Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Managua Nicaragua Temple on Sunday, Oct. 18, bringing the first house of the Lord to the Central American country. The dedication occurred in Managua, Nicaragua, providing a closer place of worship for faithful Latter-day Saints who previously traveled long distances to reach temples.
During the dedication, Elder Rasband, who was assigned the task by President Dallin H. Oaks, stated that the temple will have an eternal impact on both members and nonmember friends. He noted that the presence of the temple will help missionaries and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prepare people to enter the house of the Lord.
Elder Rasband and his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, expressed joy regarding the new temple, which will serve members across 12 stakes and four districts. He reflected on the history of the Church in Nicaragua, including visits by prophets and apostles, and acknowledged the care shown to Nicaraguan Latter-day Saints by President Russell M. Nelson and President Oaks.
The Managua Nicaragua Temple is the 226th dedicated temple currently in operation worldwide. The site features a building of 24,500 square feet with a height of 99.4 feet, including the spire, situated on 8.9 acres.
Prior to the dedication, the temple held a public open house from Sept. 10 to Sept. 26, which saw more than 43,600 attendees. Elder Ryan K. Olsen, a General Authority Seventy and member of the Church’s Central America Area presidency, noted that the temple provides a tremendous blessing for local Saints who previously traveled to Guatemala, Honduras, or as far as Arizona and Utah to worship.
The Managua Nicaragua Temple was first announced by President Russell M. Nelson on April 1, 2018. The groundbreaking for the project was presided over by Elder Taylor G. Godoy, a General Authority Seventy and then first counselor in the Central America Area presidency, on Nov. 26, 2022.
