Halifax Nova Scotia Mormon Temple

The Halifax Nova Scotia temple, although a small temple, has made a big impact on the community and lives of members of the Mormon Church. Just as Elder Jay E. Jensen said at the groundbreaking, ““Don’t think of it as a small temple. Make it big in your hearts.”1

Members in Nova Scotia used to meet in hotels and school buildings. Now the members meet in beautiful chapels and even have their own temple. Richard Moses, second counselor in the Dartmouth Nova Scotia Stake presidency said, “It is impossible – there are not words – to adequately express our gratitude for this temple. No longer do we just look at a picture of a temple. Now, when my daughters look out their bedroom window, they see the softly lighted figure of the Angel Moroni standing as a beacon over the area.” 2

When the Mormon temple was opened to the public, prior to the dedication, about 8,000 people toured the temple. Many non-members commented on the peaceful and powerful feeling inside the temple. Richard Moses, second counselor in the Dartmouth Stake presidency, shared some experiences. “After completing a tour during the open house, and obviously touched by what he was feeling, the reporter commented that there was no way he could write what he felt in the small space he would be given for the article.” Another time, “A man dressed in leather and sporting many tattoos came to the open house. He was quiet during the tour and sat by himself in the celestial room. Soon, tears were flowing.” Another non-member commented while sitting in the celestial room, “I’ve never felt closer to God.” 3

Members too come to temples to feel closer to God. After the dedication only members who are living the gospel can enter. This helps maintain the spirit of reverence and peace that so many felt while touring the temple. Members often go to the temple to receive answers to questions. Because of the peaceful nature and the constant presence of the Holy Ghost in the temple it is easier to shut out the world and commune with God.

Because of mechanical problems with President Hinckley’s plane, history was made. The Halifax temple dedication was delayed a day so it was dedicated the same day as the Regina Saskatchewan temple. This was the first time two LDS (Mormon) temples have been dedicated on the same day. President Hinckley stayed in Halifax while President Packer went to Regina.

When the dedication was postponed, “members showed no irritation, but inquired what they could do, like opening their homes to help offset the expense of those who would need to stay an extra night to attend the dedication,” 4 said Richard Moses, second counselor in the Dartmouth Stake presidency. Members had traveled up to ten hours to get to the dedication yet didn’t feel it a sacrifice, because they got to see their temple. Travel time before the Halifax temple was built was considerably longer, and frequent trips to the temple were not a possibility. Now members can enjoy the blessings of the Mormon temple on a more regular basis.

During the dedicatory prayer on 14 November 1999, President Hinckley thanked God for the eternal ordinances performed in temples saying, “We thank Thee for the ordinances to be performed herein. Thou hast revealed these in this dispensation of the fullness of times for the blessing of Thy sons and daughters of all generations. All of these ordinances bespeak our testimony of the eternity of life and of Thy grand and sacred plan for Thy children, that they might move forward on the way of immortality and eternal life made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Thy Beloved Son.” 5

Physical Address:
44 CUMBERLAND DR
DARTMOUTH NS B2V 2C7
CANADA
Canada

Mailing address:
12 Waterside Terrace
Dartmouth, NS B2W 6M1
CANADA
Phone:   902-434-6920

For more information about Mormon temples visit the sites below:

LDS (Mormon) Temple resources
Teachings About Mormon Temples
USATODAY.com – Mormons open temple doors to share beliefs

(1) News of the Church, Ensign, Jan. 1999, 77
(2) Church News, 20 November 1999
(3) Church News, 20 November 1999
(4) Church News, 20 November 1999
(5) News of the Church, Ensign, Feb. 2000, 74