Yigo Guam Temple Wiki

Quick Facts

ANNOUNCED
7 October 2018

ANNOUNCED BY
President Russell M. Nelson

GROUNDBREAKING
4 May 2019

GROUNDBREAKING PRESIDED BY
Elder Yoon Hwan Choi

DEDICATED
22 May 2022

DEDICATED BY
President David A. Bednar


DEDICATION ORDER
172

LOCATION
321 Chalan Pale Ramon Lagu, Rte 1
Yigo  96929
Guam

Additional Facts

#1

It was one of 12 temples announced in October 2018 general conference, almost double the previous general conference’s seven temples announced six months earlier.

#2

Ground for the Yigo temple was broken on the same day as the groundbreakings for two other temples: the Praia Cabo Verde Temple and the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple.

#3

Some members from the temple district weren’t able to attend the open house for the Yigo temple due to COVID-19 restrictions that inhibited members from neighboring islands to travel to Guam. In order to help these members learn about the temple, the Church hosted an “island open house,” sending informational panels about the temple to those islands, containing samples of the materials used in the temple’s construction and photos of the interior and exterior of the house of the Lord.

Description

The Yigo Guam Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under construction in Yigo, Guam. The tiny island of Guam, a territory of the United States, sits in the western Pacific and boasts a population of 166,000 people.

History

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been in Guam since the 1940s. The first Church members on Guam probably came as members of the armed forces during World War II. Guam branches of from 50 to 300 servicemen began functioning in 1944, acting under the Far East Mission. In 1945, four groups were organized on the island. On one occasion, they dedicated the graves of fallen Church servicemen.

In 1951, fund-raising events by the members raised enough money to purchase land and two Quonset huts, which they used for a chapel and classrooms. The facilities were dedicated in 1953 and Guam became a dependent branch of the Oahu Hawaii Stake.

The first missionaries arrived in August 1957. As members increased, land for another meetinghouse was purchased. A new meetinghouse in Barrigada was dedicated 10 March 1970, and the Guam Branch became a ward Open houses were frequently held, but few joined the Church. In May 1976, the Guam Ward was divided. The first Chamorro couple to join, Don Calvo and his wife, Maria, were baptized in May 1977. The Agat Branch was created in 1978. And in 1979, Herbert J. Leddy, the first missionary of Chamorro lineage, was called to the Tennessee Nashville Mission.

The Micronesia Guam Mission was created on 1 April 1980. In June, the Guam District was created with four branches.

In 1989, selections of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ were translated into Chamorro, and in the same year, Herbert J. Leddy became the first Chamorro member to be called as district president. Membership in 1995 was 1,400. The first stake in Guam was organized on December 12, 2010, by Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Today there are 2,516 members, 4 wards, 1 mission, 1 stake, and 1 family history center in Guam.

Prior to the temple’s dedication, Members in Guam typically traveled to Manila Philippines to visit a temple.

Announcement

The Yigo Guam Temple was announced during the last session of General Conference on 7 October 2018 Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Russell M. Nelson announced the Temple along with 11 others: [1] “Twelve Temples Announced as October 2018 General Conference Closes,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 7 Oct. 2018.

Rendering

On 1 February 2019, the official artist rendering of the temple was released to the public.[2]Johnson, Valerie. “Church Announces Groundbreaking Dates for Temples in Pocatello, Guam.” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2019/2/1/23214702/church-announces-groundbreaking-dates-for-temples-in-pocatello-guam.

Yigo Guam Temple official Render
Yigo Guam Temple official Render, Copyright IRI.

Chapel Closure

On 24 February 24 2019, the Yigo chapel was permanently closed for demolition. Plans for a final Sunday service were canceled due to weather conditions created by Super Typhoon Wutip.

Demolition

With two weeks remaining before ground was formally broken for the Yigo Guam Temple, demolition crews arrived on site to carry out removal of the Chapel. By 29 April demolition of the Yigo meetinghouse had been completed, and the site was being cleared in preparation for the groundbreaking.

Groundbreaking

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, president of the Asia North Area, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Yigo Guam Temple on Saturday, 4 May 2019. “Temples are not just buildings,” he said. “A temple is a university for us to learn how to return to Heavenly Father.” Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita, General Authority Seventy, also addressed the congregation. “What will you engrave in your heart today to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Yigo Temple?” he asked. “I engrave in my heart my commitment to serve the Lord.”[3]”Ground Broken for Three International Temples,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 4 May 2019, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/ground-broken-for-three-international-temples.

Attendance at the site was by invitation only. The ceremony was broadcast to chapels within the proposed temple district. Construction was anticipated to take 2 years.[4] “Temple Groundbreakings Announced for Pocatello and Guam,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 1 Feb. 2019, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/temple-groundbreakings-announced–pocatello-guam.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Yigo Guam Temple was held on the same day as the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Praia Cabo Verde Temple and San Juan Puerto Rico Temple.

Construction

Death on Site

On 7 November 2019, early in the day, a construction worker operating a tamper in a 4 foot deep trench where footings were to be poured, collapsed in what was an apparent heart attack. The worker, new to the site, had apparently called in sick the previous day.

Efforts at CPR were started immediately, and emergency services were contacted. The man was unresponsive when removed from the site.[5]Satterfield, Rick, “News Stories,” https://churchofjesuschristtemples.ldschurchtemples.com/yigo-guam-temple/news/

Exterior walls

The exterior concrete walls for the temple appear to have been completed around 5 March of 2020.[6]Satterfield, Rick, “News Stories,” https://churchofjesuschristtemples.ldschurchtemples.com/yigo-guam-temple/news/

Open House

Prior to the dedication of the Yigo Guam Temple, guests were welcomed during an eleven-day open house that was held from May 4–14, 2022.

Many Latter-day Saints in the Yigo Guam Temple district were restricted by closed borders and unable to participate in an in-person tour during the open house. These restrictuions were brought about by the global COVID pandemic. Those members experienced the new temple in a different way.

Display boards — one for each island — included samples of different construction materials, with interior and exterior photos of the temples to add to the visual experience.

“The boards will be sent from Guam to be experienced during the virtual tour, giving those attending in the outer islands a feeling of connection to the temple,” the report said.

The islands of Palau, Saipan, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae will have their virtual open house events scheduled for either Friday, May 6, or Saturday, May 7, according to the respective island.[7]Taylor, Scott. “See Inside the New Yigo Guam Temple and Learn of Its ‘Island Open House.’” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2022/5/2/23217938/inside-the-new-yigo-guam-temple-and-its-island-open-house.

Youth Devotional

A youth devotional was held the day before the dedication of the Yigo Guam Temple. Elder David A. Bednar and his wife, Susan, participated in a group discussion with youth from Guam, Palau, Saipan, Yap, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Kosrae. “Please always connect the Savior to the word ‘temple,'” said Elder Bednar. “Everything starts with Christ. Then come the covenants and ordinances, and the covenants and ordinances are received in the temple.”[8]Jon Ryan Jensen, “How the Holy Ghost taught a powerful message to youth in Guam — that they are not alone,” Church News, 23 May 2022, https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/5/23/23218258/yigo-guam-temple-youth-devotional-elder-bednar-holy-ghost-taught-a-powerful-message/. For those unable to come directly to the island, the Devotional was broadcast to other local islands.

Dedication

On Sunday, 22 May 2022, the Yigo Guam Temple was dedicated.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the temple’s dedication and shared both his feelings and apostolic counsel about temples and their role in helping individuals learn about and become more like the Savior.

He said, “We speak much of the temple, but we should always first connect Jesus Christ with the temple.”

Elder Bednar was joined by his wife, Sister Susan Bednar; Elder Michael John U. Teh, a General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Sister Grace Teh; and Elder John A. McCune, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Asia North Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Debbra McCune.

SpanDuration
Announced to Groundbreaking0 y, 6 m, 28 d
Groundbreaking to Dedication3 y, 0 m, 18 d
Announced to Dedication3 y, 7 m, 15 d

Elder Bednar also said, “The size and architecture of the temple are interesting, but the building is not the focus. What occurs inside the temple, as we worthily receive covenants and ordinances, is what the temple is about.”

The Yigo Guam Temple is one of the smallest built by the Church. Elder Bednar commented, “But we do not have small temples. A temple is a temple. The covenants and ordinances are exactly the same in every temple, regardless of size.”

Comparing past temple travel to the present, Lori Boss, a member of the Barrigada Ward who served on the local temple committee, said, “This may not seem like it makes a big difference to people who live far away from here. But to go all the way to Manila to get a visa is very different than it is to jump on an island hopper.” She added, “I think this will be a bonding moment — not only literally for families, but for the people.”

Elder Bednar further commented, “We hope the contrast between the Spirit we feel in the temple and commotion of the world is never diminished by frequent attendance. . . .In the temple, we experience a stillness that we may not have thought could exist in mortality. Over time, we learn that stillness can be in us in any circumstance inside or outside of the temple. What we can learn over time is that we are being changed — the Holy Ghost is helping us to become men and women of Christ. . . . The purpose of the gospel is to become like the Savior. We serve, we learn, we do what He did, and that transforms us.”

Barrigada Stake President Fredivic Nicerio said, “The temple is a blessing that is already helping people focus on what they need to do to be an eternal family. It is a place to take refuge from the storm — whatever the storm is.”

[9]Jon Ryan Jensen, “Elder Bednar dedicates first temple in Guam, asking members to ‘connect Jesus Christ with the temple,'” Church News, 23 May 2022, https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/5/23/23218266/elder-bednar-dedicates-first-temple-in-guam-asking-members-to-connect-jesus-christ-with-the-temple/.

Dedication Order

GLOBAL

172

REGION
OCEANIA
15

COUNTRY
GUAM
1

STATE / PROVINCE

COUNTY

CITY
YIGO
1

Summary

The Yigo Guam Temple was the first temple built in Micronesia, and the first temple in Guam, an unincorporated and organized territory of the United States. As of the dedication of the Yigo Guam Temple there were 172 Dedicated temples, 61 Temples announced, 49 Temples under construction, and 8 temples under renovation.

Detail

Under Renovation

*Scheduled for Rededication

Scheduled For Renovation

Typhoon Mawar

Closure

Typhoon Mawar hit the island of Guam on Wednesday, 24 May 2023. The typhoon was listed as a Category 4 typhoon when it made landfall. It was the strongest typhoon to hit the U.S. territory since 2002. Flooding saturated the carpets and some furniture inside the Yigo temple and at a nearby meetinghouse. The typhoon also damaged trees and other landscaping on the temple grounds. The temple did not sustain any structural damage. The typhoon also damaged trees and other landscaping on the temple grounds. The temple was closed for repairs until 27 July 2023.

The Yigo Guam Temple reopened on July 27, 2023, after repairing typhoon damage.[10]Yigo Guam Temple Reopens After Typhoon Damage.” news-gu.churchofjesuschrist.org, 26 July 2023, news-gu.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/yigo-guam-temple-reopens-after-typhoon-damage-.

“Everyone was all set to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the temple when the storm moved in,” said Sister Cyndi Burtenshaw, who is serving as a Church communication missionary in the Micronesia Guam Asia North Area with her husband.

The Yigo chapel and classrooms on property adjacent to the temple were damaged by the flooding. Members, including youth and missionaries, came to help remove the water from the carpets and clean the floors and windows of the Yigo chapel. The carpets that could be removed were taken out of the classrooms and laid over chairs to dry.

Reopening

The Yigo Guam Temple reopened on July 27, 2023, after repairing typhoon damage.[11]Yigo Guam Temple Reopens After Typhoon Damage.” news-gu.churchofjesuschrist.org, 26 July 2023, news-gu.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/yigo-guam-temple-reopens-after-typhoon-damage-.

Details

Location

The Yigo Guam Temple was constructed at the site of an existing meetinghouse located at the corner of Marine Corp Drive and Milalak Drive in the village of Yigo.

Located on the northeastern portion of the island of Guam, the temple is adjacent to Anderson Air Force Base and is surrounded by lush tropical trees. The landscaping also includes more than a hundred shade and flowering trees as well as hundreds of decorative shrubs.

Location

321 Chalan Pale Ramon Lagu, Rte 1
Yigo 96929
Guam

Latitude13.5418
Longitude144.8895

Phone

(+1) 671-969-0055

Elevation

FeetMeters
487148

Exterior

The design of the Yigo Temple is deliberately simple and understated. While the form is reminiscent of religious and community buildings in the region, the temple retains the essence of local vernacular with hints of proportions derived from the ancient latte stones found in the area. This is subtly expressed by the piers or front flanking columns of the entry. A latte is comprised of two stones—the shaft stone, called the “haligi,” and the rounded capstone, called the “tasa.” Remnants of these latte stones come from the Chamorro culture, which was spread across Guam, Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.

Cladding

The temple has aa clean, contemporary style with classical proportions. The body of the temple is predominantly clad in beige hand-troweled stucco. Accenting the stucco is a beautiful blend of a natural Portuguese limestone called Moleanos. The stone is placed on the lower watercourse as well as the window and door surrounds and the parapet details.

Windows

Decorative grillwork provides pattern, interest, and shadow-play on the windows of the temple.

Roofing

The Temple features a flat roof that is not vvisible from the ground.

Exterior Finish

Beige Stucco, Moleanos Limestone from Portugal.

FeetMeters
Height7422.6
Height to Square21.56.6
Width7525
Length10836
Footprint        6,8612637.42

Spire and Finial

Spire

The form of the temple features an end-tower over the front entry facing east. The tower is four sided, square, and covered in a dome topped by a finial. Zinc-coated metal roofing covers the dome.

Finial

The top of the dome is covered with a small box, designed to look similar to the tower below the dome. This feature is known as a lantern. It is topped with a black metal ornamental finial. The finial was placed atop the spire sometime between 13 November and 3 December of 2022.

Interior

Nearly 6,900 square feet in size, the one-story temple

The Yigo Guam Temple is one of the smallest temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 6,861 square feet.

It is the first temple with rooms that can be converted to either become sealing rooms or instruction rooms, depending on the needs of the church members visiting on a specific day. The Yigo Guam temple has two such rooms. One is designed as a sealing room but can be converted into an instruction room. The other is an instruction room that can be converted into a sealing room, when necessary.

The Yigo Guam Temple is 61 feet larger than the smallest, the Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple.

Like the exterior, the temple interior is simple and restrained. Design elements are based on a traditional approach. Decorative paint and restrained use of art glass provides a simple play of organic leaf patterns to accent the ordinance rooms.

Hard surfaces of tile and stone are used throughout the temple. Beautiful area rugs soften key spaces but can be removed easily for cleaning and will avoid the potential for moisture retention that would occur in fully carpeted spaces.

The temple houses a single instruction room and single sealing room, along with the baptistry and celestial room.

Entry

Baptistry

The baptistry incorporates a unique, artist-designed, three-dimensional bas-relief panel depicting the oxen in this room. The font is unique, providing an intimate experience for those participating.[12]“Open House Begins for Yigo Guam Temple.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 2 May 2022, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/open-house-begins-yigo-guam-temple.

Baptistries:1
Location:North Center
Exterior Windows:Yes
Artwork:Yes
Artwork Type:Framed
Oxen:9
Type:Ears Forward
Hoof:None
Color:Beige
Layout:3 parallel each at Compass
Font Exterior:Beige stone
Interior:Blue Tile
Shape:Beveled Square
Bowl Shape:Beveled Square
Pillar:Reeds
Stairs:Single, Center
Font Well:Interior

Initiatory

The temple has 4 initiatory rooms, 2 each attached to the dressing rooms.

StyleAttached
TypeStationary
Rooms4

Instruction Rooms

The temple has a singel Instruction room, *though the Seailing room can be reconfigured to funtion as a second instruction room.

Rooms1*
TypeStationary
Capacity16
MuralsNo
Total Muraled Rooms0
Mural TypeNone

Celestial Room

Sealing Room

The temple has a single sealing room, but, if neccesary, the room can be re arranged to function as a second endowment room instead.

Sealing Rooms1
Largest Capacity*23
*Estimated

Contractors

Architect

The primary architect for the temple was Naylor Wentworth Lund Architects

Projects by NWL Architects

ProjectsYears
Columbia South Carolina1999-2000
Winter Quarters Nebraska1999-2001
Columbia River Washington2000-2001
Panama City Panama2002-2008
Apia Samoa [renovation]2002-2005
Apia Samoa [renovation]2003-2005
Santiago Chile2004-2006
Oquirrh Mountain Utah2005-2009
Papeete Tahiti [renovation]2005-2006
Nuku’alofa Tonga [renovation]2006-2007
Quetzaltenango Guatemala2006-2011
Cordoba Argentina2008-2015
Phoenix Arizona2008-2014
Buenos Aires Argentina [renovation]2009-2011
Lisbon Portugal2010-2019
Barranquilla Colombia2011-2018
Durban South Africa2011-2020
Idaho Falls Idaho [renovation]2014-2016
Concepción Chile2015-2017
Yigo Guam2015-2017
Jordan River Utah [renovation]2016-2018
Saratoga Springs2017-2023
Saratoga Springs2017-2023
Asunción Paraguay [renovation]2017-2019
Hamilton New Zealand [renovation]2018-2022
Layton Utah2018-2024
Praia Cape Verde2018-2021
Red Cliffs Utah2018-2024
Helena Montana2021-2023
Burley Idaho2021

Rim Architects were also involved with this temple

General Contractor

Wadman Construction was the Genral Contractor for this temple.

Wadman Projects

ProjectYear
Payson Utah2010-2015
Baton Rouge Louisianna2017-2020
Yigo Guam2018-2022
Layton Utah2018-2024
Syracuse Utah2020

Other Contractors

BNA Consulting were the Electrical Engineers for this temple

Projects by BNA Consulting

Oquirrh Mountain Utah2005-2009
San Salvador El Salvador2007-2011
Buenos Aires Argentina2009-2011
Ogden Utah2010-2014
Payson Utah2010-2015
Meridian Idaho2011-2018
Suva Fiji2014-2015
Yigo Guam2015-2017
Jordan River Utah2016-2018
Houston Texas2017-2018
Memphis Tennessee2017-2020
Oklahoma City Oklahoma2017-2019
Bentonville Arkansas2019-2023
McAllen Texas2019-2023
Saratoga Springs2019-2023
Columbus Ohio2020-2023
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania2020-
Syracuse Utah2020-
Burley Idaho2021
Willamette Valley Oregon2021-

GHD were the Civil Engineers

Reaveley Engineers and Associates were the Structural Engineers

Projects by Reaveley Engineers

ProjectYears
Tegucigalpa Honduras2006-2013
Laie Hawaii2008-2010
Mexico City Mexico2008
Lisbon Portugal2010-2019
Payson Utah2010-2015
Provo City Center Utah2011-2016
Fort Collins Colorado20112016
Kinshasa DRC20112019
Cedar City Utah20132017
Yigo Guam2015-2017
Mexico City Mexico2015
Saratoga Springs2019-2023
Moses Lake Washington2019-2023
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania2020
Burley Idaho2021
Willamette Valley Oregon2021
Ephraim Utah2021

Van Boerum & Frank Associates were the Mechanical and Plumbing Engineers

Projects by Van Boerum & Frank Associates

Draper Utah2004-2009
Gilbert Arizona2008-2014
Rome Italy2008-2019
Provo City Center Utah2012-2016
Accra Ghana [Renovation]2013
Yigo Guam2015-2017
Memphis Tennessee2017-2020
Oklahoma City Oklahoma2017-2019
McAllen Texas2019-2023
Saratoga Springs2019-2023
Columbus Ohio2020-2023
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania2020-
Syracuse Utah2020-
Burley Idaho2021
Ephraim Utah2021-
Willamette Valley Oregon2021-

References

References
1 “Twelve Temples Announced as October 2018 General Conference Closes,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 7 Oct. 2018.
2 Johnson, Valerie. “Church Announces Groundbreaking Dates for Temples in Pocatello, Guam.” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2019/2/1/23214702/church-announces-groundbreaking-dates-for-temples-in-pocatello-guam.
3 ”Ground Broken for Three International Temples,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 4 May 2019, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/ground-broken-for-three-international-temples.
4 “Temple Groundbreakings Announced for Pocatello and Guam,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 1 Feb. 2019, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/temple-groundbreakings-announced–pocatello-guam.
5, 6 Satterfield, Rick, “News Stories,” https://churchofjesuschristtemples.ldschurchtemples.com/yigo-guam-temple/news/
7 Taylor, Scott. “See Inside the New Yigo Guam Temple and Learn of Its ‘Island Open House.’” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2022/5/2/23217938/inside-the-new-yigo-guam-temple-and-its-island-open-house.
8 Jon Ryan Jensen, “How the Holy Ghost taught a powerful message to youth in Guam — that they are not alone,” Church News, 23 May 2022, https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/5/23/23218258/yigo-guam-temple-youth-devotional-elder-bednar-holy-ghost-taught-a-powerful-message/.
9 Jon Ryan Jensen, “Elder Bednar dedicates first temple in Guam, asking members to ‘connect Jesus Christ with the temple,'” Church News, 23 May 2022, https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/5/23/23218266/elder-bednar-dedicates-first-temple-in-guam-asking-members-to-connect-jesus-christ-with-the-temple/.
10, 11 Yigo Guam Temple Reopens After Typhoon Damage.” news-gu.churchofjesuschrist.org, 26 July 2023, news-gu.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/yigo-guam-temple-reopens-after-typhoon-damage-.
12 “Open House Begins for Yigo Guam Temple.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 2 May 2022, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/open-house-begins-yigo-guam-temple.