“Rome Italy Temple Dedication: Preparing for an Eternal Home,” New Era, Mar. 2019, 16–18.
Rome Italy Temple Dedication: Preparing for an Eternal Home
Youth throughout southeastern Europe are excited for this new house of the Lord.
Rome, Italy, is known as the Eternal City, and for good reason. Its origin stretches back to antiquity and is the stuff of legend. The Roman Republic began around 509 B.C., and the Roman Empire once ruled much of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Today, Roman traditions still influence government, culture, and literature throughout the world.
During New Testament times, the Holy Land was under Roman authority, and after the death of Jesus Christ, Peter and Paul were missionaries in Rome. Paul was, in fact, a Roman citizen. As the gospel spread, many recognized Rome as the center of Christianity.
But now there is something truly eternal in the Eternal City—the Rome Italy Temple. In this sacred place, earth and heaven meet, covenants are made, marriages are performed, and families are sealed—all for eternity. In the temple, time reaches back to before we came to this world and stretches forward forever.
No wonder youth in the Rome Italy Temple district are so excited! What better place than Rome for a house of the Lord—a sacred place where worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can prepare to live with Heavenly Father again, in His eternal home.