Mormon Life - Central America tag

Saints in Mexico Learn from Apostle’s Visit

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:59:00 -0600

source: news.lds.org

Mexico holds a special place in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first Mormon missionaries to visit Mexico in 1876 found a people ready to hear the gospel, and in 2004 Mexico became the first country outside the United States to reach a membership of 1,000,000 Latter-day Saints.

Visiting Puebla, Mexico City, and Monterrey in April 2012, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled members, leaders, and missionaries in various meetings.

Millions of records, images added to FamilySearch

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:37:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Millions of new records and images have been added recently to FamilySearch.org for more than 20 countries, including Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Italy, Micronesia, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Sweden and the U.S.

FHe will give families the opportunity to provide Guatemalan villagers with training and hope

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:32:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

In the “land of eternal spring,” the people of Guatemala are being taught “how to fish.” This summer Family Humanitarian experience, known as FHe, will carry out its first expedition to the remote Polochic Region. FHe provides families and singles over 40 the opportunity to work alongside villagers to present them an opportunity to become self-sufficient and also share in the spiritual experiences that come through service.

The story behind the launch of FHe is also spiritual. In 2010, Tyler DeLange, an emergency medicine physician in the Washington, D.C., area, had the strong impression that an organization should be established that would allow families to serve together in developing countries throughout the world. David and Michaela Shirley of Texas also felt the urgency that they needed to dedicate their time to humanitarian service. They read an article in the Deseret News about Singular Humanitarian experience, known as SHe, international humanitarian service projects for Mormon singles, and in Novermber 2010 contacted DeLange, who told them about his vision.

Keeping missionaries safe in the midst of violence

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:19:00 -0700

source: abc4.com

Mormon Life says: Every year, 3 to 6 LDS missionaries die, which is significantly lower than the average number for their age group. ABC 4 uncovered new information on how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is keeping missionaries safe after two Baptist missionaries were killed in Mexico.

Elder Nelson visits Central America

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:21:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

In January, as part of an assignment from the First Presidency, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles traveled to El Salvador to train priesthood leaders and instruct local members.

On Saturday, January 14, Elder Nelson met with bishops, branch presidents, district presidents, and stake presidents from around the country in a meetinghouse on the grounds of the San Salvador El Salvador Temple. He was accompanied by Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy; Elder Enrique Falabella, President of the Central America Area; Elder Carlos Rivas, Area Seventy; Walter Ray Petersen, temple president; and David L. Glazier, El Salvador San Salvador Mission president.

Central America has become a 'land of temples'

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:13:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Perhaps it was John Forres O'Donnal's upbringing in the rural Latter-day Saint colonies in northern Mexico that blessed him with a farmer's eye. He could look at a fallow, empty field and immediately divine a rich bumper crop.

It was 1942 and Brother O'Donnal wasserving as an agricultural adviser in Guatemala. Outside of some Mormon expatriates working near the Panama Canal far to the south, he was perhaps the lone member living in Central America. A congregation of one.

Mormon family helps Guatemalan nonprofit group expand nutrition programs

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:59:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

A Guatemalan nonprofit group founded by Mormons is using a USAID grant to expand its infant nutritional feeding program.

Workers at Casa de Sion (House of Zion) will be giving Nutributter, a peanut-based supplement enhanced with vitamins and minerals, to all infants between the ages of 6 months and 24 months in a number of very impoverished communities in the highlands.

The United Nations has classified this area as one of the top four regions in the world affected by chronic malnutrition. Both physical and mental stunting is common.

Guatemala youth counseled to remain worthy and attend the temple

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:30:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

For thousands of Guatemalan Latter-day Saints, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's recent visit here marked a pivotal moment in this country's rich Church history.

The second counselor in the First Presidency traveled to Guatemala last month to dedicate the Church's 136th temple in the highland city of Quetzaltenango. That event was met with joy as thousands gathered at the temple site to participate in the opening of the temple and other dedicatory events. But President Uchtdorf's time in Guatemala was not limited to the Dec. 11 temple dedication. The Church leader, along with Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve and other Church leaders, also visited with scores of Guatemalan members in local meetinghouses and at an outdoor youth conference.

President Uchtdorf meets with Guatemalan media

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:16:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Thousands of Latter-day Saints from western Guatemala graciously welcomed President Dieter F. Uchtdorf to the "Land of Eternal Spring."

President Uchtdorf also made time to speak with a reporter from the national media about the role of temples and the future of the Church in Guatemala.

Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple dedication prayer

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:08:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Following is the text of the prayer offered by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, in dedicating the Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple on Dec. 11, 2011.

O God our Eternal Father, we approach Thee with thanksgiving and love on this day of dedication. Our hearts reach out to Thee in faith and prayer. We invite Thy Holy Spirit to attend us.

Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple: 2,400 youth participate in cultural celebration

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:27:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf stood before thousands of Guatemalan youth Saturday and testified that they were built from the same spiritual goodness as the newly built Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple.

"You are a representative of the values of the temple to all the world," said President Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency.

President Uchtdorf dedicates second LDS temple in Guatemala

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:24:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Most maps identify Guatemala's second-largest city as Quetzaltenango. But ask a native from this highland community to name their hometown and they will likely answer "Xela" — the Mayan name that existed centuries before the arrival of the Spaniards.

Indeed, Quetzaltenango (or Xela) is synonymous with cultural tradition. Many of the women still dress in the colorful wide skirts and woven blouses favored by their ancestors. Others can comfortably speak both Spanish and local indigenous languages such as K'iche'.

Public open house draws thousands to new Guatemalan temple

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:37:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Christmas promises to come a bit early for faithful members in Guatemala.

Latter-day Saints throughout this Central American nation are counting down the days and hours until the Dec. 11 dedication of the Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple. It will be the second such edifice in Guatemala and the first in this mountainous city defined by its Mayan heritage and established devotion to temple service.

El Salvador Youth Testify of Temple Blessings

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:51:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

Mormon Life says: These kids are incredible examples. Wow. Siblings Kevin and Jacqueline Salas’s parents had been inactive for some time. The brother and sister, however, had continued to attend Church meetings each Sunday. They prayed that their parents would return to Church activity.

LDS temple news in Brazil, Guatemala and France

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:26:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Hooray for temples! Ground was broken Tuesday in Fortaleza, Brazil, for that country's seventh temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Fortaleza Brazil Temple.

"This temple will be a source of hope, light and faith in God for all who come and walk here and in this field," said Elder David A. Bednar of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who presided at the groundbreaking ceremony. "This city will always be better and different because of the temple to be built here."

The temple site is on Avenida Santos Dumont in the coastal neighborhood of Dunas. According to LDSChurchTemples.com, the temple will be "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."

Honduran First Lady meets with First Presidency

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:49:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Mormon Life says: She thanked the Church for offering humanitarian aid during their recent floods. The first lady of Honduras, Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo, met with President Thomas S. Monson and President Henry B. Eyring of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tuesday, 8 November 2011.

She said it was a unique privilege to meet with the president of the Church. “I understand that this is one of the rare privileges or one of the great privileges that we have had during this visit.”

Prior to meeting with the First Presidency, the first lady was especially interested to see and learn how the Church Humanitarian Center and Welfare Square help to meet the needs of millions of people around the world.

Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple opens doors to public

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:40:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Mormon Life says: This is Guatemala's second temple. There are now more than 226,000 members in the country. Love seeing the Church grow! The doors of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' (Mormons) 136th temple will open to the public on Friday, 11 November. The Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple will then be formally dedicated on Sunday, 11 December 2011, in three sessions by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency. The dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to congregations of the Church within the temple district.

The Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple will be the Church's fifth in Central America, and will serve approximately 60,000 Latter-day Saints.

Background info on newly announced temples

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:25:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to build new temples across the globe to meet the needs of an expanding worldwide membership.

Today the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced six new temples during the morning session of the faith’s 181st Semiannual General Conference.

President Thomas S. Monson said the Church will build temples in Paris, France; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; Durban, South Africa; Barranquilla, Colombia and Star Valley, Wyoming. The Church will also rebuild the historic Provo, Utah Tabernacle – which was heavily damaged by fire in December 2010 – and convert it into a temple.

President Monson announces five new temples

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:15:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

During the opening session of the 181st Semiannual General Conference this morning President Thomas S. Monson announced plans to build five new temples, ranging from Utah and Wyoming to Africa and South America.

"The building of temples continues uninterrupted, brothers and sisters. Today it is my privilege to announce several new temples," President Monson said.

He announced that the Provo Utah Tabernacle, which was heavily damaged by fire last December, will be rebuilt to function as a temple, giving that city two temples. He noted that the Provo temple is among the busiest in the Church.

Miracles saved Mormon missionary mauled by lions, father says

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:26:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Alan Oakey said he believes in miracles.

Now more than ever.

Oakey's 20-year-old son, Paul, is recovering in a Guatemalan hospital after being mauled by two lions Monday at a zoo.

Elder Paul Richard Oakey, of St. George, has been serving the past 19 months as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Guatemala City South Mission.