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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has dedicated its second temple in Guatemala.
Thousands of people watched as President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency placed the mortar on the temple capstone during the cornerstone ceremony at the Quetzaltenango temple Sunday.
According to The Deseret News, Pres. Uchtdorf said, "After today's dedication, the (Quetzaltenango) temple will be as sacred as the temple of Solomon, the temple in Nauvoo, the temple in Salt Lake City, or any of the temples in the world."
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve also attended the dedication, along with several other General Authorities and thousands of church members from across western Guatemala. Three dedicatory sessions were held.
LDS youth from the region staged a cultural program Saturday. That event was "a musical celebration of heritage, history and faith."
The temple is set on a hillside north of Quetzaltenango, which is Guatemala's second largest city. It is located 128 miles northwest of Guatemala City.
The new temple will relieve crowding at the Guatemala City temple that now serves 103 stakes. The Quetzaltenango temple is the 136th LDS temple in operation. It opens to temple patrons tomorrow.
