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BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
Visiting a temple days before its dedication (or rededication) is akin to peering inside a massive beehive. It's alive with almost ferocious activity as workers dart from one task to another.
Such a scene of organized chaos will be transformed into a sacred refuge of peace and serene worship on Sunday, Sept. 9, when thousands gather here for the rededication of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple.
In the days and hours leading up to the rededication sessions, the enthusiasm at the temple is palpable. Strangers greet one another with hardy "Buenos Días." Old friends and coworkers, meanwhile, swap hugs before beginning their day's work, tending to the temple gardens, polishing the furniture inside or attending to a long list of administrative duties.
The Argentine members here don't mind the last-minute toil. It's been three years since this South American country had a temple in operation, and the faithful here are anxious to do whatever is asked in preparation for Sunday's reopening.
President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, is scheduled to preside over the three temple rededication sessions. He is expected to be joined here by Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Originally opened in 1986, the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple was closed in 2009 to allow for major structural renovations and to bring the beloved edifice up to current building standards.
The changes to the building are indeed dramatic. The renovation includes two new wings with art glass found throughout the temple. The details are distinctly Argentine. New triple-paned insulated glass incorporates the familiar light blue and white colors found on the national flag.
The exterior also enjoys a new look. Again one can recognize the Argentine colors in the flower patterns found in many of the floral gardens. Visitors also pass a new fountain before entering the temple. Interior decorative painting and gold leafing patterns were taken from historic architecture found in Buenos Aires.
An additional building was also completed adjacent to the temple to provide housing for temple leadership. Also found on this sprawling property site, located just off one of the capital city's central highways, is temple patron housing, the Argentina missionary training center and a distribution center.
Devout members here appreciate the temple's structural changes and improvements. But they also marvel at the changes a rededicated temple promises to bring to the lives of the tens of thousands of people who will soon worship here.
"This temple will unite families and bring peace to members living in a difficult world," said Sergio Gomez of the Belgrano Ward, Buenos Aires Argentina Belgrano Stake. "This temple will offer us hope, serenity and direction."
President Carlos Fernandez is counting down the hours until Sunday's rededication sessions. As president of the temple and a Church convert, he knows well the impact a working temple can have in one's life.
"The Spirit can be found throughout the entire country — there is so much enthusiasm to return to the House of the Lord in Buenos Aires. We can see God's hand in all these things," he said.
He is equally excited about the opportunity to be taught inside the renovated temple by President Eyring and the other general Church leaders. An opportunity to hear such counsel, he explained, is one of the key blessings of a temple dedication event.
"To be able to listen to the Lord's appointed leaders will be a wonderful experience."
Thousands of Argentine youth are expected to usher in the rededication activities here on Saturday, Sept. 8, by staging a cultural celebration at a Buenos Aires performance venue.
