The London Temple:
A Cherished Dream Come True

In July of 1837 the first missionaries of this dispensation arrived in the British Isles and began to 
teach the principles of the Restored Gospel.  Their efforts and the efforts of those who followed 
them met with immediate success and by 1850 there were more members of the Church in the 
British Mission than in America.

This great missionary effort has involved 8,000 American missionaries, their families and thousands 
of local British missionaries.  As a result of their combined labours upwards of 150,00 people have 
been baptised since 1837.  More than one half of this number have emigrated.

Until the beginning of the twentieth century emigration was encouraged as a means of building up 
and strengthening the central stakes of Zion.  During that period the British saints residing in the 
mission were urged to pay their tithes and to make other special contributions to assist in the 
completion of the St. George and Salt Lake Temples.  Thousands lived to receive the holy 
ordinances administered in those temples, while unnumbered others died in their native land, 
consoled by the fact that they had contributed to a cause that would survive them.

For the past 60 years the inspired leadership of the Church has counseled members in 
foreign missions to remain in their native lands as the best means of assisting in the building up 
of the Church in the world.  As a result of this development the idea of having temples in the 
European countries and the Isles of the Sea began to take shape and to become a subject 
of speculation and hope in the minds of the saints.

The fulfilment of these cherished dreams is found in the temples in Hawaii, Switzerland, New 
Zealand, England - and the end is not yet.

The extension of temple building into all parts of the world ought not to be considered a 
surprising development in the light of a prophecy made by President Wilford Woodruff on 
September 16, 1877.  While delivering a discourse he said,

"When the Saviour comes, a thousand years will be devoted to this work of redemption; and 
Temples will appear all over this land of Joseph - North and South America - and also in 
Europe and elsewhere; and all the descendants of Shem, Ham and Japheth who received not 
the Gospel in the flesh, must be officiated for in the Temples of God, before the Saviour can 
present the Kingdom to the Father, saying, ‘It is finished.’ "

The membership of the Church, past and present, have just cause to rejoice in the success of 
the great temple programme and what it will mean to both living and dead.  It has been made 
possible by the faithful payment of tithes by rich and poor alike.

Recently a father was in England meeting his son who had just completed a mission.  While he 
was being shown the London Temple, he said, "It has been my privilege to contribute £20,000 
in tithes during my lifetime and I would be proud to feel that some of it has found its way into 
this structure."  About the same time an elderly widow paid 10 shillings in tithing, saying, 
"There isn’t much I can do to assist in the work of the Lord, but I can pay tithing."  Both have 
an equal right to be proud for they gave according to their means and ability.
This is representative of the spirit of devotion which has been manifest by members of the Church
around the world and which has made possible the fulfilment of President Woodruff’s prophecy.

As we contemplate the phenomenal growth of the Church of Jesus Christ as represented in the 
temple programme, we catch a glimpse of the great things that can be accomplished by a 
relatively small group united in a common holy cause.  Meditating on the past and lifting our eyes 
to the future we can better understand the words of Isaiah, "Behold, I will proceed to do a 
marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder."

It is especially gratifying to have so many general authorities of the Church present at the 
dedication of the London Temple.  Not since 1840 when the majority of the Council of the 
Twelve Apostles were in England, have so many been here at one time.  This alone will make 
the day a memorable one in Church history.  The whole Church rejoices that President McKay 
is able to officiate on this occasion.  We are sure that in his heart there is deep gratitude in 
seeing this Holy House dedicated in the land of his fathers where he served as missionary and 
mission president.

But above all else the importance of this occasion is to be found in the purpose for which 
temples are erected: families are to be sealed to each other in eternal union, the doors are to be 
opened to the dead who are living as men in the flesh, the highest ordinances of the Gospel are to 
be administered to the living in preparation for entering the Celestial Kingdom.

Indeed, this is a great day in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Time and for the children of Adam 
in all generations.