Announcement
The Iquitos Peru Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson during the April 2023 General Conference on April 2, 2023. It will become the seventh temple announced for Peru. Iquitos, often called the "Capital of the Peruvian Amazon," is one of the country's largest cities and is uniquely accessible only by air or river, as no roads connect it to the rest of Peru. At the time of the announcement, Peru was home to more than 630,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in nearly 780 congregations.
Current Status
The Iquitos Peru Temple is currently in the planning and approval phase. On January 29, 2024, the Church announced the temple site as a 1.75-acre property located at Calle San Marcos 117–137 in the San Juan Bautista District of Iquitos, where the existing Secoya Ward meetinghouse is located. Plans call for a temple of approximately 20,000 square feet.
At this time, no official exterior rendering has been released, and no groundbreaking date has been announced. Planning and approvals are continuing before construction can begin.
What to Watch for Next
The next major milestones will be the release of the temple's official exterior rendering and the announcement of a groundbreaking ceremony. After construction begins, the Church will provide updates as work progresses before announcing dates for the public open house and temple dedication.
Nearest Operating Temple
Until the Iquitos Peru Temple is completed, members in the Peruvian Amazon generally travel to the Lima Peru Temple or other operating temples in Peru, depending on their location and travel options. The new temple will dramatically reduce travel time for Latter-day Saints living in northeastern Peru, especially those in and around Iquitos, where travel has traditionally required lengthy flights or river transportation.
Final Thoughts
The Iquitos Peru Temple represents an important milestone in the continued growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Peru. As the first temple planned for the Amazon region of the country, it will bring temple blessings much closer to thousands of members who have long faced significant travel challenges. Although the project is still in its early planning stages, the announced location marks an exciting step toward the future construction and dedication of this sacred house of the Lord.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
https://broughmade.com
0 comments