December 2011: Temple Dedication

December 11, 2011 was our fourth day in Xela. We spent that morning at the dedication of the Quetzaltenango Temple.  J-rod and I were able to attend the first of three dedicatory sessions. As you can see by the long lines behind us in the first three pictures below, there were lots of faithful members in attendance. The room we were seated in was next to the room from which President Dieter F. Uchtdorf dedicated the temple. It was neat to watch him wave and smile as he passed by the door to our room. He has such a radiant smile!

Here is a link to a Deseret News article about the temple dedication.

The designs seen throughout the exterior of the temple in the stained glass windows and the marble, and throughout the interior of the temple in the woodwork, are representative of the beautiful designs found in the woven clothing and textiles of the native peoples of Guatemala.

The temple at the western edge of Xela on top of a hill.

The view of the city from the temple is beautiful!

What a wonderful day!