Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving unto Thee. We thank Thee for the light of Thine everlasting gospel, restored to earth in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
We are grateful for the faith of those who, nearly a century and a half ago, first came to Hong Kong as missionaries of Thy Church. Their labors were difficult and largely without reward. But their coming was an evidence of the outreach of our people to all nations of the earth, in harmony with the commandment of Thy Beloved Son that the gospel should be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue and people.
We thank Thee for the great and faithful service of the thousands of missionaries who have come in more recent times. We thank Thee for the freedom granted by this government in permitting Thy servants to labor here. Under the influence of Thy Holy Spirit, they have found souls willing and ready to listen and receive the gospel. Thy Church has grown and blessed the lives of many of Thy sons and daughters in this place. We thank Thee for all who have accepted the gospel and who have remained true and faithful to covenants made with Thee. Thy Church in this area now comes to full maturity with the dedication of this sacred temple.
We pray that this harvest of souls may continue, that in the future as in the present, Thy people may be free and secure in their worship and that none shall hinder the service of missionaries called to this area. Bless all who befriend Thy Church, all who defend Thy people, and all who assist those called to teach the everlasting gospel. We pray that Thy work may grow and prosper in the great Chinese realm, and may those who govern be ever receptive to those called and sent as messengers of revealed truth.
Now, our Beloved Father, acting in the authority of the Holy Priesthood which comes from Thee and in the name of Thy Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, we dedicate this the Hong Kong Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the house of the Lord, as Thy house and the house of Thy Beloved Son. We ask, O Father, that Thou will accept it as the offering of Thy faithful sons and daughters throughout the world who, through their consecrated tithes, have made possible its construction. We dedicate it for the administering of those ordinances and covenants which are eternal and everlasting. We dedicate it for the performing of sacred service for both the living and the dead. We dedicate the baptismal font, and its ancillary facilities; the facilities used for the initiatory ordinances; the endowment rooms, the sealing rooms, and the altars found therein; this beautiful celestial room; and every other facility in this, Thy holy house.
May Thy watch care be over it that it shall be holy unto all who shall enter it, and may no one who is unworthy cross the threshold of this, the Lord's house. May its sanctity never be violated by those with unclean hands or evil designs. We pray that none shall interfere in any way with the sacred work for which this structure has been erected.
May this holy, dedicated temple stand in beauty as "a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God" (D&C 109:8). May it be a sanctuary of peace amid the rush and roar of this great city. May those who enter to serve here leave the world behind and reflect on the things of eternity.
Touch the hearts of Thy Saints that they may come here frequently to labor in behalf of their forebears, that they also may enjoy all of the blessings that come through the atonement of our Redeemer, even the Lord Jesus Christ.
We likewise dedicate for public worship and instruction the meetinghouse, which occupies the lower portion of this structure. May the chapel and the classrooms be a place for the gathering of Thy people; where they may renew their covenants with Thee in partaking of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; where they may learn of Thee and of Thy ways, where they may be instructed in the words of our Lord, where investigators of Thine eternal truths may be taught. May these facilities afford a place where social gatherings may be held in a wholesome environment for the blessing of Thy children, where sweet and appropriate music may be rendered and enjoyed. May all of these facilities serve Thy Saints in providing a place for reverent worship of Thee and of Thy Son, our Redeemer, and also for the growth and happiness of Thy sons and daughters.
We dedicate the offices and the living quarters, which are part of this building. We dedicate the ground on which this structure stands, with the vegetation growing thereon to beautify it.
Holy Father, we express our love for Thee and our thanks for Thy generous kindness toward us. We express our love for the Lord Jesus Christ, through whose atoning sacrifice all will partake of the blessings of the resurrection, and all who walk in obedience to His gospel may gain eternal life.
Accept of our offering, dear Father, and sanctify and hallow this sacred edifice. May these dedicated premises always be blessed with the presence of Thy Holy Spirit.
May this structure remain and stand strong through storm and tempest. May it shed forth an aura of holiness that will be felt in this great community of people. May the very environment be edified by the presence of Thy house.
Now we pray for Hong Kong and its people. May the blessings of freedom continue to be enjoyed by those who live here and, in a particular way, we pray that future events may be conducive to the growth and strengthening of Thy work, that rich and marvelous blessings may come into the lives of Thy sons and daughters. Inspire Thy Saints in all of their decisions, that they shall know much of happiness and peace.
Bless Thy people, Father, throughout the world. Bless all who walk in faith before Thee. Open the windows of heaven and shower down blessings upon them, that they shall have the abundance of the earth and not be deprived of that which they need for their physical comfort and well-being. Enlighten their minds and quicken their understandings, that they may take hold of the things of eternity, learn of them, nurture them, and bring them into their own lives, and share them with others. May Thy work grow in this part of the earth to touch the hearts of an ever increasing number of Thy sons and daughters. May the missionaries be welcomed, protected, and be fruitful in their labors. May all who serve in Thy kingdom be blessed of Thee and magnified in their responsibilities. Smile with favor upon Thy faithful Saints, we humbly pray, and bless the nation and the land of which they are and will be citizens. May there be no diminishing of freedom of worship, but rather an enlargement.
We plead with Thee in behalf of all who will serve in this Thy house, now and through the years to come. Magnify those who will serve in the offices of president and counselors, of matron and assistants, of workers in various capacities, and all of the temple staff, that the work herein may go forward in a manner satisfactory unto Thee, that there may be harmony and order in Thy house.
We remember before Thee all who have been called to serve in Thy kingdom. Bless him who has been called as prophet and president. Bless his counselors in the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, and all of the General Authorities and general officers of Thy church. Make them equal to their great and sacred responsibilities. Touch the lives of all who serve Thee in spirit and in truth wherever Thy work may be established.
And now as we dedicate this sacred structure, we rededicate our lives to Thy service, to Thine honor and glory, that Thy work of peace may fill the whole world. All of this we do as Thy thankful sons and daughters, to Thy glory and the glory of Thy Beloved Son, in the name of Him whom we love as our Redeemer, even the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.