Déjà Vu ~ Times II: Cardston Alberta Temple

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Cardston Alberta Temple

Alberta Temple 1970s

Recently, I was in the right place at the right time to hear a person in-the-know say that millions in materials had been purchased and architectural drawing made for renovating the Cardston Alberta Temple, which of course gave more credence to the renovation rumours that prompted the first Alberta Temple posts of 2024 & 2025:

▪ https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2024/08/saving-restored-cardston-alberta-temple.html

▪ https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-slippery-seismic-slope.html

▪ https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2025/02/invitation-to-pray-for-cardston-alberta.html

Here is my recent appeal to the Church to leave the Cardston Alberta Temple in its historic beauty and progressive pattern.

=========================================/

Dear Brothers & Sisters:
Presiding Bishopric: W. Christopher Waddell; L. Todd Budge; Sean Douglas
Temple Department executive director: Elder Steven R. Bangerter
Temple Department Assistant Executive Director: Elder James R. Rasband
Temple and Family History Executive Council: Chair Elder Neil L. Andersen;
Elder Patrick Kearon; President Susan H. Porter; Sister Kristin M. Yee;
Bishop W. Christopher Waddell; Elder Mark A. Bragg; Elder Kevin R. Duncan;
Stephen T. Rockwood; Michael Suhaka; L. Todd Budge.
Presidency of the Seventy, Senior President: S. Mark Palmer.

Date: 8 April 2026 [Snail-mailed April 9, 2026]

Subject: Preserving the historic Cardston Alberta Temple

WHEREAS:
▪ millions of dollars of materials are reported to have been purchased and are in storage for the unannounced “renovation” of the Cardston Alberta Temple;
▪ draft architectural plans for the proposed project have been seen by some;
▪ this temple is designated a Church Historic Landmark¹;
▪ this temple is designated (both interior and exterior) a Canadian Historic Site² and is noted in the Alberta Heritage Survey Program³;
▪ the first historic temples were built according to a revealed, progressive pattern⁴;
▪ the re-dedicatory prayer (June 22, 1991) given by President Hinckley after historic preservation (1980s) by architect Michael Gibb contains this preserving paragraph against seismic events:

“We dedicate the structure from the footings and foundation to the highest elevation of the roof that it may stand firm and immovable against any trembling of the earth and against the storms of nature that may beat upon these walls. We pray that thou wilt preserve it from desecration at the hands of any with evil intent.”⁵

▪ the nearby Lethbridge Alberta Temple (now under construction with its simpler design) can relieve access and accommodation pressure from the Cardston temple thus helping justify the preservation of its pattern, history, style, and beauty just as the nearby Ephraim Utah temple did for preserving the Manti temple;

THEREFORE, with all due respect, in a spirit of transparency, recognition, common consent, and reciprocal respect for:

▪ the residents of Cardston and the Cardston Alberta Temple District
▪ the design and craftsmanship of original, gifted architects Pope and Burton of the early 1900s;
▪ the preserving work of architect Michael Gibb in the latter 1980s;
▪ the historical designations by the Church and the government of Canada;
▪ the enduring beauty and uniqueness of the architecture, woods, windows, murals, furnishings, etc.,

will the Church please call a public information meeting for southern Alberta leaders and members to be held in Cardston during summer / fall 2026 to explain the intentions and proposed renovations with an opportunity for questions and feedback?

Many in southern Alberta are aware of the renovation controversies surrounding the Logan, St. George, Manti, and Salt Lake temples and have heightened concern for what might be intended especially when the terms “restore and refresh” were frequently used which created an expectation of historical preservation that did not materialize for some.

Sincerely,
[SM]Smith
[Affiliated Stake]
[email address]
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1. Once listed (as recently as August 2025) at https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/content/cardston-temple-history?lang=eng which has now disappeared, though recoverable at archive.org https://web.archive.org/web/20250827003149/https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/content/cardston-temple-history?lang=eng
2. Canada: Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints National Historic Site of Canada
https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=16&i=72598
▪ Alberta temple named Canada historic site
23 Sept 1995, By Dennis Barnes, Church News contributor
https://www.thechurchnews.com/1995/9/23/23254968/alberta-temple-named-canada-historic-site/
“The plaque presentation and ceremony was the result of a cooperative effort by the Department of Canadian Heritage, Parks of Canada, the Historical Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and the Church. In November 1992, the monuments board recommended the temple be commemorated in honor of the dedication, hard work, skill and energy of the early Church pioneers in the Cardston area. ... / Sen. Olsen told the audience it is important to find one's roots to give meaning to the past, present and future. He said the events and places people choose to celebrate are crucial to telling the story of the rich pioneer heritage. He also thanked the Church for its careful stewardship of the temple and for preserving its architecture and cultural history for the people of Canada. ... / Following the ceremonies, a public reception was held in the cultural hall, and the plaque was displayed. The plaque's inscription reads: "A striking modern building dominating Canada's first Mormon settlement, the Alberta Temple is an architectural and historic monument of national significance. Designed in 1912 by Pope and Burton of Salt Lake City, its geometric composition of white granite blends ancient and modern themes, notably Mayan-Aztec and the Prairie School architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Special rooms reserved for sacred ceremonies are richly embellished with woodwork, murals and furnishings. Restored in 1991 with meticulous care, this building emphasizes the pre-eminent place of the temple in the Mormon religion."
▪ Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints National Historic Site of Canada
https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=16&i=72599
▪ https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=12645&pid=0s
▪ https://lethbridgeherald.com/sunny-escapes/2025/06/04/exploring-the-cardston-alberta-temple-a-historic-canadian-landmark/
▪ https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/cardston-alberta/ temple
▪ https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=12645
▪ https://theshaunavonstandard.com/sunny-escapes/2025/06/04/exploring-the-cardston-alberta-temple-a-historic-canadian-landmark/
▪ Cardston Temple Centennial: Monument of Faith | https://news-ca.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/cardston-temple-centennial--monument-of-faith
3. Alberta: https://hermis.alberta.ca/ARHP/Details.aspx?DeptID=2&ObjectID=HS+15030
4. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 115:14-16
5. https://www.thechurchnews.com/1991/6/29/23260491/cardston-alberta-temple-touch-the-hearts-of-thy-people-with-the-spirit-of-elijah-the-prophet/

Revolving Accounts

"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us." (Old Testament Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)

"Dwell in the past and you'll lose an eye. Forget the past and you'll lose both eyes." (Old Russian Proverb)

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This Déjà Vu ~ Times II blog is devoted to my religious / spiritual musings (sometimes political), mainly concerning the recycling of our follies since the world began.

Over time, it will contain:
thoughts
observations
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quotes

Déjà Vu ~ Times II blog © 2009 - 2020 by SMSmith (unless otherwise noted). Some Rights Reserved. See Creative Commons License at the end of this column/page.

Déjà Vu ~ Times II blog was established August 17, 2009 while the author was living in Canada helping caregive an aged mother.

“No Comments” Rationale

1) Time & more needful priorities;
2) Problems observed with many open-comment blogs as so bluntly expressed at http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/comment-policy/
3) People are free to post divergent or convergent views on their own blogs;
4) Learning from comments here would be preferable, but— (see 1, 2, & 3).

Brief note to the OFFENDED: Just because allowing "comments" is a blogger's option, it does not mean every blogger must conform to the "expectations" of others. Every soul can consult the Spirit and decide what is best and right in their circumstance. And if one has a blanket policy not to read another's work because there is no opportunity to comment, it seems one has closed oneself off to potential guidance of the Spirit. Besides, in this world of "overwhelm," the guidance of the Spirit is the best resource we have to lead us to things of importance in our unique life. So, if you have found your way here, perhaps there are a few things of import for you here. I try to trust the Spirit to lead me likewise to things of import within my purpose and priorities.

My World / TransWorld View

▪ Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come; (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:24)
▪ If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed. (J. Reuben Clark)

▪ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (New Testament 1 Thessalonians 5:21)

▪ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.(New Testament Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; 3 Nephi 13:24)
▪ See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.(New Testament 1 Thessalonians 5:15)
▪ For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; ... (Book of Mormon Alma 41:15)
▪ Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. (Book of Mormon Mosiah 4:9, emphasis added)
▪ ... the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (New Testament 1 Corinthians 1:25)
▪ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Old Testament Isaiah 55:8 - 9)
▪ ... the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. (Book of Mormon Alma 29:8)
▪ The Bible is true, as far as it is translated correctly. Some things are to be understood literally; others metaphorically or symbolically.
▪ God is neither a Republican nor a Democrat; a Liberal nor a Conservative, just as Christ was neither a Pharisee or Sadducee. [For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.(Doctrine and Covenants Section 3:2)]
▪ Life is an escalating series of tests.
▪ “...we will be asked again and again to release the parts of our lives that mean the most to us.” (Caroline Myss, Sacred Contracts, p. 76; also preview lives of the prophets and saints.)