Concepcion Temple Dedication

Today was a big day for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Chile: the dedication of Chile's second temple 6 hours south in Concepcion on the (River)Rio Bio Bio. The Santiago Temple was dedicated in 1983, and has been the only temple in the country, which stretches 2,647 miles along the Pacific, but averages only about 110 miles across (and half of that is high Andes which divide it from Argentina). Santiago is smack dab in the center.
Concepcion was founded in 1550, was destroyed by earthquakes and tsunamis  in 1730 and 1751, and rebuilt in 1754. The University of Concepcion is well-known and highly respected, and is the only true "campus"in Chile. There are 5 other universities in Concepcion. The surrounding area is rural; wheat, wine and coal are produced and forestry has always played an important role, with 65% of the country's pine plantations. When Chile's largest coal mine, Lota, had lost too much money, it was closed in 1997, and many lost jobs. This is one of the poorest regions of Chile.
But, the new temple, the 160th worldwide, is magnificent, and will bless the lives of many. Some "privileged" were able to attend one of the three dedication sessions in person, but most of us watched the broadcast in local chapels. Several local and general leaders of the Church spoke in Spanish and English, and the dedicatory prayer (blessing of the grounds, rooms of the temple, members, all citizens and leaders of Chile, etc.) given in English (and interpreted) was given by President Russell M. Nelson. When he was born in 1924, there were less than 600,000 members in the world and none in South America. Now there are over 16,000,000 worldwide, with more than 4 million members in South America. The first congregation was organized in Santiago in 1956. Today, more than 590,000 in over 600 congregations reside in Chile.

President Nelson (94) and wife Wendy meet with a regional 
governor Ulloa. They and Elder Stevenson and his wife visited 5 
countries in nine days, giving counsel and encouragement to 
members. These included Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile, giving counsel to 1000's in

Spanish and English. The trip highlight was the Temple dedication.
As when Christ entered Jerusalem at the pass-over, we wave white
handkerchiefs in the "hosanna shout" at the end of the dedicatory
prayer.

President Nelson has taught that we need to always have the end goal in mind, that we dedicate our time, talents, and efforts to achieving that end goal to improve our own faith and to help others, especially our families, to have faith and be sealed together, that we may return with honor to our home in heaven. 
In the dedicatory prayer he acknowledged Chilean member pioneers. He blessed faithful members to have integrity, charity, security, faith and dedication, that we all may prosper. He blessed the children and youth that their hearts may be turned to their fathers; the missionaries with power and determination, and government leaders with softer hearts. 

 

 Our leaders meet with the missionaries, and love the youth and children, and give special devotionals for them as they travel. The leaders of tomorrow look very promising!

All temples are unique but equal in purpose.

Each is a symbol of our faith in God.

President Nelson testified that Jesus Christ's

Church has been restored on the earth.

I ran into Elder Gerard Caussee from France (president of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church) yesterday as I was changing 
the location of my English class so he could hold a big conference in our chapel. Today in Concepcion, he called on us to believe, to sacrifice and put out our best efforts, and we will be blessed.
Two years ago, when we saw that Paris was not an option, he suggested I serve in Ghana so I could use my French, but I guess there were safety and other issues, so here I am. I'm glad to be in Santiago...safe, clean, interesting.

Laying the cornerstone

Rose season in Santiago

 

But dahlias and petunias brighten temple grounds too!

When I can't enjoy my own family, I feel love from so many here.

Here it's spring, at home fall. Baby Phoebe doesn't know yet what Halloween is, but her cousins sure do... I miss this fun tradition! In Chile some celebrate, a lot of candy is sold, and kids do "trick or treat" (dulces o travesturas) but their 2-day holiday this Thursday and Friday (and maybe all week?) for Day of the Dead and All Saints is an excuse to go to the beach or miss school or work. We expect many to come to the temple where we'll have a special schedule.

The biggest elf is Mo Mom, Simon and Evie and even Dad (on lap below) and co-workers get into enjoy the silly Elf act (family's costumes created by Mom)

 

 I haven't seen any real pumpkins, but maybe that's because it's springtime here. There are bags of candy and costumes in the stores and on the streets...we'll see.

And it's good-bye to all the many current Mission Training Center missionaries, after 6 weeks here for the N. Americans, and 3 weeks for the Latinos. The next and last group of N. Americans arrive tomorrow, the Latinos in 3 weeks, then the training center closes and future Missionaries to serve in Chile will go to Mexico, Peru, Buenos Aires. We are sad and will miss their happy and often boisterous spirits, especially out on the basketball court. We love having them once a week in the temple, too.
There's rarely a dull moment around here; only Sundays are quiet.