Bogota Colombia Temple

Bogota Colombia Mormon Temple

The Bogota Colombia Temple is the 57th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"What a beautiful building it is – the workmanship is superb. I have never seen any (stonework) finer, anywhere. It is beautiful, a fitting monument to the good people of Colombia," stated President Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Mormon Church, at the dedication of the Bogota Colombia Mormon Temple on April 24, 1999. [1]

From the time the announcement of the Bogota Colombia Temple was made to the dedication in 1999, fifteen long years passed. Troubles with location and property for the temple, however, did not stifle the faith of the local members, just the opposite. When a particular difficulty was faced, a special focus of fasting and prayer by members produce miracles. [2]

Those that worked on the temple who were not members of the Mormon Church gave special care to the project. As time progressed, workers developed a reverence and respect for the building they were constructing. One electrician showed particular faith and determination to complete his responsibilities on the temple. While working on the wiring, he was electrocuted so severely that he received third degree burns on his arms. Brother Aulesita, the temple project manager, described the following incident:

I thought that I would never see the man again. Monday morning he was there and I asked him, "Why are you here?" He responded by saying, "Because we have not finished our work in the temple." I was very touched. He is a nonmember and he feels that he needs to complete the job and needs to do it well. I watched him as he went to work with his arms burned, covered with bandages, and in a great deal of pain. I then made the comment that because of his faithfulness that he would not have any problems recovering. A couple of months later his bandages were off and he barely had any scars. He worked to the last minute. Why didn't he just quit? I think it is because he felt the Spirit of the temple. [3]

Even though Colombia is a place of turmoil and upheaval, the Bogota Colombia Temple provides a place of refuge and peace. The temple was dedicated 24 April 1999, by Mormon Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.

The Bogota Colombia Temple is ten miles from downtown Bogota, in the Niza section. Combined with tall stained glass windows and silver-gray Brazilian granite on the exterior and marble finishes and motifs reminiscent of ancient Incan designs, the Mormon Temple creates an atmosphere both inside and out of peace, beauty, and tranquility. The temple grounds are landscaped with plants and flowers that are native to Columbia, such as flowering eucalyptus trees with beautiful red flowers. The Bogota Colombia Temple has a total of 53,500 square feet, four ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms.

Notes

1. "Gift of Inner Peace", LDS Church News, by Hart, 1999
2. "The First 100 Temples", by Chad Hawkins, 2001, p. 158
3. "In Many Countries", 'The First 100 Temples" by Chad Hawkins, 2001, p. 158

See also

• Inside Mormon Temples
• Mormon Temples
• The Temple Endowment
• Mormon Undergarments
• LDS Weddings

External links

• Official LDS Bogota Colombia Temple page
• Bogotá Colombia Temple page
• Bogota Colombia Temple page
• Mormon Temple Ordinances - ReligionFacts
• Mormon Temples - Lightplanet
• Mormon Temples - Wikipedia
• Mormon Temples and Secrecy
• Mormons Open Temple Doors to Share Beliefs - USAToday
• Mormon Missionaries - BBC Religion & Ethics
• Prophet Joseph Smith - Lightplanet