Greetings and congratulatory proclamations from Los Angeles and California officials were issued on the occasion of the Los Angeles Temple’s dedication.

Governor Goodwin J. Knight

From Sacramento, Governor Knight’s wire said:

“I am proud to join in extending greetings upon the occasion of the dedication of the new Latter-day Saint Temple in Los Angeles. It was a privilege for Mrs. Knight and me to have the opportunity to inspect this magnificent edifice a short time ago.

“The temple truly reflects the profound devotion and dynamic force of your faith on the side of justice, morality, of faith and human dignity. The entire aspect is indeed one of grace, solidarity, harmony and serenity. Our visit was one of the most impressive and inspiring experiences we have ever enjoyed.

“With warmest personal regards,

“Cordially,

“Goodwin J. Knight,

“Governor of California.”

Mayor Norris K. Poulson

The telegram from Mayor Poulson to President McKay said:

“Congratulations on selecting Los Angeles as the site of your magnificent Mormon Temple and for allowing the citizens of Los Angeles an opportunity to view the building before dedication. Both Mrs. Poulson and I will be ever grateful that we were among your guests. The stately building rising as it does majestically in the sky has already enhanced the city as a tourist attraction.

“Thousands more visitors will daily tour the premises, but more important still are the spiritual values and the great labor of love that will proceed from this sacred edifice.

“Best wishes to you and the Latter-day Saints of this area on this important dedicatory period.

“Norris Poulson,

“Mayor of Los Angeles.”[1]

City Council

The following resolution was passed unanimously by the Los Angeles City Council:

“Whereas, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has built in the city of Los Angeles a magnificent ninety-room temple which is outstanding for its architectural excellence and beauty, and

“Whereas, this temple is the largest ever constructed by the Latter-day Saints and already has established itself as a tourist attraction of the highest conception,

“Whereas upward of 700,000 persons accepted invitations to visit the stately edifice during a fifty-one-day public viewing, and

“Whereas, on Sunday, March 11, at 9:30 a.m. the temple will be dedicated with many of the General Authorities of the Church present from Church headquarters at Salt Lake City, Utah;

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Los Angeles, this 8th day of March, 1956, extends welcome to the visiting Church dignitaries and congratulates them and the Latter-day Saints of this area, who have contributed so much to the cultural and ecclesiastical betterment of this community, upon the dedication of this majestic temple.

“I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Council of the City of Los Angeles at its meeting of March 8, 1956. (Signed, Walter C. Peterson, City Clerk.)”[2]

County Board of Supervisors

The following resolution was passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles:

“Whereas, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday March 11, 1956 at 9:30 a.m. will dedicate the magnificent Los Angeles Temple, and

“Whereas, David O. McKay, President of the Church, with his counselors and other members of the General Authorities of the Church, will be in Los Angeles for this important event, and

“Whereas, the Mormon Temple is one of the most outstanding buildings of its kind in the entire world, and is the largest temple ever built by the Latter-day Saints, and

“Whereas, the temple was opened for a short time for public viewing, and hundreds of thousands of people were impressed by its grandeur and inspired by the muraled artistry of its rooms;

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles congratulates David O. McKay, President of the Church, and all other Church officials on the dedication of the temple on Sunday, March 11, 1956, a day that will commemorate for all time an important event in the religious history of Los Angeles County.

“Adopted by order of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles, State of California, this 8th day of March, 1956. (Signed, H. C. Legg, Chairman of the Board and Supervisor 1st District; Kenneth Hahn, Supervisor 2nd District; John Anson Ford, Supervisor 3rd District; Buxton W. Chase, Supervisor 4th District; Roger N. Jessup, Supervisor 5th District.)”[3]

Notes

[1] “Gov. Knight, Mayor Poulson Send Greetings on Temple,” Church News, March 10, 1956, 2.

[2] Doyle L. Green, “Los Angeles Temple Dedication,” Improvement Era, April 1956, 229–30.

[3] Green, “Los Angeles Temple Dedication,” 230.