<h4 class="label">Temple History</h4>
<p>The Spokane Washington Temple was the second temple built in the state of Washington, following the <a href="/seattle-washington-temple/" onmouseover="showTip('seattle-washington-temple')" onmouseout="unTip()">Seattle Washington Temple</a> (1980).</p>
<p>The groundbreaking ceremony for the Spokane Washington Temple was held on the same day as the groundbreaking ceremony for the <a href="/detroit-michigan-temple/" onmouseover="showTip('detroit-michigan-temple')" onmouseout="unTip()">Detroit Michigan Temple</a>, marking the first time that groundbreaking ceremonies were held on the same day.</p>
<p>Brother Rush Hashid, a truck driver from Albuquerque, New Mexico, transported the statue of the angel Moroni, the oxen, and baptismal font to the temple site in April 1999. He had not been aware, however, of the nature of his cargo until he arrived. Temple historian Mark Bickley, records: "Brother Hashie was so overcome with emotion when he learned what his cargo was that he went to the grove of trees just east of the temple and cried."¹</p>
<p>In March 2009, nearly a decade after its dedication, the Spokane Washington Temple received a new angel Moroni statue atop its spire. Instead of facing east as the original statue did, this statue was positioned facing west—the same orientation as the temple.</p>
<p>On August 22, 2009, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Spokane Washington Temple, members of the Spokane Washington East Stake ensured that every seat in every session was filled the entire day.</p>
<p></p><div class="footnote"><hr><ol><li>Julie Dockstader, "Amid rays of sunshine, 59th temple dedicated," <u>Church News</u> 28 Aug. 1999: 3.</li></ol></div><p></p>