Cobán Guatemala Temple
Latest News
Recent News Articles
- June 28, 2024 – ‘Strong in Cobán’: Stories of faith from the Cobán Guatemala Temple dedication
- June 9, 2024 – Elder Dale G. Renlund Dedicates the Cobán Guatemala Temple
- June 9, 2024 – ‘Ma sa laa ch’ ool’: Elder Dale G. Renlund dedicates Cobán Guatemala Temple with heartfelt focus on Q’eqchi’ greeting
- June 8, 2024 – A prophecy fulfilled: A look back at 45 years of faith as Guatemalan Saints prepare for dedication of the Cobán temple
- June 4, 2024 – President Johnson Ministers to Relief Society Sisters in Guatemala
- April 22, 2024 – The Cobán Guatemala Temple Is Open for Public Tours
- January 16, 2024 – Open House and Dedication Dates for Temples in Guatemala, Argentina and Utah
News Stories
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Elder Renlund Dedicates the Cobán Guatemala Temple
"My invitation on this day of temple dedication is that you assess your own heart and change what needs changing. Dedicate your heart to God," said Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the dedication of the Cobán Guatemala Temple on Sunday, June 9, 2024. "Over many years, you have prayed to have a temple here," he said. "God has heard those prayers. You have made the construction of this temple possible because of your faith and faithfulness. Thank you for your goodness."
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Cobán Guatemala Temple Open House News Conference
On Monday, April 22, representatives from various media outlets participated in a news conference for the open house of the Cobán Guatemala Temple. Following two days of invited guest tours, the public will be received at the temple for free tours of the interior from Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, May 11, 2024, with no tours held on Sundays. Hours are Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Friday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. The exterior design is inspired by Spanish Colonial architecture. Other design details reference geometric patterns typical of the local textiles of Cobán.
Photo: Julio Cesar Ovalle Cuzz
Temple Presidents and Matrons Announced for Cobán and Mendoza
The first temple president and matron for the Cobán Guatemala Temple and Mendoza Argentina Temple have been announced. Felix Rosales Choc and Violeta Esmeralda Poou Chub de Rosales will serve in the Cobán Guatemala Temple. President Rosales is a branch presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker. Rubén Sabatino Tidei and Maria Matilde Calvo Tidei will be president and matron of the Mendoza Argentina Temple. President Tidei is a temple ordinance worker and bishopric counselor.
Photo: Cobán Noticioso
Opening Dates Announced for the Cobán Guatemala Temple
A public open house for the Cobán Guatemala Temple has been announced for Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, May 11, excluding Sundays. Before the public open house, a media day will be held on Monday, April 22, and tours for invited guests will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 23 and 24. Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple in two sessions at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. CST on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Photo: Christian Matheu
North Lawn of the Cobán Guatemala Temple Grounds Landscaped
The former Cobán 2nd Ward meetinghouse that stood on a knoll north of the Cobán Guatemala Temple was demolished at the beginning of the year. The land was subsequently leveled and landscaped as part of the temple grounds, improving visibility of the temple in the process. A replacement meetinghouse has been constructed south of the temple and an accommodation building to the east. Landscaping of this north lawn area is nearing completion.
Photo: Joseline Garcia
Safety Fence Removed from the Cobán Guatemala Temple
The orange safety fence that stood along the street in front of the Cobán Guatemala Temple has been removed, as construction of this house of the Lord nears completion. Plans to build the temple were announced nearly 4 years ago at the October 2019 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A groundbreaking was held 13 months later in November 2020.
Photo: Zé Gonçalves
Monument Sign for the Cobán Guatemala Temple
The monument sign for the Cobán Guatemala Temple is inscribed in two languages: Spanish and Q'eqchi'—a Mayan language still spoken in regions of Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico. The temple in Cobán will be the closest temple for members living in Northern Guatemala and Belize. Exterior lighting is now operational, accentuating the beautiful architecture of the building at night.
Photo: Zé Gonçalves
Exterior Lighting Tests at the Cobán Guatemala Temple
Tests of the exterior lighting system at the Cobán Guatemala Temple have begun with the steeple, facade, and monument sign. Construction on Guatemala's third temple began 32 months ago. It is located in the Alta Verapaz Department of North Central Guatemala and was once part of the Maya civilization. The temple will bring the sacred ordinances of the House of the Lord closer to members in the country's northern reaches.
Photo: Hugo Mauricio Caal Beb
Stone Casing Added to the Cobán Guatemala Temple
The sun begins to rise on another construction day at the Cobán Guatemala Temple. Scaffolding has been removed from the steeple where ornamental grills have been installed over the windows. The arched entryway and steeple windows have been cased in stone, and the entry doors have been hung. Construction of the temple has been underway for two and a half years.
Photo: Christian Matheu Fotografía
Landscaping Progress at the Cobán Guatemala Temple
The forested mountains of Guatemala's Central Highlands are a breathtaking backdrop for the Cobán Guatemala Temple. The symmetrical grounds feature winding walkways, circular gathering areas, and matching rows of royal palms down the front lawn. Flowerbeds are being planted, and grass sod has been laid. The other buildings on site include two guardhouses, two maintenance buildings, an accommodation center, and a meetinghouse.
Photo: Julio Cesar Ovalle Cuzz
Major Advancements on the Cobán Guatemala Temple
Hundreds of potted plants sit in tidy rows on the property just north of the Cobán Guatemala Temple, ready to become part of the formal grounds. Shiny sheet metal has been attached to the frame for the cupola, which is topped with a lantern and finial assembly. Moldings are being attached at the top of the exterior walls, and the concrete core and footing for the monument sign have been installed near the street.
Photo: Karin Cuellar
Fence Installation Underway on the Cobán Guatemala Temple Grounds
Black fence posts and panels are being installed inside the oval walkway that encircles the formal grounds of the Cobán Guatemala Temple. The posts are secured to concrete bases before the panels are inserted. Installation of stone trim continues along the base of the temple and around the window and door openings. Construction on the project began 27 months ago.
Photo: Julio Cesar Ovalle Cuzz
Exterior Stonework for the Cobán Guatemala Temple
Stone trim is being attached along the base of the Cobán Guatemala Temple, most noticeably on either side of the entrance doorway. Trim pieces are also being added around windows and doors. Markings along the tops of the walls indicate where moldings will be affixed. Scaffolding has gone up around the steeple, which will be clad in metal sheets.
Photo: Yohana Esperanza Rax
Work on the Cobán Guatemala Temple Focused on the Interior
Recent work on the Cobán Guatemala Temple has been largely concentrated on the interior, but landscaping efforts are also moving forward including additional walkways and the planting of palm trees. The temple will be the third constructed in Guatemala. Groundbreaking for the country's fourth temple will be held in Guatemala City on December 3, and a fifth temple was recently announced for the city of Huehuetenango.
Photo: Julio Cesar Ovalle Cuzz
Hardscaping the Cobán Guatemala Temple Grounds
Hard elements of the Cobán Guatemala Temple grounds are being installed in front of the temple entrance including walkways, bollards, and a circular landscape feature. Markings on the exterior walls are preparation for the trim pieces that will be attached to form window casings, cornices, and base moldings. The roof and brick exterior of the new meetinghouse have been completed, and white lines around the building mark the location for the walkways. Scaffolding covers the facade of the accommodation center.
Photo: Julio Cesar Ovalle Cuzz
An Overhead View of the Cobán Guatemala Temple Complex
A recent photograph taken from a building across the street from the Cobán Guatemala Temple provides a beautiful overhead view of the temple complex. Along the north side, a guardhouse is under construction, a parking lot has been installed, and a maintenance building sits in the corner. The temple stands at the center of the property with a housing facility to the east (behind the temple) and a new meetinghouse to the south.
Photo: Adriana Winter
Entrance Frame Installed at the Cobán Guatemala Temple
An arched frame has been bolted to the ceiling of the recessed entryway to the Cobán Guatemala Temple. It will be used to create the rounded opening at the front of the building and to frame the Holiness to the Lord lettering that will appear underneath the arch, just above the transom window over the entry doors. The steeple dome frame has been sheathed and partially covered with sheeting.
Cupola Frame Installed on the Cobán Guatemala Temple
The steel frame for the cupola and lantern of the Cobán Guatemala Temple has been secured to the steeple body. On the exterior walls, the concrete sealer is being coated in a white primer. Structural framing for the patron housing facility has been completed while framing continues on the new meetinghouse.
Photo: Dany Cucul
Concrete Sealer Applied to the Cobán Guatemala Temple
A concrete sealer has been applied to the structural walls of the Cobán Guatemala Temple. Since construction began 17 months ago, the structural walls and framing have been erected for all of the major buildings in the complex. The name Cobán comes from the Q'eqchi' language meaning "between clouds." The city sits at an elevation of 4,330 feet (1,320 meters) above sea level.
Photo: Julio Cesar Ovalle Cuzz
Structural Walls Completed for the Cobán Guatemala Temple
A panoramic view of the Cobán Guatemala Temple complex shows the existing church building on the left and the temple construction site on the right. The concrete structural walls for the temple are in place, and crews are setting steel rods for the walls of the steeple. Construction continues on the ancillary facilities located to the east and south. The temple will be the third in Guatemala with a fourth announced for Guatemala City.
Photo: Matt Jarvis
Walls Rising for the Cobán Guatemala Temple
A clear, wide view of the Cobán Guatemala Temple site shows the rapid progress being made on the structural walls for both the temple and the patron housing facility. The first floor walls for the temple have been poured and cured, and rebar has been set for the upper mechanical level that will run from the front of the building to the rear. Work has begun on the second level of the housing facility.
Photo: Alex Merida
One-Year Anniversary for the Cobán Guatemala Temple
A new photograph of the Cobán Guatemala Temple was taken on Sunday, marking the one-year anniversary since the groundbreaking ceremony was held. Construction began in earnest about six months ago when construction equipment arrived. Excavations have been carried out, and work is now underway on pouring footings, digging utility trenches, and installing conduit.
Photo: Google
Excavation Progress for the Cobán Guatemala Temple
A satellite image taken last month of the Cobán Guatemala Temple site shows the progress being made on excavation for the foundations of the temple and the patron housing facility that will sit behind it. The design for the temple is similar to the designs for three other temples that are nearing completion across the globe including the Yigo Guam Temple, Praia Cape Verde Temple, and San Juan Puerto Rico Temple.
Photo: Alex Mérida
Preparing the Cobán Guatemala Temple Site for Construction
Heavy machinery is in operation at the Cobán Guatemala Temple site to prepare the ground for construction. A sheepsfoot (or padfoot) roller is compacting the soil—a common practice in construction to increase the load-bearing capacity of the earth and to reduce the chances of settling. Construction barriers, orange safety fences, and signage have been installed around the property.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Ceremony Held for Cobán Guatemala Temple Groundbreaking
Elder Brian K. Taylor, president of the Central America Area, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cobán Guatemala Temple on November 14, 2020. Located in the highlands of central Guatemala, Cobán will be the third city in Guatemala to have a temple. The nation's fourth temple has been announced for an unknown location in the Guatemala City metropolitan area. The 5.4-acre site for the 8,800-square-foot temple is adjacent to an existing meetinghouse in Barrio Bella Vista. Plans call for a patron housing facility to also be constructed on site. In his dedicatory prayer, Elder Taylor prayed, "Wilt Thou accept our offering and may Thy grace and presence abide here and in our lives always is our humble prayer and earnest petition." The recorded ceremony will be broadcast this evening.
Photo: Diego Ferreti
25th Anniversary of the Cobán Guatemala Stake
A devotional for the 25th anniversary of the Cobán Guatemala Stake will be held today via Zoom. The stake was organized on October 29, 1995. Pioneer members of the stake have been invited to speak at the special meeting. In just two weeks, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cobán Guatemala Temple will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2020.
Photo: Alfredo Cucul
November Groundbreaking Set for Cobán Guatemala Temple
Elder Brian K. Taylor, president of the Central America Area, will preside at the groundbreaking for the Cobán Guatemala Temple in November 2020. The 8,800-square-foot building will be constructed adjacent to the meetinghouse for the Cobán 2nd Ward. Plans also call for a patron housing facility. It will be the third temple constructed in Guatemala, joining the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple and the Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Exterior Rendering Released for the Cobán Guatemala Temple
The official rendering for the Cobán Guatemala Temple was released today, showing a single-level building of approximately 8,800 square feet to be built on a 5.4-acre site adjacent to the meetinghouse for the Cobán 2nd Ward in Zone 8, located in the southeastern section of the city. Plans also call for a temple patron housing facility to be constructed on site.