A small group of Latter-day Saint leaders in Mendoza, Argentina, gathered to break ground for the Mendoza Argentina Temple on Thursday, December 17, 2020. Attendance was limited due to the local government’s social distancing guidelines.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Elder Allen D. Haynie, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South America South Area Presidency, offered the dedicatory prayer and presided over the ceremony.
“In this beautiful setting, with a view of the majestic Andes Mountains behind me, I also would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to all who are in attendance at this groundbreaking for the Mendoza Argentina Temple or who will watch it through the use of technology,” said Elder Haynie.
In his remarks, Elder Haynie said, “We wish more of you could be here with us, but we trust that a kind Heavenly Father will bless all of us … regardless of where or how we participate in this groundbreaking.”
“Everything in the temple teaches us about Christ and about His central role in God´s plan for our happiness,” he added. “Everything in the temple motivates us to become more like Him.”
The Mendoza Argentina Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson on October 7, 2018, at the conclusion of the October 2018 general conference.
Elder Haynie was joined by his wife, Deborah Haynie, who also spoke at the event.
“It’s an honor to share a part of your special day with all of you,” said Sister Haynie. “I would like to direct some of my thoughts to the Church’s youth. Your family needs you – your ancestors, your current family and your future family.”
Sister Haynie then extended a special invitation to Latter-day Saint youth.
"Learn more about family history work for the next few years and fall in love with it. If you do that, when the temple’s doors open, you can help carry out ordinances on their behalf,” she said.
In addition to Elder and Sister Haynie’s remarks, Latter-day Saints from the area also expressed their thoughts about what will become the country’s fourth temple.
“Knowing that there will be a temple in Mendoza, just miles from our homes, is such a huge blessing for which I am grateful,” shared Abril Manzur, a Church member from Maipú de Cuyo.
“During our lives, at one moment or another, we ask ourselves what life’s purpose is, where we come from and why we are here,” said Maximiliano Sotar, a young Latter-day Saint from Mendoza. “This is where this beautiful building will obtain value in our lives … temples are recognized as sanctuaries of faith, peace and learning.”
As part of the ceremony’s dedicatory prayer, offered by Elder Haynie, the Latter-day Saint leader expressed appreciation for the temple’s construction on behalf of all Argentine Latter-day Saints who attended the event in person or by stream.
“Thou also knowest our deep gratitude for the gift that is the Mendoza Argentina Temple,” said Elder Haynie. “Please allow all those who are not here in person to feel an additional measure of the Spirit while they watch and listen through technology.”
The temple will be built along Avenida Champagnat in the community of Las Heras. Plans also call for a meetinghouse and patron housing to be constructed on site.
There are approximately 475,000 Latter-day Saints in “Tierra Argentina” (in English: “Land of Silver”) who attend more than 730 Latter-day Saint congregations across the country.
Other houses of the Lord in Argentina include the Salta Argentina Temple (construction began in November 2020), the Córdoba Argentina Temple (dedicated in 2015) and the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple (dedicated in 1986 and rededicated in 2012).
Details for the open house and temple dedication upon its completion will be announced on a future date.
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differ from meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Each temple is considered a “house of the Lord,” where Jesus Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. In the temple, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to follow Jesus Christ and serve their fellowman.
A video of the groundbreaking ceremony will be available on Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org in the coming days.