Description
The Manila Philippines Temple is the 29th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Latter-day Saints from throughout Southeast Asia, Micronesia and India come to the temple to worship God.
History
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a rich history in the Philippines. In 1946, Aniceta Fajardo became the first known Filipino to be baptized. On August 21, 1955, Joseph Fielding Smith, then an Apostle, dedicated the land in the Philippines for the preaching of the gospel. The first four missionaries arrived in June of 1961. By 1969, the Church had spread to eight of the major islands in the nation and had the highest number of baptisms for the Church in any part of the world. By 1973 over 13,000 Filipinos had been baptized, and the Manila Philippines Stake was organized. In 1987 selections from the Book of Mormon were published in the Filipino language Tagalog and a missionary training center was established in Manila in 1986. Since then, the Church has increased in growth, and by 2014, the Philippines had 701,223 Church members, with 167 family history centers and 1,134 wards (congregations) and branches (small congregations).
Announced
In January 1981 the Mormon Church purchased land in Quezon City, in the metro Manila area. The site was partly chosen because of its accessibility to members throughout the temple district.
Church leaders announced plans to construct the Manila Philippines Temple on April 1, 1981.
When the temple was announced, a fund-raising campaign was quickly set up in the Philippines. The local Saints sacrificed greatly but nine months later, they had only reached 65 percent of their goal. Church leaders again encouraged the members to give all they could to the fund, and the Filipino Saints responded once again, reaching and even exceeding the goal in three months time.
Groundbreaking
A groundbreaking ceremony was led by President Gordon B. Hinckley, then a counselor in the Church’s First Presidency, on August 25, 1982.
A typhoon approached Manila the day before the groundbreaking of the Manila Philippines Temple, creating concern that would event would have to be postponed. At a mission conference that evening, a missionary prayed for the weather to cooperate so that the groundbreaking could continue. The typhoon changed direction that night, and the groundbreaking proceeded as planned.
2,000 members attended the ceremony, many traveling by train, bus or boat to attend.
Construction
Several events that slowed the progress of the Temple’s construction. In 1983, the assassination of a Filipino senator led to rioting and demonstrations. A weak economy, unemployment, and the increasing presence of crime, meant that the people were struggling just to get by. During these trying times, the Church established ways to help members become more self-reliant and encouraged them to stay close the God.
The street where the Manila Philippines Temple is located was renamed to Temple Drive during the temple’s construction.
Public Open House
Once the temple construction was completed, the temple was open to the public for touring from September 3 to 14, 1984.
Nearly 27,000 toured the interior of the Manila Philippines Temple during its 13-day open house held prior to its dedication, even though the land was hit with two typhoons days before, making traveling difficult due to flooded roads and damaged bridges. Notwithstanding the recent storms, the sun shined on the temple during the open house. “A beautiful heavenly spectacle was unfurled over the temple,” described Jovencio Ilagan, a member of the temple committee during the temple’s construction. “The sun, in all its brilliance, was seen through a corona of varying colors. … At one point, the center spire with the statue of the Angel Moroni was seen at the center of the corona. Almost a hundred people at the temple grounds attest to it. Many were in tears.”[1]John L. Hart, “3 Temples Open to Public in a Week — A First Ever,” Church News, Sept. 16, 1984, 4.
Many members of the public could feel the sacredness of the temple. Writer Celso Carunungan said there was “a feeling of holiness, that when you get inside you are going to confront your Creator.”[2]“The Philippines: Spiritual Strength upon the Isles of the Sea,” Ensign, Apr. 2014, 45. Colonel Bienvenido Castillo, chief captain of the Philippine Constabulary, commented that the temple is “a place where you can contemplate heavenly things because you are in such an environment.”[3]“The Philippines,” 45.
Dedication
The days prior to the dedication of the Manila Philippines Temples saw several natural disasters in the Philippines including two typhoons, the eruption of Mayon volcano on Bicol Peninsula, and an earthquake in northern Luzon. The temple remained unaffected.
The Manila Philippines Temple was dedicated in nine sessions on September 25, 1984. President Gordon B. Hinckley, Second Counselor in the First Presidency performed the dedication.
After the open house, President Hinckley dedicated the temple on The dedication was given in nine sessions with a total of 6,500 Church members attending. Many of these members were eager and ready to enter the temple and enjoy its blessings. On September 27, 1984, the first marriage was performed in the Manila Philippines Temple. Temple work went into the night on September 27 and into the next day. This vitality for living the gospel and attending the temple is still seen in the Filipino members today.
Dedication Order
The Manila Philippines Temple was the first temple built in the Philippines and the second built in Asia.
Presidents
Description
The temple stretches 26,683 square feet and has six detached spires — five smaller ones and one large one with a gold-leafed statue of angel Moroni, a prophet from the Book of Mormon, atop. This statue is featured on most Mormon temples, and the figure holds a trumpet to his lips as representation of the spreading of Jesus Christ’s gospel to the world and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Location
Standing on a hilltop that overlooks the Marikina Valley, In Quezon City, the most populous and largest city of Metro Manila, the Manila Philippines Temple anchors a complex of Church buildings including a temple annex, a patron housing facility, a missionary training center, and area offices.
The beautiful grounds, open to the public, are filled with majestic palm trees and lush, colorful vegetation.
Exterior
It is finished with a ceramic tile exterior. Majestic palm trees and natural vegetation beautify the temple grounds.
Individuals and Contractors
Interior
The temple holds instruction rooms, sealing rooms, a celestial room and a baptistry.
Additional Links/Info
Sources/Citation