150 TEMPLES
BY CHAD S. HAWKINS
Among the trees, the Savior is in the motion of inviting all to receive the blessings found in temple service. Additionally, the Provo Utah Temple is rendered in the distant vegetation behind the temple.
The 150th temple milestone
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Provo City Center Temple marks temple construction landmark for LDS Church Chad S. Hawkins is a well-known temple artist and historian whose career has taken him to six continents and more than 100 temple locations. Chad’s artwork was selected and placed within the cornerstones of 16 different temples. He is the author of seven Deseret Book publications and numerous pieces of artwork, available at www.chadhawkins.com. His latest publication, “Temples of the New Millennium,” includes his artwork, histories and fascinating facts of all 150 dedicated temples. This significant publication celebrates the historic milestone of 150 dedicated temples. 64
PCCT Magazine | January 2016
STORY BY CHAD S. HAWKINS
The LDS Church has become one large family scattered across the earth. Over 15.3 million members are found in nearly 200 nations and territories. With a sense of urgency, temples are continually being built closer to members in distant locations. Today’s church members are blessed to witness and participate in this historic season of vast temple expansion. An important part of the gospel filling the whole earth pertains to the increase of latter-day temples. In the words of Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “We expect to see the day when temples will dot the earth, each one a house of the Lord; each one
built in the mountains of the lord; each one a sacred sanctuary to which Israel and the Gentiles shall gather to receive the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Perhaps they will number in the hundreds, or even in the thousands, before the Lord returns.” President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Boston Massachusetts Temple, the 100th operating temple of the Church, on Oct. 1, 2000. Less than 16 years later, another significant milestone in church history will be reached when the Provo City Center Temple is dedicated and becomes the 150th operating House of the Lord.