We are assembled to dedicate this Thy house. It is now 163 years since a temple was dedicated in the State of Ohio. We are reminded today of the dedication of the Kirtland Temple and of the prayer given on that occasion which Thy prophet declared was revealed unto him.
We, too, as Saints of this day, seek Thine inspiration in the words which we direct in prayer to Thee, our Father and our God.
Thou hast bestowed upon us Thy Holy Priesthood, and in this authority and in the name of Jesus Christ, we dedicate and consecrate to Thee and to Thy Son this, the Columbus Ohio Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It is our offering, freely given. Wilt Thou accept of it and cause Thy Holy Spirit to dwell here and influence all who enter as they seek to carry forward Thy glorious work.
We consecrate this sacred structure from the footings to the figure of Moroni. We dedicate the grounds which are adorned with the beauties of nature. We dedicate all of the internal facilities—the offices, the baptistry, the fittings for the initiatory ordinances, the endowment rooms, the beautiful Celestial Room, the sealing rooms with their sacred altars, together with all other parts of this Holy House.
May it be looked upon as the House of the Lord, with holiness to the Lord from all who shall see it and all who shall enter its portals. May it shed forth a beneficent influence upon this community and state.
May all who come within be worthy to enter Thy house as Thine invited guests. May they leave behind the cares of the world and here feast upon the things of eternity. May the living be sanctified in their service, and may the dead rejoice as a great vicarious work is carried forward in their behalf.
To quote from the Kirtland Temple Dedication Prayer:
"Put upon thy servants the testimony of the covenant, that when they go out [from this house] and proclaim thy word they may seal up the law, and prepare the hearts of thy Saints for all those judgments thou art about to send, in thy wrath, upon the inhabitants of the earth, because of their transgressions, that thy people may not faint in the day of trouble.
"Therefore, O Lord, deliver thy people from the calamity of the wicked; enable thy servants to seal up the law, and bind up the testimony, that they may be prepared against the day of burning....
"Remember all thy church, O Lord,...
"That thy church may come forth out of the wilderness of darkness, and shine forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners;
"And be adorned as a bride for that day when thou shalt unveil the heavens, and cause the mountains to flow down at thy presence, and the valleys to be exalted, the rough places made smooth; that thy glory may fill the earth" (D&C 109:38, 46, 72-74).
Wilt Thou watch over this Thy House, that no unhallowed hand may injure it in any way. Stay the hand of any of evil intent who would deface it or vandalize it. May all who look upon it do so with respect.
We pray for those who will preside here and those who will serve here - the presidency of the temple, the matron and her assistants, and all those called to carry forward the work of this Thy house. May they not weary, but grow in faith and testimony concerning it and the ordinances herein administered.
We pray for Thy cause in all the earth. Bless the faithful tithe payers throughout the Church whose consecrated offerings have made this structure possible. Shower blessings upon them and increase their faith as they give of their means to the building of Thy kingdom. Dear Father, we thank Thee for every blessing Thou hast showered upon us.
To quote again from the Kirtland Temple prayer:
"O Lord God Almighty, hear us in these our petitions, and answer us from heaven, thy holy habitation, where thou sittest enthroned, with glory, honor, power, majesty, might, dominion, truth, justice, judgment, mercy, and an infinity of fulness, from everlasting to everlasting" (D&C 109:77).
We thus lift our voices in supplication and prayer unto Thee in the name of Thy Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.