Announcement
The La Paz Bolivia Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson during the October 2021 General Conference on October 3, 2021. It will become the third temple in Bolivia, joining the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple and the Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple. The temple will serve members in La Paz, El Alto, and surrounding communities, where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has experienced significant growth. At the time of the announcement, Bolivia had more than 212,000 members, and membership has continued to increase since then.
Current Status
The La Paz Bolivia Temple is currently in the planning and approval phase. On August 28, 2023, the Church announced the temple site, which is located on a 3.8-acre property near the intersection of Avenida Los Sauces and Calle 8 de Calacoto in the Calacoto neighborhood of La Paz.
On January 22, 2024, the Church released the official exterior rendering. Plans call for a temple of approximately 18,850 square feet featuring a single attached central tower. The site sits at an elevation of approximately 10,680 feet (3,255 meters) above sea level, making it one of the highest-elevation temples announced by the Church. As of now, no groundbreaking date has been announced.
What to Watch for Next
The next major milestone will be the announcement of the temple's groundbreaking ceremony. Once 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 La Paz Bolivia Temple is completed, members in western Bolivia primarily travel to the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple, which was dedicated in 2000. The Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple is also under construction and will further expand temple access within Bolivia. Once completed, the La Paz Temple will significantly reduce travel for thousands of Latter-day Saints living in the country's western highlands.
Final Thoughts
The La Paz Bolivia Temple represents another important milestone in the continued growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bolivia. As the nation's third temple and the first planned for Bolivia's administrative capital region, it will make temple worship much more accessible for members throughout western Bolivia. With the temple site selected and the official rendering released, the project continues to move steadily toward construction and, ultimately, the dedication of this sacred house of the Lord.
Scott & Riah
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