Medford Oregon Temple
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{{ LDS Temple/Medford Oregon Temple | format=Infobox LDS Temple }}
The Medford Oregon Temple is the 79th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.{{cite news |newspaper= The Columbian |location= Vancouver, Washington |date= March 26, 1999 |title= LDS Church Plans to Build Second Oregon Temple in Medford Area |agency= (AP) |page= E8 |url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VC&p_theme=vc&p_action=search&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=1999&p_text_advanced-0=%28%22LDS%20Church%20Plans%20to%20Build%20Second%20Oregon%20Temple%20in%20Medford%20Area%22%29 |format= NewsBank paywall }}{{cite news |newspaper= The Oregonian |location= Portland, Oregon |date= March 24, 1999 |title= Mormon Temple Will Rise in Southern Oregon }}{{cite news |newspaper= The Seattle Times |date= April 4, 1999 |title= Mormons Plan 2nd Ore. Temple |location= Seattle, Washington |agency= (AP) |url= https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19990404/2953168/mormons-plan-2nd-ore-temple }}
The intent to build the temple was announced on March 15, 1999, by the church's First Presidency.{{Cite web |date=1999-03-27 |title=Six more temples announced; total now 108 |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/1999/3/27/23249043/six-more-temples-announced-total-now-108/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Church News |language=en}} It was the state's second, after the Portland Oregon Temple.{{Cite web |title=Medford Oregon Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/medford-oregon/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Church News |language=en}} It is located midway between the Oakland California and Portland Oregon temples. As of 2010 it served nine stakes in northern California and Oregon.{{cite news |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2010-03-08/medford-oregon-temple-35257 |newspaper= Church News |title= Medford Oregon Temple |date= March 8, 2010 }}
History
The temple was announced by the First Presidency on March 15, 1999, in a letter to local church leaders. A groundbreaking ceremony, marking the commencement of construction, was held on May 20, 1999, with D. Lee Tobler, a general authority presiding, with local church members and community leaders attending.{{Cite web |date=1999-05-29 |title=Oregon temple is another ensign |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/1999/5/29/23248599/oregon-temple-is-another-ensign/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Church News |language=en}}
After construction was completed, the church announced on February 19, 2000 the public open house that was held from March 24-25 and 27-31, 2000.{{Cite web |date=2000-02-19 |title=Dedication date announced for Medford Oregon Temple |url=https://www.deseret.com/2000/2/19/20776334/dedication-date-announced-for-medford-oregon-temple/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} During the open house nearly 35,000 people toured the building,{{cite news |title= Curious converge at temple |url= http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20000326/NEWS/303269998 |newspaper= Mail Tribune |first= Paul |last= Fattig |date= March 26, 2000 }} James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Medford Oregon Temple on April 16, 2000.{{cite web |url= https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/medford-oregon-temple/ |publisher= ldschurchtemples.com |title= Medford Oregon Temple}}
Design and architecture
Designed by Dan Park and church architectural services, it uses a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design and reflects both the cultural heritage of the area and its spiritual significance to the church.{{Cite web |date=2010-03-08 |title=Medford Oregon Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2010/3/8/23211930/medford-oregon-temple/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Church News |language=en}}
The temple is on a 2-acre plot, is 77 feet tall, and is constructed with gray granite quarried from Mount Airy, North Carolina.{{Cite web |date=2000-04-22 |title=Medford Oregon Temple (facts and figures) |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2000/4/22/23246666/medford-oregon-temple-facts-and-figures/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Church News |language=en}} The temple has a total floor area of 10,700 square feet and includes two endowment rooms, two sealing rooms, and a baptistry.
The design uses elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism, to provide deeper meaning to its appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members and includes a statue of the angel Moroni on the steeple, which represents “the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”{{Cite web |date=2020-09-15 |title=Angel Moroni Statues on Temples |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/angel-moroni-statues-on-temples |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}
Temple presidents
The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each typically serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.{{Cite web |title=Presidents and Matrons of the Medford Oregon Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/medford-oregon-temple/presidents/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}
Serving from 2000 to 2004, the first president was Richard M. Ericson, with Kathleen M. Ericson as matron. As of 2025, Kenneth B. Brinkerhoff is the president, with Kim R. Brinkerhoff serving as matron.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-13 |title=Learn about the new leaders of 8 temples around the world, including 2 that will be dedicated soon |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2025/02/13/new-temple-presidents-matrons-bahia-blanca-argentina-elko-nevada/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Church News |language=en}}
Admittance
In February 2000, the church announced the public open house that was held on March 24-25 and 27-31, 2000. The temple was dedicated by James E. Faust on April 16, 2000, in four sessions.{{Cite web |date=2000-04-22 |title=Rise of sacred edifice reflects rebuilt lives All involved relate rekindled faith, renewed testimony |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2000/4/22/23246642/rise-of-sacred-edifice-reflects-rebuilt-lives-br-all-involved-relate-rekindled-faith-renewed-testimo/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Church News |language=en}}
Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.{{Cite web |title=Inside Temples |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/inside-temples?lang=eng |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}
See also
{{Portal|LDS Church}}
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{{LDS Temple Map Oregon}}
Temples in and near Oregon ({{edit|1=Template:LDS Temple Map Oregon}}) File:{{LDSmap = Operating File:{{LDSmap = Under construction File:{{LDSmap = Announced File:{{LDSmap = Temporarily Closed |
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oregon
- Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
- Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
References
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External links
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- [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/list?lang=eng Official Medford Oregon Temple page]
- [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/medford-oregon-temple/ Medford Oregon Temple] at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org
{{LDS-Temple-USA}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Jackson County, Oregon
Category:Central Point, Oregon
Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 2000
Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Oregon
Category:Tourist attractions in Jackson County, Oregon
Category:2000 establishments in Oregon
Category:21st-century Latter Day Saint temples in the United States