Tuxtla Gutierrez Mexico Mormon Temple

Tuxtla Gutiérrez is the capital of Mexico’s southernmost state. The area is famous for its many ruins. The city is nestled in a valley among the mountains. In 1957 Howard W. Hunter, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, standing on a mountain overlooking the city, dedicated the area for the preaching of the gospel. Since that time The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen phenomenal growth.

In April 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley, recognizing the need to bring temples to the people, announced that thirty-two smaller Mormon temples would be built around the world before the end of 2000. He said, ” As I have previously indicated, in recent months we have traveled far out among the membership of the Church… They love the Church. They love the gospel. They love the Lord and want to do His will… They make tremendous sacrifices to visit the temples. They need nearby temples—small, beautiful, serviceable temples.”1

The Tuxtla Gutiérrez Temple is one of these small temples, “a dream come true”2 for many members. Because of the mountainous terrain, travel in and out of the area is difficult, and previously members had to drive to Mexico City – a 20-hour drive. Now the more than 18,000 members in southern Mexico have a Mormon temple close by.

During the groundbreaking ceremony for the temple, held on 20 March 1999, Elder Richard E. Turley of the Seventy said that, “the greatest gift we have received on this earth is the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. But another great gift from the Lord is to have the essential keys to do temple work, which is essential to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord, and to help us gain eternal life with our Heavenly Father.” 3

The Mormon temple sits on 1.56 acres next to a meetinghouse. The exterior is finished with white marble and features a single-spire design with a gold statue of the angel Moroni on top. Although only 10,700 square feet, President Hinckley has said, “Every ordinance which is given in the Salt Lake Temple, the largest in the Church, is also given in every other temple, including these smaller structures. The fact is that they are not so small. They are commodious, and they are beautiful. They represent the ultimate in our worship and the ultimate in blessings offered.” 4

President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico temple on 12 March 2000. More than 3,300 members attended the four dedicatory sessions.

During the dedicatory prayer President Faust blessed members of the Church saying, “Bless all who shall labor here that they may do so in the true spirit of the Master whom they serve. That which will occur here is all part of a divine plan of happiness which Thou hast outlined for Thy sons and daughters of all generations. The fullness of the priesthood will be exercised here. This will be a house of instruction, a house of covenants, a house of ordinances. May those who receive these ordinances remember them always and live worthy of the covenants they make with Thee, dear Father.” 5

Physical Address:
CARRETERA A CHICOASEN CHIAPAS
KM. 1,4, ESQ. PASEO DE LA ROSETA
FRACC SAN JOSÉ CHAPULTEPEC
29047 TUXTLA GUTÍERREZ CHIS
Mexico

Mailing address:
c/o Mexico Area Administration Office
POUCH
Mexico
Phone:   (52) 961-615-8287

(1) Gordon B. Hinckley, “New Temples to Provide ‘Crowning Blessings’ of the Gospel,” Ensign, May 1998, 87
(2) “News of the Church,” Ensign, May 2000, 107
(3) Church News, 27 March 1999.
(4) Gordon B. Hinckley, “Welcome to Conference,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 4
(5) “Tuxtla dedicatory prayer: ‘Bring new light and understanding,’” Church News 18 Mar. 2000, 25 Jun. 2005