Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony

Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 02:16:35 -0800

From: Byron D Walther

Nearly 1,700 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Anchorage Alaska Temple on Friday, April 17, 1998. Busses shuttled many of them from the Wal-Mart parking lot on Old Seward Highway to the construction site at 13111 Brayton Drive.

The groundbreaking service was conducted held in the chapel of the Brayton Stake Center. Elder F. Melvin Hammond, 1st counselor in the North America Northwest Area Presidency presided over and conducted the services. He commented that when he left Salt Lake there was a snowstorm. He was happy to find sunshine in Alaska. (Anchorage had a high of 54 degrees on Friday).

The combined stake choirs sang several numbers as part of the services. The choir filled the choir seats and both sides of the chapel. A special 5th verse was added to the hymn "High on the Mountain Top".

High in the northern lands A temple is unveiled: Resplendent in its beauty; Our thankful hearts have swelled. We'll now go up and serve the Lord; In grateful praise we sing With one accord.

President Melvin Perkins of the Juneau Alaska Stake offered the invocation. President Jerry A. Hann of the Wasilla Alaska Stake was the first speaker. He spoke of the blessings in our lives when we attend the temple. His prayer was that we all be prepared to attend the temple.

President A. Kearlee Wright of the Soldotna Alaska Stake reflected on one of the early branch presidents in Alaska, Wells Bowen. President Wright stated that we are as strong or weak in relation to our temple attendance. He urged us to obtain temple recommends - to make the commitment now.

President Brent M. Wadsworth of the Anchorage Alaska Stake held up a book that he had been reading entitled "A Gathering of Saints in Alaska". The book tracks the development of the church in Alaska. He commented on the role of many Alaska pioneers who have made this day possible. President Wadsworth observed that a temple is not the end but rather a representation of what we hope to build in the lives of our members. He said that the temple will be a perfecting influence in this community. It will be a refining influence in the lives of the people.

Elder Hammond said that it was the will of the Lord Jesus Christ that a temple be constructed on this ground. He will consecrate the temple site. It shall be made holy and then we will. He said that perhaps the time between the groundbreaking and the completion of the temple will serve as a period of repentance. A time to experience an inner cleansing and a time of sacrifice. He encouraged each of us during the coming months to prepare ourselves spiritually. He asked that as families we review the instructions of the Lord on building temples. He urged us to hold special presentations and family home evenings so that we might obtain a greater understanding of temples.

He issued the challenge that one day all members enter into the temple. Elder Hammond said that the oldest to the youngest should prepare themselves spiritually for the day of the temple completion. He counseled us to become more Christlike, to develop more loving relationships with our spouses. This is a time to learn to control erring thoughts, caustic tongues, to eliminate abuse, a time to control our tempers. He said that anger can be subdued. This is a time to repent.

Elder Hammond said that we must be absolutely faithful in the payment of our tithes and offerings. He reminded us that tithing is not about money but is a principle of faith. Every faithful member is to tithe of his increase. It is the contrite heart and the willing mind that the Lord requires. Elder Hammond addressed the children, to listen to him - he asked them to pay their tithes.

Elder Hammond said that we have a wonderful opportunity, during the construction of the temple, to prepare family histories. He urged us to prepare names that we can take to the temple. He promised that our ancestors will rejoice with our efforts. It will require time and research. This effort will be a time of unity and fun.

The dedicatory prayer was then offered by Elder Hammond. The combined choir then sang a closing hymn and were followed by the benediction which was offered by President Nigel G. Wappett of the Fairbanks Alaska Stake. Those in attendance then dismissed from the chapel and gathered at the temple site at the edge of the parking lot.

Elder Hammond and the stake presidents joined in turning over the soil with "gold" shovels. He then invited the wives of the stake presidents to take a turn. Afterwards, several children were given the same opportunity.

The groundbreaking proceedings were televised and shown on the local cable station. At least three of the local television stations covered the groundbreaking service in their Friday evening newscasts. A story entitled "Mormons kick off construction of Anchorage temple" was carried on the first page of the metro section, B-1, in the Anchorage Daily News, on Saturday, April 18, 1998.