SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras — Nedman Orlando Álvarez Escobar, who lives in Progreso, Honduras, was baptized in 1984. Since then he has dreamed of having a temple close by.
“I feel a deep gratitude to Heavenly Father for giving us this beautiful temple, His house,” he said. “I sincerely feel a very strong emotion in my heart, great joy, great delight to know that I now have the house of the Lord very close to be able to attend and carry out the ordinances for my ancestors here. That has been my dream. I never imagined it would be so soon and that God would give me the blessing of being able to see it and enter it.”
Álvarez was one of many Latter-day Saints who attended the dedication of the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple, presided over by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, on Sunday, Oct. 13.
Lilian Sonia Rodríguez, who was baptized in 1972, agreed with Álvarez, and plans to attend the temple often.
“We can come two, three, four times a week, and so for me,” she said. “What a wonder to have this beautiful temple here in San Pedro Sula.”
Jacinto Urbina Ortecho, a member since 1983, said having a temple in San Pedro Sula is a “great blessing.”
“We had longed for it for a long time, and this is our day,” he said. “We are very happy, very content that the Lord has blessed us with a temple close to our home, just minutes away, and the Lord has blessed us, and we feel very happy about it.
The house of the Lord has become a special source of spiritual strength for Luisa Martinez, who will serve in the temple laundry room. A short time ago, her adult daughter died. Martinez vicariously performed her daughter’s temple ordinances and felt she accepted. Several family members also came for a tour during the open house.
“Not only is the temple beautiful, but it is a part of heaven on earth,” said Martinez, who first attended the temple in Guatemala City. “When we first saw the temple was completed, I was overcome with emotion.”
Miguel Leaba is not a member but is progressing towards baptism as he learns about the gospel. When construction on the temple began, he was hired as a worker, and in the process, was introduced to the Church. A big smile formed on his face as he reflected on a spiritual experience he had while standing in the celestial room during the open house.
“It was an experience unlike any I have ever had in my life,” he said. “The temple is a complete marvel. The gospel and learning about the temple have helped me to come closer to God and as I have worked here [on the temple grounds] I have felt joy.”
Dedication Ceremony
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited all to learn for themselves that Jesus Christ is the Christ, the Savior of the world, as he dedicated the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple in two sessions on Sunday, October 13. “Know Jesus Christ as He knows you,” he said.
“A monumental change occurs in our lives when we know for ourselves that Jesus Christ lives and that He is our Savior,” he explained. “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.”
Elder Renlund also taught that when Latter-day Saints make and keep covenants with God in the temple, it strengthens their bond with Him and gives them greater access to His power. This in turn helps them endure the trials of life.
Elder Renlund compared making multiple covenants with God with the steep and powerful Honduran Cangrejal River, which is fed by three smaller rivers. In order for Latter-day Saints to become who God wants them to be, they need to make more than one covenant with Him, he taught.
These multiple covenants, which include baptism and and being sealed into families, are sequential and cumulative in our relationship with God. “Just as each tributary strengthens the Cangrejal River, each covenant gives us greater access to the power of God,” he said.
Elder Renlund told about a difficult time for his family when his wife, Ruth, developed ovarian cancer, and how their temple covenants helped comfort them. Acknowledging recent natural disasters in Honduras, Elder Renlund testified, “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 “waits with open arms, with the hope and willingness to heal us, forgive us, cleanse us, strengthen us, purify us and sanctify us,” he said. He invited Church members to come to the house of the Lord often “to be strengthened and reminded how much God loves you.”
Temple Details and History
Elder Renlund was accompanied at the dedication by his wife, Ruth; Elder Patricio M. Giuffra, a General Authority Seventy and First Counselor in the Central America Area Presidency, and his wife, Maria; and Elder Craig C. Christensen, a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, and his wife, Debbie. The leaders took time to greet members as they entered the temple before each session.
Both dedicatory sessions were conducted in Spanish, and speakers delivered messages in Spanish and English with translations offered. Elder Renlund delivered his talks and the dedicatory prayer in Spanish. The sessions were broadcast to meetinghouses in the temple district.
The new house of the Lord, located in northwest Honduras in San Pedro Sula, will serve 15 stakes and one district. It is the second temple in Honduras and the thirteenth in Central America; the Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple in the south-central region of the nation was completed and dedicated in 2013.
The San Pedro Sula temple is situated less than 30 miles from the coastline to the Gulf of Honduras and Caribbean Sea. It is the Church’s 198th operating temple. The temple is the second in Honduras and one of 13 temples in operation, under construction or announced in the Church’s Central American area. This temple is a blessing for many in the San Pedro Sula area, as members previously traveled to the Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple or to the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple, both of which are hundreds of miles away.
Deep-Rooted Faith
“The testimonies of the members in Honduras run deep,” he said. “This depth of faith and faithfulness is the reason the Lord directed His prophet to build another beautiful temple in the wonderful country of Honduras.”
“It is your faith and commitment to the Lord and His work that has made this temple possible,” Elder Renlund said.
The First Stake in Honduras
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, with Samuel B. Ventura as president and Ricardo Galeas and Hernan Arguelles as counselors. Then-Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the conference.
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.
Temple Open House
The San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple open house was held from Sept. 12-28, 2024.
During the pubic open house in September, Elder Taylor G. Godoy, General Authority Seventy, President of the Church’s Central America Area, said the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple has special meaning for Latter-day Saints in the area.
“It is God’s sign of love and mercy for the Saints by bringing them the sacred covenants of the Temple,” he said. “It is a blessing for people who follow God.”
During the tours, Elder Godoy noted that everyone was moved by something in the temple, including the order, silence and both exterior and interior beauty. Many visitors left knowing the temple is a sacred place where Latter-day Saints worship God, he said.
Elder Godoy hopes those who come to the temple will value and take advantage of having a temple close by to make covenants with the Lord.
“The San Pedro Sula temple represents the importance of covenants and ordinances. If we focus our lives on them we will be better disciples of Christ,” he said. “May our daily life be a reflection of what the temple means to us.”
A Temple for All
Elder Renlund encouraged members to come to the temple often “to be strengthened and reminded how much God loves you.” The San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple is a blessing for the Saints in the area.
Serving in the Temple
The temple is a place of holiness and service for the Saints. One member, Luisa Martinez, will serve in the temple laundry room. A short time ago, her adult daughter died. Martinez vicariously performed her daughter’s temple ordinances and felt she accepted.
The Temple as Heaven on Earth
For many, including Denis Menjivar and his wife, Leni, the temple is “heaven on earth.”
“For us, the temple is heaven on earth,” Leni Menjivar said.
“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,” her husband, Denis Menjivar, added. “The temple is a great blessing, and we are very happy.”
Temple Art
One of the original paintings inside the San Pedro Sula temple references the Book of Mormon 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, entitled, “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.
Having seen and felt for herself the prints of the nails used to crucify the Son of God — signs and tokens of His Atonement — the woman and others come to know of a surety that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
The Cangrejal River
Another original painting in the San Pedro Sula temple depicts the Rio Cangrejal (Cangrejal River), which originates from many creeks and three rivers in the high elevations of the Nombre de Dios (Name of God) mountain range. Rio Cangrejal flows into a canyon before dropping down to sea level at the Caribbean Sea, making it one of the steepest rivers in Central America.
Just as the three rivers and other tributaries make Rio Cangrejal powerful, Elder Renlund taught that making and keeping multiple covenants with God in the temple strengthens a person’s bond with the Lord and grants greater access to His power, which helps us to endure life’s hardships.
A Temple for All
Elder Renlund encouraged members to come to the temple often “to be strengthened and reminded how much God loves you.” The San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple is a blessing for the Saints in the area.
Serving in the Temple
The temple is a place of holiness and service for the Saints. One member, Luisa Martinez, will serve in the temple laundry room. A short time ago, her adult daughter died. Martinez vicariously performed her daughter’s temple ordinances and felt she accepted.
The Temple as Heaven on Earth
For many, including Denis Menjivar and his wife, Leni, the temple is “heaven on earth.”
“For us, the temple is heaven on earth,” Leni Menjivar said.
“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,” her husband, Denis Menjivar, added. “The temple is a great blessing, and we are very happy.”
A Temple for All
Elder Renlund encouraged members to come to the temple often “to be strengthened and reminded how much God loves you.” The San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple is a blessing for the Saints in the area.
Serving in the Temple
The temple is a place of holiness and service for the Saints. One member, Luisa Martinez, will serve in the temple laundry room. A short time ago, her adult daughter died. Martinez vicariously performed her daughter’s temple ordinances and felt she accepted.
The Temple as Heaven on Earth
For many, including Denis Menjivar and his wife, Leni, the temple is “heaven on earth.”
“For us, the temple is heaven on earth,” Leni Menjivar said.
“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,” her husband, Denis Menjivar, added. “The temple is a great blessing, and we are very happy.”
Temple Art
One of the original paintings inside the San Pedro Sula temple references the Book of Mormon 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, entitled, “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.
Having seen and felt for herself the prints of the nails used to crucify the Son of God — signs and tokens of His Atonement — the woman and others come to know of a surety that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
The Cangrejal River
Another original painting in the San Pedro Sula temple depicts the Rio Cangrejal (Cangrejal River), which originates from many creeks and three rivers in the high elevations of the Nombre de Dios (Name of God) mountain range. Rio Cangrejal flows into a canyon before dropping down to sea level at the Caribbean Sea, making it one of the steepest rivers in Central America.
Just as the three rivers and other tributaries make Rio Cangrejal powerful, Elder Renlund taught that making and keeping multiple covenants with God in the temple strengthens a person’s bond with the Lord and grants greater access to His power, which helps us to endure life’s hardships.
Temple Open House
The San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple open house was held from Sept. 12-28, 2024.
During the pubic open house in September, Elder Taylor G. Godoy, General Authority Seventy, President of the Church’s Central America Area, said the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple has special meaning for Latter-day Saints in the area.
“It is God’s sign of love and mercy for the Saints by bringing them the sacred covenants of the Temple,” he said. “It is a blessing for people who follow God.”
During the tours, Elder Godoy noted that everyone was moved by something in the temple, including the order, silence and both exterior and interior beauty. Many visitors left knowing the temple is a sacred place where Latter-day Saints worship God, he said.
Elder Godoy hopes those who come to the temple will value and take advantage of having a temple close by to make covenants with the Lord.
“The San Pedro Sula temple represents the importance of covenants and ordinances. If we focus our lives on them we will be better disciples of Christ,” he said. “May our daily life be a reflection of what the temple means to us.”
Sharing the Temple
Jorge and Karla Interiano served as the coordinators of the San Pedro Sula temple open house. The couple said they witnessed many miracles during the open house.
“This is a precious gift that the Lord has given us. Many people can come here and be spiritually recharged, empowered,” Karla Interiano said. “We love this gospel. I cannot imagine where my life would be without the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“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.”
Temple Dedication and Blessings
The dedication of the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple comes 47 years after the country’s first stake was created in the same city.
A Temple for All
Elder Renlund encouraged members to come to the temple often “to be strengthened and reminded how much God loves you.” The San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple is a blessing for the Saints in the area.
Serving in the Temple
The temple is a place of holiness and service for the Saints. One member, Luisa Martinez, will serve in the temple laundry room. A short time ago, her adult daughter died. Martinez vicariously performed her daughter’s temple ordinances and felt she accepted.
The Temple as Heaven on Earth
For many, including Denis Menjivar and his wife, Leni, the temple is “heaven on earth.”
“For us, the temple is heaven on earth,” Leni Menjivar said.
“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,” her husband, Denis Menjivar, added. “The temple is a great blessing, and we are very happy.”
Sharing the Temple
Jorge and Karla Interiano served as the coordinators of the San Pedro Sula temple open house. The couple said they witnessed many miracles during the open house.
“This is a precious gift that the Lord has given us. Many people can come here and be spiritually recharged, empowered,” Karla Interiano said. “We love this gospel. I cannot imagine where my life would be without the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“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.”
Media Interviews
The day before the dedication, Elder Renlund participated in two heartfelt interviews.
The first was with Juan Antonio Bendeck, a prominent television journalist and media personality for TelePaís, a channel viewed by people across Honduras.
The Bendeck interview was the result of months of work and collaboration by Claudia Gavarrete, who serves as the communications director in the Church’s Honduras region, and Karen Rodas, director of communications for the Church’s Central American Area.
Gavarrete said she felt in her heart that an interview between Bendeck and Elder Renlund would bless the Church in her country. Bendeck previously toured the San Pedro Sula temple and dedicated an hour of his show, “En Honor a la Verdad” — “In Honor of the Truth,” to share his temple experience, which was positive.
Gavarrete said Bendeck’s interview with Elder Renlund will be highly promoted and broadcast on television and radio throughout Honduras.
After a friendly visit, Bendeck and his team filmed the interview, which included Elder Christensen and David Turner, a Latter-day Saint who served as interpreter. At the end, Bendeck invited Elder Renlund to look into the camera and share a message with Honduran viewers.
“The message that I have is that this temple is an outward expression of our inward, absolute confidence that Jesus Christ lives,” the Apostle said. “I invite anyone who is interested in learning why a temple brings such joy, peace and calm to learn more about them.”
After the interview, Elder Renlund and others presented Bendeck with some gifts. Elder Renlund also offered a prayer and blessing on Bendeck and his associates, for which Bendeck was very grateful.
The second interview was with two Latter-day Saint young adults — Roger Cuellar and Andrea Martinez — who asked Elder Renlund questions about the power of temples, making and keeping covenants, serving missions and more.
Elder Renlund said the temple is a building — “a beautiful building here in San Pedro Sula” — but what is most important is that “in the temple we can come to know Jesus Christ.”
“We can come to know better that He lives, that He is our divine, wise, heavenly friend,” Elder Renlund said. “He wants nothing more than to help us through life, and He has the power to do it because of what He did in His great atoning sacrifice. ... What a blessing is offered in the temple, and what a blessing it is to be a member of a Savior’s Church.”
A Legacy of Faith
The San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple stands as a testament to the faith of the Saints. The temple has touched the lives of many members in the area, including Nedman Orlando Álvarez Escobar, who has been a member of the Church since 1984.
“I feel a deep gratitude to Heavenly Father for giving us this beautiful temple, His house,” he said. “I sincerely feel a very strong emotion in my heart, great joy, great delight to know that I now have the house of the Lord very close to be able to attend and carry out the ordinances for my ancestors here. That has been my dream. I never imagined it would be so soon and that God would give me the blessing of being able to see it and enter it.”
The Power of Covenants
Elder Renlund taught that making and keeping multiple covenants with God in the temple strengthens a person’s bond with the Lord and grants greater access to His power, which helps us to endure life’s hardships.
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, Ruth, 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.”
A Message of Hope
Elder Renlund said the Savior stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, purify and sanctify Heavenly Father’s children. 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. “When you know for yourself that Jesus Christ lives and that He is your Savior, you are forever changed,” he said. “You, too, will then feel to shout, ‘Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God!’”
A Monument of Love
The new temple in San Pedro Sula is more than just a building. It is a symbol of God’s love and a beacon of hope for the people of Honduras. “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,” Elder Renlund said.
The San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple stands as a testament to the power of faith and the enduring love of God for His children.
Location: Blvr. Mario Catarino Rivas, 21102 San Pedro Sula, Cortés, Honduras
Announced: April 7, 2019, by President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church
Groundbreaking: Sept. 5, 2020, presided over by Elder José Bernardo Hernández, an Area Seventy
Public open house: Sept. 12-28, 2024, excluding Sundays
Dedicated: Oct. 13, 2024, by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Property size: 9 acres
Building size: 35,818 square feet
Building height: 98.3 feet (30 meters), including the spire
