About the Oakland Temple

The Oakland California Temple

Painting Courtesy of Steevun Lemon

The Oakland California Temple was the 15th Mormon temple built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (13th temple still standing). Its construction was first announced in April of 1924 in a special semi-annual conference that the Mormon Church holds. The actual funding of the temple was done by donations from the local members of the church. Then President Heber J. Grant asked if members could donate $500,000. The response from local members was both immediate and enthusiastic, contributing a total of over $750,000.

The Oakland area has been continually racked by natural disasters including one of the most devastating earthquakes to ever hit North America in 1989. Miraculously, the Oakland Temple escaped relatively undamaged. It continues to stand high over the beautiful coastal city as a testament that God is not far from any of us.

A beautiful architectural symbol, the two friezes on the North and South sides of the temple portray Jesus Christ: in one frieze He is with His apostles from times of old; on the other frieze He is appearing to the ancient people in the Book of Mormon. This could be said to symbolize how the Book of Mormon and the Bible work together to declare that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.