By Janene Pack
The 100th temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was dedicated in Belmont Sunday, Oct. 1, accomplishing President Gordon B. Hinckley’s goal to have 100 operating temples by the end of the 20th century.
The dedication took place in Belmont, Mass., where the Boston temple is located, and was dedicated by President Hinckley.
Although the Boston temple is the 100th temple in operation, it was not the 100th temple to be dedicated. The first temple was dedicated in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1836, followed by the Nauvoo Illinois Temple dedication in 1846. Neither temple is in operation, but the Nauvoo temple is being reconstructed.
The Boston temple was still dedicated without a steeple because of a legal dispute with surrounding neighbors over the construction of the steeple and the angel Moroni.
According to a recent Deseret News article on Oct. 1, President Hinckley said, “it’s disappointing” but not upsetting, concerning the lack of a traditional spire. “I would have loved to have seen this building with that steeple in all its architectural beauty, he said.
“I regret that there isn’t a steeple, but we can get along without it while we await the outcome of the legal action. In the meantime, we’ll go forward with the ordinances of this sacred house.”
According to the Deseret News article, almost 83,000 people toured the temple in Belmont, a suburb west of Boston, during a month-long open house that ended a week ago.
The temple was dedicated Sunday in a series of four sessions beginning at 9 a.m. EDT.
According to the article, President Hinckley said, “for us this is a significant occasion …, a banner year. This is a grand and historic occasion, he said.
“It is a milestone in church history. There never has been a time (of temple construction) like it. That shows what you can get done if you set an objective and work your head off.”
