ASUNCION, Paraguay — Torrential rains helped cool high temperatures Feb. 3 as faithful members gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the future Asuncion Paraguay Temple. While the rain poured, a multi-stake choir sang joyfully, allowing everyone gathered at the ceremony to feel the Lord's Spirit.
Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy and president of the South America South Area, presided over the ceremony.
Several Paraguayan members, including some of the country's LDS pioneers, shared testimonies and comments at the historic gathering.
Carlos Roig, vice chairman of the Asuncion Paraguay Temple construction committee, recalled the happiness of the local members when they heard President Gordon B. Hinckley announce plans during the April 2000 general conference to build the Church's first temple in Paraguay. Their reaction was similar to the saints spoken of in Mosiah 18:11, who received happy news with great joy.
"[We] also responded with joy, tears and appreciation because a temple would soon be built here," Brother Roig said,
Elder Jensen offered the groundbreaking ceremony's dedicatory prayer, in which he gave thanks that the people of Paraguay would soon be able to receive the fulness of priesthood blessings in their own country. He also expressed prayerful gratitude that many who did not know of the Church would soon learn because of the future temple.
In his prayer, Elder Jensen expressed hope that the Paraguayan members would be faithful and pay their tithes so they could receive temple recommends. He also asked that the temple site be protected.
— Submitted by Pedro Servin Fabio.
