By Rosemary Johnson
The 87th temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is open.
The Montreal Quebec Temple and San Jose Costa Rica Temple were both dedicated June 4. Four more temples will be dedicated before the end of this month.
“The Costa Rica members are thrilled to have a temple in their area. They used to have to save up to go to the temple in Guatemala City, which is more than a days drive by bus,” said Clark Hirschi, manager of International Area Relations for the LDS Church public affairs.
Just under 19,000 guests visited the San Jose Costa Rica Temple during the open house.
Approximately 10,000 guests visited the Montreal Quebec Temple open house.
The local community is predominately Catholic, and many members of the local Catholic leadership came to gain an understanding of the purpose of the temple to the LDS Saints, said Georges Bourget, vice chairman of the local temple committee.
The Montreal Temple open house conducted tours in French, English and Spanish, which helped communicate the purpose of LDS temples to the local community, said Darlene Hutchison, manager for LDS Church public affairs.
Local media covered both open houses in a largely positive light, Hutchison and Hirshci said.
Four additional temples are scheduled to be dedicated by the end of July. The last four will bring the total up to 95 operating temples.
