The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believes in having a temple within 200 miles of each branch chapel.

The newest one is on Vine Street in Philadelphia and makes 152 in the country.

The church had an open house for members and nonmembers before the temple was dedicated.

After the Sept. 18 dedication, the temple will be open only for members with a recommendation from the local branch president.

Construction work was done by Deseret Land Co. Profits will be put to humanitarian use.

The land had been designated for some 20 years to 30 years for low-income housing but when that did not happen it was put up for sale.

The church considered land near Valley Forge but decided it was better downtown because public transportation would be available, said Doug DeVore of Lehighton.

The foundation was dug down 15 feet, but another 15 feet was needed and it ran into solid rock.

No explosives could be used, so it was an exhaustive job. During the tour, Brother Carr picked up some of the pieces and handed them out as souvenirs.

Forty masons and 20 helpers worked on the project. Trees were chosen six years ago along with their final location.

Visitors are expected to put on available shoe coverings to protect the floors and carpets which will be thoroughly cleaned before the dedication.

Between 5,000-7,000 visitors took tours every day between the Aug. 10 to Sept. 9 open house. On the day this reporter visited there were 9,700, said DeVore.

Across the street is a Stake Center or chapel where a tour begins with a video.

The video explains the temple is the most sacred place of worship on earth. It is a place where marriages are performed, families are strengthened and united forever even after death.

There is baptism for family members who have died and those people have the choice of accepting the baptism or not.

The baptismal font in the temple is held up by 12 oxen representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Baptism for the living is performed at the local chapel.

“The house of the Lord,” said a narration on the front of the temple.

In an instruction room people learn that we all lived with Christ before we came to earth. We make covenants to live honorable, moral lives.

In the brides’ room is a picture of Queen Esther from the old testament getting ready for her wedding.

Marriages are made while reaching across an altar and are sealed forever.

The celestial room is a room of serenity and beauty, with a large, sparkling chandelier, it is a place to rest and seek direction from God. The temple points us to glory, said a guide.

The temple provides peace, learning and a place for sacred ceremonies.

People coming to the temple will change into all-white clothes both as a sign of purity and equality of all.

Murals on the instruction room walls have hidden images such as a butterfly. Murals also have been painted of scenery from Pennsylvania.

In a sealing room, children are sealed to their parents for eternity and the parents are sealed to their parents.

“I know my father is dead but I’ll see him again,” is the message it gives.

The temple follows the Pennsylvania Dutch custom of placing a 1-1/4 inch metal flower when a building is paid for.

At the temple the flower is placed at the bottom of the stair railing.

During a church picnic Sharon Cebrosky of Palmerton said it will only take 1-1/2 hours to visit rather than four hours to Washington D.C.

She has been to three temples and says though all are different they are all beautiful.

Michael Putt describes the temple as big with a lot of rooms.

Diane Duncam said the temple is very beautiful inside, very peaceful with pictures of the Savior. She said the open house was well organized considering the number of people who attended.

Linda DeVore was busy sewing aprons. There will be vests for the boys from the Revolutionary Period and girls will have mock caps with blouses and skirts for a program before the dedication.

Elder Kenneth Thompson said everything that happens in the temple is meant to bring families together.

Kristine Relitz said she will wait to visit until after the dedication. She wants to leave more space for nonmember visitors. Her husband, Robert R. is president of the local chapel.

“We are eternal children of our Father in heaven,” he said. “It gives us a chance to learn more. The temple is all about instruction.”