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Carole Mikita ReportingFor the first time since his cancer surgery, President Gordon B. Hinckley is expected to travel this weekend to Chile. Thousands of Latter-day Saints will gather in Santiago this weekend for a cultural celebration and the rededication of a temple.
They are anticipating President Hinckley's visit, his first big public appearance since his hospitalization. Preparations have been underway for weeks.
The Santiago Valley from San Cristoball Hill is a city its citizens say has old world charm and sophistication but a very modern pace with 5-million people. Many churches grace the city, among them, a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Built in 1983, the original structure had fairly simple details. Church leaders closed it for a year for an upgrade --- remodeling, new air conditioning, a general overhaul, it is now 30% larger than the first.
Elder Carl Pratt, Santiago, Chile Area Presidency: "A few of the original walls remaining, and the Angel Moroni, and that's about it. But oh, it's just gorgeous, unbelievably beautiful and in comparison to what we had before, which was lovely, it is way and above."
That kind of renovation calls for a rededication, and President Gordon B. Hinckley has planned to be there, despite having undergone surgery just weeks ago. Church leaders in Chile are using the remodeling as an analogy to ask church members to remodel their lives.
Guillermo Antivilo, LDS Church Dir. of Area Temporal Affairs: "After using the temple for a long time, we have to do something to maintain the temple, a good standard. They use the same thing; they say, we have to do the same thing with our lives."
Latter-day Saints welcomed people of all faiths to an open house from January 21st through February 11th. Some 62-thousand people walked through the newly-appointed sealing room, celestial room, baptismal font area and through freshly-decorated hallways.
Juana Munoz, Temple Visitor: "A very special feeling, especially when we saw the baptismal font. The spirit was very strong."
Tatiana Espinoza, Temple Visitor: "The last time the prophet came to Chile, he challenged the saints to put their lives in order. To be without the temple this year, we've had the chance to feel what this meant for us."
We will be live in Chile this weekend to cover President Hinckley's interaction with his fellow church members there, the cultural celebration and more on the temple this weekend.
