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96th temple dedicated
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Dedication of the Caracas Venezuela Temple
The public open house for the Caracas Venezuela Temple left many visitors in tears. After a tour through the temple, one woman said, “What next? How can I be a part of this Church?”Church President Gordon B. Hinckley both announced and dedicated the Caracas Venezuela Temple, with the initial temple announcement on Sept. 30, 1995, and the eventual dedication just under five years later, on Aug. 20, 2000.
Around 6,000 Saints from all throughout the country attended one of four dedicatory sessions.
Carlos Ordeneta, a Saint from Maracaibo, Venezuela, traveled 10 hours with a group of Church members to attend the ceremony. “Having the Prophet dedicate the temple in our country is something I will always remember,” said Ordeneta. “The temple is the best thing that has ever happened to Venezuela.”
Jorge Alberto Ruiz, president of the Caracas Venezuela Urdaneta Stake in 2000, told the Church News at the dedication ceremony that “The Venezuelan temple will leave our people spiritually refined. Our people are going to change. Venezuela is going to change.”
Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Bless all who serve in this, Thy house. May the president and his counselors, the matron and her assistants, be granted strength and vitality to carry forward and direct the great work to be performed here. May the workers and all who contribute in any way to the solemnity and spirit of Thy house be blessed in their ministry. Touch the hearts of all who come as patrons, that they may recognize that they stand in holy places as they serve in Thine abode.”
Read the dedicatory prayer of the Caracas Venezuela Temple here.
Timeline of the Caracas Venezuela Temple
September
30
1995
Announced
Church President Gordon B. Hinckley announced “the possibility of [a temple] in Venezuela” during October general conference on Sept. 30, 1995. Plans to build the temple in Caracas were announced in May 1998 by President Hinckley and his two counselors, Presidents Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust, via a letter sent to Latter-day Saint leaders in Venezuela.
January
10
1999
Groundbreaking
Ground was broken for the temple on Jan. 10, 1999. Elder Francisco J. Viñas, president of the South America North Area at the time, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony. He was joined by his counselors, Elder Robert J. Whetten and Elder Walter F. Gonzalez.
August
05
2000
Open house
The public was invited to tour the completed temple from Aug. 5-12, 2000. A total of 27,806 visitors attended the open house.
August
20
2000
Dedication
The Caracas Venezuela Temple was dedicated in four sessions by President Hinckley on Aug. 20, 2000. He was accompanied by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Robert J. Whetten, then the president of the South America North Area.
A temple for Venezuela was announced by Church President Gordon B. Hinckley on Sept. 30, 1995. The site in Caracas for the house of the Lord was announced via letters to Latter-day Saint leaders in Venezuela in May 1998.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the temple on Jan. 10, 1999, and nearly 28,000 visitors toured the completed edifice from Aug. 5-12, 2000. President Hinckley dedicated the Caracas Venezuela Temple on Aug. 20, 2000.
The interior of the house of the Lord features two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms and a baptistry.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the temple on Jan. 10, 1999, and nearly 28,000 visitors toured the completed edifice from Aug. 5-12, 2000. President Hinckley dedicated the Caracas Venezuela Temple on Aug. 20, 2000.
Architecture and Design of the Caracas Venezuela Temple
The 15,332-square-foot Caracas Venezuela Temple was built on 0.5 acres of land. Sharing the grounds with the two-storied temple is a building that houses a meetinghouse and Church offices.The interior of the house of the Lord features two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms and a baptistry.
Quick Facts
Announced
30 September 1995
Dedicated
20 August 2000
Dedicated by
Current President and Matron
Location
Avenida con Calle C1
Urbanización Caurimare
Caracas 1062-A
Miranda
Venezuela
Appointments
View schedule and book online
(58) 212-985-3051
Additional Facts
Fact #1
This was the first Latter-day Saint temple in Venezuela.
Fact #2
Before this temple was dedicated, Venezuelan Saints had to travel around 2,000 miles to attend the Lima Peru Temple.
Fact #3
As President Hinckley left the Caracas Venezuela Temple dedication, the gathered Latter-day Saints saluted him by singing “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” in Spanish and waving white handkerchiefs.
Fact #4
It was dedicated just six days before the Houston Texas Temple was dedicated.
Fact #5
The temple is located around 10 miles from the Caribbean Sea.
Additional Facts
Fact #1
This was the first Latter-day Saint temple in Venezuela.
Fact #2
Before this temple was dedicated, Venezuelan Saints had to travel around 2,000 miles to attend the Lima Peru Temple.
Fact #3
As President Hinckley left the Caracas Venezuela Temple dedication, the gathered Latter-day Saints saluted him by singing “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” in Spanish and waving white handkerchiefs.
Fact #4
It was dedicated just six days before the Houston Texas Temple was dedicated.
Fact #5
The temple is located around 10 miles from the Caribbean Sea.