Dedication of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple
On May 8, 2022, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple. Although it had been raining the morning of the dedication, Elder Stevenson said that temples are a symbol of Zion and are protection from life’s storms. “Never forget what you felt today,” the Apostle said.
Elder Stevenson said that the temple is the Church’s witness that Jesus Christ is indeed the Redeemer of the world.
Latter-day Saints present the day of the dedication were tearful and joyful to now have a temple so close. Elder Joni L. Koch, first counselor in the Brazil Area presidency, said, “This moment was more important than the Olympics or the World Cup. It was bigger than anything in the city’s 500-year history.”
Accompanied at the event by his wife, Sister Lesa Stevenson, Elder Stevenson said that Brazil “is an important part of the Lord’s vineyard. These are God-fearing people. These are people that love the Lord, that love Jesus Christ.”
Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Benjamin De Hoyos, a General Authority Seventy, were in attendance with Elder Stevenson and Elder Koch that day.
Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “As we consider the lives of early Church pioneers in this beautiful country of Brazil, our hearts are filled to overflowing with gratitude and emotion. May we always remember their faith and devotion and their broad shoulders of sacrifice upon which we stand. May their names be remembered, and their good works honored for generations to come.”
Read the dedicatory prayer of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple here.
Timeline of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple
The Rio de Janeiro temple was announced on April 6, 2013, by Church President Thomas S. Monson. Nine years later, the temple was dedicated by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on May 8, 2022.
Architecture and Design of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple
The Rio de Janeiro temple stands on 9.44 acres along with a full-size meetinghouse. The temple was designed to complement other architecture in the surrounding area of Barra da Tijuca. A spire near the front of the building rises over 140 feet and is topped with a statue of the angel Moroni.
The exterior of the structure was made with Branco Ceará granite, which was quarried in northeastern Brazil. Branco Ceará granite is considered Brazil’s whitest granite.
Around the site, the landscape incorporates foliage native to the region, including shrubs, flowering perennials and vines. In addition to the smaller plants, there are 129 palm trees, 33 flowering trees and 18 shade trees. The interior walkways around the temple are built with stone pavers of Brazilian granite.
Since the temple is so close to the South Atlantic Ocean, exterior colors were chosen to complement sights of the coast. The color pallet — shades of blue, aqua, purple and soft gold — were used to create the art glass found throughout the temple.
Native Brazilian Jequitibá hardwoods are used in various rooms of the temple. The recommend desk found at the entrance includes metal detailing that was influenced by the historic Bank of São Paulo building.
Interior Photos of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple
