Temple in Rome

Our family are a members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormons. We had General Conference last weekend. It was announced that our church was building five more temples. One of them would be in Rome, Italy. I read today an article on the internet about the announcement and how people from Italy reacted to that news. They were so excited and thrilled. At the very moment Pres. Monson had said Rome, Italy, one particular family was at home when they heard the news. They reacted as if someone had just scored a goal in a soccer game.

As I read about their enthusiasm, it then occurred to me that beloved Saints in the Spirit World (or Paradise as it is called in the New Testament, Luke 23:43) would also be rejoicing with the same excitement and enthusiasm. I also thought about of the original Apostles like Peter and Paul and others who preached the gospel in Italy. Paul himself was taken prisoner in Rome and was martyred there around 65 AD. And Peter was crucified upside down by the Emperor Nero in Rome around 67 AD. And many Saints, Christians, had their lives taken from them in Rome. I can imagine their profound excitement and joy they felt in the spirit world when this announcement was made. How totally happy they must be.

It will be a challenge to see how our temple in Rome will fit in where ancient architecture, as well as historical and artistic magnificence are all around. I then learned that the architecture of the Salt Lake City temple was somewhat inspired by the Milan Cathedral. While I don’t think we will be building a temple like the Salt Lake Temple in Rome, I’m sure our church will build one that will fit in with the history of the surrounding area. I can’t wait to see what it will look like.

It will be the 12th temple in Europe and the very first in the Mediterranean area. As we go about building our temple unto the Lord in Rome, the people of Italy will now come to know more about what our faith really means to us and how it began in 1820 by a humble prayer of a young boy, of 14 years old, who was searching for the truth of what to believe. He was later called to be a Prophet of God in these latter days.

The work of the Lord continues to roll forth to all the ends of the earth, even to Rome. Finally...finally!