The first temple built by the Latter-day Saints in the modern dispensation was in Kirtland, Ohio. It was the start of a long tradition of building and dedicating temples to the Lord. Since then, many other temples have been built, and some with the distinction of being the "first"—from the first to be built on a particular continent to the first to offer temple ordinances in a language. Here are a few more of those unique "firsts."
Location Firsts
Laie Hawaii (Originally dedicated in 1919)
The first temple to serve members living outside the immediate area of Church headquarters. (Kirtland, Nauvoo, Utah)
Photo taken in 2010 by Brigitte Medgyesy
Cardston Alberta (Originally dedicated in 1923)
The first temple built outside of the United States.
Photo taken in 2007 by Steven Dudley
Bern Switzerland (Originally dedicated in 1955)
The first temple built in Europe.
Photo taken in 2016 by Jorge Araya M.
Hamilton New Zealand (Dedicated in 1958)
The first temple to be built in the Southern Hemisphere
Photo taken in 1987 by Stephen Snyder
Photo taken in 2015 by Tracy Crump
Sao Paulo Brazil (Originally dedicated in 1978)
The first temple in South America.
Photo taken in 2005 by Clairisa Giles
Tokyo Japan (Dedicated in 1980)
The first temple in Asia.
Photo taken in 2016 by Tracy Crump
Johannesburg South Africa (Dedicated 1985)
The first temple in Africa.
Photo taken in 1998 by Clive Martin, c/o Sean Bruton
Freiberg Germany (Originally dedicated in 1985)
The first temple built in a nation under Communist rule.
Photo taken August 15, 2016 by Corrado Hess
Photo taken in 2011 by Carl V. Larson
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Ogden Utah (Originally dedicated in 1969)
The first temple dedicated after Utah became a state.
Photo taken September 21, 2014 by Renee Packer
Oquirrh Mountain Utah (Dedicated in 2009)
The first temple to be built in the same city as another temple (Jordan River Utah).
Photo taken in 2009 by Scott Cannon
Ordinance Firsts
First Nauvoo Illinois (Dedicated in 1846)
The first temple the endowment was performed inside.
Image circa 1847, Thomas M. Easterly
Mesa Arizona (Originally dedicated in 1921)
The first temple to present ordinances in a language other than English. (Spanish, 1945)
Photo taken in 2013 by Tracy Crump
Bern Switzerland (Originally dedicated in 1955)
The first temple that wasn't predominantly English-speaking, and the first to use a film instead of live acting.
Photo taken in 2016 by Jorge Araya M.
St. George (Originally dedicated in 1877)
The first temple where proxy endowments were performed.
Photo taken in 2011 by Kelly Josephson
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Design Firsts
Monticello Utah (Originally dedicated in 1998)
The first of the smaller temples to be built from President Hinckley's inspired design.
Photo taken in 2009 by Kathie Marsh
Vernal Utah (Dedicated in 1997)
The first temple to be built from an existing structure.
Photo taken in 2009 by David C. Moore
Cardston Alberta (Originally dedicated in 1923)
The first temple that was built from designs submitted by the First Presidency rather than by straight revelation.
Photo taken in 2007 by Steven Dudley
Logan Utah (Originally dedicated in 1884)
The first temple designed with progressive rooms for presenting the endowment.
Photo taken in 2003 by Rick Satterfield
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Dedication Firsts
Regina Saskatchewan (Dedicated in 1999 by Boyd K. Packer)
The first temple dedicated by someone other than the First Presidency.
Photo taken in 2001 by Gregg Wood
St. Paul Minnesota (Dedicated on January 9, 2000)
The first of 35 temples dedicated in the year 2000.
Photo taken in 2007 by Galen Erickson
Halifax Nova Scotia & Regina Saskatchewan (Dedicated November 14, 1999)
The first temples to be dedicated on the same day.
Photo of the Halifax Nova Scotia Temple taken in 2008 by Joel Glanfield
Laie Hawaii (Dedicated in 1915 rededicated in 1978, rededicated again in 2010)
The first temple to be entirely dedicated (not just additions) three times.
Picture taken in 2010 by Brigitte Medgyesy
Miscellaneous Firsts
Quetzaltenango Guatemala (Dedicated in 2011)
The first temple dedicated by a former refugee (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf).
Photo taken in 2013 by Wendy Avila
Jordan River Utah (Dedicated in 1979)
The first temple constructed and maintained by donations from local members.
Photo taken in 2002 by Rick Satterfield
Nauvoo Illinois (Dedicated in 1846)
The first temple with an angel Moroni image on top of it (an angel Moroni weathervane).
Image circa 1847, Thomas M. Easterly
Salt Lake Temple (Dedicated in 1893)
The first temple with a gold angel Moroni statue on top.
Photo taken in 2006 by Henok Montoya
All images from ldschurchtemples.com.
Did we miss any? Let us know what temple firsts you want to know in the comments below!
