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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Yigo Guam Temple

The Yigo Guam Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Yigo, Guam. The intent to build the temple was announced on October 7, 2018, by church president Russell M. Nelson, during general conference.

History

The intent to construct the temple was announced by church president Russell M. Nelson on October 7, 2018, concurrently with 11 others. At the time, the number of the church's total number of operating or announced temples was 201.

On May 4, 2019, a groundbreaking to signify beginning of construction was held, with Yoon Hwan Choi, president of the church's Asia North Area, presiding. On January 12, 2022, the LDS Church announced that a public open house would be held from May 4 through 14, 2022, excluding Sunday. To commemorate the temple’s completion, church members in Guam held a cultural celebration on May 20, 2022, during which young members performed dance and musical numbers. The temple was dedicated by David A. Bednar on May 22, 2022. The temple was built to serve 9,600 members living in Micronesia, including Saipan, Guam, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

The temple was closed for two months in 2023 after being flooded in May by Typhoon Mawar.

Design and architecture

The building’s design was inspired by religious and community buildings in Guam, as well as traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. Its architecture reflects the cultural heritage of the region and its spiritual significance to the church.

The temple is on a 5.8-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features tropical trees, bushes, and shrubs, intended to provide a peaceful setting to enhances the sacred atmosphere. A meetinghouse containing a distribution center and an arrival center is also located on the site.

The structure stands one story tall, constructed with Moleanos limestone and beige stucco. The contemporary-style exterior was inspired by other religious and community buildings in Guam, and is characterized by visual references to ancient latte stones found in the area.

The interior features a “unique, artist-designed, three-dimensional bas-relief panel” in the baptistry, with twelve oxen representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The interior design also includes decorative paint and art glass with organic leaf patterns throughout the temple.

The temple includes an instruction room, a sealing room, the baptistry, and the celestial room, each arranged for ceremonial use. The Yigo Guam Temple is the church's first with convertible rooms, meaning that if necessary, the instruction room can be used as a sealing room, and vice versa.

The design has elements representing the heritage of the surrounding area, representing spiritual meaning in the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members and include the front flanking entry columns, which are representative of ancient latte stones.

Temple presidents

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff. Serving since its 2022 dedication, the president and matron are Marlo O. Lopez and Memnet P. Lopez.

Admittance

Following the completion of the temple, a public open house was held from May 4–14, 2022. The temple was dedicated by David A. Bednar on May 22, 2022.

Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.

See also

Temples in the Pacific Islands (edit)
  • = Operating
  • = Under construction
  • = Announced
  • = Temporarily Closed

References

  1. ^ "Twelve Temples Announced as October 2018 General Conference Closes: Number of temples operating, announced or under construction now above 200", Newsroom, LDS Church, 7 October 2018
  2. ^ LDS Church announces plans to build 12 new temples worldwide, pioneer generation temples will be renovated, KSTU Fox 13, 7 October 2018
  3. ^ "Temple Groundbreakings Announced for Pocatello and Guam: Artist renderings for each temple also available". Newsroom. LDS Church. 1 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Dedication Date Announced for the Yigo Guam Temple: Public open house to be held in May". Newsroom. LDS Church. 2019-06-18.
  5. ^ https://news-gu.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/apostle-dedicates-yigo-guam-temple
  6. ^ "'Like we had just scored a goal in the World Cup': What the temple announcement meant to Church members across the globe". Church News. 2018-10-07. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  7. ^ The Mendoza Argentina, Salvador Brazil, Feather River California, Phnom Penh Cambodia, Praia Cape Verde, Puebla Mexico, Auckland New Zealand, Lagos Nigeria, Davao Philippines, San Juan Puerto Rico, and Red Cliffs Utah temples.
  8. ^ "Ground Broken for Three International Temples", Newsroom, LDS Church, 2019-05-04
  9. ^ Daily Post Staff (28 April 2019). "Latter-day Saints to build temple in Yigo". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  10. ^ Weiss, Jasmine Stoe (2 May 2019). "New temple to be built in Yigo". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Saints celebrate, show gratitude for a temple in Guam through music and dance". Church News. 2022-05-20. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  12. ^ "Apostle Dedicates Yigo Guam Temple". Church Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  13. ^ Perez, Daniel (2 May 2022). "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints opens new temple in Yigo". KUAM. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Typhoon Damages Yigo Guam Temple". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  15. ^ Taylor, Scott (August 10, 2023). "Yigo Guam Temple has reopened after typhoon-related closure". Church News.
  16. ^ "Yigo Guam Temple Fact Sheet" (PDF). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2022.
  17. ^ "Yigo Guam Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  18. ^ "Yigo Guam Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  19. ^ "See inside the new Yigo Guam Temple and learn of its 'Island Open House'". Church News. 2022-05-03. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  20. ^ Magazines, Michael R. Morris Church. "Symbolism and Temple Preparation". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  21. ^ "A new design for temples". Deseret News. 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  22. ^ "Presidents and Matrons of the Yigo Guam Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  23. ^ "New Yigo Temple President and Matron Arrive on Guam". news-gu.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  24. ^ "Elder Bednar dedicates first temple in Guam, asking members to 'connect Jesus Christ with the temple'". Church News. 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  25. ^ "Inside Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-11-17.