Herein will be exercised the fulness of the everlasting priesthood, which comes from Thee, in administering those ordinances which are eternal in their nature. This sacred structure becomes the bridge that reaches from mortality to life beyond the grave.
With living proxies acting in behalf of those who are dead, baptisms will be performed, ordinances and covenants will be administered, and the great crowning sealing of husbands and wives, and parents and children will take place.
How glorious and complete is Thy plan for the salvation and exaltation of Thy children of all generations. How tremendous is our obligation to carry forward this great vicarious work in their behalf.
And now, as Thy servants acting in the authority of the everlasting priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, we consecrate and dedicate to Thee and to Thy Beloved Son this the Houston Texas Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It is our gift of love to Thee, dear Father, and to Him who is our Redeemer. Wilt Thou accept it and let Thy Holy Spirit be felt here constantly. Wilt Thou endow it with a special sanctity for all who enter these walls. May no unworthy individual pass the portals of this Thy house.
We dedicate the grounds, the structure from the footings to the figure of Moroni, the various rooms and facilities, including the Baptistry, the endowment rooms, the celestial room, the sealing rooms with their sacred altars, and all other facilities which are a part of this structure. All together comprise the House of the Lord.
To paraphrase Thy words, the time has fully come when Elijah has appeared, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse.
The keys of this dispensation are committed into our hands, and by this we may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors. (See D&C 110:14-16.)
We pray that all who look upon this house may do so with respect. Hold back the hand of the vandal and the spoiler that its beauty shall not be marred and its sanctity violated.
Let Thy blessings rest upon all who will serve here. Smile with favor upon the temple presidency, the matron and her assistants, and all who labor with them in administering the great and singular work for which this temple has been erected. Let Thy Holy Spirit touch the hearts of all who come as patrons. Manifest unto them the importance of that which they do and grant them satisfaction in their service.
Bless Thy work throughout the world. Grant faith and strength to all who have embraced it that they may keep the faith. Bless the families of the Church with security and unity and love. Let Thy sustaining hand rest upon Thy people. Magnify them. Prosper them. Let them feel of Thine overpowering love.
Smile with favor upon Thy servants whom Thou hast appointed to preside over this work. Lengthen their days and guide them in their ways and words that they may always walk with the love and confidence of Thy faithful Saints.
We so pray on this day of dedication for these and all other blessings of which we may stand in need. We rededicate ourselves and that with which Thou hast blessed us in the name of our Redeemer, the Savior of the world, Thine own Beloved Son, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.