Alerts Sign-up
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple in two sessions on Sunday, October 13. During the dedication, Elder Renlund encouraged individuals to learn for themselves that Jesus Christ is the Savior. “Know Jesus Christ as He knows you,” he stated.
He emphasized that a significant transformation occurs when people personally know that Jesus Christ lives and is their Savior. Elder Renlund explained, “Assuredly, believing on the words of those who know and acting on that belief can lead to eternal life. But the Lord desires that we know it for ourselves.”
Elder Renlund highlighted how making and keeping covenants with God in the temple strengthens bonds with Him and provides greater access to His power, which aids in enduring life's challenges.
He compared making multiple covenants with God to the powerful Honduran Cangrejal River, fed by three smaller rivers. He taught that Latter-day Saints need to make more than one covenant with God to become who He wants them to be.
These covenants include baptism and being sealed into families, forming a sequential and cumulative relationship with God. “Just as each tributary strengthens the Cangrejal River, each covenant gives us greater access to the power of God,” he said.
Elder Renlund shared a personal story about his family’s experience when his wife Ruth developed ovarian cancer and how their temple covenants provided comfort. Referring to recent natural disasters in Honduras, he testified, “Making multiple covenants with God enables the Savior to heal those who have been wounded, shattered or crushed by the rains, floods and winds of life.”
Jesus Christ “waits with open arms, with hope and willingness to heal us,” he said. He invited Church members to visit the house of the Lord often “to be strengthened and reminded how much God loves you.”
Accompanying Elder Renlund at the dedication were his wife Ruth; Elder Patricio M. Giuffra, General Authority Seventy and First Counselor in the Central America Area Presidency; his wife Maria; Elder Craig C. Christensen, General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Church’s Temple Department; and his wife Debbie. They greeted members entering before each session.
Both dedicatory sessions were conducted in Spanish with translations offered for English speakers. The new temple will serve 15 stakes and one district in northwest Honduras.
The San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple is now one of two temples in Honduras and thirteen in Central America; Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple was completed in 2013.
During a public open house in September, Elder Taylor G. Godoy remarked on its significance for local Latter-day Saints: “It is God’s sign of love and mercy for the Saints by bringing them sacred covenants.”
