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Since President Russell M. Nelson’s call to be the 17th prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January 2018, nine new temples have been dedicated, ranging from the historic location of Rome, Italy to the newest temple dedicated yesterday in Durban, South Africa.
Each of these temples has been a blessing to the local members.
In addition to having more apostles preside at dedications than ever before, temple dedications have also changed in that the night before each temple dedication a youth devotional is held, as opposed to a cultural celebration.
In a June devotional, President Nelson asked the youth to “enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel.” In his remarks, he gave examples of youth sacrificing their time to go to the temple baptistry and said, “Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that.”
Those that rejoice when a new temple is built include the youth battalion that is helping to gather Israel. Here is a look at pictures of children and youth celebrating the joyous occasion of each temple dedication since President Nelson became prophet.
Concepcion Chile Temple—October 28, 2018
President Russell M. Nelson and Augstine Escobar. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Laura and Alicia Ovalle. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
READ FULL COVERAGE OF THE CONCEPCION CHILE TEMPLE DEDICATION AT Church News.
Barranquilla Colombia Temple—December 9, 2018
Martin Garzon and Jocelyn Rodriquez. Credit: Jason Swensen, Church News
READ FULL COVERAGE OF THE BARRANQUILLA COLOMBIA TEMPLE DEDICATION AT Church News.
Rome Italy Temple Dedication—March 10–12, 2019
President Nelson and Sister Wendy Nelson with Elaina Malara and Mateo Cordani. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Arianna Giovita stands by the Christus statue in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
READ FULL COVERAGE OF THE ROME ITALY TEMPLE DEDICATION AT Church News.
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo—April 14, 2019
Elder Dale G. Renlund and a young Latter-day Saint. Credit: Church News
Congolese girls hug with the temple in the photo background on dedication day. Credit: Church News
READ FULL COVERAGE OF THE KINSHASA DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO TEMPLE DEDICATION AT Church News.
Fortaleza Brazil Temple Dedication—June 2, 2019
Elder Ulisses Soares hugs a young girl after she participated in the cornerstone ceremony. Credit: Scott Taylor, Church News
READ FULL COVERAGE OF THE FORTALEZA BRAZIL TEMPLE DEDICATION AT Church News.
Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple Dedication—September 1, 2019
Elder Kevin R. Duncan helps a little girl place mortar on the capstone. Credit: Jason Swensen, Church News
READ FULL COVERAGE OF THE PORT-AU-PRINCE HAITI TEMPLE DEDICATION AT Church News.
Lisbon Portugal Temple Dedication—September 15, 2019
Elder Kevin R. Duncan and Elder Neil L. Andersen assist children at a cornerstone ceremony. Credit: Scott Taylor, Church News
READ FULL COVERAGE OF THE LISBON PORTUGAL TEMPLE DEDICATION AT Church News.
Arequipa Peru Temple Dedication—December 15, 2019
A girl places mortar on the cornerstone. Credit: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Elder Ulisses Soares, and Bishop Dean M. Davies assist a little boy in placing mortar on the capstone. Credit: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
READ FULL COVERAGE OF THE AREQUIPA PERU TEMPLE DEDICATION AT Church News.
Durban South Africa Temple Dedication—February 16, 2020
Bokang and her sister Awande Tshabalala on dedication day. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Iya Makhatini, Vuyo Tyukwana, and Monica Makhatini on dedication day. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
READ FULL COVERAGE OF THE DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA TEMPLE DEDICATION AT Church News.
