Ground broken for LDS temple in Indiana

CARMEL, IND. — Ground was broken Saturday for Indiana's first temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Indianapolis Indiana Temple.

The Indianapolis Star reported that more than 100 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new temple, which will be located in a suburban area in the city of Carmel, just north of Indianapolis.

It is on the corner of West 116th Street and Spring Mill Road on a 48-acre parcel that will include "a church building and living quarters for the temple's president," Star reporter Michael Boren wrote.

The church's website (Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) indicates that "in addition to the temple complex, plans for the site include a residential development — a pattern that has been established with other newer suburban temples including the Twin Falls Idaho Temple, Kansas City Missouri Temple, and Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple."

The ceremony was conducted by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the LDS Church's Presidency of the Seventy.

Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer of the Seventy assisted, along with local LDS officials and community leaders.

The Star quoted Area Authority Seventy Elder J. Christopher Lansing saying during the groundbreaking that for Latter-day Saints, "all roads lead to the temple, regardless of who you are, young or old."

The Indianapolis Indiana Temple will serve more than 41,000 Latter-day Saints in Indiana, who consider the temple to be a sacred, holy place different from regular meetinghouses where weekly Sunday worship services and week-day activities are held.

Temples are considered "the house of the Lord" where the highest sacraments of the faith — including marriage (referred to by Mormons as "sealing") and proxy baptisms for deceased ancestors — are performed.

The new temple should be completed in about two years.

Email: jwalker@desnews.com