SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced open house and dedication dates for the San Salvador El Salvador Temple.

temple

San Salvador El Salvador Temple. ©2010 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

The public is invited to visit the temple during an open house from Friday, 1 July 2011, until Saturday, 23 July 2011, excluding Sundays. The temple will be formally dedicated on Sunday, 21 August 2011, in three sessions. The dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to congregations of the Church within the temple district.

In conjunction with the dedication of the temple, there will also be a cultural celebration featuring music and dance on Saturday, 20 August 2011.

Latter-day Saint temples differ from the Church’s meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. In the temple, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and strengthen their commitment to serve Jesus Christ and those around them.