Dedicatory Prayer for the Sapporo Japan Temple
The Sapporo Japan Temple at night.
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President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated the Sapporo Japan Temple on August 21, 2016. Following is the complete text of the dedicatory prayer:
O God our Heavenly Father, we come unto Thee in prayer to dedicate the Sapporo Japan Temple. We thank Thee for Thy Beloved Son and His infinite Atonement. We thank Thee for Thy Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the gospel. We are grateful, Father, for a living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson. We love him and pray for him and his counselors.
We thank Thee for Thy faithful children throughout the world who pay their tithes and offerings. We thank Thee for Thy blessings to this nation of Japan and its people. Wilt Thou bless the leaders and citizens of this land, that harmony and courtesy may be preserved in their culture. Please bless Thy children here to keep Thy commandments and prosper in this land.
We pray for the youth of this nation. Our youth are the hope of Israel—children of this promised day.
We thank Thee for this beautiful temple. We are grateful for the artisans, craftsmen, and laborers who have built it. Here Thy children can serve their beloved ancestors who have waited long for their own temple blessings.
Now as an Apostle of the Lord, with the authority of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood, I hereby dedicate this Sapporo Japan Temple as Thy holy house. Here sacred ordinances of salvation and exaltation will be performed by proper authority.
I dedicate the baptismal font, the initiatory, endowment, sealing, and celestial rooms for Thy eternal purposes. I dedicate this house for the blessing of individuals and families on both sides of the veil.
I dedicate and consecrate this temple from its footings to the majestic figure of the angel Moroni that crowns its highest point. I dedicate all mechanical, electrical, and other equipment that will allow this temple to function well. I dedicate the beautiful grounds and plantings that lend beauty to this temple.
Father, we pray that Thou wilt protect this sacred edifice from earthquakes and other disasters. Bless the land on which it stands. Protect this temple from any evil intent to damage it. Protect it from any influence that might disrupt the sacred work of this temple.
Please bless each president and his counselors, each matron and her assistants. Bless all who will be called to serve in this temple. May they and their families be strengthened and enabled to perform the sacred work of this temple.
Holy Father, we express our great love for Thee and Thy Son. As we dedicate this temple, we rededicate our lives to Thee and Thy holy cause. This temple stands as a symbol of our testimony that Thou art our God and that Jesus is the Christ whom Thou hast sent. We love Thee and so dedicate this Sapporo Japan Temple, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Temple Facts
Announcement: October 3, 2009
Groundbreaking: October 22, 2011
Public open house: From Friday, July 8, to Saturday, July 23, 2016; no tours on Sundays
Cultural celebration: Saturday, August 20, 2016
Dedication: Sunday, August 21, 2016, by President Russell M. Nelson in three sessions
Location: 1-6-1 Ooyachi-Nishi, Atsubetsu-ku Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, Japan
Property size: 9.8 acres
Building size: 48,480 square feet
Height of building: 88 feet 6 inches without the spire, 114 feet with the spire but without the Moroni statue, and 127 feet with the Moroni statue
Exterior finishes:
• Concrete covered with stone cladding; facade covered in granite quarried and carved in China with sea-wave motif
• Main field of art glass is frosted with carved geometric patterns; interlocking circular pattern at top and bottom, forming four petals, represents lilac flower
• Plants and trees common to the island of Hokkaido
Interior finishes:
• Principal stone for flooring and base is marble from Israel, carved in China, with a pattern based on the traditional Japanese tatami mat
• Stone in celestial room and sealing room is marble from Egypt, carved in Italy
• Interior millwork is constructed from stained cherry wood and Japanese white birch
• Door hardware is polished bronze made in Japan
• Decorative painting, art glass, light fixtures, and font railing incorporate same motifs and patterns featured on exterior
Architects: Takenaka and Richardson Design Partnership
Contractor: Takenaka Corporation
The Sapporo Japan Temple is the Church’s third temple in Japan and the 151st operating temple worldwide. The two other temples in Japan are located in Tokyo (dedicated in 1980) and Fukuoka (dedicated in 2000).
The Sapporo Japan Temple will serve more than 8,000 Latter-day Saints on Hokkaido and in Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Honshu.
