“We Thank Thee, Lord, for Temples,” New Era, Aug. 1996, 51

We Thank Thee, Lord, for Temples

Words and music by Douglas L. Ipson

First-Place Hymn

1. We thank thee, Lord, for temples raised in holiness to thee,
Where we as fam’lies may be sealed for all eternity.
We thank thee for the sealing keys restored again to man,
Which bind with endless priesthood pow’r—oh, great eternal plan!

2. We thank thee, Lord, for knowledge gained in holy temples here,
For therein are thy grand designs and purposes made clear.
We thank thee, Lord, for eternal truths and covenants whereby
Thy faithful Saints may be endowed with power from on high.

3. We thank thee, Lord, for mercy shown unto our kindred dead,
That we their saviors may become and labor in their stead.
As living proxies we can see this saving work is done,
That they, if worthy, may receive thy kingdom, Holy One.

4. We thank thee, Lord, as temples now begin to dot the earth—
The shining symbol of our faith and of the gospel’s worth.
For temple blessings now restored thy goodness, Lord, we praise,
Thrice shout hosanna to thy name, and grateful anthems raise!