We are profoundly grateful for the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days. We love and appreciate Thy chosen instrument for this purpose, the Prophet Joseph Smith. We thank Thee for the Restoration events, including heavenly messengers restoring sacred priesthood keys that extend the opportunity for each of Thy children to attain salvation and exaltation.
We express gratitude for the Constitution and Bill of Rights of this great nation. We acknowledge the protections for religious freedom and the free exercise of our faith that are embedded in these inspired documents. In our petition to Thee, we pray for those who govern this nation, that they may be inspired to protect freedom of religion for the people of this great land. Please bless leaders in all nations to protect the religious and moral tenants set forth in the restored gospel.
We acknowledge the faithful Saints whose consecrated contributions have made possible the reconstruction of this sacred edifice. Please bless them for their faithfulness. Open the windows of heaven and shower down blessings upon them.
We pray that the faithful Saints in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas will be blessed with love and peace. Bless them in their righteous undertakings that they may be protected and that they will be prospered and their lands will be productive. We especially pray that they will be protected from the storms of nature as they strive to live the gospel.
Now, Beloved Father, in the name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, and acting under the direction of Thy servant President Russell M. Nelson, and in the authority of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood, we rededicate and reconsecrate this, the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We rededicate it unto Thee and unto Thy Beloved Son as Thy holy house. We pray that it will be accepted as a loving offering and that Thy Spirit may dwell here.
We include in this rededication today the blessings promised by President Gordon B. Hinckley at the time of the original dedication on July 16, 2000, to the families in this temple district.
We rededicate the hallowed ground on which this temple stands and the beautiful vegetation growing thereon. We rededicate the structures from the footings and foundation to the figure of Moroni which crowns its steeple.
We rededicate the sacred baptistry, the initiatory, endowment, sealing, and celestial rooms, and every other ancillary facility and feature of this hallowed edifice.
We bow in reverence before Thee at the great and eternal plan Thou hast provided. Please touch the hearts of the people here in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas that the spirit of Elijah may turn those hearts to their ancestors, that they may be motivated to search for their forebears and do vicarious work in their behalf. May they experience the profound joy that emanates from unselfish service and emulates the great vicarious sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We pray for the president and matron of this temple together with the counselors in the presidency and the assistants to the matron. Grant them strength and energy to carry forth the work in this Thy holy house. Bless the patrons and the temple workers who will serve in this Thy sanctuary that their hearts will be filled with joy and Thy watch care will be over them.
We pray for those who serve as missionaries here and throughout the world. Bless them, inspire them, sustain them, and lead them to those who look for eternal truth.
Please bless all who have been called to serve in Thy kingdom and in particular those who labor under Thy direction at the head of this work in all the world.
Preserve this, Thy holy house, from defilement of any kind. May the thoughts of those who enter here be lifted to things of everlasting worth.
Preserve this sacred structure from the destructive forces of nature, from storms and earthquakes and all such destructive elements.
On this historic day in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for these blessings we plead as we rededicate this, Thy temple, and invoke Thy blessing upon it and all who serve herein. We do so in the name of Him whom we love and worship as our Redeemer, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.