Church leaders and officials, led by Church President Thomas S. Monson, turn over shovels full of dirt, signifying the beginning of construction for the Rome Italy Temple.
Church President Thomas S. Monson, recognized by millions of Latter-day Saints worldwide as a prophet and apostle, presided at groundbreaking ceremonies for the Rome Italy Temple on Saturday, October 23. For Church members, temples are the holiest places on earth. Living prophets and apostles encourage members to be worthy to go to the temple to make covenants with the Lord and to participate in sacred ordinances such as eternal marriage.
President Monson was accompanied at the groundbreaking by a small group of Church leaders and invited guests. He expressed gratitude to Heavenly Father for the work performed in the House of the Lord.
President Monson assists two children during the groundbreaking ceremony.
The groundbreaking ceremony will be broadcast to all LDS chapels in Italy on Sunday, October 24, at 6 p.m.
The temple site is located northeast of Rome near the Grande Raccordo Anulare. The Rome Italy Temple is one of 157 temples throughout the world either in operation, under construction, or announced.
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An artist’s rendition of the Rome Italy Temple was on display at the groundbreaking.
