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The Oakland temple was the second temple constructed in California (others include Los Angeles, San Diego, Redlands, Fresno, Sacramento and Newport Beach) and was the 13th temple in operation. Announced in in 1961, constructed and dedicated in 1964, this temple is most well known for it's etching in the front of Jesus Christ and teaching the people of the American continent which took place after his ascension as read in the New Testament. The teaching of the people of the American continent is found in the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi chs. 11-28) and its 5 spires that shine over the area. Until 2007 it was the site of a "Temple Pageant" that recounted the history the LDS church. There is a visitors center on the grounds that anyone can visit.

Okland Temple today

Okland Temple today

Oakland Temple overlooking parts of San Francisco and its bay

Oakland Temple overlooking parts of San Francisco and its bay

Close up of front etching of Christ teaching the people of the American continent

Close up of front etching of Christ teaching the people of the American continent

Shot of temple from across the bay

Shot of temple from across the bay

Dedication in 1964. President Joseph Fielding Smith, President Hugh B. Brown, Church President David O. McKay, President N. Eldon Tanner, President O. Leslie Stone and temple president Delbert F. Wright. Photo courtesy of the LDS Church.

Dedication in 1964. President Joseph Fielding Smith, President Hugh B. Brown, Church President David O. McKay, President N. Eldon Tanner, President O. Leslie Stone and temple president Delbert F. Wright. Photo courtesy of the LDS Church.

Temple and visitor center in 1964 after completion

Temple and visitor center in 1964 after completion

Construction early 1964

Construction early 1964

The Oakland California Temple (formerly the Oakland Temple) is the 15th constructed and 13th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple was announced on May 26, 1962, and dedicated on November 19, 1964, by David O. McKay.

It is the only LDS temple built with a modern five-spire design and exhibits an Oriental motif. Its architect was Harold W. Burton. The exterior of the temple is reinforced concrete faced with sierra white granite from Raymond, California. On the north and south faces of the temple are two decorative friezes; it is the last LDS temple to have such. The back (south side) is a depiction of Christ descending from heaven to the people of the American continent soon after his resurrection in the Holy Land. The front illustrates Christ preaching his gospel to the people. Within the front garden courtyard there is a statue of children in front of a bronze plaque bearing a scripture from 3 Nephi chapter 17, from the Book of Mormon, relating how Christ blessed the children during his visit to the people of ancient America.

The temple sits on a prominent site in the Oakland hills and has become a local landmark. Through the front courtyard are stairways which lead to the temple terrace situated above the ground floor of the temple. From the temple grounds and terrace are spectacular views of the Bay Area, including downtown Oakland, the Bay Bridge, Yerba Buena Island, downtown San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. The grounds are accented by flowers, palm trees, and a formal-style man-made river running from one fountain to the other.

The temple was built on an 18.3-acre plot, has four ordinance rooms, seven sealing rooms, and has a total floor area of 95,000 square feet.The visitors' center has free tours around the grounds and atop the temple daily

The building of the Oakland Temple, as well as other temples in California was planned as early as 1847. The Mormons who had traveled by ship around Cape Horn to California were told by Brigham Young that "in the process of time, the shores of the Pacific may yet be overlooked from the Temple of the Lord."

The site where the Oakland Temple now stands was inspected by David O. McKay, then second counselor in the First Presidency, in 1942. The 14.5 acres were purchased by the church on January 28, 1943. Ground was broken for the temple in 1962.

In the nearby Interstake Center, local members performed a pageant (an annual theatrical production) for many years. The pageant, commonly known as the "Temple Pageant," was a musical stage production rehearsing the history and legacy of the LDS Church. It was one of only a few "temple pageants" around the country; others include the Easter Pageant in Mesa, Arizona, and the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti, Utah. Until its retirement, it was the only such pageant performed indoors as well as the only one to be fully accompanied by a live orchestra. Initially, the pageant consisted of three acts performed over three consecutive nights; however, it was eventually shortened to an hour and a half. In November 2007, a letter sent to stake and mission presidents in the region from D. Todd Christofferson, then of the Presidency of the Seventy, indicated that the pageant would no longer be held.

The temple is not the oldest building of the LDS Church at the site. The Interstake Center dates from the 1950s. This building was originally referred to as the Tristake Center, serving the needs of the San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley stakes. This building includes two chapels for sacrament meetings, an auditorium, a gymnasium and several classrooms and offices.

The auditorium seats 1,600 people and has a 60-foot stage. Besides the three resident organizations and the temple pageant, many Brigham Young University performing arts groups have performed in the auditorium.

The site has a visitors center that was opened in 1992. There is also a Family History Center, an LDS Employment Center, an LDS Distribution Center and the headquarters of the California Oakland–San Francisco Mission. In addition, a small memorial to the Brooklyn is located to the side of the property.





Candland, Evelyn (1992), An Ensign to the Nations: History of the Oakland Stake, Oakland, CA: Oakland California Stake, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Satterfield, Rick, "Oakland California Temple", LDSChurchTemples.com McKay, David O. (November 17, 1964), "Oakland California Temple: We invoke Thy blessing particularly upon Thy people in this temple district", Church News LDS Church Almanac: 2008 Edition, 2007, p. 550 McKay, David O. (August 1962), "Oakland California Temple Groundbreaking", Improvement Era 65 (08): 584–585