We thank Thee for the Prophet Joseph Smith, to whom Thou didst reveal Thyself with Thy Son, to open this the promised dispensation of the fulness of times. We thank Thee for that great divine manifestation, unsurpassed in glory in all the history of mankind. We thank Thee for those heavenly messengers whom Thou didst send to the earth to restore the keys of the Everlasting Priesthood, that there might be a restitution in this glorious age of all authority pertaining to Thy work.
We thank Thee that since that restoration Thou hast never left Thy Church alone, and that from the days of Joseph Smith to the present Thou hast chosen and appointed a prophet to this people. We thank Thee for him who presently holds this great and sacred office, even Thy servant President Spencer W. Kimball. We miss his presence among us on this sacred occasion. We pray for him. We plead with Thee that Thou wilt comfort and sustain him and bless him according to his needs and Thy great purposes.
We pray for his counselors, for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, for the brethren of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric, that all may be endowed with strength and direction from Thee to carry the burdens of their various responsibilities. Wilt Thou inspire each by Thy spirit, that through the labors of these dedicated servants Thy work may be governed and moved forward according to Thy divine will.
Bless those who direct the work of the great auxiliary organizations of Thy Church. Give unto these men and women wisdom and vision and understanding to formulate and pursue those programs which will improve the lives of Thy people throughout the world, and bring them ever closer to Thee.
We invoke Thy blessings upon those who serve in presidencies of stakes and missions, in wards and branches, and all who hold office and responsibility in Thy kingdom. May each be inspired in his or her assignment, that all may labor in unity and love for the blessing of Thy saints and the advancement of Thy cause. We remember before Thee Thy servants the missionaries who are called to bear witness to the world of the truth and divinity of the restored gospel of Thy Holy Son. Cause the doors of the nations of the earth to be opened to Thy servants that we may fulfill the commandment given by Thy Son to carry the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
We remember before Thee all who are engaged in the great work of salvation for the dead. Open the way before those who are searching out the records of their forebears. Bring gladness into the hearts of the many thousands who daily labor in Thy temples wherever they be established.
Holy Father, bless all who seek to do Thy will, all who walk in righteousness and faith and obedience to the commandments Thou hast given. Wilt Thou comfort them when they face adversity, wilt Thou strengthen them when the winds of opposition blow against them, wilt Thou bring joy and peace into their hearts and the assurance that Thou dost love them and that Thou dost approve of their labors, and that at some time they will hear Thy welcoming and reassuring voice, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."
Now, acting in the authority of the Holy Priesthood with which Thou hast endowed us, we dedicate to Thee, our Father and our God, and to Thy Beloved Son, this the Atlanta Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wilt Thou accept of it as the gift of Thy people.
It has come of their consecration and love. Many have sacrificed to make its construction possible. Please smile with favor upon each one, we humbly pray, and open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings upon them that there shall not be room enough to receive them.
We pray that Thou wilt feel pleased to visit this, Thy sacred house, and that Thy Beloved Son will feel likewise. May Thy Holy Spirit ever sanctify it.
May all who enter its portals realize that they are entering Thy house as Thy guest, and conduct themselves always with reverence and respect and love for Thee.
May all who enter these holy precincts feel of Thy spirit and be bathed in its marvelous, sanctifying influence. May they come in ever-increasing numbers to partake of those blessings which are offered only in these holy houses. May they come with clean hands and pure hearts and in a spirit of love and dedication. May their minds be lifted above the mundane affairs of the world to a higher and more heavenly plane. May any spirit of selfishness or unkindness or evil whose influence may affect them in the world, leave them when they enter the doors of this sacred and holy sanctuary. May they be worthy of the washings and anointings herein to be administered, of the endowments herein to be given, of the eternal sealings here to be pronounced. May they be touched by the spirit of Elijah to seek more diligently the records of their ancestors and to labor for them in this Thy holy house.
May the very presence of this temple in the midst of Thy people become a reminder of sacred and eternal covenants made with Thee. May they strive more diligently to banish from their lives those elements which are inconsistent with the covenants they have made with Thee. Wilt Thou bless them, dear Father, with peace in their hearts and peace in their homes. Bless the fathers in those homes that they may lead their families with kindness and love. And in a special manner bless the mothers as they rear their children that they may be inspired to plant and nurture faith in each young heart.
Father, wilt Thou bless this temple. We dedicate the land on which it stands and the structure itself in all of its components. Wilt Thou watch over it and sanctify it. May the grounds be beautiful with the lawns, the flowers, the shrubs which are of Thy creation. May the building be protected and blessed from the foundation to the top of the steeple. May it function properly in all of its mechanical facilities. May it be a place of beauty to those who look upon its exterior walls and surroundings, and a place of holiness to all who enter its portals.
May it be a house of service, a house of prayer, a house of love, a sanctuary of peace.
Inspire and direct the temple presidency, those who hold the sacred sealing authority, the ordinance workers and all who labor here.
Frustrate the evil designs of those who would demean the sacred ordinances which will be administered herein. Bless Thy worthy saints who come here, that they may grow in faith and testimony concerning Thee and Thy Beloved Son, and may they grow in understanding of Thy eternal purposes in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of Thy sons and daughters.
O God, wilt Thou accept this sacred edifice and watch over it and bless it in every way. We so dedicate it unto Thee, and in so doing dedicate anew our lives to Thee and Thy purposes, all of which we do in the name of Thy Beloved Son, our great Redeemer, the Lamb without blemish who "taketh away the sins of the world," even the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.