President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, rededicated the San Diego California Temple on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The ceremony marked the return of the historic edifice to service following a three-year period of extensive renovation that began after the temple closed on July 31, 2023.
A Testament to Faith
The rededication ceremony, held at 11 a.m., included remarks from Christofferson regarding the spiritual significance of the structure. In his dedicatory remarks, Christofferson stated that the temple serves as a testament to the faith of many generations and a promise of future generations of covenant-keepers. He noted that the temple's return is a sign that the Lord is hastening His work in the region.
During the event, Christofferson also reflected on the legacy of early Latter-day Saints in the San Diego area, noting that the faith of those who arrived with the Mormon Battalion in 1847 continues to be a positive force in the community. He described the temple as a memorial to that enduring legacy.
Extensive Renovations and Design
The temple's recent restoration involved significant structural and aesthetic upgrades. According to Church News Almanac reporting, the renovation project included repainting the exterior, refreshing landscaping, and improving accessibility. Major interior improvements featured an upgraded heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, a new roof, and the replacement of art glass, carpet, lighting, and furnishings.
Architectural changes also included the removal of the cafeteria area, which has been repurposed as a waiting room for guests attending weddings. The 58,005-square-foot structure is a four-story building constructed of structural steel, precast concrete, and marble chips set within marblecrete plaster. The interior features an eight-pointed star-shaped atrium formed by two overlapping 45-degree-offset squares.
Decades of Worship
The San Diego Temple has been a fixture of Southern California for decades. The plans for a house of the Lord in San Diego were first announced on April 7, 1984, prior to the general conference. Following a groundbreaking ceremony on February 27, 1988, presided over by President Ezra Taft Benson, the temple was dedicated on April 25, 1993.
The original 1993 dedication was conducted by President Gordon B. Hinckley, with President Thomas S. Monson presiding over ten of the 23 sessions. During that initial opening, the temple drew massive public interest; an open house held from February 20 to April 3, 1993, saw approximately 720,000 participants, far exceeding the original goal of 650,000 attendees.
Public Engagement and Prayer
The rededication follows a highly successful public open house held from June 18 through July 11, 2026. During this period, more than 250,000 people toured the temple grounds and interior. The success of the public awareness efforts surrounding the temple has previously received national recognition, including the Silver Anvil award from the Public Relations Society of America.
Christofferson's dedicatory prayer specifically invoked blessings upon the leaders and members of the Church, including the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Seventy, the Presiding Bishopric, and local leaders. The prayer also requested that the temple be preserved from the ravages of nature and from any form of desecration or pollution.
Global Temple Growth
The return of the San Diego Temple occurs amid a period of global focus on temple worship within the faith. As the Church continues to expand, members are also preparing for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, scheduled to take place from April 5 through October 1, 2027.
Currently, there are 385 temples in operation or in various stages of development worldwide. The San Diego Temple remains a central location for members to seek peace, learn about the purpose of life, and participate in marriage or sealing ceremonies.
Ceremonial Participants
The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking Church officials and their families. Among those present were Elders Steven R. Bangerter and Taylor G. Godoy, along with their wives, Susan and Carol; Elder Hugo E. Martínez and his wife, Nuria; and Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell and his wife, Carol.
Bishop Waddell, who attended the temple's original dedication in 1993, noted that returning for the rededication brought back significant memories of family and service within the temple walls.
