hey guys we are here at the lds church located in oakland california
it was opened in 1964 and for the first time they allow the public to see what's inside the temple
the tours they offer free tours for a month unfortunately you cannot take pictures but
they have pictures online so uh let's go and take the tour to the temple let's go
the temple was the second in california following the los angeles california temple and the 13th in
the world it currently serves the latter-day saints in the bay area of northern california
the history of the oakland temple traces back to the early mormon settlers who came to california
in the 1840s the first group of members of the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints
arrived by sailing ship in yerba buena which is now san francisco in july 1846. 238 women men
and children disembarked from the ship brooklyn following a six-month journey from new york city
soon after arriving the settlers established the first newspaper, the first school and the first
library in the first bank in california they laid the foundation for an economy based upon farming
industry and commerce in northern california starting in 1848 they became an essential source
of goods supplies and services for gold miners who came following the discovery of gold in 1848
the quiet village of yerba buena was quickly transformed into the vibrant city of san francisco
many of the early settlers came across the bay to establish homes and farms in the east bay
including oakland and the central valley
in 1924 elder george albert smith then an apostle of the church was visiting with
the local church leader on the roof terrace of the hotel overlooking san francisco bay
there he saw a vision of a white temple upon the eastern hills an ensign all
the world travelers as they sailed through the golden gate into this wonderful harbor
in the 1930s a committee of local church leaders chaired by eugene hilton sought to identify
a suitable plot of land upon which to construct a temple the committee looked at various places
in the oakland area but focused on an initial 14.5 acre site where the oakland temple is now located
the president of the church david o'mckay visited the site in 1942 and the land was purchased
additional adjacent parcels were acquired making a total of 18.3 acres
the first buildings on the newly acquired land were a chapel
an auditorium and a large cultural hall called the interstate center it was completed in 1959
soon after that in december 1960 david o mckay announced plans to construct the oakland temple
groundbreaking for the temple took place on may 26 1962. the oakland temple was designed by architect
harold w burton local members of the church helped supply funds and goods for the construction
quarried in raymond california about three hour drive from oakland sierra white granite was used
to face reinforced concrete large panels that weigh two tons depict christ ministry in the
holy land in america decoratively adorn the temple's north and south faces this 35 foot
sculpted panels were a challenge to attach because the artist requested that no metal drilled holes
penetrate the freezes the building has many asian inspired elements represented in the structure of
the building along with the interior design the oakland temple was completed on september 27 1964.
prior to the dedication public open house of the newly constructed temple
were held over a five-week period almost 400 000 people toured the temple during the open house
a half century after its dedication the oakland california temple continues to
stand as a beacon and spiritual lighthouse over the san francisco bay in february of
2018 the temple was closed for substantial renovations the work was finished in may 2019
when the oakland temple was once again open for three weeks for public tours the first time the
public has been invited inside the temple since 1964. so let's take the tour inside the temple
adjacent to the temple is the visitor center which includes artworks and displays visitors can also
learn more about the temple have questions answered and learn more about the lds church
so guys i hope you enjoy our walk around the temple
and the history behind the oakland LDS until next time
bye
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