Now, imagine we’re back on October 7, 2018-a day buzzing with excitement for the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cape Verde. They hear the announcement: A temple will be built right here in Praia! For the first time ever, Cape Verde would host a sacred temple-a sort of spiritual home base. By the end of that day, this tiny country was keeping pretty impressive company; President Russell M. Nelson also announced 11 other temples, and the running total reached a whopping 201 worldwide. That’s more temples than the number of excuses I come up with to not exercise!
Ground was officially broken on May 4, 2019. Paul V. Johnson, the president of the church’s Europe Area, picked up a shovel and, with a grin, kicked off construction. I like to think there was probably some nervous excitement in the air-after all, starting a sacred project of this scale is a bit like planting a seed and waiting to see just how beautiful it'll grow.
The temple itself is a study in Cape Verdean simplicity and strength, blending gently with its surroundings. It’s just one story, with clean lines and an elegant end tower. The stone, moleanos limestone shipped all the way from Portugal, gleams in the sunshine, while ripe gardens and shade trees offer visitors a sense of tranquility. If you wander the paths around the 4.46-acre plot, you’ll catch the scent of flowering shrubs-let’s hope you have a good sense of direction, or you’ll get lost trying to find the meetinghouse next door!
Inside, the design is full of symbolism, honoring the heritage and spirit of Praia. There’s one instruction room, one sealing room, and a peaceful baptistry. In classic “Cape Verdean efficiency,” the instruction and sealing rooms are actually convertible-swapping functions as needed-just like a convertible sofa, but far more meaningful!
When the temple was completed, the public was invited in for an open house in 2022. Over 10,000 curious visitors flocked through the doors before the building was finally dedicated in a moving ceremony by Neil L. Andersen on June 19, 2022.
Temple presidents serve three years at a time, with Roberto F. Oliveira and Eliana Oliveira first in charge, and now Adriano F. Lopes and Teresinha Da Cruz Lopes at the helm.
Today, members enter for sacred worship, seeing this place as a house of the Lord. And while you might be hoping to peek inside, remember-like a magician’s hat, only those with the right invitation get to see the true wonders within!
Eager to learn more about the design and architecture, temple presidents or the admittance? Simply drop your inquiries in the chat section and I'll provide the details you need.
