Buenos Aires Mormon temple rededicated

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SALT LAKE CITY — The LDS temple in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is operational again after undergoing extensive renovation, then being rededicated on Sunday.

The Deseret News reports thousands of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered under blue skies for Sunday's rededication.

"This is an exciting day, an amazing day, an emotional day. The Saints here have been longing for this day for three years. Now, it is here," Buenos Aires resident Claudio Salerno told the paper.

President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, presided at each of Sunday's three rededication sessions. The members "were challenged to rededicate lives and pledge hearts to God."

The temple was originally dedicated on Jan. 17, 1986, with Church President Thomas S. Monson, who was then the first counselor in the First Presidency, presiding. The building closed for renovation in 2009.

Elder Mervyn B. Arnold, of the South America South Area Presidency told the Church News that thousands of church members have been unable to attend a temple in the three years that this facility has been closed. "Traveling to Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia or Chile [was impossible] with their limited budgets," he said.

The temple is now much larger, with two wings added during the renovation.

The Church News reports close to 100,000 people visited the temple during a recent open house.

The Cordoba Argentina Temple, which will be the second in that country, is under construction.