Temple Rededication and Cultural Celebration in Montreal

President Henry B. Eyring, first counsellor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, rededicated the Montreal Quebec Temple in three sessions Sunday, November 22, 2015, after the temple underwent extensive repairs and renovations. The sessions were broadcast to meetinghouses throughout Canada, enabling thousands of Latter-day Saints to participate.

Prior to the rededication, 425 Mormon youth from Quebec and eastern Ontario, gathered on November 21, 2015, to participate in a cultural event representing their spiritual and cultural heritage and the diverse history of the area. In a production named after the French province’s motto “Je me souviens — I remember,” the 12- to 18-year-old youth sang, danced and narrated their way through the various histories and cultures they represent. The celebration took place at the Monument-National theatre in Montreal.

The show featured a First Nations powwow as well as dances inspired by the early British settlers and the Filles du Roy, the approximately 800 young French women who immigrated to New France in the 1600s as part of a program sponsored by King Louis XIV. There were also Latin dances, an Afro-Creole number, percussion performances and a dance set to traditional Quebec music. Much of the production’s original music was created specifically for the celebration by local talent, including some of the youth. In addition to English and French, elements of the performance were performed in Atikamekw, Creole, Mohawk and Spanish.

The youth who took part in the celebration represented various cultural backgrounds, including African, Asian, Brazilian, English, First Nations, French and Hispanic. Sheyla Riofano, one of the organizers, commented, “Although the youth came from diverse cultural backgrounds, the theme of the production, ‘Je me souviens — I remember,’ reminded them of their true celestial heritage. … where they came from, their eternal potential and how the temple and Christ can bring them back to their Father in Heaven.”

Organizers began planning the event in July and youth from near and far attended practices every Saturday beginning in September. They sacrificed personal time, sleep and other regular activities for countless hours and were greatly blessed for their efforts, being reminded that a loving Heavenly Father was watching over them while they prepared to do His will.

Rachel, one of the youth participants, hadn’t been attending church for a while when she was invited to share her talents, and has noticed a difference in her life since returning. “I feel happier since going back to Church and I feel it is my participation in this event for the temple that is making me feel that way. I feel as if I am among my family when I go to church.”

President Eyring spoke briefly to the youth before the performance. “We are celebrating tomorrow the rededication of the beautiful Montreal, Quebec temple of God. Tonight is our opportunity to honour the great people who have been pioneers in the Church as it has blossomed in this magnificent nation.” Bishop Gérald Caussé, presiding bishop of the church, addressed the youth in French and commented on the theme of the show. He exhorted them to always remember who they are. “I hope you are proud of your origins, no matter what they are. I hope that you will be even more proud of your divine origin.”

Mickael was invited by a friend to participate in the performance. “Dancing to celebrate the temple dedication is an exceptional opportunity. I feel especially blessed to know that I will dance for a living prophet and for God, even if I'm not a good dancer.”

The temple serves more than 11,000 Mormons in Quebec and Ottawa and is located at 1450 Boulevard Marie-Victorin in Longueuil. Church membership in all of Canada is over 192,000.

The exterior of the 1,073-square-metre temple features granite from Quebec. The building stands 21.5 metres high and is crowned with a gilded statue of the angel Moroni, an ancient prophet in the Book of Mormon, who is significant to Latter-day Saints for his role in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A free public open house was held from November 5 through 14, 2015, to allow people to view the inside of the temple. More than 7,800 people toured the temple.

Other temples in Canada include Calgary Alberta, Cardston Alberta, Edmonton Alberta, Halifax Nova Scotia, Regina Saskatchewan, Toronto Ontario and Vancouver British Columbia. The Winnipeg Manitoba Temple was announced April 2, 2011.

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 baptism, marriage 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.