Oaxaca Mexico Temple Wiki

Description

The Oaxaca Mexico Temple is the 74th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).^[1]Oaxaca México Temple, ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org^[2]”Oaxaca Mexico Temple“, Church News, archived from the original on 2014-05-13

History

In 1949, Arwel L. Pierce, then president of the church’s Mexican Mission, visited the area of Oaxaca and expressed his belief that the LDS Church would flourish in that area. Since that time, Mormon missionaries have baptized 8,500 members in Oaxaca. The number of Latter-day Saints in surrounding areas that are served by the new temple totals more than 28,000.

Announcement

Because of growth in the area, LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley announced in 1999 that a temple would be built in Oaxaca.

Groundbreaking

Elder Carl B. Pratt of the Seventy and president of the Mexico South Area, who presided at the groundbreaking ceremony, related a declaration by President Brigham Young in 1863. He paraphrased saying, “that the Salt Lake Temple would not be the only temple built, but there would be hundreds of temples on the earth.” He added, “Today, we are seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy.” In his remarks Elder Pratt stated, “It is impossible to really understand the greatness of this day. I wish we were able to comprehend the existence of a temple standing here, for which we have prepared the way.”

He described the sacrifices of the early saints who built the Nauvoo Temple and worked day and night even though they knew that they would soon leave it behind as they departed for the west. “They sacrificed all that they had to build that temple,” he said. “Today we do not have to sacrifice very much. The Church has the means, and religious intolerance is no longer significant. The Church is respected by those in authority in all the nations of the world. The temple will be a great missionary tool and the day will come when there will not be just three stakes in Oaxaca and three in the nearby Istmo region, but dozens of others, and additional temples. It is my prayer that we examine our lives, study the scriptures, that we may have family prayer, family home evenings, and keep the commandments.”

He requested that bishops update their lists of members and that they call family history consultants. He said that they should prepare for a great leap forward in missionary work, as well. “This is a historic day, a great day. One in which we need to examine our lives and put them in order. I know that all who have temple recommends are vigilant.”^[3]Church News, 20 Mar. 1999.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Oaxaca Mexico Temple was held on the same day as the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Kona Hawaii Temple and Nashville Tennessee Temple.

Open House

After the building’s completion, more than 10,000 visitors toured the temple during a public open house. Many visitors commented on the peaceful feeling found within the temple.

Dedication

The dedication of the Oaxaca Mexico Temple was the first time James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the church’s First Presidency, dedicated a temple. The temple was dedicated on March 11, 2000. More than 18,000 members attended the four dedicatory sessions.^[4]Hart, John L. (March 18, 2000), “Oaxaca Mexico Temple: New horizons open for a faithful people“, Church News

The Oaxaca Mexico Temple was the first time President James E. Faust, then Second Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated a temple. The temple was dedicated on 11 March 2000. More than 18,000 members attended the four dedicatory sessions.

During the dedicatory prayer President Faust said, speaking on behalf of the local members, “We have longed for the day when a house of the Lord would be built nearer to us that we might come here often and worship Thee in spirit and in truth, and receive those ordinances, for both the living and the dead, which lead to immortality and eternal life through the great Atonement wrought by our Redeemer, Thy Beloved Son.”^[5]”Oaxaca dedicatory prayer: ‘May we come here frequently,'” Church News 18 Mar. 2000, 25 Jun. 2005

In 2020, the Oaxaca Mexico Temple was closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[6]

Description

Location

Exterior

Interior

The Oaxaca Mexico Temple has a total floor area of 10,700 square feet (990 m2), two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms, and one Baptistry.^[6]”A complete list of Mormon temples, Oaxaca Mexico“, Deseret News, March 31, 2012