Oakland California Temple — Local services in Oakland

I attended my daughter's wedding here a week ago and was very impressed by the beauty of the Oakland Temple. Even considering that I am a fan of all LDS temples, this is, architecturally, one of the best - perhaps in the top ten (I'll have to think about that one....). I can only confirm all of the raves about the physical beauty of the exterior of the Oakland Temple posted on this site.

Now for the inside. This was a very busy temple on August 9, 2014 (I overheard someone say that they were doing 18 weddings that day!). And although there was a time or two you could sense that their volunteer resources were being stretched, yet we were always treated with courtesy and respect; as though our wedding was of great significance. I never felt like we were being rushed through; everyone was kind and helpful, even making us feel that they considered it a great privilege to be in our service. None of these temple workers knew us previously or received the slightest remuneration for giving up their Saturday time to contribute to the sacredness of this young couple devoting their eternal futures to each other, to their future family and to God.

Our sealer (wedding officiator) was especially warm and thoughtful, taking the time to carefully explain the importance of the big step being taken and some very good advice on keeping their marriage not only together, but happy. He explained the powerful significance of this sacred covenant, humbly contributing to the palpable sense of love and profound spirituality in the room. He went above and beyond anyone's sense of "duty" by coming outside the temple afterwards to greet and chat with the groom's mother (who is Catholic) and other family members unable, as yet, to come inside the House of the Lord.

To me the Oakland Temple is a beautiful and sublime place. My only regret for the day was that we could not linger and enjoy this beautiful place longer. I look forward...

Regardless of your faith, the LDS temple in Oakland is one if the most fascinating, beautiful places around; sure to engage even the most lucrative reservist of any religion. The staff is always the kindest, as one would expect. What I find most attractive about this temple, is the lack of pushiness to try thinking how the LDS do...meaning, no one is making you feel like you just walked into a trap of religious vipers about to feast on any vulnerable soul! They simply offer answers to your provoked questions, and offer various forms of insight into the world of Christ as they believe, with compelling materials, movies, videos, displays, etc for which one has hard time denying what is presented in front of them. I was raised LDS, but since became naturally skeptical if religion as a whole through my adult years. I was always reluctant to join my family on temple trips, but in past dew years, I've come to respect the way they ARE NOT pushing me or my own guests to join, believe, or otherwise. I can say it was an amazing religion for building a strong, respectful, driven family unit. It instills morals and ethics as a base foundation that I can't deny being responsible for a huge part of how me and my 2 siblings have turned out in our own adulthood. Humanity us huge. I must place that above all other traits I have in me from my days as an active member. Though I'm not active currently, I find myself constantly attributing teachings in everyday life, and don't see that...

During our vacation in the Oakland area, my family and I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Oakland California Temple and its adjacent Visitors Center. Although we didn't go inside the temple itself, our visit left a deep impression.

The Oakland Temple is a striking architectural masterpiece, surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens that radiate serenity and tranquility. One of the features that added to that experience was the man-made stream flowing gracefully in front of the temple. The sight and sound of the water added a soothing element to the overall ambiance.

We spent a significant amount of time at the Visitors Center, where we found a wealth of information about the temple's history and significance. The center's exhibits and displays were informative and engaging, providing valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

In conclusion, our experience at the Oakland California Temple and its Visitors Center was a remarkable and spiritually enriching journey. The beautiful surroundings, the captivating man-made stream, and the informative Visitors Center all contributed to a meaningful visit. It's a place that offers solace, reflection, and a chance to connect with faith, even for those who don't enter the temple itself. If you're in the Oakland area, I highly recommend taking the time to explore this sacred and inspiring...