Fortaleza Brazil Temple |
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Full-scale operations pending; anticipated to be completed in 2015 (awaiting official announcement) |
Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 15 November 2011 by David A. Bednar
Full-scale construction of the Fortaleza Brazil Temple are still pending.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Fortaleza Brazil Temple was held on November 15, 2011. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve presided over the ceremony. "This temple will be a source of hope, light and faith in God for all who come and walk here and in this field," Elder Bednar said. "This city will always be better and different because of the temple to be built here."1 Stake presidencies, bishops, and their family members from 15 stakes in the Fortaleza region were invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at the temple site. During the days prior and following the groundbreaking, Elder Bednar presided and spoke at a variety of Church meetings including the Fortaleza Brazil Benfica Stake Conference, a missionary conference, and firesides for Young Single Adults and married couples. View the Portuguese news release.
The Fortaleza Brazil Temple is an exquisitely detailed double-towered edifice surrounded by lush landscaping and built into a slope to permit a daylight basement. Plans for the site also call for an Accommodation Building, a meetinghouse, and maintenance buildings.
The Fortaleza Brazil Temple will stand in the beautiful coastal neighborhood of Dunas on a site located across from the esteemed FANOR, an institute of higher education.
President Thomas S. Monson announced the construction of Brazil's seventh temple in Fortaleza, located in northeast Brazil, during the Saturday morning session of the 179th Semiannual General Conference on October 3, 2009. There are 13 stakes in the immediate vicinity of Fortaleza and several more in outlying areas. Members currently travel nearly 500 miles to attend the Recife Brazil Temple, which serves 78 stakes and districts in northern Brazil. President Monson said, "We desire that as many members as possible have the opportunity to attend the temple without having to travel inordinate distances."2
The Fortaleza Brazil Temple will be the seventh temple built in Brazil.
1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, "Ground Broken for Fortaleza Brazil Temple," 15 Nov. 2011.
2. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, "Five New Temples Announced," 3 Oct. 2009.
