The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Saturday that a public open house prior to the rededication of the Mexico City Mexico Temple will take place in October and November.
The 25-year-old temple closed for renovation on 31 March 2007. When Latter-day Saint temples undergo significant renovation or reconstruction, in many cases they are open to the public again and rededicated.
Following tours for the media and dignitaries, the public will be invited to visit the Mexico City temple from Monday, 20 October 2008, until Saturday, 8 November 2008, excluding Sundays.
After the open house period, the Mexico City temple will be formally rededicated on Sunday, 16 November 2008.
There are over one million Latter-day Saints in Mexico. For a quarter of them, those who live in Mexico City and the states of Mexico, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Morelos, Baja California Sur, Michoacán, Hidalgo, Puebla, Queretaro and San Luis Potosí, it will be the nearest temple.
In conjunction with the temple rededication, there will be a cultural celebration of music and dance. This event is scheduled for Saturday, 15 November 2008, in Mexico City.
Latter-day Saint temples differ from the Church’s meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Christ's teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. In the temple, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and strengthen their commitment to serve Jesus Christ and their fellowman.
The Mexico City Mexico Temple, originally dedicated on 2 December 1983, was the first of twelve temples constructed in Mexico.