Columbus Ohio Temple

The Columbus Ohio Temple is the 60th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The Columbus Ohio Temple is located about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Kirtland. The temple features a marble exterior and art glass windows. LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the temple on September 4, 1999. About 11,000 members attended the six dedicatory sessions. About 30,000 people attended the open house prior to the dedication. Although Ohio was the site of the first temple built by the Latter Day Saint movement, the Columbus Ohio Temple was the first operating temple in the state for more than a 150 years. Under the direction of Joseph Smith, Jr. the Kirtland Temple was dedicated in 1836; however, not long after its dedication, the persecution of the early Latter Day Saints grew severe. They were forced to leave the state and abandon the Kirtland temple. The Columbus Ohio Temple has a total of 10,700 square feet (990 m2), two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.