Arequipa Peru Temple Wiki

The Temple was announced by President Thomas S. Monson in the opening session of the 182nd Semiannual General on 6 October 2012.^[3]Thomas S. Monson, “Welcome to Conference,” LDS.org. 6 October 2012, accessed 1 May 2017. The temple was announced concurrently with the Tucson Arizona Temple.^[4]“Church Announces New Temples in Arizona and Peru.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 6 Oct. 2012, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-announces-new-temples-in-arizona-and-peru. ^[5]Mandy, Morgan (8 October 2012). “New temples for Tucson, Arizona and Arequipa Peru“. Deseret News. Retrieved 18 October 2012..^[6]LDS Church announces plans for new temples in Arizona and Peru, Church News, 6 October 2012.

Peru Temples at Time of Announcement

Announced

• –

Under Construction

• Trujillo Peru

Dedicated

• Lima Peru [1986]

On March 4, 2017, a groundbreaking ceremony to signify beginning of construction took place with Carlos A. Godoy presiding.^[7]“Church Leaders Break Ground on Two South American Temples: Seventh temple in Brazil and third in Peru”, Newsroom, LDS Church, 4 March 2017, accessed 1 May 2017.

Other members of the Presidency in attendance were Elders Enrique R. Falabella and Hugo Montoya also members of the Seventy. Attendance at the temple site was by invitation only but was transmitted via the internet to Church stake centers within the proposed temple district.

During his remarks, Elder Godoy commented, “I have no doubt brothers and sisters, that somehow all of us need to change something in our lives; to make a change in our hearts. This is an opportunity, perhaps, to evaluate ourselves and to qualify to be here in this house with our heart turned towards God and to be more like His Son Jesus Christ.”

The Arequipa Peru Temple was dedicated by Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Dec. 15, 2019. The edifice, able to be seen from many areas throughout the mountainous city, now stands as a beacon of hope in the Savior’s power and of comfort that families can be united throughout eternity.

Accompanying Elder Soares at the ceremony were Elder Enrique R. Falabella, president of the South America Northwest Area; Elder Kevin R. Duncan, executive director of the Church’s Temple Department; and Bishop Dean M. Davies, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric.

In his dedicatory prayer, Elder Soares applauded the faithful generations of Saints who made this temple possible: “We are grateful for the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Peru — for their pioneering work and courage. We pray that many more may come to a knowledge of their Redeemer and His holy work.”

The temple, said Elder Soares, brings an increased responsibility for members of the Church in the region to live the commandments — a charge he has seen Peruvians to be capable of. “I could feel how encouraged they were to prepare for the temple by aligning their lives with the requirements of the Lord to participate in His ordinances,” he said.

The Arequipa Peru Temple site is located just three miles north of the city center near the entrance to the quiet village of Carmen Alto. The land stands on a bluff rising from the Chili River and surrounded by breathtaking pastures and mountain views including the prominent volcano Misti. Carmen Alto, which is easily accessible by public transportation, is popular with visitors.

Site

The landscape design highlights a mixture of grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees native to the region that beautify the gardens surrounding the temple. Among the many plants found in the gardens are the cantuta, the national flower of Peru; the queñua, a small Andean tree found at higher elevations; and the achupaya, traditionally used in Incan handicrafts. There are dozens of additional flowering trees, evergreens and palms.

A Spanish-style water fountain near the main entrance of the temple is of similar design to those seen in other plazas and courtyards of Arequipa.

A stylized version of the Flor de Texao Arequipa, is used in many places throughout the temple — in the carved hardwood, art glass windows, metal fixtures, stonework and flooring decorative painting. The Flor de Texao Arequipa is also featured in the art glass window panels on the exterior of the temple. Of special note are the large windows on the landing and at both central axes of the structure.

In addition to white and cream carpets, interior floors feature Perlantino marble tiling from Italy as well as multi-colored woolen area rugs from China.

The temple’s walls and corridors are adorned with giclee prints of familiar and beloved artwork depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Cladding

text

Water Course

Windows

text

Spandrel panel

text

text

text

On November 30, 2018, it was a special day for the Saints of Arequipa and Southern Peru as the brilliant gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni was hoisted to stand atop the lantern that caps the cupola of the Arequipa Peru Temple. Hundreds of spectators gathered for the event and expressed their enthusiasm.