Hold My Stetson, We're Going Temple Trekking in Houston!
Howdy, partners! Ever wondered when the shiny beacon of faith, the Houston LDS Temple, first graced the Texas skyline? Well, saddle up 'cause we're about to embark on a journey through time (and possibly snacks, because who doesn't love a good temple road trip snack?).
Brimming with Bricks and Belief: A Temple Timeline
Buckle your metaphorical seatbelts, because here's the lowdown on the Houston LDS Temple's construction:
-
The Dream Becomes Reality: Back in 1997 (that's with two nines, folks!), plans for the temple were announced. Think of it as the architects laying out the blueprints for a spiritual showstopper!
-
Breaking Ground, Hearts, and Maybe a Sweat: June 13th, 1998 marked a momentous occasion. Church leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony, which basically means they officially said, "Yep, this temple is happening, and it's gonna be righteous!"
-
Open House Hootenanny: Fast forward a couple of years to August 2000 (because building a temple takes time and divine planning, you know?). The public got a chance to peek inside this architectural marvel during an open house. Imagine it as a spiritual sneak peek – pretty darn cool, right?
-
From Humble Beginnings to Heavenly Dedication: Finally, on August 26th, 2000, the Houston LDS Temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time. That's the big shebang, folks, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony (or door-opening ceremony, if you will) for this sacred space.
So, to answer your burning question (and hopefully, quench your thirst for temple trivia), the Houston LDS Temple was built in the year 2000!
Bonus Round: Brick, Bust, and Beyond!
Our story doesn't end there, partners! The Houston LDS Temple has weathered its share of storms, literally. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused some serious damage, but fear not! The temple closed for renovations and reopened with a spiffy rededication ceremony in 2018.
So, there you have it, folks! The fascinating history of the Houston LDS Temple, from dream to dedication, with a sprinkle of storm-chasing thrown in for good measure. Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta grab my hat and head out. There's a whole world of temples to explore, and my sense of adventure is hankering for a road trip!
