Description
The Villahermosa Mexico Temple is the 85th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .[1] “Villahermosa Mexico Temple”. ldschurchtemples.com.
History
In 1972 the first ward building was built in the state of Tabasco. That building later became a stake center (a larger congregation building consisting of more than one ward) and was torn down in 1999 so the temple could be built. At the time of the temple’s building, there were 23,000 members in the area.
Announcement
The temple was announced 30 October 1998 by the First Presidency.[2]”News of the Church,”Ensign, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, January 1999. Accessed 5 October 2018.
Groundbreaking
Elder Richard E. Turley Sr. of the Seventy and first counselor in the Mexico South Area presided at the groundbreaking ceremony 9 January 1999. He spoke of his uncle, Harold E. Turley, who served several years before as a full-time regional representative of the Twelve with his wife, Ireta. The couple resided in a trailer on the site where the temple will soon be constructed. They dearly loved the people of the area.
Elder Turley testified that the Church is led by the Savior, Jesus Christ, who alone has the power to extend salvation to the living and the deceased. “This is why,” Elder Turley said, “temples are, along with the atonement, the greatest gift to mankind, as well as the greatest tool to prepare the earth for the Second Coming of the Savior.” He reminded leaders of the many responsibilities that lie ahead in order to prepare members so that they will be ready in about a year when the temple will be dedicated and will begin functioning. “Members must now develop within their homes a culture of temple attendance and participation. It is our hope that every member home in the temple district will eventually have a picture of the temple to remind them and their children of the opportunities that can be theirs. If you are faithful,” Elder Turley said, “the spirituality of the members will increase. There will be a measurable impact on the whole community through the faithfulness of the people and the beauty of the temple and its surroundings” [3]Church News, 23 January 1999.
and emphasized the importance of temples in his remarks. He explained that the leader of the Church is Jesus Christ, who makes salvation for both the living and dead possible. He then added, “This is why temples are, along with the atonement, the greatest gift to mankind.”[4]Sergio A. Sosa Soberano, “Groundbreaking Ceremony Held in Southern Mexico: ‘Land of Temples,’” Church News, Jan. 23, 1999.
By attending the temple, members can draw closer to Christ.
Open House
An Open House was held for the new temple over a seven day period between 9 and 13 May 2000.
Dedication
The Villahermosa Mexico Temple was dedicated on May 21, 2000, in four sessions by Church President Thomas S. Monson.[5]”Facts and figures: Villahermosa Mexico Temple”. Church News. May 27, 2000.[6]Barbara Jean Jones, “Five New Temples Dedicated in Four Countries,” Ensign, Aug. 2000, 75., who at the time was first counselor in the Church’s First Presidency. About 4,000 people attended. In the dedicatory prayer, President Monson asked God to “be constrained to look with favor upon Thy people and open the windows of heaven and shower down blessings upon them.”[7]”Villahermosa Mexico Temple dedicatory prayer,” in Church News, May 27, 2000.
Dedicatory Prayer
Dedication Order
The Villahermosa Mexico Temple is the 85th operating temple built in the world, and the 8th temple dedicated in Mexico. At the time of its dedication, 11 temples were under construction, and an additional 23 were announced awaiting groundbreaking.
Presidents
| Temple President | Years Served |
|---|---|
| President Marvin E. Turley | 2015– |
| President Guillermo E. Garrido | 2012–2015 |
| President Jorge Méndez Ibarra | 2009–2012 |
| President Vicente I. Mederos | 2006–2009 |
| President Juan M. Cedeño Rodríguez | 2003–2006 |
| President F. Rufino Rodríguez | 2000–2003 |
Details
The site of the Villahermosa Mexico Temple is located near the coast of Mexico’s isthmus in a Mesoamerica region where ancient ruins are found in abundance. The area is often referred to as a “Book of Mormon land”; many believe that temples existed there anciently.
Landscaping
A gorgeous ceiba tree graces the beautiful 1.73-acre grounds. The ceiba tree has cultural significance in Mexico, as Mayans believed that a ceiba tree grew at the center of the earth and that the vines of the tree connected the earth with heaven.
The Temple is surrounded by the tropical foliage of the temple grounds.
Exterior
Circular designs decorate the exterior; they appear in the windows and are carved into the marble surface.
Cladding
The temple’s exterior is Blanco Guardiano white marble from Torreón, Mexico.
Windows
Symbolism
Inscriptions
There is one Inscription on the Villahermosa Mexico Temple. The inscription is in Spanish and is on the NORTH face of the temple. It is carved into the stone and painted black.
SANTIDAD AL SEÑOR
LA CASA DEL SEÑOR
Cornerstone
Spires and Moroni
Spire
Like most of the small temples, built around the world, the Villahermosa Mexico Temple has a single spire tiered spire.
The spire sits to the right of center, when standing facing the front doors, in line with those doors.
Moroni
A statue of the Angel Moroni sits at the top of the single spire. The fiberglass statue is a replica of a statue carved in 1982 by Karl Quilter. It is placed facing East by South.
Interior
The Villahermosa Mexico Temple has a total floor area of 10,700 square feet (990 m2),
Rooms
Within the temple are a baptistry; instruction rooms; a celestial room, which represents eternal life in God’s presence; and sealing rooms, where couples are married, or sealed, for eternity to preserve family relationships in the life to come.
Instruction Rooms
Two ordinance rooms (two-stage progressive) lead up the center of the temple to the Celestial Room.
Sealing.
The Villahermosa Mexico Temple has two sealing rooms.[8]”A Complete List of Mormon Temples: Villahermosa Mexico”. Deseret News. March 31, 2012.
Individuals and Contractors
The Temple, designed by Church A&E Services and fitted and decorated to fit local tastes and culture by Alvaro Inigo, was contructed for the Church by PyCSA, assisted by Okland Construction Co.
John Webster and Dean Fife acted as the Church’s Project Managers.
Sources and Links
Additional Articles
Sources/Citation
References
| ↑1 | “Villahermosa Mexico Temple”. ldschurchtemples.com. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | ”News of the Church,”Ensign, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, January 1999. Accessed 5 October 2018. |
| ↑3 | Church News, 23 January 1999 |
| ↑4 | Sergio A. Sosa Soberano, “Groundbreaking Ceremony Held in Southern Mexico: ‘Land of Temples,’” Church News, Jan. 23, 1999. |
| ↑5 | ”Facts and figures: Villahermosa Mexico Temple”. Church News. May 27, 2000. |
| ↑6 | Barbara Jean Jones, “Five New Temples Dedicated in Four Countries,” Ensign, Aug. 2000, 75. |
| ↑7 | ”Villahermosa Mexico Temple dedicatory prayer,” in Church News, May 27, 2000. |
| ↑8 | ”A Complete List of Mormon Temples: Villahermosa Mexico”. Deseret News. March 31, 2012. |