“Temple Begun in Brazil,” Ensign, May 1977, 110–13
Temple Begun in Brazil
In a historic occasion, the cornerstone of the São Paulo Temple was cemented into place on Wednesday, March 9, by President Marion G. Romney, second counselor in the First Presidency.
The ceremonies, presided over by President Spencer W. Kimball and conducted by Elder James E. Faust of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy and Brazil-Uruguay Area Supervisor, attracted more than 3,000 members and guests, including representatives of government in São Paulo, Brazil.
President Kimball announced that Finn B. Paulsen of Salt Lake City, former mission president and Regional Representative in Brazil, had been called as the first president of the São Paulo Temple. His wife, Sara Broadbent Paulsen, will be the temple matron. The new call brought with it her release during April conference from the general presidency of the Primary Association of the Church. (See page 11.)
During the cornerstone ceremonies and again during a special meeting for some 1,200 Brazilian priesthood and Relief Society leaders and their spouses, President Kimball and President Romney stressed the need for personal preparation as the temple opening draws near.
President Kimball recalled that King David of ancient Israel had desired to build a temple but had sinned and the Lord would not grant his desire nor accept a temple from his hands.
“That’s a lesson for us,” he said. “Make sure that we’re clean and worthy to offer a temple to the Lord.”
President Romney said that a temple is a house of God, built in honor of the true and living God.
Our challenge, he said, is to so live that we may enter the temple, always keeping it holy and not permitting evil therein. If we do this, President Romney promised, “He will be there,” referring to the Savior.
Elder Faust said that construction of the temple and placing of the cornerstone signifies the coming of age of the Church in Latin America. The highest ordinances are available in the temple, assuring the unity of family forever.
The temple is expected to be completed and dedicated sometime during 1978.