President Hinckley Rededicates Santiago Temple

The Washington Post has reported on President Hinckley's re-dedication of the Santiago Chile Temple:

The Mormon church rededicated its temple in Chile's capital on Sunday, an event that drew the church's 95-year-old president, who had surgery less than two months ago.

Many of those present were "moved to tears" by the presence of Gordon B. Hinckley, said a church spokesman, Elder Sepulveda. Sepulveda asked to be identified by his church title and declined to provide his first name.

Hinckley traveled with his doctor, his sons and L. Tom Perry, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' principal decision-making body, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Hinckley also attended a cultural gathering of some 50,000 Mormons at a soccer stadium Saturday and acknowledged, "this will probably be the last time I'll be in Chile," Sepulveda said.

The rededicated temple, which had been closed for renovations, will reopen for religious services on Wednesday. It is on a site formerly occupied by a private school in the upper-class Providencia neighborhood.

I had no idea the church had 535,000 member is Chile. That is quite an impressive number. I'm certain the Chilean Saints are pleased to have their Temple back in operation.