Following is the text of the prayer offered by Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to dedicate the Bangkok Thailand Temple on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023.

O God, our Eternal Father, Thou great Elohim who liveth and reigneth over all the earth, whose eternal plan blesses all Thy children, we come before Thee in gratitude and humility to dedicate this magnificent Bangkok Thailand Temple. We express our deep appreciation for this, Thy holy house, a sacred place of worship in this ancient land. May Thy children attending this temple, gain greater knowledge of Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Thy Beloved Son.

We love Thee, Father, and thank Thee for the gift of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By Thy divine design, our Savior set in place the covenant path for us to follow, and by His infinite Atonement, opened the gates of salvation for all generations and dispensations. We thank Thee for His ministry, His devotion, His teachings, and His great atoning sacrifice.

The Bangkok Thailand Temple surrounded by skyscrapers in Bangkok, Thailand, in summer 2023.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We are grateful for the everlasting gospel restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and for the coming forth of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. What a blessing to have it translated into many languages of this temple district.  We thank Thee for our living Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, and for those who serve with him in the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the councils of Thy Church.

Now, we come before Thee, at the direction of President Nelson, and by the power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood and in the office of the Holy Apostleship which I bear, we dedicate and consecrate this magnificent Bangkok Thailand Temple to Thee, Almighty God, and to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May this temple fulfill its blessed purpose, “holiness to the Lord,” and may it stand as a sentinel on earth of Thy eternal plan, separate and apart from the ways of the world. May all who come here, recommended to the Lord, be further enlightened with the doctrine of the gospel, the hope of life eternal and Thy promised peace. 

We ask Thee to bless the land and the beautiful adjacent building, including the chapels, patron housing, mission facilities and other areas of this temple. We dedicate the baptistry, the areas for initiatory ordinances, the endowment and sealing rooms, the holy altars and the celestial room. Wilt Thou watch over the foundation, exterior structure and distinctive spires, the floors, walls, doors, furnishings and mechanical systems. Protect this structure from natural disasters, from hostile or disruptive actions that may harm this hallowed ground, and pour down blessings upon the artisans, craftsmen and laborers whose best work is displayed in this beautiful temple. 

We ask Thee to bless all who serve in this temple, including the temple president and his counselors, the matron and her assistants, temple workers, volunteers and employees. 

The courtyard with a reflecting pond and Christus statue at the Bangkok Thailand Temple in Bangkok, Thailand, in the summer of 2023.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This will be the 185th dedicated, operating temple in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We appreciate the tithes of faithful Saints around the world who made possible its construction. May we show our gratitude in being faithful in our tithes and offerings. May we, Thy children, commit ourselves by covenant to Thee in this holy house and do the same on behalf of our ancestors. This is a day of rejoicing on both sides of the veil.

With this long-awaited temple comes a new era of Christ-centered worship in this temple district. May the very presence of this temple spread the love of God and the spirit of the gospel into the lives of those with long-held customs and traditions across Southeast Asia. May governments prosper as they continue to protect the religious liberties of all faiths, large and small. 

May this temple be a sanctuary from the world filled with the light bestowed by the heavens. As we worship here, may we become more like Thee and Thy Son, may we feel the sweet influence of the Holy Ghost and the profound blessings of personal revelation. And when we come to the temple with heavy hearts, with hardships and trials, temporal and spiritual afflictions and needs, may we be comforted, lifted and filled with joy in the journey of life and the promise of eternity through our faithfulness.

May our precious youth not be distracted by the adversary but rejoice in the opportunity to serve ancestors in Thy house.  May they continue temple service throughout their lives, that they may be directed in a righteous course by righteous choices, that the Church will continue to flourish in this richly blessed land.

Now, may we go forth to live true to the covenants made within these sacred walls. May we attend often to worship and renew our souls and sacred covenants, may we keep our hearts pure and our hands ever willing to serve Thee. May we think celestial, letting thy Spirit prevail in our lives, and strive to be peacemakers always.

This dedicated temple will stand as a beacon of hope in Jesus Christ and faith in Thy eternal plan. Wilt Thou accept it as Thy house, holy as Thou art holy. We gratefully place it in Thy hands as a manifestation of our devotion to Thee. Smile upon us, favor us with Thy mercy and lift us up at the last day, we humbly pray in the beloved name of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.

From left to right, Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Nancy Duncan, Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai, General Authority Seventy and president of the Asia Asia, and Sister Naomi Toma Tai, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife Sister Melanie Rasband and Elder Erich W. Kopischke, a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director in the Temple Department and Sister Christiane Kopischke pose for photos outside the Bangkok Thailand Temple between the first and second dedication sessions on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The Bangkok Thailand Temple, as photographed on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2023, three days before its Oct. 22 dedication.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News