History
The LDS Church in Mexico
The history of the church in Mexico dates back to 1875, when portions of the Book of Mormon were translated into Spanish, and missionaries were sent to Mexico to distribute copies. [8] The first converts were baptized in 1877, and the first branch was established in 1879. [9] In 1886 the church published a Spanish edition of the Book of Mormon, [10] and in 1944 temple ordinances were translated into Spanish. [9] On November 6, 1945, church members from Mexico and the United States arrived at the Mesa Arizona Temple to receive their ordinances, marking the first time those ceremonies were performed in a language other than English. [8]
In 1961, the church's first stake was established in Mexico City, [9] and the 1970s had rapid growth. “In 1970 there were nearly 70,000 members in the country; by decade’s end there were close to 250,000.” [11] As of 2023, Mexico had the second-largest body of church members in the world at over 1.5 million members, behind the United States. [12]
Mexico City
The Mexico City Temple was announced on April 3, 1976, and dedicated on December 2, 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley, a counselor in the church's First Presidency. The temple was built on a 7-acre (28,000 m2) plot, has 4 ordinance rooms and 11 sealing rooms, and has a total floor area of 116,642 square feet (10,836.4 m2). It was the first Latter-day Saint temple built in Mexico.
A groundbreaking ceremony to represent the start of construction was held on November 25, 1979. [13] This event was presided over by Boyd K. Packer, and attended by 9,000 people, including local church members and community leaders.
When it was designed few temples featured an angel Moroni. It is one of five temples that have an angel Moroni symbolically holding a record of the ancient peoples in America in the form of gold plates. [14] A visitors' center was included in the original design, with similar architectural features and a statue of Christ. The grounds include a water display in front, a garden, and are decorated with traditional Mexican plants. [15]
When the temple was built it was property of the Mexican government bound under a law that stipulated all religious buildings should be open to all. [16] However, the Mexican government made an exception to the law to allow the church's normal practice of only allowing members with temple recommends to enter the building. [16] In 1992, Mexican law was reformed and ownership of the building was transferred to the church. [16]
The temple closed March 30, 2007 for renovations that were expected to take up to 14 months. [1] Renovations were completed and the church conducted guided tours of the temple from October 20 through November 8, 2008. Church president Thomas S. Monson rededicated the temple on November 16, 2008. [17] The temple was again closed for renovations in early 2014. [2] A public open house was held from 14 August through 5 September 2015, excluding Sundays. The temple was rededicated on September 13, 2015, by Henry B. Eyring, a counselor in the First Presidency.
Design and architecture
The building was designed by church architect Emil B. Fetzer, and has a Mayan Revival architectural style, along with traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. [6] The temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of Mexico City and its spiritual significance to the church.
Site
The temple sits on a 1.82-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features flowers, palm trees, and grass, as well as a reflecting pool. [6] [14] There are distribution and visitors' centers on the temple grounds. [18]
Exterior
The structure is constructed with white cast stone. [13] The exterior has a “rectangular base, basket-weave design, and levels that decrease in size as the house of the Lord increases in height,” which were chosen for their symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions. [6] The temple also features a statue of the angel Moroni; it is one of five temples to have a statue of Moroni holding the gold plates instead of a trumpet. [14]
Interior
The interior features carved columns and wood furniture, as well as art glass and carpets with Mesoamerican designs, centered around the baptistry, which is designed to foster a spiritually uplifting environment. [6] The temple includes four instruction rooms, eleven sealing rooms, and one baptistry. [14] Symbolic elements are integrated into the design, providing deeper meaning to the temple's function and aesthetics.
Symbols
The design has elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism, providing spiritual meaning to its appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members. Like all the church's temples, one of the most prominent examples of symbolism in this temple is the twelve carved oxen which support the baptismal font. The oxen represent the 12 tribes of Israel. [19]
Admittance
Following initial construction, a public open house was held from November 9–19, 1983. (excluding Sundays), which was attended by over 120,000 people. The temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley in nine sessions from December 2–4, 1983. [6]
The temple was renovated from 2007-2008. Prior to rededication, a public open house was again held, this time from October 20-November 8, 2008. Thomas S. Monson rededicated the temple on November 16, 2008, in two sessions. [6]
The temple again closed for renovations in 2014. Following those renovations, a public open house was held from August 14-September 5, 2015, with over 96,000 visitors. The temple was rededicated by Henry B. Eyring on September 13, 2015, in three sessions. [6]
Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship. [21]
The Chicago Illinois Temple is the thirty-fifth temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the second of three church temples that have been built in Illinois. The intent to build the temple was announced during a press conference on April 1, 1981, by church president Spencer W. Kimball.
The Bern Switzerland Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was the church's first temple in Europe and the second outside of North America, after the Laie Hawaii Temple. The intent to build the temple was announced on July 1, 1952, by church president David O. McKay.
The London England Temple is the twelfth operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is located in Newchapel, Surrey, England. Despite its name, it is not located in London or Greater London. The intent to build the temple was announced on 10 August 1953, by the church's First Presidency.
The Idaho Falls Idaho Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The intent to build the temple was announced on March 3, 1937, by church president Heber J. Grant during the church's general conference. It is the church's tenth constructed and eighth operating temple, the first built in Idaho, and the first built with a modern single-spire design.
The Ogden Utah Temple is the sixteenth constructed and fourteenth operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in Ogden, Utah, it was originally built with a modern, single-spire design, similar to the Provo Utah Temple. The temples in Ogden and Provo were designed to be sister temples and are the only ones dedicated by church president Joseph Fielding Smith. The temple became the church’s fifth in Utah, and second along the Wasatch Front, dedicated almost 79 years after the Salt Lake Temple. It was the first to be dedicated in the state of Utah, as the previous ones were dedicated when Utah was still a territory.
The São Paulo Brazil Temple is the 19th constructed and 17th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in the Brazilian city of São Paulo, it was the first Latter-day Saint temple built in South America, and the first to use a single story, single spire design. The spire is 101 feet tall. The intent to build the temple was announced on March 1, 1975, by church president Spencer W. Kimball at an area conference. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on March 20, 1976, conducted by James E. Faust.
The Tokyo Japan Temple is the 20th constructed and 18th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, and dedicated in 1980, it was the first temple built in Asia. Its compact style provided a model for later buildings in urban areas, such as the Hong Kong China and Manhattan New York temples.
The Jordan River Utah Temple is the 20th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located in South Jordan, Utah. The intent to build the temple was announced on February 3, 1978, by church president Spencer W. Kimball during a press conference in the Church Office Building. The temple is the first in the city of South Jordan, the second in Salt Lake County, and as of 2024 is one of thirty in the state of Utah.
The Boise Idaho Temple is the 29th constructed and 27th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple is located in the city of Boise, Idaho. The intent to build the temple was announced on March 31, 1982, by Gordon B. Hinckley under the direction of church president Spencer W. Kimball during a press conference. The temple was the second to be built in Idaho and is the only Idaho temple dedicated by Hinckley.
The Toronto Ontario Temple is the 44th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The intent to build the temple was announced to local leaders on the morning of April 7, 1984, and then referenced by Gordon B. Hinckley, second counselor in the First Presidency, during the general conference session which followed. It was the second temple built in Canada, becoming the first country in the world, outside the United States, to have two temples in its borders.
The Suva Fiji Temple is the 91st operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 5, 1998, by church president Gordon B. Hinckley during the church's general conference. The temple is the first to be built in Fiji.
Below is a chronological list of temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with sortable columns. In the LDS Church, a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord and considered by church members to be the most sacred structures on earth. Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time, and then each is dedicated as a "House of the Lord," after which only members with a current temple recommend are permitted to enter. Thus, they are not churches or meetinghouses, but rather specialized places of worship. The LDS Church has 367 temples in various phases, which includes 197 dedicated temples, 5 scheduled for dedication, 49 under construction, 1 scheduled for groundbreaking, and 115 others announced. Within temples, members of the LDS Church make covenants, receive instructions, and perform rituals and ordinances. Additionally, members consider the temple a place to commune with God, seek God's aid, understand God's will, and receive personal revelation.
The Gilbert Arizona Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 3301 South Greenfield Road, at the corner of East Pecos Road in Gilbert, Arizona. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 26, 2008, by church president Thomas S. Monson in a press release. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held in 2010. The temple was designed by the architectural firm Architekton. The temple was dedicated in 2014.
The Rome Italy Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rome, Italy. The temple serves church members in Italy, as well as Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Albania, and parts of Romania. Thomas S. Monson, the LDS Church's president, announced the temple in 2008, a groundbreaking took place in 2010, and the temple opened after its dedication in 2019. The temple is the first in Italy and the 162nd worldwide.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Utah. Utah has more church members than any other U.S. state or country. The LDS Church is also the largest denomination in Utah.
The Urdaneta Philippines Temple is the 190th temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, Philippines. The intent to build the temple was announced on October 2, 2010, by church president Thomas S. Monson, during the church's general conference. The temple is the third in the Philippines, following those in Manila and Cebu City.
The Paris France Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Le Chesnay, a suburb of Paris, France, and is located near Versailles. On July 15, 2011, the church released a statement declaring the intent to build a temple in Paris. The Paris France Temple was officially announced on October 1, 2011, by church president Thomas S. Monson during the general conference. The Paris France Temple is the first temple built in Metropolitan France, and the second in France, after the Papeete Tahiti Temple.
The Layton Utah Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Layton, Utah. The intent to construct the temple was announced by church president Russell M. Nelson on April 1, 2018, during the 188th general conference. The Layton Utah Temple was announced concurrently with 6 other temples. At the time, the number of total operating or announced temples was 189. It is the 22nd temple in Utah and the second temple in Davis County.
The Red Cliffs Utah Temple, originally announced as the Washington County Utah Temple, is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St. George, Utah. The intent to construct the temple was announced in October 2018 by church president Russell M. Nelson. It is the second temple in Washington County, with the St. George Utah Temple being the first, and the fourth in southern Utah.
