Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Sixty-Eight
A Modern Temple Construction Miracle
(See also Lessons 51 and 55)
Introduction – “The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have often asked the Lord if there are better ways to take the blessings of the temple to His faithful children” (President Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, April 2021). I believe one way the Lord has answered their prayer is through the use of the design-manufacture-install modular process in temple construction.
The Lord commands His people to build temples where He will endow His people with power from on high – The first temple endowment in this dispensation was given in Nauvoo on May 4, 1842. The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote concerning that occasion: “I spent the day in the upper part of the store…in council with [names several leaders of the Church] instructing in the principles and order of the Priesthood, attending to washings, anointings, endowments, and the communication of keys pertaining to the priesthood….and there was nothing made known to these men but what will be made known to all the Saints of the last days, as soon as they are prepared to receive, and a proper place is prepared to communicate them….Therefore, let the Saints be diligent in building the [Nauvoo] Temple, and all houses which they have been, or shall hereafter be, commanded of God to build; and wait their time with patience in all meekness, faith, perseverance unto the end, knowing assuredly that all these things referred to in this council [the temple endowment] are always governed by the principle of revelation” (HC 5:1-2, emphasis added).
The Lord reveals where temples are to be built and the best ways to build them – This was true with the tabernacle of ancient Israel (see Exodus 26); the Temple of Solomon where “all the materials for the house were prepared before they were brought to the site” (See Bible Dictionary, Temple of Solomon. This seems to be an ancient version of the design-manufacture-install process); the Kirtland Temple (see D&C 95:13-17); and smaller temples (see Lessons on the Temple, Lesson 59, Temples and the Book of Mormon are Sacred).
The Helena Montana Temple is the first temple to be built using the design-manufacture-install modular construction process, and many more will follow – The benefits of this process include:
Increased efficiencies and shorter construction time. It was just under 27 months from announcement to the dedication of the Helena Montana temple.
Greater precision – The 25 manufactured modules of the Helena Temple were assembled within the width of a laser. (See Church News, week of May 20, 2023)
Less cost – Shortened construction time and increased efficiencies and precision add up to less cost and more perfectly constructed temples.
Testimony – In 1976, 47 years ago, my very capable partner, David W. Adams, and I began the development of one of the first design-manufacture-install modular HUD apartment complexes in the country. Conventional construction was very difficult at that time in Rock Springs Wyoming, and we experienced first-hand the benefits of the design-manufacture-install modular construction.
All of the advantages we experienced then with apartments are certainly now enhanced by advancing technology to build temples. I believe the Lord inspired this technology for the advancement of His work, particularly to build temples worldwide, where He will arm His temple covenant people “with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory” (1Nephi 14:14).