New Mormon Temple in Mexico is 149th Temple in the World

By Elisa Meyer --
17 Dec 2015 --

By Antipus (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Mormon temple is to serve around 45,000 of Latter-day Saints who are living in the surrounding communities.

The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints temple that opened in November in Mexico is the 149th Mormon temple of the world, and the 13th of its kind in Mexico. President Uchtdorf, who was present during the traditional cornerstone ceremony, called on the assistance of local Latter-day Saints and Church leaders to join the ceremonious completion of the temple. During the ceremony, President Uchtdorf assured followers that President Monson will appreciate their participation in the event. He was assisted by Elder Dallin H. Oaks who is part of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the executive director of the temple Elder Larry Y. Wilson of Seventy and Elders Arnulfo Valenzuela, Paul B. Pieper and Benjamin De Hoyos who are also members of the Seventy.

New Mormon Temple in Mexico is 149th Temple in the World[/tweetthis]

The majestic white structure with intimidating pillars towers over the surrounding structures in Tijuana, Mexico. The temple was built with the expectation of being able to serve around 45,000 Latter-day Saints who are living in the surrounding communities. Before the temple was built, these followers would have had to travel to La Jolla, San Diego in order to visit the closest temple. Some worshippers were known to resort to 12-hour bus rides. The temple is meant to serve worshippers who stay in Tijuana as well as surrounding areas, including Guerrero Negro, San Filipe, San Quintin, San Luis Rio Colorado, Ensenada, Mexicali, Tecate and Rosarito.

The temples of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints are considered to be the “houses of the Lord” by the faithful, a place where Jesus Christ's teachings are followed through practices such as baptism, marriage and other activities that can bring families of the community together. Such temples are unlike chapels or meetinghouses where members of the faith gather every Sunday for prayer and worship. The Temple in Tijuana was developed with hacienda architectural designs that were inspired by local structures. The floors in the structure are made of carved stone while finishes are done in frosted gold. The entrance of the temple displays the words “Holiness to the lord; the house of God” in gold.

More than 71,000 visit huge new Mormon Temple "open house" in Tijuana | https://t.co/xVNlswwVhC
— Erin Siegal McIntyre (@ESMcIntyre) December 4, 2015

During the cornerstone ceremony, President Uchtdorf told the visitors that the temple was a connection between the Earth and Heaven, an “intersection of the spiritual and our life here on earth.” The night previous to the dedication saw hundreds of the local youth participate in cultural celebrations, music and dance to highlight the history of the temple in Mexico.