Imagine faithful Mexican Saints sacrificing much. They looked forward to a temple in their own country. Today we stand before the magnificent Mexico City Mexico Temple. This acclaimed landmark serves over 384000 Church members. They reside in Mexico City and surrounding states.
The Mexico City Mexico Temple has a rich history. Its story stretches back to the 19th century. At that time, missionaries arrived in Mexico City. The Church grew. Mexico now has the second-largest body of church members worldwide. Only the United States has more.
President Spencer W Kimball announced plans for the temple on April 3 1976. Church members celebrated. They saw it as an answer to their prayers. Building the first temple in Mexico faced challenges. Laws required all buildings to be open to the public. Temples are houses of the Lord. Only worthy members can enter. Laws changed. Building permits were approved in 1979.
An incredible 9000 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony. It was held on November 25 1979. Elder Boyd K Packer dedicated the site in Spanish. Importing materials also posed an obstacle. Only the finest materials are used in temples. Church leaders requested an exemption from import laws. They fasted. They prayed. Amazingly the requests were approved.
More than 110000 visitors toured the Mexico City Mexico Temple during its open house. It ran from November 9 to 19 in 1983. Government business and civic leaders were among them. President Gordon B Hinckley dedicated the temple from December 2 to 4 in 1983. Over 30000 Church members attended the nine dedicatory sessions.
The Mexico City Mexico Temple stands as the first temple built in Mexico. It was the second in a Spanish-speaking country. The Santiago Chile Temple came first.
By its 25th anniversary the Mexico City Mexico Temple had dropped at least eight feet. This was due to Mexico City’s rapid sinking. The temple closed for renovations in 2007. The foundation was reinforced. A new facade of white cast stone replaced the original. The angel Moroni statue was refurbished. The landscaping was revamped.
To celebrate the rededication a cultural program was held in Mexico City’s Aztec Stadium. Some 87000 people attended the performance. It featured over 8000 young men and women. President Thomas S Monson rededicated the temple in November 2008.
In January 2014 the Mexico City Mexico Temple closed again for renovations. These focused on the interior. The public was invited to tour the temple in 2015. Over 96000 people saw the improvements. President Henry B Eyring rededicated the temple on September 13 2015.
Of the design options one was a modern adaptation of ancient Mayan architecture. Architect Emil B Fetzer designed the Mexico City Mexico Temple. He used a book on Mayan architecture. Heber Grant Taylor had given it to him years earlier. The First Presidency felt the Mayan influence suited the Mexican site.
The Mexico City Mexico Temple has received much study from the University of Mexico’s architecture school. The mayor’s office has recognized the temple. They see it as an example of attractive design and quality construction. It received an international award for artistic use of precast concrete.
The Mexico City Mexico Temple is near the San Juan de Aragón park. It is a landmark with Mayan-inspired exterior. The grounds feature gardens and a water feature. Several Church buildings share Temple Square. These include a missionary training center and a visitors’ center. The center has a reproduction of Thorvaldsen’s Christus statue. During Christmas the grounds light up with festive lights.
The architecture has both Aztec and Mayan elements. At the time of its construction it was the largest temple outside the United States. The temple sits in a basin over water. Two hundred and twenty-one concrete piles were driven deep into the ground. Steel straps were anchored to these pilings.
The building is faced with white cast stone and marble chips. On top of the central tower is the angel Moroni. He holds the golden plates. The temple has instruction rooms and sealing rooms. Marriages are solemnized for eternity here. The Mexico City Mexico Temple is one of five temples with an angel Moroni statue holding the gold plates.
The Mexico City Mexico Temple stands tall. It is a testament to faith sacrifice and architectural beauty. It has blessed countless lives. It will continue to do so for generations to come.