Description

The Cebu City Philippines Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located in Lahug in Cebu City.

Before the Cebu City Philippines Temple was dedicated, Church members had to travel to the Manila Philippines Temple — some having to journey 30 hours via boat. For many, it still takes 10 or 12 hours to get to Cebu City. However, the shorter distance means they can attend the temple every few months, rather than just once per year.

History

Announcement

The temple was announced on 18 April 2006 in a letter to Priesthood leaders in the Cebu City Area.^[1]Satterfield, Rick. Cebu City Philippines Temple, LDSChurchTemples.com, accessed 1 October 2016^[2]“Temple announced: Cebu, Philippines, will be site for sacred edifice”, Church News, p. 2, April 29, 2006. Accessed 15 October 2012

Groundbreaking

Ground was broken and the site was dedicated on 14 November 2007 by Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was assisted by Quentin L. Cook, also of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.^[3]Baluyot, Cherry, “Cebu temple — Groundbreaking in Philippines”, Church News, 17 November 2007, p. 5. accessed 15 October 2012 ^[4]”Cebu City Philippines Temple: Information nuggets,” LDSChurchNewsArchive.com, 7 June 2010. Accessed 1 October 2010

Open House

An open house for the temple was conducted from 21 May through 5 June 2010 for a total of 14 days.

Sister Elnora, a member of the Catholic Religious of the Assumption, said, “After going through the tour, the gap has been bridged and I now understand the significance of temples to the members of your Church. I was very impressed with the feeling of sacredness inside the temple and the dedication and care put into building this temple.”^[5]Kaye Bay, “Thousands Tour Cebu City Philippines Temple during Open House,” Church News, June 5, 2010 . A member of the Buddhist faith, the Venerable Miao Chen, Fu Guang Chu Un Temple, stated, “The temple is a special and holy place. Our favorite part of the temple was the celestial room. It felt very comfortable and peaceful.”^[6]Kaye Bay, “Thousands Tour Cebu City Philippines Temple during Open House,” Church News, June 5, 2010 .

During the open house more than 45,000 people toured the temple — three times the number expected. It was an average of 3,214 people per day, though 7,215 toured the temple just on the last day. On the last 2 evenings, visitors continued to arrive well after the 8PM announced closing time.^[7]”Cebu City Philippines Temple Dedicated“, LDS.org. LDS Philanthropies, 23 June 2010. Accessed 1 October 2016.^[8]Avant, Gerry, “Cebu Temple Open House Concludes, area readies for upcoming dedication activities,” LDSChurchNewsArchive.com, 7 June 2010. Accessed 1 October 2016

Cultural Celebration

12 June 2010

On June 12, the night before the temple dedication, youth performed in a cultural celebration. Due to the limited space in Cebu Coliseum, 2,000 youth performed live while another 2,000 were recorded and shown on television screens. Dance numbers highlighted the many cultures that have influenced the nation, including Spanish and American. Church President Thomas S. Monson attended the celebration and took time to address the youth: “When you go home tonight, write in your journal what you saw here this evening and how you felt. Years from now, you will be telling your children and your grandchildren about the opportunity you had to participate in such a tremendous cultural celebration.” ^[9]Gerry Avant, “Celebrating Filipino Culture through the Ages,” Church News, June 19, 2010.

Dedication

The Cebu City Philippines Temple was dedicated the next day, on June 13, 2010 over three sessions. In the dedicatory prayer, President Monson asked God to bless the Latter-day Saints: “Open wide to their view the gates of learning, of understanding and of service in Thy kingdom. Build within them strength to resist the temptations of the world. Give them the will to walk in virtue and faith, to be prayerful and to look to Thee as their constant anchor.”^[10]Cebu City Philippines Temple dedicatory prayer, in Church News, June 19, 2010.^[11]“Cebu City Philippines Temple Dedicated”, Newsroom, LDS Church, June 13, 2010, retrieved 2012-10-15 ^[12] Avant, Gerry (June 13, 2010), “Cebu temple rites: Mormon church President Thomas S. Monson leads dedication in Philippines”, Deseret News, retrieved 2012-10-15

Dedication Order

The Cebu City Philippines Temple is the 133rd temple built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the second temple in the Philippines.

Commencement

The temple commenced full time operations on Monday, 14 June 2010.^[13]Dedication and Open House Dates Announced for the Cebu City Philippines Temple, MormonNewsroom.org, 22 December 2009. Accessed 1 October 2016.

Presidents

Temple President	Years Served
Jose T. Aguilar	2018–
Cesar A. Perez Jr.	2015–2018
Arsenio A. Pagaduan	2012–2015
Gerald E. Mortimer	2010–2012

Details

Location

The temple was built on an 11-acre (4.5 ha) site that it shares with a church meetinghouse, patron house, residences for the temple and mission presidents, and a mission office.^[14] Satterfiel, Rick, “Cebu City Philippines Temple”, LDSChurchTemples.com, retrieved 2012-10-15

Exterior

Cladding

The exterior of the temple is composed of gray granite from China.

Symbolism

Inscriptions

Cornerstone

Spires and Moroni

Spire

Moroni

This temple was built with both international and local materials. International flavor includes mountain grey granite from China, stone from Italy and Greece and Sapele mahogany from Africa. The temple’s interior includes fabrics and art patterned with flowers native to the country, and pearls are a prominent motif — they are harvested in the Philippines and have scriptural significance.

Rooms in the temple include a baptistry; instruction rooms; a celestial room, and sealing rooms.

Individuals and Contractors

Project Manager

General Contractor

Additional Contractors

Sources and Links

See also

External links

• at LDS.org(official)
• at MormonTemples.org (official)
• at MormonNewsroom.org (official)
• at LDSChurchTemples.com
• at LDSChurchNewsArchive.com
• at Wikipedia