Curitiba, Brazil - Mormon Temple
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormons, has had a presence in Brazil since the 1920’s. During this time, most of the converts were German immigrants who came to Brazil after World War I. By 1931, 80 Brazilians had joined the Mormon Church near the city of Sao Paulo and with that, the first Mormon Church meetinghouse was erected.
During World War II, the Mormon missionaries were removed from Brazil and at the conclusion of the war, they returned. From this point, the Brazilian natives began joining the Church by the hundreds, and in 2006, the membership continues to grow at a steady rate.
On August 23, 2002, the First Presidency of the Mormon Church announced the building of a Mormon Temple in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. This will be the 123rd Mormon Temple for the Church and the fourth in the country of Brazil - with Sao Paulo, Campinas, Porto Alegre and Recife preceding the Curitiba.
Church authorities met with city officials including Mayor Beto Richa of Curitiba in Feb 2005. Church authorities explained the significance of the Temple for members of the Mormon Church. Church members learn more about the purpose of life and strengthen their commitment to serve Jesus Christ and their fellowman. Christ’s teachings are reiterated in the Mormon Temple through sacred ordinances that unite families for eternity.
‘In addition, the Church presented two Church programs: Helping Hands and the Perpetual Education Fund. The mayor expressed his appreciation for the service provided through Helping Hands and stated that he wished more organizations demonstrated the same zeal for volunteer service as does the [Mormon] Church.’1 Church authorities presented Mayor Richa with a statue that represented family ties.
The Curitiba Brazil Mormon Temple will sit on a tract of land located in the Camp Comprido district, and is projected to be completed in 2007. The Temple will serve more than 42,000 worthy members of the Mormon Church and includes members from the Brazilian states of Parana and Santa Catarina.
To learn more about the Mormon Church or Mormon Temples, please see the following websites: