Details
History
Before 1949, the country of Paraguay officially recognized only one religion — Catholicism. However, the first Paraguayan member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was baptized in 1948 by Samuel J. Skousen, a U.S. embassy worker, after receiving permission from the First Presidency of the Church. This first convert’s name was Carlos Alberto Rodriguez. Soon the government fully welcomed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in 1949 missionaries were sent to preach in Paraguay.
In 1977 Paraguay became its own mission area and soon after converts to the LDS Church began to increase. The average number of baptisms per year in Paraguay up to that time had been just over 200. In the year following the announcement 400 people were baptized into the church. Currently, there are approximately more than 152,000 Mormon members in Paraguay.
In Paraguay’s capital city, Asunción, most people speak Spanish, but in much of the rest of the country, many people speak only Guarani, so many of the Mormon missionaries must learn both languages.
In 1994, Carlos Espinola, a member of the LDS Church in Paraguay said, “We have lived in Paraguay since the Church had only two branches, I feel that the day is much closer now when there is going to be great growth in the Church here. When President Ezra Taft Benson dedicated this land for the preaching of the gospel, he said there would be many stakes in Paraguay. I can see that day coming.”[1] Marvin K. Gardner, “Pioneers in Paraguay,” Ensign, Mar. 1994, 39
Announced
On 2 April 2000, an announcement was made that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was planning to build a temple in Paraguay. Although there were already eleven other dedicated temples in South America, the Asunción Paraguay Temple was the first temple to be built in Paraguay. For the more than 68,000 members that the Asunción Paraguay Temple would serve, the announcement was gladly received.
When the Temple was announced, many Paraguayan Latter-day Saints were so excited they shouted out loud. Abilio Samaniego, who later became one of the Church’s leaders in charge of the temple, stated, “When we heard the news that a temple was to be built in Paraguay, we clapped and jumped and hollered. We wanted the Lord to know how happy we were.” He said, “The Lord has shown us much love, and I am grateful.”[2] “Asunción Paraguay Temple,” Ensign, Aug. 2002,
Announced 2 April 2000
Groundbreaking
A Groundbreaking and Site Dedication were held for the Asunción Paraguay Temple on 3 February 2001. Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy and president of the South America South Area, who presided over the groundbreaking ceremony said he felt impressed during the site dedicatory prayer to designate the block for the temple grounds, even -though all of the land had not yet been purchased. He said that the hand of Lord opened the path to buy the land needed to complete the temple grounds.
Elder Jensen offered the dedicatory prayer giving thanks that the people of this nation would soon receive the fullness of priesthood blessings and ordinances in their own country. He also gave thanks for those persons whose lives would be touched and forever changed by coming to a knowledge of the restored gospel because of the future temple. He expressed desire that the members would dutifully pay their tithes, thus enabling them to receive temple recommends.[3]Pedro Servin Fabio, “Rains cool Paraguay temple groundbreaking,” Church News 17 Feb. 2001: 3.
Open House
An open house was held from May 4–11, 2002. This allowed Latter-day Saints and those not of the faith to see the inside of the temple and learn more about what takes place inside.
The open house for the Asunción Paraguay Temple generated wide interest from media representatives, civic leaders, and the general public. The week-long event brought 22,482 visitors with nearly 3,000 requesting more information about the Church. Among the invited VIP guests was the First Lady of Paraguay, Mrs. Susana Galli de Gonzalez Macchi, who expressed beautiful words of gratitude for the “magnificent” temple that was being inaugurated in Asunción.
Dedication
The Asunción Paraguay Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley just two days after he presided over the dedication of the Campinas Brazil Temple. Local media outlets covered the event, featuring quotations from President Hinckley and other Church members who were interviewed.
On Sunday May 19, 2002 four dedicatory sessions were held, allowing all church members who wanted to attend an opportunity to be present. LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley gave the dedicatory prayer.
The day of the dedication, May 19, 2002, was rainy. However, thousands of members from Paraguay and Argentina traveled to attend, and the local media covered the event.
Once the Asunción Paraguay Temple was dedicated in 2002, every Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking nation in South America had an operating temple. This milestone was reached just 24 years after the dedication of the first temple in South America—the São Paulo Brazil Temple (1978)
Dedication Order
The Asunción Temple was the first Mormon temple built in Paraguay and the Church’s 112th operating temple worldwide.
In the dedicatory prayer, Church President Gordon B. Hinckley commented on the wonderful growth the Church had experienced in the area: “Marvelous has been the growth of Thy work in this part of Thy vineyard.” He added, “May Thy Saints throughout the land look to this Thy holy house as a sanctuary to which they may come.”[4]Asunción Paraguay Temple dedicatory prayer, in Church News, May 25, 2002, .
Once the Asunción Temple was dedicated in 2002, every Spanish-speaking country in South America had at least one temple. Now Mormons in Paraguay, totaling more than 86,000, and those from nearby countries can find peace as they draw closer to the Lord at their beloved temple. Visitors not of the Mormon faith are also always welcome to walk the temple grounds and enjoy the serenity of the beautiful temple site.
Renovation
On April 10, 2017 the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the closure of the Asunción Paraguay Temple for extensive renovations. The renovations will help maintain functionality, efficiency, and beauty. The temple will receive mechanical upgrades along with updates in finishes and furnishings. The Renovations are expected to be completed in 2019. Once the renovations are complete, a public open house and rededication services will be announced. While the temple is closed, Latter-day Saints will be able to attend neighboring temples.
The Asunción Paraguay Temple closed on October 29, 2017. Renovations are anticipated to be completed in 2019.[5]“Four Mormon Temples Will Close for Renovation”, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2017-04-10 .
Commencement
The Temple closed on 29 October 2017 for the renovation to get underway.
Open House
On 21 May 2019 The Church announced the Open house and rededication of the Asuncion Paraguay Temple, in conjunction with the dedication of the Arequipa Peru Temple.[6]”Update on Two South America Temples,” Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 21 May 2019
The 7 day open house was scheduled for 12 October through 19 October, with the temple being closed on Sunday 13 October.[7]”Update on Two South America Temples,” Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 21 May 2019
Rededication
The temple will be rededicated on Sunday, November 3, 2019, in one session at 10:00 a.m. [8]”Update on Two South America Temples,” Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 21 May 2019
Reopening
The temple will reopen to patrons on Tuesday, November 12, 2019.[9]”Update on Two South America Temples,” Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 21 May 2019
Presidents
| Temple President | Years Served |
|---|---|
| Ernesto A. Da Silva | 2018– |
| Heber O. Díaz | 2014–2018 |
| Stephen G. Boyden | 2011–2014 |
| David K. Udall | 2008–2011 |
| Richard R. George | 2005–2008 |
| John J. Whetten | 2002–2005 |
Details
Location
The Asunción Paraguay Temple is located near the center of Asunción
in the Mariscal López neighborhood on the corner of Avenida España and
Avenida Brasilia—a major city thoroughfare. Sharing the temple site is a
meetinghouse, which was constructed as an addition to a former
residential mansion and is known locally as Capilla Moroni. Across the street from the meetinghouse are Church offices, a distribution center, and a patron housing facility.
The Asunción Paraguay Temple was built on the site of the first Latter-day Saint meetinghouse built in Paraguay in 1964. The building was demolished to make room for the temple.
Exterior
The temple has a long, rectangular design with a single spire and is covered with light gray Asa Branca Brazilian granite
Decorative circles carved into the exterior walls are centered above trios of rectangular windows. A similar circle motif can also be seen in the fence surrounding the beautiful temple grounds, which are filled with vivid green grass, tropical trees, and bright flowers.
Interior
Inside the temple are a baptistry and instruction rooms, as well as a celestial room. The temple also contains two sealing rooms, where marriages are performed.
Spires and Moroni
Spire
The Asuncion Paraguay Temple has a single spire that is typical of the small temples built during President Hinckley’s tenure. The spire is inline with the main entrance, and consisting of 4 levels of progressively smaller and taller cubes.
Moroni
A Copy of Karl Quilter’s 1982 7 foot fiberglass statue was placed upon the temple 17 October of 2001. The statue faces East by North.
Sources and Links
Additional Articles
Sources/Citation
References
| ↑1 | Marvin K. Gardner, “Pioneers in Paraguay,” Ensign, Mar. 1994, 39 |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | “Asunción Paraguay Temple,” Ensign, Aug. 2002, |
| ↑3 | Pedro Servin Fabio, “Rains cool Paraguay temple groundbreaking,” Church News 17 Feb. 2001: 3. |
| ↑4 | Asunción Paraguay Temple dedicatory prayer, in Church News, May 25, 2002, . |
| ↑5 | “Four Mormon Temples Will Close for Renovation”, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2017-04-10 |
| ↑6, ↑7, ↑8, ↑9 | ”Update on Two South America Temples,” Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 21 May 2019 |