Cebu City Philippines Temple

Dedication of the Cebu City Philippines Temple

More people had attended the Cebu City Philippines Temple open house than was expected, but it wasn’t the statistics that local Latter-day Saints were thinking of.

“I don’t care about the numbers,” said Elder Won Yong Ko, first counselor in the Philippines Area Presidency. “The open house was successful because of the impact it made to the hearts of the people in this city, on this island and other islands.”

Giovanie and Willeonor Badoles, a married couple living in the islands, made a 12-hour boat trip with their 2-year-old daughter to attend the open house. Brother Badoles said, “When I saw the temple for the first time this morning, I said to myself, ‘This is a temple of God; it is His house.’ The beauty of this temple, inside and outside, is something I cannot describe. I cannot find the words.”

His wife said that the celestial room “felt like heaven. I felt peace in my heart when I saw it.”

After touring the temple, other members would hurry to tell others, “You must go see the temple.”

Church President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the house of the Lord on June 13, 2010. He said that the Cebu City Philippines Temple is “a beacon on the hill,” bringing light to the world.

“It is a beautiful temple, a house of the Lord,” said President Monson. After the ceremony’s three sessions, the Prophet said, “This truly feels like home. Here in Cebu City is this house of the Lord, our Father’s house. It is a beautiful temple."

President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, said that it was “a day of celebration and gratitude” and members wept at the sight of the temple when they arrived for the dedication ceremony.

Attending the dedication with President Monson and President Eyring were Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder William R. Walker, executive director of the Temple Department; Presiding Bishop H. David Burton; and Elder Keith R. Edwards, president of the Church’s Philippines Area, and his counselors — Elders Won Yong Ko and Michael J. Teh.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We are in a nation of many islands, whose people love truth and whose hearts are responsive to the message of the eternal gospel. We thank Thee for their faith. We thank Thee for their spirit of sacrifice. Bless them that neither they nor the generations which follow them will go hungry or be without shelter from the storms that beat about them. We are grateful for the completion of this holy house. Wilt Thou bless those faithful members here and throughout the world who have contributed their tithes which have made possible this magnificent edifice for Thy name's honor and glory and for the blessing of all who enter herein.”

Read the dedicatory prayer of the Cebu City Philippines Temple here.

Plans for the Cebu City Philippines Temple were announced April 18, 2006, and nearly a year and a half later, a groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 14, 2007, presided over by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.

After an open house from May 21 to June 5, 2010, and a cultural celebration on June 12, 2010, President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the house of the Lord on June 13, 2010.

Architecture and Design of the Cebu City Philippines Temple

Built at a total of 29,556 square feet, the Cebu City temple stands on 11.6 acres and rises to 140 feet. It includes two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms and a baptistry. The temple grounds include large areas of grass next to walkways that lead visitors around the temple.

The exterior stone of the temple was made with Mountain Grey granite from China, while the interior stone came from Italy and Greece.

Inside the temple, sapele mahogany from Africa and pearls harvested from areas in the Philippines are featured throughout the various rooms.