Six New Temples Dedicated

Ciudad Juárez México Temple

President Gordon B. Hinckley presided at the first of six dedicatory sessions for the Ciudad Juárez México Temple on 26 February. President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, presided at later sessions on 26 and 27 February while President Hinckley traveled to Hermosillo, México.

“May [the temple] be a house of love where those who labor may realize that the ordinances here administered, for both the living and the dead, assist in bringing to pass the great provisions of the Atonement of Thy Son,” President Hinckley asked in the dedicatory prayer. He also petitioned God to “bless this great nation of México that it may rise and shine among the nations of the earth.”

Other Church leaders participating in the dedicatory services were Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder David R. Stone of the Seventy, First Counselor in the México North Area Presidency.

More than 8,000 members, including many from El Paso, Texas, just across the border, attended the dedicatory services.

Hermosillo Sonora México Temple

President Hinckley dedicated the new Hermosillo Sonora México Temple in four sessions on 27 February.

“It is sacred to us, the place where holy ordinances will be administered for both the living and the dead. Here will be exercised the only authority on earth which reaches beyond the veil of death and is efficacious in the worlds beyond,” he said in the dedicatory prayer.

Other General Authorities participating in the dedicatory service were Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen of the Seventy, President of the México North Area.

President Hinckley spoke of the sorrow Father Lehi undoubtedly had felt at the long oppression of his descendants and of the joy that ancient prophet undoubtedly could feel now at seeing the blessings of the temple come to his posterity.

More than 10,500 people visited the temple during its open house. One woman, part of a group of local leaders, commented on the peace and tranquillity she felt, adding, “It is another world, completely different.”

Nearly 6,000 members attended the dedicatory services.

Sadly, one member, Rosa Hermelinda García de Espinoza, lost her life traveling homeward from the dedication as the bus bound for Los Mochis, Sinaloa, was involved in an accident. Twenty-one other members were injured.

Albuquerque New Mexico Temple

New Mexico’s first temple was dedicated by President Hinckley in four sessions on 5 March.

In the dedicatory prayer, President Hinckley petitioned that the temple be “a sanctuary of peace, a refuge from the noise of the world. … May the light of the gospel that emanates from this holy temple be felt throughout the community.”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Seventy, Second Counselor in the North America Southwest Area Presidency, also took part in the dedicatory services.

Oaxaca México Temple

The Oaxaca México Temple was dedicated in four sessions on 11 March by President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. It was the first temple dedicated by President Faust.

Speaking as voice for other members, he said in the dedicatory prayer, “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.”

Also participating in the dedicatory services were Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Carl B. Pratt of the Seventy, President of the México South Area.

More than 10,000 people visited the temple during its open house. Among the comments from visitors was this: “One feels a peace there, a tranquillity. It is heavenly!” One member, after touring the temple, said with tears in his eyes that he knew “the Lord loves us very much, and having this temple in our city now makes it seem He has come closer to us.”

The dedicatory services drew more than 18,000 members.

Tuxtla Gutiérrez México Temple

The Tuxtla Gutiérrez México Temple, in the state of Chiapas on México’s southern border, was dedicated by President James E. Faust in four sessions on 12 March.

“We pray that the faithful Saints of this temple district may look to this hallowed structure, may come here frequently, and may taste of the sweet things which are here offered,” he said in the dedicatory prayer.

“Bless these Thy children. Lift them out of the depths of poverty. Bring new light and understanding into their minds. Cause them to rejoice at Thy watch care over them.”

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Carl B. Pratt of the Seventy, President of the México South Area, also participated in the dedication.

More than 3,300 members attended the four dedicatory sessions. Temple president Enrique Sanchez said that for many members in this area, the new temple is a dream come true. The temple serves more than 18,000 members in five stakes, one district, and three missions.

Tuxtla Gutiérrez México Temple

The Tuxtla Gutiérrez México Temple, in the state of Chiapas on México’s southern border, was dedicated by President James E. Faust in four sessions on 12 March.

“We pray that the faithful Saints of this temple district may look to this hallowed structure, may come here frequently, and may taste of the sweet things which are here offered,” he said in the dedicatory prayer.

“Bless these Thy children. Lift them out of the depths of poverty. Bring new light and understanding into their minds. Cause them to rejoice at Thy watch care over them.”

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Carl B. Pratt of the Seventy, President of the México South Area, also participated in the dedication.

More than 3,300 members attended the four dedicatory sessions. Temple president Enrique Sánchez said that for many members in this area, the new temple is a dream come true.

Louisville Kentucky Temple

President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the new Louisville Kentucky Temple in four sessions on 19 March.

“It is Thy house, a place of holiness. We pray that Thou wilt visit it and cause that Thy Holy Spirit may abide here as the work of salvation and redemption goes forward within these walls,” he said in the dedicatory prayer.

“We plead with Thee, Thou great Elohim, that Thine eternal purposes, Thy great plan of happiness for Thy children, will blossom and grow in this part of Thy vineyard,” he said.

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Loren C. Dunn of the Seventy, President of the North America East Area, also took part in the dedicatory services.

More than 8,000 members attended the four dedicatory services.

The Ciudad Juárez México Temple is located on México’s northern border, across the Rio Grande River from El Paso, Texas.

Photograph by John Hart, Church News.

The Hermosillo Sonora México Temple serves members in the northwestern area of México.

Photograph by John Hart, Church News.

The Albuquerque New Mexico Temple serves members not only from New Mexico but also from parts of Arizona and Colorado.

Photograph by Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News.

The Oaxaca México Temple serves members in a south central part of the country that is rich in history and tradition.

Photograph courtesy of Church News.

The Tuxtla Gutiérrez México Temple is located in Chiapas, the country’s southernmost state, near the border with Guatemala.

Photograph courtesy of Church News.

The Louisville Kentucky Temple serves more than 36,000 members in 10 stakes.

Photograph courtesy of Church News.