission with a deadline: prepare for the Open House. We sat for photographs with ward congregations to have a picture of each ward with all of the members who were present that day to go into the cornerstone of the temple. Many of us volunteered to do activities to help with the open house and dedication. I happened to have the opportunity to deliver the material going into the cornerstone to the chairman of the historical committee, Clayton Christiansen. Later, I also happened to be at the right place at the right time to help carry the steel watertight box and helped place it in the compartment behind the cornerstone. I was grateful that the filled box was heavy enough that they grabbed me when they knew they needed help.

The youth participated in a special arts and dance Festival celebrating the history of the Saints in Brigham City. The Deseret News reported on this in an article entitled: https://www.deseret.com/2012/9/23/20437458/youths-celebrate-harvest-of-faith-with-song-dance-in-brigham-city/

Youths celebrate ‘Harvest of Faith’ with song, dance in Brigham City

By Marianne Holman Prescott

BRIGHAM CITY — More than 3,700 youths in costume filled the entire field at the Box Elder High School football stadium as they joined in song and dance to celebrate the “Harvest of Faith” they represent from the early generations who settled in northern Utah and southern Idaho.

What a marvelous opportunity for the youth to be involved with the sacred Brigham City Temple being dedicated.

There were even some organized protests about the temple being built, and that government officials of Brigham City supported and approved such an “awful” building in our community.

All of this was culminated in the wonderful dedication of the temple done in multiple sessions so many of us were able to participate. In the initial session President Boyd K Packer, Brigham City’s native son, offered the dedicatory prayer. Among the blessings that he pronounced were the following: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/dedicatory-prayer/brigham-city-utah-temple/2012-09-23?lang=eng

May Thy Spirit rest upon all who enter Thy house that they may feel of Thy power and acceptance of their offerings. Bless any who seek peace and understanding to find them in this place of holiness.

We seek Thy favor, Father, in pouring out Thy blessings upon all those who reside in the Brigham City Utah Temple District and in the surrounding communities. Prosper them as they honor this Thy house. Strengthen their resolve to stand firm in their knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Shower down Thy blessings upon those who are faithful. Forbid the adversary from having power and influence over them. Rebuke the devourer and he who seeks to disrupt and destroy.

Bless the children and youth in a world that is increasingly unworthy. Show them a pattern of living that will keep this Thy holy people close to Thee.

Then it was time for the temple to begin operating to fulfill its mission. Many people were called to serve as ordinance workers, and many volunteered to help in scheduling appointments, working in the office, doing laundry, maintaining the grounds, maintaining the temple infrastructure, and keeping the temple clean.

I was enamored by the beauty of the building and all of the fine workmanship that was there. Everywhere I looked, I could find beauty. In the marble floors, in the fine woodwork, in the murals, and in the artwork, I found beautiful work that indicated the importance of this building.

A couple of years after the temple began operation, my sweetheart, Coleen, and I were called to serve as ordinance workers. Spending time every week in the temple began to change my focus from the beauty of the outward appearance to the majesty of the eternal ordinances.

So, what do you think of the Brigham City Temple now? The temple has become part of our everyday landscape, but have the ordinances entered into the inner landscape of our hearts? Recently, in General Conference, Elder Ulisses Soares pondered: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/16soares?lang=eng

I wondered if sometimes we get lost in the excitement of having new temples in our cities and communities and neglect the holier purpose of the sacred covenants made in the temple.

President Russell M Nelson spoke about these covenants and taught us about recent changes in the temple procedures. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/47nelson?lang=eng

Under the Lord’s direction and in answer to our prayers, recent procedural adjustments have been made. He is the One who wants you to understand with great clarity exactly what you are making covenants to do. He is the One who wants you to experience fully His sacred ordinances. He wants you to comprehend your privileges, promises, and responsibilities. He wants you to have spiritual insights and awakenings you’ve never had before. This He desires for all temple patrons, no matter where they live.

Current adjustments in temple procedures, and others that will follow, are continuing evidence that the Lord is actively directing His Church. He is providing opportunities for each of us to bolster our spiritual foundations more effectively by centering our lives on Him and on the ordinances and covenants of His temple. When you bring your temple recommend, a contrite heart, and a seeking mind to the Lord’s house of learning, He will teach you.

Some of our brothers and sisters are struggling in their efforts to endure to the end. Many have hurdles they are facing in their older years that they never considered when they were young. President Nelson continued:

Should distance, health challenges, or other constraints prohibit your temple attendance for a season, I invite you to set a regular time to rehearse in your mind the covenants you have made.

If you don’t yet love to attend the temple, go more often – not less. Let the Lord, through His Spirit, teach and inspire you there. I promise you that over time, the temple will become a place of safety, solace, and revelation.

After those encouraging words to those who may be experiencing either physical or emotional hardships, he addressed young adults:

If it were possible for me to speak one-on-one with every young adult, I would plead with you to seek a companion with whom you can be sealed in the temple. You may wonder what difference this will make in your life. I promise it will make all the difference! As you marry in the temple and return repeatedly, you will be strengthened and guided in your decisions.

Recently, the church has received criticism for building so many expensive temples. Sister Eubank responded to that idea in a talk given to BYU Idaho. https://www.byui.edu/speeches/forums/sharon-eubank/the-sacred-life-of-trees

I am occasionally asked, “Why doesn’t the Church spend more money on humanitarian work? Why doesn’t it stop building expensive temples and focus its resources on relieving the poor?” This is a legitimate question for the Church of Jesus Christ. But is it money that solves society’s ills? The world has poured two trillion dollars into addressing chronic issues in Africa. Why isn’t the situation better? Because money isn’t really the issue. Lasting progress comes through trusted relationships, infrastructure, reducing corruption, and the ability of people to work together. Money doesn’t necessarily create those things. They must be developed alongside the resources and, frankly, it is much harder work.

I will never discount the one thing this Church does that lifts entire communities in rapid development. It invites men and women of all social classes and backgrounds to enter sacred buildings and make the most binding and important promises of their mortal lives. In those buildings, they promise not to steal or lie, they promise to be faithful to their spouse and children. They vow they will seek the interest of their neighbors and be peacemakers and become devoted to the idea that we are all one family—all valued and alike unto God. If those promises made in holy temples are kept, it transforms society faster than any aid or development project ever could. The greatest charitable development on the planet is for people to bind themselves to their God and mean it. So, thank goodness the Church builds 335 temples and counting. It is the greatest poverty alleviation system in the world.

The most important thing you can do as a humanitarian is to keep your covenants with God. The second most important thing you can do is connect in goodness with others around you.

I hope you enjoy having the Brigham City Temple as a part of our city and community as much as I do. I challenge you to focus more on the sacred covenants each time you look at that beautiful edifice.