Ground Broken for Lisbon Portugal Temple
Contributed By Marianne Holman Prescott, Church News staff writer
Children join other Church members and leaders to break ground as part of the Lisbon Portugal Temple groundbreaking ceremony.
“To have a temple in Portugal is a symbol of our growth, a symbol of our confidence in Portugal, in our Church, and in our people here.” —Elder Patrick Kearon, Europe Area President
LISBON, PORTUGAL
More than five years after President Thomas S. Monson announced plans for a temple in Lisbon, Portugal, excited Church members joined with Church and civic leaders on December 5 for the ceremonial groundbreaking for the country’s first temple.
Described as “a great blessing for the Portuguese Saints” by Europe Area President Elder Patrick Kearon, when completed, the temple will be one of 14 operating temples in Europe.
“The Lisbon Temple groundbreaking is the culmination of years of hope and prayers and faith,” Elder Kearon said in a video posted on mormonnewsroom.org.uk. “It’s just a glorious moment for the 42,000 Latter-day Saints who live in Portugal.”
Church members in Portugal were able to view the proceedings live from local LDS buildings, and Elder Kearon presided over the event. Elder Kearon spoke of the temple’s sacred role in the lives of members and of the holy edifice as a place of instruction, of revelation, and of covenants.
The Lisbon Portugal Temple—announced by President Monson in general conference on October 2, 2010—will be in the northeastern part of the country’s capital city and will serve more than 42,000 members living in the country. The temple district includes all Church members living in continental Portugal, as well as the islands of the Azores and Madeira.
Families arrive for the Lisbon Portugal Temple groundbreaking ceremony. The Lisbon Portugal Temple will be 14th temple of the Church in Europe.
Rendering of the Lisbon Portugal Temple.
“In the temple we can perform ceremonies for this life and beyond,” said Elder Joaquim J. Moreira, an Area Seventy. “We can have eternal families, and this is a blessing that our members have been waiting for a long time.”
The temple will have a limestone exterior, and, following the pattern of most modern temples, the interior will feature artwork inspired by the local landscape. It will be built on 4.6 acres and will be approximately 23,730 square feet.
Dates for an open house will be announced when the temple is near completion. The Church now has 148 operating temples around the globe.
“To have a temple in Portugal is a symbol of our growth, a symbol of our confidence in Portugal, in our Church, and in our people here. It will be a great symbol of our faith and a beautiful part of this landscape for many decades to come,” said Elder Kearon in a video posted on mormonnewsroom.org.uk.
The address for the temple is Avenida Dom Jooo II, Parque das Nacoes, Lotes 4.72.1 e 4.73.1 Lisboa, Portugal.
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy and President of the Europe Area of the Church addresses members and visitors at the Lisbon Portugal Temple groundbreaking.
Dignitaries attend the Lisbon Portugal Temple groundbreaking, held on on the morning of December 5, 2015, in Portugal's capital.
A choir consisting of young single adults in the area performs at the Lisbon Portugal Temple groundbreaking ceremony held on the temple site on December 5.
Elder Patrick and Sister Jennifer Kearon greet members at the Lisbon Portugal Temple groundbreaking, held on the morning of December 5, 2015.
Europe Area President Elder Patrick Kearon and his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon, break ground for the Lisbon Portugal Temple with local civic leaders.
Rendering of the Lisbon Portugal Temple—front view.
Rendering of the Lisbon Portugal Temple complex.
Rendering of the meetinghouse and temple at the site of the Lisbon Portugal Temple.
