Belém Brazil Temple Wiki

On 3 April 2016, President Thomas S. Monson stood at the Conference Center pulpit for his opening remarks at the Sunday morning session of General Conference. “Brothers and Sisters,” he began, “before I begin my formal message today, I would like to announce four new temples, which in coming months and years will be built in the following locations.” After naming the Quito Ecuador Temple and Harare Zimbabwe Temple, the Saints of Brazil rejoiced to hear the announcement of Belém, Brazil.^[1]”Four New Temples Announced by President Monson,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 3 Apr. 2016. The announcement was then followed by the announcement for a second temple in Lima Peru, now called the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple.

The Belém Brazil Temple was announced in the 400th anniversary year of the founding of the city of Belém.

Brazil Temples at the Time of Announcement

Announced

• –

Under Construction

• Fortaleza Brazil

Dedicated

• São Paulo Brazil [1978]
• Recife Brazil [2000]
• Porto Alegre Brazil [2000]
• Campinas Brazil [2002]
• Curitiba Brazil [2008]
• Manaus Brazil [2012]

On August 2, 2019, an official rendering of the Belém Brazil Temple was published in a news release announcing the groundbreaking ceremony.

“May this work be a symbol of light and a representation of the love of Jesus Christ to all,” said President Marcos A. Aidukaitis, president of the Brazil Area, in his site dedicatory prayer at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Belém Brazil Temple held on Saturday, 17 August 2019. Hundreds of Church members and guests gathered to the site to participate in the historic services including Church, civil, religious, and community leaders. For years, faithful members have looked forward to the day when a temple would be built in their midst, having previously participated in temple ordinances in the distant cities of São Paulo, Campinas, Recife, and most recently Manaus.^[3]”Abertura de Terra do Templo de Belém é marcada por forte emoção e espiritualidade de membros do Pará,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 17 Aug. 2019.

The Belém Brazil Temple opened for public tours from Saturday, 22 October through Saturday, 5 November 2022. No tours were offered on Sundays.

The Belém Brazil Temple was dedicated in Portuguese on 20 November 2022, by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It was the ninth temple to be built in Brazil and the Church’s 174th operating temple worldwide. At the time of the temple’s dedication, its district served members in 11 stakes and two districts in northern Brazil.

Welcoming attendees to each of the day’s sessions at the front entrance of the new house of the Lord was an Apostle of the Lord.

Elder Renlund greeted Latter-day Saints with individual handshakes as they entered the temple.

Joining him in receiving attendees were Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Presidency of the Seventy; Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela, a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department; and Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella, also a Seventy and president of the Brazil Area.

The leaders were accompanied by their wives — Sister Ruth Renlund, Sister Monica Godoy, Sister Silvia Valenzuela and Sister Elaine Parrella — at the dedication services.

Clarice Albuquerque of the Cabanagem Ward, Belém Brazil Cabanagem Stake, said that when greeted by Elder Renlund at the temple’s front door, she felt incredibly grateful for the Lord sending one of His Apostles.

The latter-day Apostle shared public-facing welcome and instructional messages in Portuguese, giving his concluding messages and dedicatory prayer in each of the three sessions in the local language. All three sessions were done completely in Portuguese.

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This water lily is also featured prominently in the art glass design. And the blue, green, yellow and pink color palette is a nod to the rainforest that covers much of the region. Brazilian landscape experts were consulted to identify which native species would best fit the design.

Cladding

This single-story temple is clad in Brazilian granite, a feature in common with many other houses of the Lord in Brazil. Its soft, white appearance is a striking contrast to the beautiful green surroundings. The stylized motif found in the stone combines geometric elements inspired by local Marajoara indigenous pottery with the Victoria amazonica, a native water lily known for its beauty.

Water Course

Windows

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Spandrel panel

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The center spire draws from local styles in historic downtown Belém. At 89 feet tall, the spire soars above the freeway that passes alongside the temple site.

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Events