President Dallin H. Oaks dedicated the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, marking his first international temple dedication since being set apart as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The dedication in Brazil occurred the same day as the dedication of the Cleveland Ohio Temple, which became the 221st operating temple worldwide.
Spiritual Significance and Growth
The dedication of the Belo Horizonte temple, which is the 12th operating house of the Lord in Brazil, follows a period of rapid growth for the Church in the nation. As reported by Church News, President Oaks noted that Brazil is home to more than 1.57 million members and more than 2,000 wards and branches.
During the dedicatory proceedings, President Oaks emphasized the spiritual significance of the building, stating, "The temple is a house of the Lord, a house built for the sacred work of the Lord God of Israel, our Savior and our Redeemer, to prepare us for exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God." He further noted that service in temples is centered on Jesus Christ and that all who enter participate in His saving work.
Global and Regional Expansion
The event in Brazil served as a milestone for President Oaks, who turned 94 on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. This visit was his first trip outside the United States in his capacity as President of the Church. In an interview with journalist Leandro Magalhães on Aug. 15, 2026, President Oaks expressed his eagerness to visit the nation, stating he chose Brazil because he wanted to "feel the spirit of the people."
While the Belo Horizonte temple is now operational, the Church continues to expand its footprint in the region. According to reports from Church News and the Church Newsroom, there are 12 additional temples in Brazil currently in various stages of planning or construction. Globally, the Church has 164 additional temples under construction, in planning, or in design, bringing the total number of announced, designed, or dedicated houses of the Lord to 385.
Dedicatory Proceedings and Participants
The dedication weekend included several key participants and observers. President Oaks was accompanied by his wife, Sister Kristen M. Oaks. Other speakers during the Sunday session included Sister Kristen Oaks, Elder Steven R. Bangerter, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Temple Department; Elder Ronald M. Barcellos, General Authority Seventy and counselor in the Church’s Brazil Area presidency; and Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple President Victor Pereira de Salles and Temple Matron Marcia de Salles.
Elder Steven R. Bangerter and his wife, Sister Susan A. Bangerter, also participated in the weekend's events. The dedication's 10 a.m. session was broadcast live to meetinghouses throughout the temple district, including large areas of the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo.
Community and Local Devotion
The atmosphere during the dedication was described as deeply emotional for the local community. Attendees began lining up several hours before the 10 a.m. start time under sunny skies. As President Oaks and Sister Oaks arrived, many members sang "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet" in Portuguese.
Elder Pierre Portes, an Area Seventy who leads the stake presidents of the Belo Horizonte Brazil Coordinating Council, described the local Latter-day Saints as faithful and devoted disciples of Jesus Christ who are highly committed to their religious duties.
The Sacred Role of Temples
The Church continues to distinguish temples from meetinghouses, noting that while members gather in meetinghouses for Sunday worship, temples are the most sacred places of worship. In these buildings, members make covenants and perform sacred ordinances on behalf of deceased ancestors to offer them the opportunity to accept those ordinances in the next life.
As the Church continues its global expansion, members are also preparing for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, which is scheduled to take place from April 5 through October 1, 2027.
Reflections on Leadership
In his remarks, President Oaks reflected on his nearly one year of service as President of the Church, describing the time as "sweet and blessed." He noted that he has felt the effect of prayers from Latter-day Saints worldwide and has been privileged to work with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other leaders at Church headquarters.
Sister Oaks also spoke during the weekend, describing the temple as a "connection between heaven and earth" that serves to unite families who have passed away with families living now.
Presidential Ministry Milestones
The Belo Horizonte temple dedication follows the Jan. 11 dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple, which was the second dedication conducted by President Oaks since he was set apart as President of the Church on Oct. 14, 2025.
