Cobán Guatemala Temple

Groundbreaking of the Cobán Guatemala Temple

The groundbreaking of the Cobán Guatemala Temple was presided over by Elder Brian K. Taylor, Central America Area president, on Nov. 14, 2020. COVID-19 restrictions limited attendance to only a small group of people, including Monsignor Rodolfo Valenzuela Nuñez, Bishop of the Diocese of Verapaz.

There was initially uncertainty as to if the groundbreaking ceremony could proceed as planned because of the arrival of Hurricane Eta a week before, causing more than 100 deaths. In his dedicatory prayer on the site, Elder Taylor said, “Endow all Thy Saints, we pray dear Father, with an extraordinary love for and brightened hope in Thy Sanctuary as a mighty Refuge from the storm.”

Timeline of the Cobán Guatemala Temple

October

05

2019

Announced

President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple for Cobán, Guatemala, on Oct. 5, 2019, during the general women’s session of October 2019 general conference.

November

14

2020

Groundbreaking

The Cobán Guatemala Temple groundbreaking ceremony was held on Nov. 14, 2020, with Elder Brian K. Taylor, president of the Central America Area, presiding.

The Cobán Guatemala Temple was announced Oct. 5, 2019, by Church President Russell M. Nelson. The groundbreaking and site dedication were held on Nov. 14, 2020, and presided over by Elder Brian K. Taylor, Central America Area president.

Architecture and Design of the Cobán Guatemala Temple

The Cobán Guatemala Temple will be a single-story building of approximately 8,800 square feet. Plans and exterior renderings call for an arched entryway above the temple’s entry doors with two windows on each side of the front entrance. An octagonal tower with a square base and domed cupola will sit above the entrance.

The temple will be built on a 5.4-acre site, with palm trees, grass fields and oblong sidewalks filling the grounds. The site will also contain a meetinghouse and temple patron housing.

Groundbreaking Photos of the Cobán Guatemala Temple

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Sister Jill Taylor and Elder Brian K. Taylor, far left, join other guests for the ceremonial groundbreaking signaling the beginning of construction of the Cobán Guatemala Temple.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Brian K. Taylor, a General Authority and president of the Central America Area, offered remarks and the dedicatory prayer at the Nov. 14, 2020, groundbreaking ceremony for the Cobán Guatemala Temple.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A small group of Latter-day Saints in Cobán, Guatemala, participates in the groundbreaking of the Cobán Guatemala Temple on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Lucy Margarita Poóu Chiquín speaks of her gratitude for temples during the Nov. 14, 2020, groundbreaking ceremony for the Cobán Guatemala Temple.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Brian K. Taylor and Sister Jill Taylor participate in the Nov. 14, 2020, groundbreaking ceremony signaling the beginning of construction of the Cobán Guatemala Temple.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Bishop Monsignor Rodolfo Valenzuela Nuñez (right) speaks with Cobán Mission President Benjamin Poou (left) on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Bishop Nuñez is bishop of the Diocese of Verapaz. President Poou is responsible for several hundred Latter-day Saint missionaries assigned to the geographic area.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Brian K. Taylor (center); his wife, Jill (left); and Lucy Margarita Poou Chiquín (right) participate in the groundbreaking of the Cobán Guatemala Temple on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints