The Fresno California Temple
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
When the Church announces that it plans to build a new temple there are often difficulties convincing the local non-members that the temple will be an asset to their community. The Fresno Temple is an excellent example of how to both prevent and overcome this kind of opposition and misunderstanding. Using experience gained thirteen years ago when the stake center adjacent to the temple site was being built amidst strong local opposition, the temple committee organized an excellent neighborhood relations campaign that payed off.
First they organized a massive neighborhood meeting to explain the temple project. The result was a vote for aproving the project with 935 out of 936 votes in favor. The one opponent, who also headed the opposition to building the stake center thirteen years earlier, was later convinced of the value of the project after a personall meeting with the temple committee chairman. The temple committee also sent local youth door to door to deliver cookies and Christmas ornaments, and to explain the project and the purpose of the temple. Finally, on the day of the ground breaking 1,066 Church volunteers cleaned up the Fresno Zoo, it was the largest turnout for a volunteer project in the history of Fresno. Due to these efforts there has been no opposition to building a temple in Fresno.
The temple was announced on 8 January 1999.
Ground was broken and construction begun on 20 March 1999.
The cornerstone was laid and the temple dedicated on 9 April 2000.
There are 2 Sealing rooms and 2 Ordinance rooms in the 10,850 square foot temple.
The spire is about 78 feet tall.
The Fresno Temple serves stakes in central California.
Representative Pictures of the Interior:
The Waiting Area.
Source: Media Kit.
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The Baptistry.
Source: Media Kit.
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One of the two Sealing Rooms.
Source: Media Kit.
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One of the two Endowment Rooms.
Source: Media Kit. |
The Celestial Room.
Source: Media Kit.
Rooms not Pictured:
None
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