Latter-day Saints will soon be able to enter the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Renovations to the sacred structure are complete, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles rededicated the temple on Sunday, November 17.

Elder Cook was accompanied by his wife, Mary; Elder Kevin R. Duncan, executive director of the Church Temple Department and his wife, Nancy; and Elder James B. Martino North America Southeast Area president and his wife, Jennie. Elders Duncan and Martino are members of the Seventy.

“The temple is a place of refuge when we face challenges,” said Elder Cook.

Following the rededicatory session the Church apostle stood at the door of the temple to shake every person’s hand as they exited. He repeatedly expressed his gratitude for the people and their dedication as members of the Church.

“It's been an incredible blessing to be here and see the great diversity of people here,” Elder Cook continued. “There are other parts of the country that have this kind of diversity, but this is really special. You see people from different cultures and races, and they're all united by the gospel of Jesus Christ and that is a marvelous thing. ... It is the commitment to the Savior and the gospel of Jesus Christ that just unites us.”

Prior to the rededication, Elder Cook walked to the adjoining Church meetinghouse to greet those participating in the session through television, which was broadcast to all congregations in the temple district.

The temple closed in January 2018, and the renovation work began. The exterior was redesigned to improve the entry and tower of the temple. The existing portico was enclosed, and the tower’s steeple was raised 10 feet to better correspond to the revised entry. The new design of the wood and steel-framed building features a beige limestone exterior and new art glass windows.

Community leaders, media, local neighborhood residents and the general public were invited to visit the temple during a week-long open house in October and November. The temple will reopen to faithful Latter-day Saints on Saturday, November 23.

The temple was originally built as part of an effort led by then-President Gordon B. Hinckley to build a series of small temples closer to the members of the Church. At its dedication in 2000, it became the 94th operating temple of the Church, and it is currently the only temple in Louisiana. Members of the Church in Louisiana and Mississippi attend this temple.