The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
The 171st operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is opening its doors to the community, starting with journalists and local leaders.
A media day begins today for journalists; tours will continue throughout the week for local dignitaries.
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella, a General Authority Seventy, are in Brazil to host tours for invited guests.
“I feel honored, happy and humbled by the opportunity to participate in the open house this week for the Rio de Janeiro temple,” Elder Soares expressed. “This city is an icon in Brazil and has drawn visitors from all over the world. It is significant to me that the Christ the Redeemer statue that stands over Rio de Janeiro is, in most people’s minds, one of the most prominent emblems of Christianity in the world. What a beautiful new emblem of Christianity the people of Rio de Janeiro will soon have!”
Elder Soares is a native of Brazil. As a young man, he served a two-year mission for the Church in Rio de Janeiro.
“Rio de Janeiro has a special place in my heart because my wife and I served as missionaries there when we were young,” Elder Soares said. “What a beautiful thing it is to see the beloved place where we labored as young people now be ready to have a dedicated temple.”
The public is invited to tour the temple beginning Saturday, March 26, through Saturday, April 30. The temple will be closed Sundays (March 27 and April 3, 10, 17 and 24), as well as Saturday, April 2.
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
