(upbeat music)
- [Narrator] This is the
World Report of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, April 2019.
Straight ahead, the dedication
of the Rome Italy Temple
brings many of the faithful
to witness what has
become hallowed ground.
- [Narrator] And for the
first time in an era,
every member of the Twelve
and the First Presidency
gather as one.
- [Narrator] Now, the
long-anticipated day
in Rome arrives-and
brings Latter-day Saints
in Italy to a place
of worship and wonder.
(peaceful, uplifting music)
- [Narrator] Rome, Italy.
The historic city at the
center of Christianity
for many centuries now has
another worship center,
a temple of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Nice of you to come.
- [Narrator] In three
dedicatory sessions,
Church President Russell M.
Nelson dedicated the temple,
Italy's first.
The first session
began with the symbolic
public cornerstone ceremony,
signifying the
temple's completion.
- Now we will proceed to
finish the work of the temple.
(crowd chattering)
- [Narrator] In offering
a dedicatory prayer,
President Nelson reflected
on Rome as a great city
standing since biblical times
and acknowledged the ministry
of early Apostles
Peter and Paul,
who witnessed here of Christ.
He prayed that their
testimony of Jesus Christ
may continue to bless this land.
All members of the
First Presidency
and Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles are participating
in various dedicatory sessions.
- For President Nelson
to invite us all
to be here was such
a lifetime thrill.
- I was astonished and
happy, as you can imagine,
to be a part of this
historic and marvelous event.
- We're back with a living
prophet, with living apostles
who have the same
call, as a tradition
to proclaim the gospel
to all the world.
We're here with the
prophet to do just that
in our modern times.
- [Narrator] It was
a day of rejoicing
for Latter-day Saints, many
who came from great distances
to be part of the special day.
- [Narrator] The
temple will serve
more than 23,000
Latter-day Saints
in Italy and nearby countries.
With the temple dedicated,
those who worship
will now enjoy the blessings
of the faith's most
sacred ceremonies.
- [Narrator] The day before the temple 
dedication, President Nelson
along with President 
M. Russell Ballard 
of the Quorum of the Twelve 
Apostles had the unique
opportunity to meet with 
Pope Francis at the Vatican.
They talked about their concern 
for human suffering,
religious liberty, and the 
importance of the family.
- We had a most cordial, 
unforgettable experience
with His Holiness.
He was most gracious 
and warm and welcoming.
- [Narrator] This was the first time a 
president of the Church 
has met with a pope. 
- Good to be next
to you, my friend.
- [Narrator] On the day
following the dedication
of the Rome Italy Temple,
the entire First Presidency
and the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles of The Church
of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints gathered
to take historic photos.
- We're going to
seat by seniority
and then the other
six in the back.
- [Narrator] It is believed
to be the first time
in Church history that
all fifteen leaders
have assembled together
in one location
outside the United States.
(upbeat music)
- [Narrator] Coming up
next-the very personal ministry
of President Russell M. Nelson
moves across Latin America.
- [Narrator] And later
in our World Report,
a walk through the
historic Rome Italy Temple.
(peaceful music)
- [Narrator] Russell M.
Nelson, the 94-year-old prophet
and President of The
Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints,
has been continuing
his extensive travels
around the world,
ministering to members
and friends of the faith.
President Nelson, accompanied
by his wife, Wendy,
and Elder Gary E.
Stevenson of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles
and his wife, Lesa,
reached out to the
people of South America
during a nine-day visit to five
countries this past October.
President Nelson's first
stop was in Lima, Peru.
At a devotional, he spoke
to more than 6,000 people,
where he surprised and
delighted the audience.
(audience applauding)
- [Narrator] While there,
President Nelson also met
with the president of
Peru, Martín Vizcarra
and visited a possible site
of a future temple in Lima.
Continuing his journey,
President Nelson traveled south
to El Alto, Bolivia,
the major city built
at the highest
elevation in the world.
- It is a spiritually elevating
experience to be with you.
It is you, the Saints of
Bolivia, not the elevation,
that take our breath away.
- Do we have any Primary
children in the congregation?
If so, I would
like you to stand.
There's the future of
the Church in Bolivia!
- After visiting Bolivia,
the Nelsons and Stevensons
traveled to Paraguay,
where they met
with nearly 3,500
Latter-day Saints
at the Conmebol Convention
Center in Asuncion.
- We come to this earth
with a life to live,
with so much to learn.
But we need help, don't we?
- [Narrator] On the fourth stop
of his South American tour,
President Nelson
visited and ministered
to the Saints of Uruguay.
While there, he had
the unique opportunity
to spend time with the Rissos,
a four-generation
Latter-day Saint family.
In the evening, over
4,000 people gathered
to hear President
Nelson's inspired counsel.
- Hundreds and hundreds of
faithful Latter-day Saints
transformed this
tent into a chapel.
- [Narrator] For his final
stop, President Nelson
arrived in Chile for the
much-anticipated dedication
of the Concepción Chile Temple,
the second temple in Chile,
held on October 28th.
The proceedings of
the first session,
which included the
cornerstone ceremony,
were broadcast to meetinghouses
throughout the country.
- This represents the
importance of the cornerstone
of the Church, and that
is the Lord Jesus Christ.
- During his visit,
President Nelson
and other Church leaders
attended a luncheon,
where they met with
local government leaders
and dignitaries, such as
Governor Jorge Ulloa Aguillon.
The leaders also spoke to
the youth of the Church.
- What an amazing experience
it is for the youth
of the Church to be able to
go to the house of the Lord.
- You'll never be lost
if you can see the temple
in your lives.
- [Narrator] With the
temple dedication complete,
President Nelson returned
to the United States,
having left an
indelible impression
on the people of South America.
- [Narrator] President
Nelson's ministry didn't stop
after South America.
In November, along with
Elder David A. Bednar
and his wife, Susan,
President Nelson traveled
to San Antonio, Texas,
for a special devotional
at the Alamodome.
- Everyone lives
with challenges,
and if we truly understand who
we are and why we are here,
we can face the future
with faith in God
and His eternal
plan of happiness.
(choir singing)
- [Narrator] In February,
President Nelson's ministry
took him to Glendale,
Arizona, with Dallin H. Oaks,
the First Counselor in
the First Presidency,
and his wife, Kristen.
There they met with more
than 60,000 Latter-day Saints
at State Farm Stadium.
- Nice to meet you, Governor.
- [Narrator] Before the
devotional, President Nelson
met with Arizona
governor Doug Ducey
and other prominent
leaders in the state.
- It wasn't what I expected;
it was much better.
He is a compassionate,
learned, adventurous man.
I highly respect his opinions.
- Avrey.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Nice to meet you.
- [Narrator] In what
has become a hallmark
of President Nelson's ministry,
he met with young adults
to discuss their challenges
and give counsel.
- Even though we're in
these perilous times that
as long as we stay
immersed in the scriptures
and stay true to who we are,
that we can make it through.
- Well, it's amazing how
many people come out.
- [Narrator] Straight
ahead-in a season
of unprecedented
back-to-back wildfires,
the people of
California band together
to help in response to
those who are suffering.
- Right down there
is two-cycle oil
and bar-and-chain
oil right there.
- [Narrator] From
hurricanes to wildfires,
disasters often bring
out the best in people.
In early October, Hurricane
Michael made landfall
on the Florida
panhandle, bringing winds
of over 155 miles per hour
and destruction to match.
- We didn't know what
we were going to do.
We didn't.
- [Narrator] True to
their purpose, the
iconic yellow shirts
of Helping Hands from The
Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints came
from all over the region,
determined to meet the
devastation head-on.
(saw buzzing)
Seventy-year-old Shirley
Daniels's home and yard
were badly damaged
in the hurricane.
Then on Saturday morning,
people from a church
she didn't even know
showed up to help.
- You're just angels,
as far as I'm concerned.
Gift from God.
That's all I can say, sorry.
♪ I Believe in Christ 
- It was so wonderful
to see that whole room
full of yellow shirts.
- President Dallin H. Oaks
of the First Presidency
led a special delegation
of Church leaders
to visit the area and meet
those who are now recovering.
- The stability, faith,
and the rock-solid
we-are-here-to-stay attitude--
it's a remarkable
testimony of their faith in
and commitment to the
Lord Jesus Christ.
- [Narrator] That commitment
was evident only one month
later in California.
The Camp Fire,
the deadliest fire
in California history, brought
the picturesque mountain town
of Paradise to this.
- I think we thought
we were gonna die.
I remember thinking,
I'm not sure I'm ready
to die like this.
- [Narrator] When the flames
overtook her hometown,
Bryn Chatfield and her husband
fled down the mountain.
As they drove, Bryn
could only pray.
- It's made me realize
how many people use prayer
in their lives and how
important prayer is.
- [Narrator] In the aftermath,
many have offered prayers
and just as many have
jumped into action.
Members of the Gridley
California Stake
joined the community to put
these food boxes together.
The supplies will be distributed
to victims of the fire.
- Here, if you wanna put 'em in,
I can just put them in.
- Well, it's amazing
how many people come out
and are willing to
give and to serve.
- [Narrator] In January,
President Russell M. Nelson
arrived in Chico, California,
with a message of optimism.
- I know the Lord has been
guiding you in your efforts
to recover and move
forward in faith.
- The fire came this direction.
- [Narrator] Rob is the bishop
of his local Latter-day
Saint congregation.
Since the fire, he's
had to help his family
and his fellow members
get back on their feet.
- Here he is with his
wife and his children,
and there's no home left.
And yet they're
serving other people.
- [Narrator] Recovery
for this community
will be a long road.
But it's one people here are
committed to travel together.
♪ It is well 
- With the Lord as our
Exemplar and Redeemer,
whatever adversities or
tragedies may come our way,
each of us will be able to say,
It is well with my soul.
♪ It is well with my soul ♪
(gentle music)
(laughing)
- [Narrator] For the
third consecutive year,
the Church's
Christmas initiative,
Light the World, came to life.
In addition to releasing
a series of videos
encouraging people
to serve, the Church
raised $2.3 million dollars
through giving machines,
large, red vending machines
placed in the United States,
the United Kingdom,
and the Philippines.
These machines made it possible
for people to buy items
for those in need, such
as food, clean water,
and medical supplies.
In February, Sister
Joy D. Jones, Primary
General President,
traveled to Manhattan
to deliver funds
raised through these
giving machines to several
of the Church's global
humanitarian partners,
including CARE, WaterAid
America, and UNICEF USA.
- Thank you for the partnership.
Thank you for the spirit
with which these machines
were placed and for being with
us today to present a check
that's truly gonna
make the difference.
- [Narrator] The donations
are being used to purchase
nearly 843,000 meals,
more than 16,000 medical
and health supplies, close
to 11,000 clothing items
and household supplies,
nearly 20,000 chickens,
and nearly 4,800 goats.
Besides the donations
to the Church's
global humanitarian partners,
contributions were also made
to local organizations
in Manila, Philippines;
New York City, New York; London,
England; Gilbert, Arizona;
and Salt Lake City, Utah.
- 182 gas cards and bus passes.
- [Narrator] Sister
Sharon Eubank, Counselor
in the Relief Society General
Presidency and director
of LDS Charities, delivered
checks to the Utah Food Bank,
Eye Care 4 Kids, and the
Utah Refugee Connection.
(applauding)
♪ Somewhere in my memory ♪
- [Narrator] In December,
the Tabernacle Choir's
annual Christmas concert
was a shimmering display
of so many of the
traditions that audiences
have grown to love.
(dramatic classical music)
This year's guest artist,
Kristin Chenoweth,
brought her award-winning talent
to the concert's tradition
of pageantry, dance numbers,
and timeless storytelling.
- This is the gift
of the Christ Child.
♪ Fall on your knees 
- [Narrator] In all, some 600
performers took to the stage
to thrill more
than 60,000 people
during the live performances.
♪ Ah 
(dramatic music)
- [Narrator] Coming up, the
Church announces new guidelines
for families and
missionaries that will
help them stay connected.
- [Narrator] And still
to come, an inside look
at the Rome Italy Temple.
Stay with us.
- As Latter-day Saints, we've
become accustomed to thinking
of church as something that
happens in our meetinghouses.
supported by what
happens at home.
We need an adjustment
to this pattern.
It is time for a
home-centered Church.
- [Narrator] In October
general conference,
President Russell M. Nelson,
along with Elder Quentin L. Cook
of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles,
announced a new two-hour
Sunday meeting schedule.
These changes are intended
to bring a new balance
and connection between gospel
instruction in the church
and in the home.
- We love our missionaries,
and the missionaries
love their families,
and they want to
communicate with them.
- [Narrator] In February, the
First Presidency of the Church
announced an update to
guidelines for communication
between full-time missionaries
and their families.
- Additional to
letters and emails,
now the missionaries may
initiate a phone call back home
or a chat.
So it's a marvelous
thing that we think
will have wonderful positive
results for families
and for the missionaries.
- The Lord impressed upon
my mind the importance
of the name He decreed
for His Church.
- [Narrator] In its continued
effort to better reflect
its name and its
commitment to Jesus Christ,
the Church is consolidating
and renaming its websites
and social media channels.
LDS.org has been renamed
ChurchofJesusChrist.org,
and Mormon Newsroom is now
Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
- On behalf of the First
Presidency of The Church
of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints,
I am pleased to announce a
two-million-dollar contribution.
(audience applauding)
- [Narrator] A stirring
moment of support
from The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints
and FamilySearch
International, as witnessed
by thousands attending
RootsTech 2019
at the Salt Lake City
Convention Center.
Kicking off the first day with
a two-million-dollar donation
from the Church, presented
by Elder David A. Bednar
of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles.
(audience applauding)
- Michael, we pray that
through this donation
and the continuing
partnership between the Church
and the International
African American Museum,
millions and millions of
God's children will be blessed
with an increased
sense of connection,
belonging, and purpose.
- [Narrator] The funds
will support the creation
of a Center for Family History
within the International
African American Museum
in Charleston, South Carolina.
When completed, the museum
will house 40,000 square feet
of artifact displays,
educational attractions,
and an ever-expanding
genealogical database
that visitors can access
within the museum's
Center for Family History.
Special guests
attending attending the
RootsTech convention
included the museum's
president and CEO,
Michael Boulware Moore,
and Martin Luther King III.
- [Narrator] Relief
Society General President
Jean B. Bingham and Young
Women General President
Bonnie H. Cordon
traveled to West Africa
with their husbands
in early March.
During the 11-day trip,
the leaders visited Ghana,
Nigeria, and Cote
d'Ivoire, or Ivory Coast.
(laughing)
- Yes, we'll be just on route.
- [Narrator] First
on the agenda,
meeting the first lady of
Ghana to discuss the Church's
programs for women and youth
and its humanitarian efforts.
- You could feel her genuine
caring for the people.
She has done so much that
has blessed her citizens--
the women, the children--
and I felt such an
affinity with her.
I felt like we were
just grandmothers
that could just sit down
and talk about our children
and grandchildren and about
the challenges of the world.
- [Narrator] While in
Accra, they also ministered
to several members
in their homes.
- You're wonderful.
The purpose of our visit
is to meet the Saints,
to do some instruction
for the sisters,
to hear their challenges,
to feel their hearts,
and to let them know
that we love them.
- [Narrator] At the
meetinghouse, Sister Bingham
participated in a pilot
gospel literacy program
that teaches women how to
read while teaching them
about the gospel
of Jesus Christ.
- [Jean] We have an opportunity
to instruct, to love
and be with the sisters, and
to see life through their eyes.
We're hoping that we can
understand more about life
in Africa and some
of the great things
that they get to celebrate
and some of their challenges
and the things that
keep them up at night.
- I love you.
- Thank you!
- Thank you.
- And continue in all the
good ways that you are doing.
(upbeat flute music)
- [Narrator] In the
American Southwest,
Sister Reyna I. Aburto
of the Relief Society
General Presidency reached
out to Latter-day Saints
in New Mexico and Arizona
in early November.
- We will bless you
and your family.
- [Narrator] Here, youth
and senior missionaries
are gathering oral histories
from aging members of the tribe
to preserve their
stories and language
because many members of
the rising generation
speak only English.
- Would you ever go
back and visit them?
- [Narrator] Sister
Aburto was able to see
how the process works
during home visits.
- My faith has been
strengthened because I'm here
among these special people.
And I know that they
will continue to blossom
like a rose in the desert.
- [Narrator] Elder D.
Todd Christofferson
of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles and Bob Woodward,
renowned Washington Post
investigative journalist,
were part of a compelling
forum held in Washington D.C.
In 1972, then 28-year-old
Todd Christofferson
was a law clerk for
Judge John J. Sirica.
Together they were
the first to listen
to subpoenaed audiotapes
that demonstrated
U.S. President Richard Nixon's
complicity in a cover-up,
a case infamously
known as Watergate.
At the center of the effort
to discover the truth
were Washington Post
journalists Bob Woodward
and Carl Bernstein.
The uncovering of
information ultimately
led to Nixon's resignation.
- Over 400 people, including
journalists, politicians,
academics, and students,
packed the auditorium.
- If there had been a
strong lawyer in his midst
who would go in and slam
down his fist, saying,
You're President of the United
States; you can't do this.
- Even in small things, I
think you have to be careful.
When it seems, quote,
you won't get caught
or it doesn't matter
or it's just too small,
I don't think you can
make an exception.
- [Narrator] Up next, a
breathtaking list of new temples
announced around the world,
while other sites break ground.
- [Narrator] And later,
a look at the design
and historical influences
of the Rome Italy Temple.
(cheerful  music)
- Today we are pleased
to announce plans
to construct 12 more temples.
- [Narrator] We begin with
President Nelson's announcement
about temples in the
Western Hemisphere
and head south to Latin American
to what will be the
Mendoza Argentina Temple.
This temple will be the
fourth in Argentina,
a country where
nearly half a million
Latter-day Saints reside.
- [Narrator] Next we
move north to Brazil
to what will be the
Salvador Brazil Temple.
There are six operating
temples in this country,
with two more under construction
and three others announced
but not yet begun.
Moving to Mesoamerica,
we come to what will be
Mexico's 14th temple,
the Puebla Mexico Temple.
There are nearly 1.5
million Latter-day Saints
living in Mexico.
- [Narrator] Our next stop
is Yuba City, California.
The Yuba City California
Temple will be the 8th temple
in California.
- Crossing the United
States to the Caribbean,
the San Juan Puerto Rico
Temple will be the first temple
in Puerto Rico, where more
than 23,000 Latter-day
Saints live.
Ground will be broken
on Saturday, May 4th.
- [Narrator] Traveling
across the Atlantic,
we come to Cabo Verde,
where nearly 15,000
Latter-day Saints reside.
This set of islands, some 350
miles off the northwest coast
of Africa, will have its
first temple in Praia.
The groundbreaking for the
Praia Cabo Verde Temple
will take place on May 4th.
- [Narrator] Moving east
onto the African continent,
we come to the future location
of the Lagos Nigeria Temple,
Nigeria's second temple
and the ninth in Africa.
Traveling across Africa
to Southeast Asia,
the Phnom Penh Cambodia
Temple will be the first built
in Cambodia and
the ninth in Asia.
- [Narrator] And crossing
the South China Sea
to the Philippines, the
Davao Philippines Temple
will be the sixth temple
for this island nation
of 107 million people.
Moving across the Philippine
Sea into the Western Pacific,
we come to the future location
of the Yigo Guam Temple.
This will be the
first temple in Guam.
Ground for this temple
will be broken on May 4th.
- [Narrator] Moving south
across the Coral Sea,
we come to what will be the
Auckland New Zealand Temple.
This will be the second
temple in New Zealand,
following the Hamilton
New Zealand Temple,
which is closed for renovations.
And back to North America,
we come to Southern Utah,
the future location of the
Washington County Utah Temple.
This will be Utah's 20th temple.
- [Narrator] This completes
our list of 12 new temples,
but there are many more
important dedications
and updates of temples
around the globe.
In Latin America, the
Barranquilla Colombia Temple
became the 161st operating
temple of the Church
after its dedication
on December 9, 2018.
It was formally dedicated
by President Dallin H. Oaks,
First Counselor in
the First Presidency.
- Brothers and sisters, we
are pleased to welcome you
to the site of the temple.
- [Narrator] Before the
dedication, President Oaks
and Elder Ulisses
Soares of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles met
with the assembled guests
outside the temple for
the cornerstone ceremony.
- The sealing of the cornerstone
is an important symbolic
conclusion of the temple.
- [Narrator] This is the
country's second temple
and the 19th temple in South
America, serving approximately
35,000 Latter-day Saints in
Colombia's northern regions.
- [Narrator] Across the
Pacific and back to the islands
of the Philippines,
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
of the Quorum of
the Twelve presided
over the groundbreaking ceremony
for the Urdaneta Philippines
Temple on January 16th.
There are more
than three quarters
of a million Latter-day Saints
living in the Philippines.
Moving to southeast
Asia, ground was broken
for the Bangkok Thailand
Temple on January 26th.
Asia Area President,
Elder David F. Evans,
presided over the ceremony.
Across the Pacific and
to the Mountain West,
ground was broken for the
Pocatello Idaho Temple
on March 16th with Elder
Wilford W. Andersen
presiding at the ceremony.
(audience applauding)
The temple in Pocatello
is the sixth in Idaho,
a state with nearly half a
million Latter-day Saints.
- With the passage of time,
temples are inevitably
in need of refreshing
and renewal.
- [Narrator] During last
October's general conference,
President Russell M.
Nelson spoke about temples
that would be closed
for renovation.
The St. George Utah Temple
will close on November 4th
of this year and is
expected to reopen in 2022.
The Salt Lake Temple will also
be closed for renovations.
Dates for this and other
renovations will be announced.
- [Narrator] Straight ahead
a strong new partnership to 
protect children
and  faith leader, and champion 
of religious freedom
is recognized by a member of
the Twelve.
These stories and more
In the News. 
(upbeat music)
- [Narrator] Elder D. Todd
Christofferson of the Quorum
of the Twelve traveled to
Buenos Aires, Argentina
in late September,
representing the Church
and its humanitarian outreach
at the G20 Interfaith Forum.
- Jesus taught that we must
care for the poor and the needy.
We believe that this is one
of our fundamental obligations,
fundamental moral obligations
as a people and as a Church.
- Last September, Church leaders
had the special opportunity
of meeting with the prime
minister of New Zealand
and presenting her with
a two-volume record
of her family history.
The Right Honorable
Jacinda Ardern
greeted Elder O. Vincent Haleck,
President of the Pacific
Area, and Elder Ian S. Ardern
of the Area Presidency and also
the prime minister's uncle.
Having become prime
minister at age 37,
Jacinda Ardern is the
world's youngest female
head of government.
- As faith leaders, we hold a
trusted position in the lives
of families and therefore
have a great responsibility
for their safety and well-being.
- [Narrator] In October,
Sister Joy D. Jones,
Primary General President,
joined with other Utah community
and faith leaders to
call on people to unite
in protecting children
from child abuse.
- As we combine our
efforts, I believe
that we'll see
great things happen.
- [Narrator] In December,
the New York Latter-day Saint
Professional Association
held its annual banquet
at the historic Riverside
Church in Manhattan.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
was the keynote speaker,
addressing an audience
representing numerous
denominations and paying tribute
to Rabbi Joseph Potasnik,
a prominent Jewish leader
in New York City.
- So we come here
tonight-different backgrounds
and beliefs--but may we
continue to bring light
and love to one another.
- [Narrator] For more than
30 years, Rabbi Potasnik
has reached out to the
interfaith community
while airing his radio
program Religion on the Line.
- During the Silicon
Slopes Tech Summit
held in late January,
the call went out
on the Church-sponsored
JustServe.org website
for summit participants and
people from the community
to help provide meals
to hungry children
in the United States.
- We have a goal to
produce one million meals
at the end of this project.
- [Narrator] By partnering with
Feeding Children Everywhere
and BrainStorm, Incorporated,
as well as JustServe,
over 5,000 volunteers were
able to help provide meals
for those in need.
Up next, it's much more
than a glimpse inside.
When we come right back
you'll get a sustained view
into the purpose and promise
of the Rome Italy Temple.
(dramatic music)
- [Narrator] Just outside
of modern-day Rome,
a new religious center has
emerged near the village
of La Cinquina Bufalotta.
In homage to the cultured
city for which it's named,
the 40,000-square-foot Rome
Italy Temple of The Church
of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints
takes design cues
from ancient Rome,
enduring influences that
have impacted the world
in architecture and
art for 2,000 years.
- It is beautiful.
The craftsmanship is
expert and perfect.
- This had to be one that when
you walked onto this site,
every person should feel like
they were on an Italian site.
They would recognize it
because of the materials,
because of the design, and
because of the surrounding.
- [Narrator] In 1997,
the Church purchased
an available 15-acre farm.
- And the Church
bought the land.
Nobody, of course,
knew exactly what was
going to happen here.
But members started calling
this piece of property
the future temple site.
(peaceful music)
- [Narrator] During the Church's
October general conference
in 2008, President Thomas
S. Monson announced plans
for a temple in Rome.
Two years later, he broke
ground on the project.
- It was a great day
for me, for my family,
and for all the Saints in Italy.
- [Narrator] Now,
Italian members celebrate
another historic day,
the completion of their
much-anticipated temple.
- I have strong feelings
because finally we have a temple
very close to us here in Italy.
- Now my children will
have more opportunities
to go to the temple than
I had when I was younger.
I'm from Sicily, so I
could go to the temple
just once a year.
- It's a really great
opportunity and blessing
for all the Saints here in Italy
to go back to our
Heavenly Father's house.
- [Narrator] The sacred
structure's curved Bianco Sardo
granite-clad walls are
inspired by the oval design
from the Baroque era that
incorporates an impressive array
of stained-glass windows
inspired by the olive tree.
- The Church of San
Carlino in Quattro Fontane,
I immediately thought could
be inspiration for the temple.
That started this very early
concept of a curved temple,
both on the exterior as
well as on the interior.
- [Narrator] The finest
materials can be seen
throughout the Rome Italy
Temple, from the stone flooring,
quarried in northern Tuscany
and marble from Spain,
to the sapele burl and
cherry wood millwork
and glass fixtures from Venice,
all created and installed by
top artisans and craftsmen.
- The temple is an expression
of our love and devotion
to the Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Nothing is too
good for the Lord.
- [Narrator] Those
materials, highlighted
in the temple's remarkable
grand lobby staircase,
a true engineering feat.
- It's connected just at
the top and the bottom,
so, it's essentially a
free-floating staircase,
and, of course, an
elliptical shape.
- [Narrator] The oval
design, reminiscent
of Michelangelo's masterpiece
Piazza del Campidoglio.
- [Bret] It's
something to behold.
- [Narrator] The piazza's
intricate elliptic pattern
carries over into the flooring,
ceiling, and staircase
that surrounds a one-of-a-kind
hand-blown glass chandelier,
which incorporates the
Venetian leaf pattern.
Paintings hang in all
areas of the temple,
reminding temple guests of
Jesus Christ and His teachings
to follow Him.
This work of art
in the baptistry
depicts the Savior's baptism.
The baptistry's
purpose is in keeping
with the Savior's example
to enter the waters
of baptism and His commandment
that all must be baptized.
Here, temple patrons can act
on behalf of those who did not
have the chance to be
baptized in this life.
Inlaid stone wraps around
an oval font adorned
with Roman-style
acanthus leaves,
held up by 12 oxen representing
the 12 tribes of Israel.
More superb artwork decorates
the instruction room,
where devout members learn
about God's love, Creation,
and purpose of life.
The mural reveals a
magnificent setting
depicting Italy's landscape,
from countryside to seascape.
Crystalline sconces
and hand-painted chairs
enhance the Baroque-era
feel of the bridal room.
And in the sealing rooms,
families are joined
together forever,
demonstrated by the mirrors'
seemingly endless reflection
that symbolizes eternity.
The celestial room
epitomizes the progression
of reaching heaven itself.
An exquisite hand-made
crystal chandelier
serves as the
centerpiece of the room,
accented by elegant
handmade furnishings
from Italian artisans, down
to the most intricate detail.
- [Bednar] In our holy temples,
available are the most sacred
and important sacraments or
ordinances that we receive
as members of our Church.
And those ordinances
bring peace.
They bring purpose.
They're a source
of remarkable joy.
- One of the most striking
elements of the temple campus,
the visitors' center, a
masterpiece in its own right.
- [Bednar] When I saw the
statues of the Savior,
the Christus, and
the Twelve Apostles,
it was just a spiritually
stunning moment for me.
- [Narrator] Facing the temple
through full-length windows,
a life-size statue
of the Christus,
accompanied by the
original Twelve Apostles,
except for the Paul figure,
which replaces Judas Iscariot.
They're replicas of the
Bertel Thorvaldsen statues
in the Church of
Our Lady in Denmark.
The Lutheran Church
granted special permission
for The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints
to digitally scan the
statues which are carved out
of Carrara marble taken
from the same quarry
in Tuscany as
Michelangelo's David.
An original mural featuring
olive trees in an Italian
countryside complements
the sacred ensemble.
Visitors can also view a
model of the Rome Temple
showing a cutaway of the
interior in exact replica.
The visitors' center,
temple patron housing,
and meetinghouse
connect to the temple
through an Italian-style
piazza of native travertine.
The Church has gone to great
lengths in preservation,
(rocks clicking)
using salvaged 100-year-old
basalt cobblestones
from the streets of Rome
for the temple roundabout.
- If you look closely
at some of these stones,
you can still see the grooves
worn in by the passage
of old wagon wheels.
(gentle, light music)
- [Narrator] Additionally,
the Church saved
existing Italian stone
pine trees on the property
that now provide a tranquil
shady setting over stairs
leading to the temple.
Olive trees from the old
farm were also preserved,
and ancient olive trees,
400 to 500 years old
from northern Italy, are
planted in the piazza.
- [Bednar] Whenever you cut
the roots of an olive tree,
they'll sprout.
Some have suggested that
perhaps that's symbolic
of the hope of the Resurrection.
- [Narrator] Rome,
with her storied past,
now has a beautiful new
and historic addition.
Once dedicated, the
Rome Italy Temple
will be the 162nd operating
temple of The Church
of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.
- [Bednar] My genuine
hope is that all people
to the temple, to
the visitors' center,
I just yearn for them
to feel the joy that
will be evident there.
- We offer our
testimony of the reality
of Christ's matchless life
and the infinite virtue
of His great atoning sacrifice.
- His gospel was a message
of peace and goodwill.
He entreated all to
follow His example.
- He walked the roads of
Palestine, healing the sick,
causing the blind to see,
and raising the dead.
- He taught eternal truths,
the reality of the
premortal existence,
the purpose of life on
earth, and the potential
that all of the sons and
daughters of God have
in the life to come.
- He gave His life to atone
for the sins of all mankind.
His was a great
vicarious gift in behalf
of all who would ever
live upon the earth.
- He was the Firstborn
of the Father,
the Only Begotten
Son in the flesh,
the Redeemer of the world.
- He rose from the grave
to become the first fruits
of them that slept.
- We declare in words of
solemnity that His priesthood
and His Church have been
restored upon the earth,
- built upon the foundation
of apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being
the chief cornerstone.
- We testify that He
will return to earth,
and the glory of the
Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall
see it together
- He will rule as King of Kings
and reign as Lord of Lords,
and every knee shall
bend and every tongue
shall speak in
worship before Him.
- Each of us will stand
to be judged of Him
according to our works and
the desires of our hearts.
- We bear testimony, as
His duly ordained Apostles,
that Jesus is the Living
Christ, the immortal Son of God.
- He is the great King
Immanuel, who stands today
on the right hand of His Father.
He is the light, the life,
and the hope of the world.
- His way is the path
that leads to happiness
in this life and eternal
life in the world to come.
God be thanked for the matchless
gift of His divine Son.
- [Narrator] This has been the
World Report for April 2019.
- [Narrator] To watch
the World Report online,
go to
Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
