Dedication of the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple
The first stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Honduras was created in San Pedro Sula on April 10, 1977. It was the first stake organized within the boundaries of the Costa Rica San José Mission and was considered a major milestone for Central America, the Church News reported on April 23, 1977.
Forty-seven years later, Elder Renlund dedicated the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple — the Church’s 198th operating house of the Lord and the second in the Central American nation. The temple dedication took place on Sunday, Oct. 13, just five years after it was announced.
Elder Renlund was accompanied at the dedication by his wife, Sister Ruth Renlund; Elder Patricio M. Giuffra, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Central America Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Maria Giuffra; and Elder Craig C. Christensen, a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Debbie Christensen.
Members of the Church’s Central America Area presidency and General Authority Seventies — Elder Taylor G. Godoy, president, and his counselors, Elder Patricio M. Giuffra and Elder Ryan K. Olsen — guided tours at the opening of the San Pedro Sula temple open house in September. They were joined by Elder Kevin R. Duncan, also a General Authority Seventy and the executive director of the Temple Department. Elder Godoy, from his experience, shared, “It is God’s sign of love and mercy for the Saints by bringing them the sacred covenants of the Temple. It is a blessing for people who follow God.”
More than 100,000 people visited the temple before it was dedicated during the three-week open house. “Even before it was dedicated, visitors felt that it was a place of holiness, like what it says on the temple, ‘Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord.’ They felt something special, and I feel the same thing,” Elder Renlund said. “It is beautiful. It is wonderful. It depicts what is really good in Honduras — a strength and a depth of commitment to God and to God’s work on this earth.”
“A monumental change occurs in our lives when we know for ourselves that Jesus Christ lives and that He is our Savior,” Elder Renlund said. “Assuredly, believing on the words of those who know and acting on that belief can lead to eternal life. But the Lord desires that we know it for ourselves.” Knowing that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world is something each person can come to know individually.
Elder Renlund was mindful that Honduras has faced its fair share of natural disasters in recent years, including hurricanes, torrential rains, landslides and floods. Elder Renlund told about the time when his wife, Sister Ruth Renlund, developed ovarian cancer early in their marriage and how their family found comfort and peace through their temple covenants.
“Making multiple covenants with God enables the Savior to heal those who have been wounded, shattered or crushed by the rains, floods and winds of life,” he said. “Jesus Christ can deliver us from metaphorical torrents and whirlpools that trap us. He can heap all the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant on all who more fully take on themselves His name in the temple.”
He encouraged members to come to the temple often “to be strengthened and reminded how much God loves you. ... As you do, you will not experience rains, winds and floods without those challenges being swallowed up in the joy of Christ,” he said.
Jorge and Karla Interiano served as the coordinators of the San Pedro Sula temple open house. “The temple has not only been a blessing to the members, but to the whole city,” Jorge Interiano said. “We love to serve and are blessed to be tools in His hands.”
Nearby, Denis Menjivar, who worked as a temple security guard, prepared to enter the temple with his wife, Leni Menjivar, and their 15-year-old niece, Naomi Menjivar. “This is an event we have been dreaming about in our area. We already have appointments — we are going to come at least a minimum of twice a week,” he said. “The temple is a great blessing, and we are very happy.” Leni Menjivar added, “For us, the temple is heaven on earth.”
Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We recognize that the temple is not simply a beautiful structure but that it is a holy place wherein sacred ordinances can be performed, ordinances that allow Thy children on both sides of the veil to make and keep covenants with Thee. We thank Thee that we can be drawn closer to Thee, be bound more strongly to Thee and that Thy divine love can deepen as we make and keep these covenants.”
Read the dedicatory prayer of the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple here.
Timeline of the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple
The San Pedro Sula temple was announced April 7, 2019, by President Russell M. Nelson. The groundbreaking and site dedication for this house of the Lord were held on Sept. 5, 2020, and presided over by Elder José Bernardo Hernández, an Area Seventy.
After a public open house from Sept. 12 to Sept. 28, 2024, the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple was dedicated Oct. 13, 2024, by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Architecture and Design of the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple
The San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple is a one-story building of 35,818 square feet, inspired by the religious and historical styles of the region, with a central tower clad with Moleanos limestone from Portugal. The art-glass windows, railings and carpeting include these colors and patterns. Doors and millwork feature mahogany hardwood from the region.
The design motifs were influenced by geometric interpretations of the country’s flowers and vegetation as well as local pottery and textile patterns. Colors include turquoise and greens — suggesting hues of waters, nature and bird plumage — as well as orange, yellow and brick red, representing the subtropical zone.
Within the San Pedro Sula temple are various original paintings. One references a story from the Book of Mormon; the appearance of the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ, to 2,500 people at the temple in the land of Bountiful in 3 Nephi 11. The painting, titled “One by One They Did Know It Was He,” depicts a woman kneeling at the Savior’s feet, holding His right hand and left wrist and looking up at Him with an expression of love and amazement.
An ancillary building on the 9-acre grounds serves as an arrival center for guests and apartment space for temple leaders. The temple grounds contain trees, shrubs and perennial plants native to Honduras and a multitiered water fountain at the entryway.
Interior Photos of the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple
