News Release

Manaus Brazil Temple Is Dedicated

The Manaus Brazil Temple was formally dedicated Sunday, 10 June 2012, in three sessions by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). The dedicatory sessions were broadcast to congregations of the Church within the temple district. 

During the cornerstone ceremony, which precedes the dedication and signifies the temple is complete, President Uchtdorf gathered several of the children in attendance. Pointing to the little ones, he said, “This is the future of the Church.” He continued, “This beautiful temple in the heart of the Amazon is a blessing for this people. Thank you for your legacy. The Lord accepts this temple.”

The Manaus Brazil Temple is the Church's 138th temple worldwide and sixth in Brazil. This temple will serve approximately 40,000 Latter-day Saints in 80 congregations throughout the region. Other temples in Brazil are located in Campinas (2002), Curitiba (2008), Porto Alegre (2000), Recife (2000) and Sao Paulo (1978). The Fortaleza Temple is under construction.

When a temple is formally dedicated, it is open to members of the Church who are actively engaged in the faith — unlike the thousands of standard Church meetinghouses that are open to everyone for regular Sunday services, regardless of religious affiliation (see Newsroom article explaining the difference between chapels and temples).

Latter-day Saint temples differ from the meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. In the temple, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to follow Jesus Christ and serve their fellow man.

KSL TV covered the cultural celebration Saturday night, including comments from President Uchtdorf.

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