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Cochabamba Bolivia Temple

In today's world, Cochabamba Bolivia Temple has become a topic of great importance and interest to a wide variety of people. Whether it's a cultural phenomenon, a historical figure, or a contemporary concept, Cochabamba Bolivia Temple has captured the attention of experts, enthusiasts, and scholars alike. Its impact extends to different aspects of modern life, from politics and economics to popular culture and society in general. In this article, we will explore in depth the meaning and relevance of Cochabamba Bolivia Temple, analyzing its origins, its evolution over time and its influence on the world today.

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Cochabamba Bolivia Temple
Map
Interactive map of Cochabamba Bolivia Temple
Number82
Dedication30 April 2000, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site6.67 acres (2.70 ha)
Floor area33,302 ft2 (3,093.9 m2)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
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Reno Nevada Temple
Cochabamba Bolivia Temple 		→
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Additional information
Announced13 January 1995, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Groundbreaking10 November 1996, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Open house18–22 April 2000
Current presidentRene Juan Cabrera Balanza[1]
Designed byBSW and Church A&E Services
LocationCochabamba, Bolivia
Geographic coordinates17°21′49.24440″S 66°8′51.82799″W / 17.3636790000°S 66.1477299972°W / -17.3636790000; -66.1477299972
Exterior finishBlend of hand-hewn Comanche granite and plaster
Temple designClassic modern, single-tower design reflecting the Bolivian culture
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms2 (stationary)
Sealing rooms3
Clothing rentalYes
(edit)

The Cochabamba Bolivia Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cochabamba, Bolivia.[2] The intent to build the temple was announced on January 13, 1995, by the church's First Presidency.[3] It is the first in Bolivia and the church's 82nd operating temple worldwide.[2] The temple has a multilevel tower on a square base that stands above the structure, and the front has five tall, arched windows of art glass.[2] The temple was designed by BSW and church personnel, using a classic modern design reflecting Bolivian culture.[4] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on November 10, 1996, with church president Gordon B. Hinckley presiding.[5][6]

History

The temple was announced by the First Presidency on January 13, 1995,[7] simultaneously with the announcement for the Recife Brazil Temple, the first temple announcements for South America since the Bogotá Colombia Temple in 1984.[2]

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 10, 1996, marking the commencement of construction.[5][6] This ceremony was presided over by church president Gordon B. Hinckley and was attended by an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people from across the country, some traveling 20 hours by bus to be there.[2][5] The groundbreaking occurred during one of the heaviest rainstorms the area had seen in ten years.[8] Hinckley greeted the gathered members by saying, "My beloved and wet brothers and sisters."[8] In the groundbreaking prayer, Hinckley said, "We thank thee for this beautiful site, where this sacred edifice will be erected for the people of this great land and where it will remain as a remembrance of the testimonies that we have in our hearts that life is eternal and everlasting."[8] At the ceremony, Hinckley challenged members to obtain a temple recommend and promised to return in approximately two years to dedicate the temple.[8][9]

Following completion of construction, the church announced the public open house that was held from April 18 to 22, 2000.[3] Originally, the temple open house was scheduled for two weeks,[10] but due to civil unrest in Cochabamba related to attempts to privatize the municipal water supply, the first week was cancelled.[10] Church leaders anticipated approximately 50,000 visitors over the two-week period but were pleased when 65,570 people toured the temple during the single week.[3][11] A local church members stated at the dedication that approximately 20,000 people visited in one day, and visitors were lined up for blocks and stayed until midnight.[2]

The Cochabamba Bolivia Temple was dedicated by Hinckley on April 30, 2000, with four sessions held.[12][13] A total of 9,084 church members from Bolivia attended the services, the first temple dedication in their country.[3][9] Rene Cabrera, an area seventy, who was baptized in 1972, told the Church News at the dedication that "during the groundbreaking ceremony in 1996, said he would return in two years when the temple was finished. True, it has been a little more time than that, and some doubted, but this is a great blessing for us."[9] In the dedicatory prayer, Hinckley recognized the founder of Bolivia, Simón Bolívar, who died the year the church was organized.[4]

In 2020, like all the church's others, the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]

Design and architecture

The temple is on a 6.51-acre plot.[2] Behind the temple, the Andes Mountains provide a backdrop, and flower beds decorate the temple grounds.[2] The temple is located on the northern side of Cochabamba at Avenida Melchor Urquidi 1500, Alto Queru Queru.[15]

It is a two-story structure, measuring 137 feet by 102 feet,[16] and 35,500 square feet.[2][16] Constructed with an exterior blend of hand-hewn Comanche granite and plaster, the building uses a classic modern design.[4] The front has five tall, arched windows of art glass.[2] A multilevel tower on a square base stands above the building.[2] The design uses elements to reflect Bolivian culture.[4] The building was designed by BSW and church personnel,[4] with Javier Mendieta as project manager and CBI being the contractor.[4][16]

The temple has two ordinance rooms, three sealing rooms, and a baptistry.[2][16]

Temple leadership and admittance

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each typically serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff. Serving from 2000 to 2002, VerNon A. Bingham was the first president, with Bernice P. Bingham serving as matron.[16] As of 2025, Rene Juan Cabrera Balanza is the president, with Teresa de Perales Vizcarra de Cabrera serving as matron.[17]

Admittance

After construction was completed, the church announced the public open house that was held from April 18 to 22, 2000.[2] Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[18]

See also

class=notpageimage|
Temples in Bolivia
Red = Operating
Blue = Under Construction
Yellow = announced
Black = Closed for Renovations

References

  1. ^ Staff, Church News (2025-04-03). "From Panama to Paris — read about the new presidents and matrons of 8 temples: They will begin their service in September". Church News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Cochabamba Bolivia Temple | Church News Almanac". Church News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  3. ^ a b c d "Cochabamba Bolivia Temple: Facts and figures". Deseret News. 2000-05-13. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Archives, Church News (2010-03-01). "Cochabamba Bolivia Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  5. ^ a b c "PROPHET VISITS SOUTH AMERICA". Deseret News. 1996-11-16. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  6. ^ a b Hart, John L.; Writer, Church News Staff (1996-11-23). "Prophet breaks ground for new temples". Church News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  7. ^ "TEMPLES ANNOUNCED FOR BOLIVIA, BRAZIL". Deseret News. 1995-01-21. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  8. ^ a b c d "President Hinckley Visits South America, Florida, Washington". ScriptureCentral. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  9. ^ a b c Johnston, Jerry; writer, Deseret News feature (2000-05-13). "Worthy of the heart of a people". Church News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  10. ^ a b "Four More Temples Dedicated". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  11. ^ "Cochabamba Bolivia Temple - Templo mormón en el distrito Queru Queru, Cochabamba, Bolivia". es.aroundus.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  12. ^ "15 Años del Templo de Cochabamba, Bolivia". Faro a las Naciones (in European Spanish). 2015-09-21. Archived from the original on 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  13. ^ "Cochabamba Bolivia Temple". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  14. ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  15. ^ "Cochabamba Bolivia Temple". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  16. ^ a b c d e Archives, Church News (2000-05-13). "Cochabamba Bolivia Temple: Facts and figures". Church News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  17. ^ Staff, Church News (2025-04-03). "From Panama to Paris — read about the new presidents and matrons of 8 temples: They will begin their service in September". Church News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  18. ^ "Temples - LDS Members Worship and Participate in Sacred Ceremonies". news-my.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2025-12-08.

Additional reading

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia