Templo Mormon (Mormon Temple), San Salvador

The San Salvador Mormon Temple, dedicated in 2011, holds the distinction of being the first of its kind in El Salvador and the 135th temple worldwide of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It serves Latter-day Saints across the region, including communities in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Belize, underscoring its role as a spiritual hub for Central America.

Plans for the temple were first announced in 2007, and the groundbreaking ceremony followed in September 2008. Before its dedication by LDS leader Henry B. Eyring on August 21, 2011, the temple opened its doors to the public, attracting more than 165,000 visitors in July of that year-an overwhelming response that reflected the country’s curiosity and respect for the new landmark.

Architecturally, the temple marries faith with artistry. Its exterior, clad in Brazilian Bianco Sienna granite, draws on the elegance of Spanish colonial design, with soft arches and shell-like motifs-known as conchas-that appear inside and out. The structure rises gracefully against the skyline, exuding both strength and serenity.

Inside, the temple honors Salvadoran identity through carefully chosen details. The yucca flower, El Salvador’s national flower, is worked into delicate stained glass windows, while interiors feature mahogany finishes and Honduran hardwood floors laid over limestone imported from Israel. The temple’s layout balances functionality and spirituality, containing two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms, a baptistry, and a celestial room-each designed to serve specific sacred purposes.