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See photos from the dedication of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple

Elder D. Todd Christofferson dedicates the third Latter-day Saint temple in the Caribbean

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the cornerstone ceremony at the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News


See photos from the dedication of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple

Elder D. Todd Christofferson dedicates the third Latter-day Saint temple in the Caribbean

merlin_2958113.jpg

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the cornerstone ceremony at the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the new San Juan Puerto Rico Temple on Sunday, Jan. 15, bringing a new light to La Isla de Encanta — the Island of Enchantment.

“The temple will bless this island,” he said. “It has had a lot of challenges in recent years, natural disasters and other kinds of difficulties that have been serious and caused a lot of destruction. It will make a difference.”

Following are photographs of the historic event.

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, greets Britney Nielsen and her mother, Jalene Nielsen, as he leaves the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple is pictured in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, center, with from left, Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric; Elder Benjamín De Hoyos, a General Authority Seventy; Elder Jorge M. Alvarado, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Caribbean Area Presidency; and Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, participate in the dedication of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, center, with his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, and from left, Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric and his wife, Sister Carol Waddell ; Elder Benjamín De Hoyos a General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Sister Evelia De Hoyos; Elder Jorge M. Alvarado, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Caribbean Area Presidency, and his wife, Sister Cari Alvarado; and Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Nancy Duncan; participate in the dedication of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Two youth walk through the rain after the last session of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Aibonito, Puerto Rico, is pictured on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Sister Cari Lu Alvarado, Elder Jorge M. Alvarado, General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Caribbean Area presidency, and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talk to media during an interview in the Arrival Center on the temple grounds of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

People arrive for the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

People arrive for the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

People walk around the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple

People walk around the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple between dedication sessions in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Puerto Rico San Juan Mission President Joey L. Skinner hugs Ydlianis Vega, who served her mission in San Juan, between sessions of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Jared Olmo and Gavin Nelson talk outside of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple between dedication sessions in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. Olmo and Nelson served their missions in Puerto Rico.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Jared Olmo, Gavin Nelson and Brad McKellar talk outside of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple after attending the dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. Olmo and Nelson served their missions in Puerto Rico.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Amanda Toro and Abigail Toro wait for the cornerstone ceremony during the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Elder Jorge M. Alvarado, General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Caribbean Area presidency, hugs longtime family friend Maria Gonzalez Hanson after the first session of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the cornerstone ceremony at the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Hector and Amarilis Alvarez, San Juan Puerto Rico temple committee chairs, pose for a portrait outside of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple is pictured in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple is pictured in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Sister Kathy Christofferson and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles arrive at the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple for the temple’s dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Sister Kathy Christofferson and Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, walk outside of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple between sessions of the temple’s dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Sister Kathy Christofferson and Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, walk outside of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles greets Elsa Valentine and Pierre Luigi Gonzalez Perez, San Juan Puerto Rico Stake President, before he leaves the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, waves goodbye as he leaves the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, center, with, from left, Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, Elder Jorge M. Alvarado, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Caribbean Area Presidency; and Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric; participate in the dedication of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple is pictured in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, poses for a portrait outside of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Tools are pictured for the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple cornerstone ceremony in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Zioel Rivera helps Franzielys Rivera apply mortar to the cornerstone during the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, applies mortar to the cornerstone during the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Elder D. Todd Christofferson shakes hands on the grounds of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple on the dedication day

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shakes hands with people between sessions of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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The choir waits to sing during the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Sister Kathy Jacob Christofferson and Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, pose for a portrait outside of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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A man and woman wade through the water at Isla Verde beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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An exhibit of books and historical items is on display during a church member reunion ahead of the upcoming San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication at the Bayamon chapel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Two women hug in Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Maria Gonzalez Hanson hugs Mayra Irizarry Hanks during a reunion ahead of the upcoming San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication at the Bayamon chapel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Elder Jorge M. Alvarado, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Caribbean Area presidency, hugs David Carter, left, during a church member reunion ahead of the upcoming San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication at the Bayamon chapel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Dorany Rodriquez-Baltazar speaks during a Church member reunion ahead of the upcoming San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication at the Bayamon chapel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Paola Lespin and Cesar Carrero leave the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Danette Dickson Carter speaks during a Church member reunion ahead of the upcoming San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication at the Bayamon chapel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple is pictured in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple is pictured in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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