Maracaibo Venezuela Temple
During his general conference closing message on April 7, 2023, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct a temple in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The Maracaibo Venezuela Temple is one of fifteen newly announced temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[1]
The Maracaibo Venezuela Temple will be the second house of the Lord operating, under construction, or announced in the country. The Caracas Venezuela Temple was one of many temples dedicated by Church President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) in 2000. Three hundred fifty miles west of that first Venezuelan temple is the city of Maracaibo, known as the “land beloved by the sun,” possibly because city temperature hovers in the '90s.[2]
Venezuela is home to more than 175,000 Latter-day Saints spread over 230 congregations. In the early 1960s, U.S. expatriates working in Venezuela held Church meetings in their homes until 1966, when the first official congregation was organized. The first Venezuelan Latter-day Saint was baptized in 1967.
"In 2004, Venezuela underwent a major political revolution. New laws prevented most non-Venezuelans from preaching in the country. Church leaders discussed closing the four missions in the country, but Venezuelan Saints, committed to the Church’s continued presence in the country, assumed leadership of the missions, and young men and women across the country accepted callings as missionaries. Through their faith and diligence, Venezuelan Saints have shown that “the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people” (1 Nephi 22:20). The four missions (Caracas, Maracaibo, Valencia, and Barcelona) have remained open since 2004.[3][4] Nonnative missionaries were again able to serve in Venezuela for a period of time, but in 2014, again because of political unrest, nonnative missionaries were reassigned to other missions.[5][6]
In April 2008, Elder Rafael E. Pino became the first Venezuelan to serve as a General Authority when he was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy.[7]
The First Presidency of the Church and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has authorized the transfer of the country of Venezuela from the South America Northwest Area to the Caribbean Area and the realignment of the boundaries of these areas in accordance with this change, which will occur on August 1, 2024.[8]
Contents
[hide]Location
The Maracaibo Venezuela Temple is currently in the planning stages. No location has been announced.
Videos
External Links
- Official Maracaibo Venezuela Temple page
- Maracaibo Venezuela Temple page
- Temples—The Church News Almanac
- FamilySearch RootsTech, Temple Invitation by Russell M. Nelson
- What Are Temples?
- "Unto All the World: The Gospel in Venezuela"
- Church Newsroom, "Elder Renlund Ministers to Venezuelan Latter-day Saints From Across the Border"
