Church Leaders Break Ground for Temple in Haiti

Ground was broken for the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple on Saturday, October 28, 2017, as Mormons and community leaders gathered to participate in the event. The temple was announced by President Thomas S. Monson April 5, 2015.

Elder Walter F. González of the Seventy and president of the Caribbean Area for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints directed the groundbreaking ceremony. Elder Claudio D. Zivic and Elder Jose L. Alonso, counselors in the Area Presidency, also participated. They hosted Dominique Saint-Roc, mayor of the community of Pétion-Ville, location of the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple.

“When I think about this day, I can only think about everlasting joy and gratitude for all what the temple means in our lives,” said Elder Gonzalez as he responded to questions from the local media.”

A choir comprised of local Mormons in Haiti provided music for the sacred occasion.

After the temple is completed, open house dates will be announced so the public can tour the temple before it is dedicated.

The temple district comprises more than 17,000 Latter-day Saints located in four Haiti stakes (similar to a diocese) and three districts (smaller than a stake).

There are currently 182 temples throughout the world either in operation, under construction or announced. Six are currently being renovated and seven more temples have been announced to be renovated in 2017 and 2018.

For more information about temples, visit www.mormontemples.org. The site includes general information on temples, the history of the Church and the purpose of temples.