Lima Peru Temple
The Lima Peru Temple is the 38th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Peru, nestled at the top of the Pacific Coast “spine” of South America, is only a medium-size country, but it covers a continent's worth of extremes. Structures devoted to religious purposes are not new to Peruvians. They have the world-renowned Incan ruins and impressive cathedrals, particularly in Lima, where the influence of Spanish colonialism is still easily seen; this, along with the tropical jungles to the towering Andes as well as numerous cathedrals dot the lands of Peru. [1]
Because of the tremendous growth of the Church of Jesus Christ in Peru, Church leaders announced on 1 April 1981 that a temple would be built in the beautiful city of Lima. Church leaders broke ground 11 September 1982. Apostle Boyd K. Packer dedicated the temple site at the groundbreaking ceremony. President Gordon B. Hinckley, then a member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the Lima Peru Temple on 10-12 January 1986 in 11 dedicatory sessions.
The Lima Peru Temple was constructed in an undeveloped area on 5 acres with six spires that reach toward the heavens. The temple serves Latter-day Saints in Peru. Since its dedication, the temple has influenced many of the Peruvians. A member of the Lima Peru Temple Presidency said, that "building a new Temple is like throwing a stone into a lake; the resulting ripples radiate out and lift everything they touch." [1]
So, it has been with the Peruvian Temple. Serious economic and political problems in Peru have not hindered the temple attendance of the members of the Church. In fact, temple attendance tripled during the years 1988 to 1990. Long waits to attend the temple have necessitated the construction of a second temple in Lima, the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple, which will be completed in 2023. Other temples in Peru either operating, under construction, or in planning stages include the Arequipa Peru Temple (dedicated in 2019), the Chiclayo Peru Temple (announced in 2022), the Cusco Peru Temple (announced in 2022), and the Trujillo Peru Temple (dedicated in 2015).
The Lima Peru Temple has a total of 9,600 square feet, four ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms.
Lima has had constant economic problems and violence. Ever since the temple's construction, this has improved.
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Temple Location
Situated in eastern Lima in the upscale district of La Molina, the Lima Peru Temple, accentuated by six statuesque spires, rises resolutely above heavily traveled Avenida Javier Prado. The spacious grounds of the temple are thoughtfully landscaped to create a peaceful haven for waiting patrons or anyone seeking refuge from the worries of the world. An accommodation center shares the grounds, offering living quarters, a cafeteria, and a family history center. The Peru Missionary Training Center is also located in La Molina, just a short drive from the temple.
History of the Church in Peru
The first Latter-day Saint branch, or small congregation, was established in Peru in 1956 after a member of the Church, Frederick S. Williams, moved to Peru with his family. A few years later the Church established the Andes Mission, which brought missionaries to the country.
Temple Facts
The Lima Peru Temple was the third temple built in South America, following the São Paulo Brazil Temple (1978) and the Santiago Chile Temple (1983), and the first built in Peru.
Lima, Peru, has the largest number of stakes of any city in South America.
Over 24,500 visitors toured the Lima Peru Temple during its open house period (11–28 December 1985), which was extended three days due to the high level of public interest. A representative of the President of the Peruvian congress was among the open house participants. He commented that when he first visited the temple site a couple of weeks before the open house, he simply felt it was a beautiful religious building. However, after the open house, he explained, “Today when I entered the grounds I felt the greatest sensation of peace I have ever felt in my life. My report will be that within these walls one feels the love of your members and the love of God.”
After touring the Lima Peru Temple, the wife of the Mayor of La Molina commented, "If heaven really exists, today I have visited a little piece of that heaven."
The Lima Peru Temple was dedicated just one week before its South American sister building, the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple, which has since been remodeled to include two additional wings.
The Lima Peru Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley, under the direction of President Ezra Taft Benson, over three days in eleven dedicatory sessions.
The dedicatory prayer of the Lima Peru Temple makes several references to the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi, including the memorable passage:
- Surely father Lehi has wept with sorrow over his posterity. Surely he weeps today with gladness, for in this holy house there will be exercised the fullness of the priesthood to the blessing, not only of those of this and future generations but also to the blessing of those of previous generations.
Two years after the dedication of the Lima Peru Temple, the 11 stakes in the city were reorganized over the weekend of 30-31 January 1988, to create 7 new stakes, for a total of 18. Elder M. Russell Ballard presided over the reorganization, which took place in six conferences attended by more than ten thousand members of the Church.
From 1988 to 1990, attendance at the Lima Peru Temple tripled, marked by an increase in weekday sessions from three a day to eleven a day.
Saturdays, holidays, and special occasions are the most heavily attended days at the Lima Peru Temple where as many as 35 sessions have been conducted in a day. To accommodate the number of patrons, extra chairs are placed in the endowment rooms, sealing rooms function as patron waiting rooms, and throngs of reverent Saints fill the grounds waiting to enter the Lord's House.
During a renovation in 2013, a new north-facing angel Moroni was installed atop the main spire of the Lima Peru Temple, which also faces north. Although the previous angel had faced east, the new angel was allowed to remain as fitted by the contractor after being reviewed by a visiting apostle.
As of 2022, more than 600,000 people in Peru were members of the Church, the third largest population of Latter-day Saints in South America.
Videos
Temples in Peru
- Arequipa Peru Temple
- Chiclayo Peru Temple
- Cusco Peru Temple
- Huancayo Peru Temple
- Iquitos Peru Temple
- Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple
- Lima Peru Temple
- Piura Peru Temple
- Trujillo Peru Temple
Notes
- “News of the Church,” Ensign, Jan. 1986, 79
