During the concluding session of the April 2024 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced 15 new temples would be built, including one in Victoria, British Columbia. This surprise announcement was a time of rejoicing for members on Vancouver Island and the surrounding communities. Temple patrons would now be able to worship in a house of the Lord closer to home. The challenges of time, travel, and costs associated with island living would be significantly mitigated. Too often, the long distance, unpredictable ferry schedules, and travel costs made it prohibitive for many members on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands to attend regularly. Now, there would be a temple closer to home for them to worship, serve, perform their ancestors' work, and find sanctuary within its hallowed halls.
Over the years, there have been Church leaders who have felt that someday, Victoria would have a temple. For years, Victoria Stake President Gary Anderson encouraged members to fast and pray that the Saints on the Island might be blessed with our own house of the Lord, according to the Lord's desires and timing. And so, when President Nelson announced the Victoria British Columbia Temple, there was great rejoicing among the Saints. No doubt, the pioneers of Vancouver Island and families on the other side of the veil were rejoicing as well.
The Temple is Welcomed by the Entire Community
The news that a temple would be built in Victoria resulted in leaders from many faiths rejoicing with local members. “Congratulations on this fabulous development!” said Sheila Flood, Victoria Multi-faith Executive Director. “I am looking forward to getting a tour of the new LDS Temple when it's completed!”
“Blessings on this new project,” announced Pastor Lyndon Sayers, Minister of the Lutheran Church of the Cross.
I serve as the Stake Communication Director, and when I shared the news of a new Latter-day Saint temple in Victoria with the Muslim community, Rizwan Peerzada, Regional Ahmadiyyan Muslim Leader, cheerfully replied, “Thank you very much for sharing good news for [the] community. The House of worship is unique and will inspire members. We are looking forward to attend inauguration of Church sanctuary.”
Local Muslim leader, Rukshan Butt, added, “Congratulations on this development. I'm really happy to hear this. I hope this new temple is a source of blessings for all. Thanks for sharing this. You made my morning! I am looking forward to seeing it someday.”
Such was the response from many opinion leaders, civic leaders, and community partners alike who wished to celebrate with the Saints on Vancouver Island and across the world, the news that a new house of the Lord would be built in their local community.
It is clear that local individuals and families want this temple to be built. It is also clear that the community needs this temple, because having a temple brings great blessings, such as:
1. Increased Spirituality
The presence of a temple can elevate the spiritual atmosphere of a community because it serves as a constant reminder of sacred covenants being made. A house of the Lord encourages everyone who sees it to live more righteously, thus fostering a spiritually uplifting environment for the community.
2. Family Unity and Strength
Temples are central to the doctrine of eternal families as taught in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The focus on eternal marriage and family bonds encourages stronger family relationships and values within the community. Continued emphasis on the common Latter-Day Saint saying, “Families can be together forever,” blesses not only Church members but the ideology of the community itself.
3. A Sense of Peace
Temples are places of peace and tranquillity. This peace extends into the community, offering a spiritual refuge and a calming influence for the neighbourhood – crucial in times of busyness and chaos, as we are experiencing today.
4. Moral and Ethical Standards
The teachings and ordinances of the temple promote high moral and ethical standards. This positively influences the behaviour and values of the entire community, fostering a culture of honesty, integrity, and mutual respect.
5. Power to Care for the Needy
The prayers and spiritual focus within the temple include petitions for the welfare and relief of the needy and afflicted, including those in the community. When members attend the temple and pray for those in need, they are also inspired to act on those prayers and provide assistance to them. “The temple is not just a sanctuary where covenants are made; a temple brings power to care for the needy”, said Matthew Latimer, past Assistant Area Communication Director.
For many, temples stand not only as sacred spaces but also as enduring landmarks of community well-being and inspiration. As community and Church members look forward to a house of the Lord on Vancouver Island, great blessings will be granted to those who worship there, and, by extension, communities will become more beautiful and holy. “For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.” (Doctrine and Covenants 82:14)
I am grateful for the remarkable sense of belonging and sacred purpose a temple brings, not only for individual patrons who worship there but for the entire community. The anticipation of a house of the Lord on Vancouver Island inspires me to respect the goodwill we all share. It is my prayer that, as we prepare for the Victoria British Columbia Temple, the blessings of beauty and holiness will radiate outward, strengthening our friendships, deepening our faith, and uniting our neighbourhoods for good.