The Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is opening its doors to the public this week after several years of careful construction and planning. This temple is set to become the second of its kind in the state of Pennsylvania, offering a sacred space where church members and visitors alike can experience a unique sense of peace and spiritual connection.

A Sacred Space Unveiled
On Monday, August 12, 2024, a media event was held at the temple, giving journalists a first look at the house of the Lord. Key leaders from the Church participated in this event, including Elder James R. Rasband, an assistant executive director of the Temple Department; Elder Mathias Held, First Counselor in the North America Northeast Area; Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman; and local leader President Chris Hoke of the Pittsburgh North Stake.

Elder Rasband expressed the deep spiritual significance of the temple, saying, "The temples, for us, are our most sacred place. They, literally in our mind, are the house of the Lord, and so we do everything we can to make them beautiful because we're building to the Lord. And we believe when we enter it, we enter in His presence. And so, there's not anything more sacred than that."

President Chris Hoke shared his feelings about the temple’s impact on the local community, noting, "Like President Nelson says when a temple is dedicated, there is a greater measure of the light of Christ, and I am already feeling that. Now we're already seeing the fruits of a house of the Lord being built and soon dedicated in western Pennsylvania."

Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman emphasized the timeless role of temples in connecting with God, stating, "When we read about Jesus teaching at the temple, this is a place where we also can come as Saints have for millennia to connect with the Father and His Son and to become better."

Welcoming the Community
The open house is a special time when the Church invites the public to step inside the temple, ask questions, and learn more about the faith and beliefs of its members. President Freeman elaborated on this opportunity: "This is a time when we open the doors wide to the public, and we allow friends of the Church to come in and to see this beautiful house of the Lord, and to learn a little bit more about what takes place in these sacred places of worship for us, and to be able to ask questions and to learn a little bit more about our faith and what we believe."

Elder Rasband encouraged everyone to visit, saying, "Come to the house of the Lord. See this temple. It's beautiful. It's peaceful. It really is the beauty of the ordinances, and the chance to connect ourselves to the Savior, Jesus Christ. And for us, it's to feel His peace. That is the real reason to come to the temple."

The public open house for the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple will run from Friday, August 16, through Saturday, August 31, excluding Sundays. Tours will be available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and no tickets are required. Admission is free, offering a welcoming invitation to anyone interested in experiencing the temple.

About the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple
The Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple, situated in Cranberry Township in the northeastern United States, was first announced by President Russell M. Nelson in April 2020. The temple, now complete, spans 32,240 square feet and sits on a 5.8-acre site at 2093 Powell Road. The groundbreaking ceremony for the temple took place on August 21, 2021.

Designed as a steel-frame structure with granite cladding, the temple’s architecture incorporates elements unique to the region. For instance, the mountain laurel, Pennsylvania’s official state flower, is featured in the design. The temple’s art glass showcases a dogwood tree and flower motif in gold, pink, and green, further connecting the temple to its local surroundings.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple in two sessions on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. EDT. The dedication ceremonies will be broadcast to all meetinghouses within the temple district, allowing church members across the region to participate in this sacred event.

The Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple will serve more than 29,000 Latter-day Saints across over 80 congregations. It is the second temple to be built in the state, following the dedication of the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple on September 18, 2016. In April 2023, President Nelson announced plans for a third temple in Harrisburg, reflecting the continued growth and significance of the Church in the region.

With over 53,000 Latter-day Saints in more than 100 congregations, Pennsylvania holds a special place in the history of the Church. Notably, much of the Book of Mormon was translated in Harmony, Pennsylvania, making the state a site of significant spiritual and historical importance.