| The Cardston Alberta Temple was
the first temple to be erected outside of the United States. In 1888, about one year after
the arrival of Mormon settlers to Canada, Elder John W. Taylor of the Council of the
Twelve visited them to dedicate their land as a place of habitation for the Saints. Upon
doing so, he made the following prophetic statement: "I now speak by the power of
prophecy and say that upon this very spot shall be erected a Temple to the name of
Israel's God and nations shall come from far and near and praise His high and holy
name." In 1912, President Joseph F. Smith sent
Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley to Canada to recommend the best site for a temple. He
returned with photographs of four possible sites. President Smith said, "I feel
strongly impressed that this is the one." He had unknowingly selected the site
dedicated by Elder Taylor over twenty years earlier.
The design of the Cardston Alberta Temple parted from the
traditional large, double-towered design of the Logan Utah, Manti Utah, and Salt Lake
Temples. The First Presidency decided that the new generation of temples would be smaller
(not including a large assembly hall). Also, new temples would not be adorned with towers.
The design would be more economical and focus on giving the sacred ordinances.
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