First temple in Puerto Rico opening to the public

Nov 28, 2022, 9:39 PM

Exterior of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. The temple’s architecture is inspired by the Spanish colonial architecture of the territory’s historical landmarks. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

(Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

BY MADISON SWENSON

KSLTV.com

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is opening its doors to the public beginning Dec. 1.

The temple — which was announced by President Russell M. Nelson in Oct. 2018 — is the first for the territory.

“Imagine everything that we have gone through with the difficult situations of Hurricane Maria, the earthquakes and the emotional troubles we’ve had,” said Nidza Henriquez, who met with missionaries when she was 18 and was later baptized. “Getting the news of the temple, that we no longer have to travel far away (to visit), is a wonderful blessing.”

The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple — which Church officials say was inspired by the Spanish colonial architecture of the territory’s historical landmarks — sits on a 2.97-acre site, is single story, and covers 6,988 square feet.

“The interior glass patterns were inspired by quatrefoil motifs seen in Spanish colonial architecture. The same pattern is repeated in ordinance room fabrics using the colors blue, gold, opal white and green,” read a Monday press release from the Church.

The public is invited to tour the inside from Dec. 1 through Dec. 17, with the exception of Sundays.

A few weeks later, on Jan. 15, 2023, the temple will be dedicated by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

According to the release, this temple is the first in the territory and the third in the Caribbean, including locations in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The celestial room inside the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. This room is a place of quiet peace, prayer and reflection meant to symbolize heaven, where families may live forever in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

A sealing room inside the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. In a sealing room, a bride and groom kneel together at an altar to be sealed for this life and for eternity. This ordinance is also sometimes referred to as “temple marriage” or “eternal marriage.” (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

The baptistry inside the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. In the temple, baptisms and other essential ordinances are performed by the living on behalf of those who have died without the opportunity. Such ordinances extend the saving grace of Jesus Christ to all people. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

Interior detail in the celestial room of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

Interior of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. The public is welcome to participate in the temple’s open house from December 1–17, 2022. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

Interior of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. Images of the Savior Jesus Christ are displayed throughout the temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

Stained glass detail inside the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. The interior glass patterns were inspired by quatrefoil motifs seen in Spanish colonial architecture. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

The interior glass patterns were inspired by quatrefoil motifs seen in Spanish colonial architecture. The same pattern is repeated in ordinance room fabrics using the colors blue, gold, opal white and green. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

Exterior of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. The temple’s architecture is inspired by the Spanish colonial architecture of the territory’s historical landmarks. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

Light fixture inside the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple is the first in the territory and third in the Caribbean. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

Exterior of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. The temple is located at 123 Calle Ronda Urb Villa Andalucia in San Juan. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple at sunrise. The temple was photographed in November 2022. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

Benches on the grounds of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

Exterior of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

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