Virginia Governor Praises Richmond Temple’s Ties to Religious Freedom With Open House Underway
The 133 temples announced by President Russell M. Nelson range from the 15 freshly announced on Sunday to three already open and operating. See a quick-read list below for the construction status of each temple.
One of those temples is in the open house phase right now.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin called the Richmond Virginia Temple “a magnificent building” after his own recent tour.
“It’s particularly fitting that the temple opens in Virginia, the first state to forge religious freedom into the fabric of our nation,” he said. “May this temple be a lasting symbol to all Virginians of our collective legacy of true religious freedom, and give the Latter-day Saint community across Virginia and around the world a central location to practice their faith.”
Youngkin said the new temple’s architect was a callback to the enshrinement of religious freedom at the American founding.
“Thomas Jefferson wrote in the statute of religious freedom that God created the mind free, and that all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion,” he said. “Today, the past meets present. … It is amazing to see the interwoven nature of this in this magnificent temple. Jeffersonian principles. Jeffersonian architecture ... pillars inspired by Monticello.
“You will see this blending present itself all over. There’s even a painting of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, which we stopped for a moment and just absorbed.”
The governor urged Virginians to tour the temple during the open house.
“May God bless all of those who enter it and all of those who come forth from it,” he said.
Below is a list of the temples President Nelson has announced since April 2018.
Of the 133:
3 are dedicated and operating
Yigo Guam Temple: Dedicated May 22, 2022, by Elder David A. Bednar.
Praia Cape Verde Temple: Dedicated June 19, 2022, by Elder Neil L. Andersen.
San Juan Puerto Rico Temple: Dedicated Jan. 15, 2023, by Elder D. Todd Christofferson.
1 has an open house in progress and will be dedicated next month
The church is still completing temples announced prior to President Nelson’s administration. For example, the public open house for the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple will begin April 15 and continue through July 8, Sundays excluded.
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Temples announced, including the 15 announced on Sunday.
To read summaries of every talk on Saturday, visit this page at the Church News.
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Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at the Richmond Virginia Temple media day on March 20, 2023. He encouraged people to visit the temple during its open house, which ends April 15. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
The exterior of the Richmond Virginia Temple on March 20, 2023. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Sister Tracy Y. Browning of the Primary General Presidency speaks at the Richmond Virginia Temple media day on March 20, 2023. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
The exterior of the Richmond Virginia Temple on March 20, 2023. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)