Dedication of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple
Like the prairie crocus — the provincial flower — engraved above its arched entryway, the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple stands as a symbol of hope to patrons in the Canadian province. Like the flower — which is the first to bloom on the Manitoban prairie each year — the temple was the first dedicated after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, signaling a new beginning for people around the world.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the temple in four sessions on Oct. 31, 2021, and it was the first dedicated since Feb. 16, 2020, when Elder Gong’s fellow Apostle, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, dedicated the Durban South Africa Temple. The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 shortly after placed temple operations on hold.
In 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley — 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — promised 1,500 Canadian Saints from Manitoba and Ontario that a temple would one day be built in their area. He urged them to be patient until that day came. The members in Manitoba did wait patiently until the April 2011 general conference, when Church President Thomas S. Monson announced a temple for Winnipeg.
Construction on the temple started on Dec. 3, 2016, when ground was broken at the temple site. Manitoban Saints had to be even more patient when the edifice — originally planned to be dedicated on Nov. 8, 2020 — was postponed due to the pandemic.
Even as the effects of the pandemic lingered — including the use of face masks — smiles and tears were still evident among attendees.
Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela — a General Authority Seventy who, along with Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, accompanied Elder Gong to the dedication — noted how members in Winnipeg previously had to travel several hours to Regina, Saskatchewan, to participate in sacred ordinances.
“Now they have their own temple,” said Elder Valenzuela. “The rising generation will have the opportunity to come often to the temple and be strengthened in their testimonies. It is beautiful to have the house of the Lord in your own town.”
“This has been just marvelous,” said Winnipeg pioneer Doreen Abbot, who moved from Calgary, Canada, to Manitoba in 1939, when there were just a couple of Latter-day Saint branches in the city. “I spent 12 years going back and forth to Regina every month to work in the temple there. I can no longer drive to Regina — but I can do it here. ... Hopefully the Church in Winnipeg will grow even quicker now.”
Winnipeg resident Lu-Ann Dopwell said it was her prayer that the temple “will stand as a beacon of hope and light for a difficult and challenging world.”
“Every temple is a blessing to people in their respective areas — and all their generations on both sides of the veil,” Elder Gong told the Church News. “The Winnipeg Manitoba Temple is the ninth temple in Canada and the 169th temple in the Church. For the people of this area, it is a blessing that they have long hoped for.
“Now this blessing has come.”
Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Dear Father, please smile on those who come to this house of the Lord. We gratefully acknowledge the pioneer spirit, consecrated sacrifice and heritage of gospel living and service of generations past and present offered in hearts, homes and communities here. We recognize this place in Thy vineyard includes Thy precious children from many nations, kindreds and tongues.”
Read the dedicatory prayer of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple here.
Timeline of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple
The Winnipeg Manitoba Temple was announced on April 2, 2011, by Church President Thomas S. Monson. Construction for the temple started around five and a half years later, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on Dec. 3, 2016.
After the initial dedication date of Nov. 8, 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an open house was eventually held for the temple from Oct. 9 to Oct. 23, 2021. After the open house, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple on Oct. 31, 2021.
Architecture and Design of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple
The Winnipeg Manitoba Temple has an area of 10,667 square feet and features a copper steeple, slate roof tiles and an exterior made from Park Rose red brick. This house of the Lord stands on 7.7 acres of land filled with gardens and 128 planted trees.
Depictions of the prairie crocus — the provincial flower of Manitoba, known for being the first flower to bloom in Manitoba after long winters — are on display throughout the temple’s walls, art-glass windows and carpets. The flower serves as a hopeful symbol of renewal after a difficult season.
