25 years ago
Called "the first temple in a Spanish-speaking country," the Santiago Chile Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley in 10 dedicatory sessions Sept. 15-17.
The only other temple in Mexico, Central America and South America was in Portuguese-speaking Brazil — the Sao Paulo Brazil Temple.
The Sept. 25, 1983, Church News reported President Hinckley, second counselor in the First Presidency, was representing President Spencer W. Kimball at the dedication attended by 15,370 members.
Dedicatory sessions "drew members from throughout the 2,700-mile-long country," the Church News reported. "Some rode buses from as far as Antofagasta, a trip the equivalent of driving from Maine to Missouri. Those from Punta Arenas at the southern extreme traveled by air."
As president of the Church, President Hinckley returned to Santiago and rededicated the temple in two sessions March 12, 2006, after renovation and enlarging.
