OAKLAND CALIFORNIA TEMPLE

The Oakland California Temple, which was formerly called the Oakland Temple, is the 15th constructed and the 13th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). This 170-foot temple is located in the city of Oakland in California, commanding a smashing view of the San Francisco Bay Arena. The temple’s total surface area was built on an 18.3-acre or 74,000 m2 plot, it has 4 ordinance rooms which can accommodate 200 persons, 7 sealing rooms, and has a total floor area of 95,000 square feet or 8,800 m2.The temple was the first large American temple designed for the Endowment film. It has two Ordinance rooms in each of the wings on either side of the central Celestial Room. The temple exhibits an Oriental motif which was intended to represent the large number of Asian American saints in the area. Harold W. Burton was the architect that was responsible for the magnificent architectural designs of the church of the Latter Day Saints. The exterior of the temple is reinforced concrete faced with sierra white granite from Raymond, California. The Oakland Temple is also the first temple since Arizona to include sculpted friezes on the exterior. The north and south faces of the temple have two decorative friezes. A Public visitors' center, which includes numerous displays and an inspiring reproduction of Thorvaldsen's Christus statue, also contributes to the temple’s wellness. Also on the grounds is the East Bay Interstake Center—open to any who wish to attend Sunday services.

This temple is the last one to have such plans. On the back part of the temple, on the other hand, lies the depiction of Christ descending from heaven to the people of the American continent soon after his resurrection in the Holy Land. Furthermore, the front part or the north side illustrates Christ preaching His gospel to His people. It also originally features an inner courtyard with an enchanting waterfall that fed a large reflecting pool. Within the front garden courtyard also is a statue of children in front of a bronze plaque bearing a scripture from 3 Nephi 17, taken from the book of Mormon, telling how Christ has blessed the children during his visit to the people of the ancient America. The grounds of the temple are made distinct by the creek-style water feature running from one fountain to another towards the temple entrance, coupled with the line of colorful gardens and towering palm trees. In addition to this, the Oakland California temple is the only temple with 5 spires. The temple is a highly recognized East Bay landmark especially at night, when ships entering San Francisco Bay use it for navigation.

The history of the Oakland temple in California can be traced from way back year 1847. The building of this temple, as well as that of other temples in California was planned as early as this year. In the nearby Interstake Center, the local members performed a Latter-day Saint Pageant, a theatrical production, for several years. The pageant, usually known as the “Temple Pageant,” was a musical stage production rehearsing the history and the legacy of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints. It was one of only a few temple pageants around the country. Until its retirement, it was the only pageant performed indoors as well as the only one which was fully accompanied by a live orchestra. The said pageant basically was composed of three acts which were performed over three consecutive nights. In November 2007, the pageant was officially put to retirement through a letter to the regional stake and mission presidents by Elder D. todd Christofferson, one of the presidents of the Seventy, a priesthood office in the Melchizedek priesthood of several denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(LDS Church).

The LDS temple of Oakland, California was announced on May 26, 1962, and was dedicated by David O. McKay on November 19, 1964. More than 340,000 people visited the Oakland California Temple during its month-long open house ceremonies. People even stood in line for almost two hours in the rain waiting to get inside on the last day of the open house.