Location
10301 San Francisco Drive NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87122-3437
United States
Contact
Telephone: 505-822-5110
Facsimile: 505-822-8181
Distribution Services: 505-822-7984
Details
Announcement: 4 April 1997
Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 20 June 1998 by Lynn A. Mickelsen
Public Open House: 17–26 February 2000
Dedication: 5 March 2000 by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site: 8.5 acres.
Exterior Finish: Desert Rose pre-cast concrete trimmed with Texas pearl granite.
Ordinance Rooms: Two ordinance rooms (stationary) and three sealing.
Total Floor Area: 34,245 square feet.
Temple Locale:
Like a blossom in the desert, the beautiful Albuquerque New Mexico Temple adorns the arid landscape of northeastern Albuquerque in the residential neighborhood of North Albuquerque Acres. The temple grounds are a lush oasis of green grass and vibrantly colored flora including many native plant species. At the main entrance, a magnificent spraying water feature delights patrons as they enter and leave the sacred structure. The exterior is prominently ornamented with heavenly symbols including moons, stars, and suns.
Temple Facts:
The Albuquerque New Mexico Temple was the first temple built in New Mexico.
Missionary work in New Mexico began among the Zuni Indians on the Little Colorado River in the 1860s. More than 100 converts were baptized.
The exterior of the Albuquerque New Mexico Temple features moonstones, a sunstone, and starstones—similar to the Salt Lake Temple—which appear in their astronomical order from the earth (starstones highest and moonstones lowest). Another sun is captured in the Celestial Room art glass, featured prominently on the east side of the temple.
When problems were encountered in obtaining approval from the City for the temple plans, Latter-day Saint youth in the area fasted and prayed for a resolution. Once approval was granted, they fasted and prayed again—this time for the construction workers.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the Albuquerque New Mexico Temple, more than 6,500 members crowded on the 10-acre site to participate in the services.
During the ten-day public open house for the Albuquerque New Mexico Temple, approximately 70,000 visitors toured the temple interior.
The Albuquerque New Mexico Temple was dedicated in four sessions by President Gordon B. Hinckley on Sunday, March 5, 2000. He asked that the Lord that the temple "be a sanctuary of peace, a refuge from the noise of the world. May it be a house of quiet contemplation concerning the eternal nature of life and of Thy divine plan for Thy sons and daughters as they walk the road of immortality and eternal life."
Groundbreaking Ceremony:
Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen, who presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Albuquerque New Mexico Temple, stated, "It is our responsibility as members of the Church to live our lives in such a way that the trust [the local city and county officials, administrators and staff, friends and neighbors, and local media] have deposited in us will not be unwarranted." He commended the many members who had traveled long distances to witness the groundbreaking event. "It is during these special moments that we can feel and see the hand of the Lord moving in the work," he said. "It manifests a pattern of faith for your children, and they will make the same commitments to consecrate their lives to that which is good, honorable, and right."1
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1. Holly Traver, "Ground broken for temple in New Mexico," Church News 27 Jun. 1998: 3.