Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple Wiki

Description

The Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple is a Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving about 233,000 Church members in Honduras and Nicaragua.

History

Announcement

On 9 June 2006 the announcement was made of plans to build a temple in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The Central American Area President Spencer V. Jones, a member of the Seventy, made the announcement to members of the area.^[1]“Temple to be built in Honduras capital”, Church News, p. 4, 24 June 2006, retrieved 2012-10-30

In the letter, the First Presidency stated, “We are confident that this will be a blessing to the many faithful Saints in this and surrounding areas who have had to travel long distances to enjoy the blessings of the temple.” With its completion, the Tegucigalpa Temple will be the first Mormon temple in Honduras and the fourth Mormon temple in Central America. Currently, members in the area must travel to Guatemala City, to attend the nearest temple.

Groundbreaking

Ceremonial groundbreaking and dedication were held at a site located in eastern Tegucigalpa, near the Basilica de Suyapa, on 9 June 2007.^[2]Betancourth, Ramon (June 23, 2007), “Ground broken in Honduras”, Church News, retrieved 2012-10-30

On 28 January 2009, the LDS Church announced that due to objections from the local government, the proposed temple would no longer be located at the previously designated site. The primary reason for the relocation was due to a belief, widely held by members of the Tegucigalpa city council, that the temple would overshadow the local basilica. The church had all the primary permits secured, but the city council halted all construction and would not honor the permits. Out of respect for the strong feelings of those involved, the church decided to seek a new location.^[3] De Groote, Michael (Feb 9, 2009), Church to seek new site for temple, Mormon Times (Deseret News), retrieved 2012-10-30^[4]Stack, Peggy Fletcher (February 6, 2009), “LDS to find a new site for Honduran temple”, The Salt Lake Tribune, retrieved 2012-10-30

 The temple was to be built adjacent to an LDS Church Institute of Religion. Excavation had begun before the church ceded to pressure to relocate the building.^[5] Mormones ya no construirán templo en el área de Suyapa^[6]Mormons to build gigantic temple in front of Marian shrine in Honduras, Catholic News Agency, January 30, 2009, retrieved 2012-10-30  Church officials decided to move the temple in order to avoid confrontation.^[7] No hubo acuerdo con la Iglesia Católica (Spanish) This news story contains a letter from Nery Rodriguez, Director of Public Affairs for the LDS Church in Honduras, explaining why the church will not be building at the original site^[8]Mormons reverse plans to build temple near Marian shrine in Honduras, Catholic News Agency, February 4, 2009, retrieved 2012-10-30^[9]Campbell, Joel (January 31, 2009). “Media distorts story about Honduras Temple”. Random observations (Report). Mormon Media Observer. Mormon Times (Deseret News). Retrieved 2012-10-30.

Open House

On December 11, 2012, the church announced that the public was invited to visit the temple during an open house from Saturday, 9 February, through 2 March 2013, excluding Sundays. More than 210,000 people attended the Mormon temple open house, including local dignitaries — Honduran president Porfirio Lobo Sosa, First Lady Rosa Elena de Lobo, and a large government delegation that included 10 cabinet ministers.

Cultural Celebration

In conjunction with the dedication of the temple, there was a cultural celebration featuring music and dance on Saturday, 16 March 2013. About 4,100 Latter-day Saints participated in the presentation. These Church members prepared for the celebration for 10 months by practicing ancestral songs and dances, making costumes and creating the stage for the event. Approximately 15,000 people attended the program, including President Ucthdorf, other Church leaders.

Dedication

The temple was formally dedicated on Sunday, 17 March 2013, in three sessions, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Gregory A. Schwitzer of the Seventy also joined him for the dedication. The sessions were broadcast to Mormon meetinghouses in the temple district, which includes Nicaragua.

In the dedicatory prayer, President Uchtdorf gave thanks for those who helped build the temple, as well as for those who “have gone before—for their sacrifices, courage, and faith while building [the Lord’s] work and kingdom.” He also prayed,

“Wilt Thou accept this Thy holy house as the gift of our hearts and hands. Wilt Thou honor it with Thy presence. May Thy Holy Spirit dwell here at all times and be felt by all who come within its portals. May a mantle of holiness come upon this sacred edifice. May it stand as a beacon of everlasting truth and light.”^[10]Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Tegicigalpa Honduras Temple dedicatory prayer,

Dedication Order

The Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple is the Church’s 141st operating temple. It is the sixth temple to be erected in Central America and the first temple located in Honduras

Presidents

Details

Location

On the hilly terrain of Honduras’s capital city, the Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple stands as a beacon to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Exterior

Unique temple architectural designs crafted using the finest materials reflect the Church’s belief that temples are houses of God. The meticulously kept grounds and beautiful architecture of Mormon temples create a serene atmosphere, and the Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple is no exception.

Cladding

The exterior of the temple is clad in gray granite from China

Windows

Magnificent art-glass windows, which were inspired by the Mayan culture, adorn the temple outside and inside.

Symbolism

Inscriptions

Cornerstone

ERECTED
2xxx

Spires and Moroni

Spire

The single spire on the temple stands 135 feet (41.2 meters) tall.

Moroni

Capping the top of the spire is a fiberglass statue of the Angel Moroni.

Interior

The 28,254-square-foot Temple’s interior features original murals portraying Honduran scenery. The national flower of Honduras, the orchid, is also incorporated into the temple’s design. Motifs of this unique flower can be found throughout the temple on doors and furniture.

Rooms

Individuals and Contractors

Sources and Links

Additional Articles

Sources/Citation