4 Latin America temple groundbreakings announced; 1 rededicated in New Zealand
Oct 19, 2022, 5:01 PM
The rendering of the Queretaro Mexico Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
(Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
SALT LAKE CITY — Groundbreaking dates for four temples in Latin America have been announced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A temple in New Zealand has also been rededicated.
Managua Nicaragua Temple
A ceremony for the Managua Nicaragua Temple, which will be the first temple in Nicaragua, will be held Saturday, Nov. 26. Elder Taylor G. Godoy, first counselor in the Central America Area Presidency, will preside at the event.
An artist’s rendering of the Managua Nicaragua Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
The temple, which was announced by President Russell M. Nelson in April 2018, will be built on an 8.9-acre site located at km 9.3 Carretera Masaya between 2nd and 3rd entrance streets to Residencial Las Colinas, Distrito V — (5), Departamento de Managua, Nicaragua. It will be single-story and approximately 25,000 square feet.
Map showing the location of the Managua Nicaragua Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple
Ground will be broken Saturday, Dec. 3 on the Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple, making it the fifth temple in the country. Elder Patricio M. Giuffra, second counselor in the Central America Area Presidency, will preside at the ceremony.
A rendering of the Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
The temple — which will be two stories and approximately 30,000 square feet — will be built on a 1.5-acre site at the intersection of 13 Calle and 5-56 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
When it was originally announced by Church President Russell M. Nelson in October 2020, it was referred to as the Greater Guatemala City Guatemala Temple.
Map showing the location of the Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
Torreón Mexico Temple
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Torreón Mexico Temple will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, with Elder Hugo Montoya, Mexico Area President, presiding at the event.
An artist’s rendering of the Torreón Mexico Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
This temple will be built on a 0.89-acre site on the corner of Paris and Amsterdam Streets in the city of Gomez Palacio, Mexico. It will be one story and cover approximately 10,000 square feet.
A map showing the location of the Torreón Mexico Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
Querétaro Mexico Temple
On Saturday, Jan. 7, ground will be broken on the Querétaro Mexico Temple. Elder Adrián Ochoa, first counselor in the Mexico Area Presidency, will preside.
The rendering of the Queretaro Mexico Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
The temple — which has been planned to be two stories and approximately 27,500 square feet — will be built on a 3.58-acre site at Prolongación Tecnológico Norte 150 Col San Pablo, Querétaro, Querétaro, CP 76130 Mexico.
With the addition of the Torreón and Querétaro temples, Mexico is now home to 23 temples, including these others: Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple, Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple, Cuernavaca Mexico Temple, Culiacán Mexico Temple, Guadalajara Mexico Temple, Hermosillo Sonora Mexico Temple, Mérida Mexico Temple, Mexico City Benemérito Mexico Temple, Mexico City Mexico Temple, Monterrey Mexico Temple, Oaxaca Mexico Temple, Pachuca Mexico Temple, Puebla Mexico Temple, San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple, Tampico Mexico Temple, Tijuana Mexico Temple, Toluca Mexico Temple, Tula Mexico Temple, Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple, Veracruz Mexico Temple and Villahermosa Mexico Temple.
A map showing the location of the Querétaro Mexico Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
Both the Torreón Mexico and Querétaro Mexico temples were announced by President Russell M. Nelson in April 2021.
Hamilton New Zealand Temple rededicated
Church officials said the Hamilton New Zealand Temple was rededicated Sunday by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Three separate sessions were held. Members of the Church could either attend in person or join a broadcast streamed in Church buildings across New Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue and New Caledonia.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf with members of the Pacific Area Presidency and their wives. 16 October 2022. Hamilton New Zealand Temple rededication. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
According to a news release from the Church, President Nelson shared a message via technology to those who gathered for the rededication.
Two local members then spoke, followed by temple president Michael Roberts and matron Christine Roberts. After them, Elder Kevin R. Duncan, executive director of the temple department, gave an address, followed by Elder Uchtdorf.
Elder Uchtdorf greets members of the Church outside the Hamilton New Zealand Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was originally dedicated in 1958 by former Church President David O. McKay.
Due to major renovations, it has been closed for the last four years.
Two other temples begin open houses
The new Quito Ecuador Temple opened its doors to the public on Friday, Oct. 14, and will remain open through Saturday, Oct. 29, with the exclusion of Sundays.
Church officials say the dedication will be held Sunday, Nov. 20, with Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presiding.
It is the second temple in Ecuador, joining the Guayaquil temple.
Quito Ecuador Temple during the day. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
The Belém Brazil Temple will be open to the public Saturday, Oct 22 through Sunday, Nov. 5. Like the Quito Ecuador Temple, it will be closed on Sundays.
The dedication has been scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 20. Elder Dale G. Relund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be presiding, according to the Church.
It was announced by former Church President Thomas S. Monson in April 2016, and ground was broken in Aug. 2019.
Exterior photograph of the Belém Brazil Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
