Dallas Texas Temple

The Dallas Texas Temple is the 30th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located in Dallas, Texas. Announced on April 1, 1981, by church president Spencer W. Kimball during a press conference on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, it was one of nine temples announced that day—the largest number ever announced at once at the time. Dedicated on October 19, 1984, by Gordon B. Hinckley, it became the first temple built in Texas and the South Central United States.

The temple is on a 6-acre (24,000 m²) site and has a total floor area of 46,956 square feet (4,362 m²). It has five ordinance rooms and four sealing rooms. When it was dedicated, it served nearly 120,000 Latter-day Saints in most of Texas, all of Oklahoma, and parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri. In 2024, it is one of eight temples in Texas, along with those in Austin, Fort Worth, Lubbock, San Antonio, Houston, and McAllen.

The Dallas Texas Temple was announced on April 1, 1981, by church president Spencer W. Kimball during a press conference on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. It was part of a historic day, with nine new temples announced—the largest number at one time up to that point.

A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify beginning of construction, took place on January 22, 1983, with Gordon B. Hinckley, then serving as second counselor in the First Presidency, presiding. The invitation-only event was attended by approximately 90 guests, including church leaders serving as regional representatives or stake presidents, and their wives. From October 19 to October 24, 1984, Hinckley dedicated the temple in 23 sessions.

Due to the rapid increase in attendance, remodeling began in 1987 to expand the temple’s capacity. This included relocating and enlarging the baptistry, adding both an ordinance and a sealing room, along with other facilities. This increased its size from 17,850 square feet to 44,207 square feet. Hinckley, then serving as first counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated these new areas on March 5, 1989. In the rededication prayer, he expressed gratitude for the faith and dedication of the Latter-Day Saints that necessitated the expansion.

A renovation of the grounds was completed in June 2006. A sign was relocated outside the adjusted fence-line. The entry plaza was enlarged, stairs were added to improve accessibility, and the water feature was replaced with a cascading fountain. Flower beds were expanded and replanted, and additional lighting and seating areas were installed along widened walkways.

In 1986, ordinance work was performed for individuals involved in the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836. Additionally, temple work was completed for 1,500 Choctaw Indians who perished during the Trail of Tears.

In 2020, like all the church's other, the Dallas Texas Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.