Villahermosa Mexico Temple
History
"The Lord works in mysterious ways" is a statement that Samuel Oteo Perez would agree with. He came from Tabasco, Mexico, to the United States to work as a subcontracted employee in 1956. While in the United States he was unjustly accused of helping illegal immigrants and put in prison for 90 days. During that time he was taught the missionary discussions and converted to Latter-day Saint faith.
After being released from prison he returned to Mexico where he was baptized in Mexico City. He returned to his home in Tabasco, ready to share the gospel with his friends and family. A year later, the area of Villahermosa was opened up for missionary work. Four full-time elders began teaching those Brother Perez had prepared.
Soon after the Latter-day Saint missionaries arrival, a branch (small congregation) was organized and Brother Perez was called to serve as branch president. In 1972 a ward building was built, which later became a stake center and was finally torn down in 1999 so the temple could be built.
From the wrongful imprisonment of Samuel Oteo Perez, the gospel in Tabasco has grown and in 1999 there were 23,000 members in the area. In 30 short years the Saints went from having one meetinghouse to multiple meetinghouses dotting the land and even a temple.
Having a temple has brought the members such joy. Maria Elena Balboa, one of the first to be baptized in Tabasco said, "I always wished for a temple in my town, but never really thought it would happen. Today I’m so happy. I’ve even been called to work in the temple.”
Rafael Guerra, another longtime member, said; “Now the Church will grow in Villahermosa. Many nonmembers came to the open house, and many of them asked to hear the missionary discussions after visiting the Lord’s wonderful house.” [1]
During the groundbreaking ceremony Elder Richard E. Turley Sr. of the Seventy testified that Jesus Christ leads the Church, and that "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." [2]
President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the Villahermosa Mexico Temple on 21 May 2000. In the dedicatory prayer he petitioned the Lord, “May Thy eternal purposes concerning the sons and daughters of Lehi be realized in this sacred house. May every blessing of the eternal gospel be poured out upon them, and may the suffering of the centuries be softened through the beneficence of Thy loving care." [3]
The Villahermosa Mexico Temple is located on an isthmus near the coast. It is a region often referred to as "Book of Mormon" land dotted with ancient ruins, a place where ancient temples may have existed. Now it is home to a latter-day temple. The temple exterior is white marble and like most of the small temples, being built around the world, has a single spire with a statue of the angel Moroni. The Villahermosa Mexico Temple has a total floor area of 10,700 square feet, two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.
Notes
- News of the Church,” Ensign, Aug. 2000, 74
- Church News, 23 January 1999.
- "Villahermosa dedicatory prayer: 'It is beautiful to look upon,'" Church News 27 May 2000, 25
Temples in Mexico
- Cancún Mexico Temple
- Chihuahua Mexico Temple
- Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple
- Colonia Juarez Chihuahua Mexico Temple
- Cuernavaca Mexico Temple
- Culiacan Mexico Temple
- Guadalajara Mexico Temple
- Hermosillo Sonora Mexico Temple
- Juchitán de Zaragoza Mexico Temple
- Merida Mexico Temple
- Mexico City Benemerito Mexico Temple
- Mexico City Mexico Temple
- Monterrey Mexico Temple
- Oaxaca Mexico Temple
- Pachuca Mexico Temple
- Puebla Mexico Temple
- Querétaro México Temple
- San Luis Potosi Mexico Temple
- Tampico Mexico Temple
- Tijuana México Temple
- Toluca Mexico Temple
- Torreón México Temple
- Tula Mexico Temple
- Tuxtla Gutierrez Mexico Temple
- Veracruz Mexico Temple
- Villahermosa Mexico Temple
See also
External Links
- Official Villahermosa Mexico Temple page
- Villahermosa Mexico Temple page
- Villahermosa Mexico Temple dedicatory prayer
- Mormon Temples - Lightplanet
- Latter-day Saint Temples - Wikipedia
- Mormon Temples and Secrecy
- History of Mormon Temples - Lightplanet
- Mormons Open Temple Doors to Share Beliefs - USAToday
