Description
History
Missionaries first arrived in 1947 to the Central American country, which today is home to nearly 300,000 Latter-day Saints comprising 51 stakes and nearly 438 congregations. There are now seven missions.
Announced
On October 5, 2019, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct the Cobán Guatemala Temple at the 189th Semiannual General Conference.[1]”President Nelson Announces Eight New Temples During General Conference,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 5 Oct. 2019.
Temple Rendering
On May 25, 2020, an official exterior rendering of the Cobán Guatemala Temple was released. [2]”See What the New Temples in Guatemala and Japan Will Look Like,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 5 May 2020.
Temple Site
On May 25, 2020, the location of the Cobán Guatemala Temple was announced. The temple will be constructed in the southeastern section of the city in Zone 8 adjacent to the meetinghouse for the Cobán 2nd Ward.[3]”See What the New Temples in Guatemala and Japan Will Look Like,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 5 May 2020.
Groundbreaking
Elder Brian K. Taylor, president of the Central America Area, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cobán Guatemala Temple on 14 November 2020.
In his dedicatory prayer, Elder Taylor prayed, “Wilt Thou accept our offering and may Thy grace and presence abide here and in our lives always is our humble prayer and earnest petition.” The recorded ceremony will be broadcast this evening at 6:00 p.m. CST. [4]”Church Breaks Ground for Cobán Guatemala Temple,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 14 Nov. 2020.
Dedication
Dedication Order
Cobán will be the third city in Guatemala to have a temple. The nation’s fourth temple has been announced for the Guatemala City metropolitan area.
Detail
Location
The 5.4-acre site for the 8,800-square-foot temple is adjacent to an existing meetinghouse in Barrio Bella Vista, located in the highlands of central Guatemala. Plans call for a patron housing facility and meetinghouse to also be constructed on site.
Exterior
The Cobán Guatemala Temple will be a single-level building of approximately 8,800 square feet to be built on the site of meetinghouse for the Cobán 2nd Ward. Plans also call for a replacement meetinghouse and a temple patron housing facility to be constructed on site.
References
| ↑1 | ”President Nelson Announces Eight New Temples During General Conference,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 5 Oct. 2019. |
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| ↑2, ↑3 | ”See What the New Temples in Guatemala and Japan Will Look Like,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 5 May 2020. |
| ↑4 | ”Church Breaks Ground for Cobán Guatemala Temple,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 14 Nov. 2020. |