President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Rededicates Freiberg Germany Temple

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, rededicated the Freiberg Germany Temple on Sunday, September 4, 2016.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as the Church’s European area presidency, Elders Patrick Kearon, Paul V. Johnson and Gary B. Sabin, accompanied President Uchtdorf for the three rededicatory sessions. The sessions were broadcast to Church meetinghouses in Germany as well as to Latter-day Saints living in the Freiberg Temple district. A cultural celebration was held the day before.

​The Freiberg Germany Temple closed February 9, 2015, for extensive remodeling and reopened Friday, August 12, 2016, for a two-week free public open house. This is the second renovation for the Freiberg Temple. The first remodeling and rededication took place in 2002.

The temple’s groundbreaking took place on April 23, 1983. On June 29, 1985, the Freiberg Germany Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church at that time.

Members of the Church in eastern Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary are served by the temple. A second Germany temple is located in Frankfurt.

Latter-day Saint temples differ from meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Jesus Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. Inside, members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to serve Jesus Christ and their fellow man.