Eight years after plans were announced, a proposed Philadelphia temple has become reality.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Mormon church, believes in having a temple within 200 miles of each branch chapel.The newest one is on Vine Street and is the 152nd in the country. It recently held an open house for members and nonmembers. Construction work was done by the Deseret Land Company and profits will be put to humanitarian uses.The place is open only for members with a recommendation from the local branch president.Word of the new facility is spreading. For instance, a recent dedication was broadcast to Reading Stake. A stake is a unit of multiple congregations in the LDS movement. A stake might be compared to a diocese in the Catholic Church.The land was designated for 20 to 30 years for low-income housing, but when that did not happen it was put up for sale.The church had considered land near Valley Forge but opted for a downtown location because public transportation would be available, said Doug DeVore of Lehighton.There were a few obstacles. The foundation was dug down 15 feet, but another 15 feet was needed and the drilling operation ran into solid rock.Three levels of underground parking also were in the plans. No explosives could be used and so it was an exhaustive job, said church representatives.Brother Alex Carr Alex, LDS Church project manager in Philadelphia, picked up some of the pieces and handed them out as souvenirs.In total, 40 masons and 20 helpers worked on the project, which involved selection and placement of trees six years ago.Visitors are asked to put on available shoe coverings to protect the floors and carpets.Between 5,000 and 7,000 visitors arrived daily during the Aug. 10 to Sept. 9 open house.On the day this reporter visited there were 9,700 guests, DeVore said.Video introAcross the street is a Stake Center or chapel where a tour begins with a video.The video explains that Mormons believe the temple to be the most sacred place of worship on earth.It’s a place where marriages are performed, families are strengthened and united forever, even after death.There is optional baptism for family members who have died. 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.“Holiness to the Lord. The house of the Lord,” reads an inscription high on the front of the temple.In an instruction room people learn that Mormons believe we all lived with Christ before we came to earth. We make covenants to live honorable, moral lives.Sacred vows of marriage are celebrated in the décor. 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.Another space, the celestial room, is a room of serenity and beauty, with a large, sparkling chandelier. It’s a place to rest and seek direction from God. The temple points us to glory, said a guide.It 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.Painted murals on the instruction room walls have hidden elements such as a butterfly. The murals depict Pennsylvania scenery.Family bondsIn 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 1¼-inch metal flower when a building is paid for.At the temple, the flower is placed at the bottom of the stair railing.Local residents say there are advantages to having the temple in eastern Pennsylvania.Sharon Cebrosky of Palmerton said it will only take 1½ 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 beautiful.Michael Putt describes it as big with a lot of rooms.Diane Duncan agrees it’s beautiful inside, peaceful with pictures of the Savior. She says the open house was well-organized considering the number of people who attended.Linda DeVore was busy sewing aprons. For the boys, there were vests from the revolutionary period. Girls wore mock caps with blouses and skirts — all designed for the 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 until after the dedication to visit. Her thought was to leave more space for nonmember visitors as they are not allowed after the dedication period. Her husband, Robert R., is president of the local chapel.He said, “We are eternal children of our father in heaven. It gives us a chance to learn more. The temple is all about instruction.”The temple will serve more than 41,000 members living in 11 stakes in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and parts of New Jersey and Maryland.