Boston Temple Groundbreaking

Under assignment from the First Presidency, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles broke ground for the Boston Massachusetts Temple and dedicated the site on 13 June 1997. Also in attendance were Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy, President of the North America Northeast Area; Elder W. Don Ladd of the Seventy, First Counselor in the North America Northeast Area Presidency; and Elder Robert S. Wood, an Area Authority Seventy.

“We are so grateful for those who have made this possible, those who worked so long to clear the way for construction,” Elder Scott said. “We are especially appreciative of the civic authorities and religious leaders in this community who supported this effort, some of whom are present today.”

In his prayer, Elder Scott said, “Above all, we thank thee for the reason for which this temple is being built, made possible because of the Atonement of thy holy Son, which provides the ordinances to be performed here to join husband and wife and children in family lines forever.”

The Boston temple will be constructed on a hilltop in Belmont, Massachusetts, a suburb northwest of Boston. When the temple is completed sometime before the turn of the century, it will be the Church’s first temple in New England and will serve about 54,000 members.

Elder Richard G. Scott, left, assists a young member during the groundbreaking. (Photo by Ron Catalano.)