The Toronto Ontario Temple is the 44th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The intent to build the temple was announced to local leaders on the morning of April 7, 1984, and then referenced by Gordon B. Hinckley, second counselor in the First Presidency, during the general conference session which followed.[1] It was the second temple built in Canada (after the Cardston Alberta Temple), becoming the first country in the world, outside the United States, to have two temples in its borders.[2] [3]
The temple is located on 5.26ha in Brampton, which is 32km (20miles) west of Downtown Toronto. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify beginning of construction, was held on October 10, 1987, with Thomas S. Monson presiding.
The intent to build the temple was announced on April 7, 1984.[4] On June 22, 1986, Thomas S. Monson, then a counselor in the First Presidency, created the LDS Church's 1,600th stake in Kitchener, Ontario, and again commented that a temple would be built in the Toronto area.[5] Monson returned for the groundbreaking ceremony on 10 October 1987. The temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley on 25 August 1990.[6] [7] The temple's interior totals 57982square feet, four ordinance rooms and six sealing rooms.
Two LDS Church presidents hold ties to Toronto. John Taylor and his wife immigrated to Toronto in 1832, while Monson served as president of the church's Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, from 1959 to 1962.[8]
In 2020, like all others in the church, the Toronto Ontario Temple was closed for a time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]
On May 1, 2023, the First Presidency announced that the Toronto Ontario Temple would close for renovations.[10] The temple closed on October 23, 2023, and was projected to reopen in December 2024.[11]
The building’s design was inspired by the Denver Colorado Temple.[12] On October 4, 1990, the Toronto Ontario Temple was given an award of excellence from the Development Design Awards program.[13] The temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the Ontario region and the spiritual significance to the church.
The temple sits on a 13.4-acre plot in Brampton, which is a suburb of Toronto. The building is located on the intersection of Bramalea Road and Bovaird Drive, facing east.
The structure stands 171 feet tall, with an area of 57,982 square feet, constructed with white cast stone. The exterior has “a three-tiered tower that sits on a square base and has a spire that leads up to a point,”, an element chosen for its symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions. The design uses elements that reflect both the local culture and broader symbolism to the church.
The temple includes four ordinance rooms, six sealing rooms, a baptistry, and a celestial room, each arranged for ceremonial use.
The design has elements using Latter-day Saint and Biblical symbolism, providing deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members, and symbols include the angel Moroni statue that tops the building, representing “the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”[14] Another example is the temple’s eastward orientation, which reflects the ancient Israelite tradition of building east-facing temples and symbolizes “watching for the second coming of Christ, which has been likened to the dawning of a new day.”[15]
On May 1, 2023, the First Presidency announced that the temple would undergo renovations. The temple closed on October 23, 2023, and was originally expected to reopen in December 2024. With renovations nearing completion, on October 28, 2024 the church announced that following media and invited guest tours earlier in the week, a public open would begin on February 13, 2025 and run through March 8, 2025 (excluding Saturdays). The temple is then scheduled to be dedicated on March 23, 2025 by Jeffrey R. Holland.[16]
The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[17]
The first president of the Toronto Ontario Temple was Arnold N. Roberts, with the matron being Audrey C. Roberts. They served from 1990 to 1993. As of 2024, Tyrone Wong is the president, with Sui Y. Wong serving as matron.
Following the completion of the temple, the church announced that a public open house would be held from August 2–18, 1990 (excluding Sundays). The temple was dedicated in 11 sessions by Gordon B. Hinckley from August 25–27, 1990. Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[18]