New facility evidence of growth
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Anew facility to house the Guatemala Missionary Training Center and patrons of the Guatemala City Temple is evidence of the growth of the Church in Central America, according to leaders.
Area, regional and stake leaders gathered for a recent groundbreaking ceremony preceding construction of the facility, which will be located near the Guatemala City Temple."From a humble group of six men in Guatemala 40 years ago, we have grown to more than 260,000 members in Central America," said Elder Ted E. Brewerton of the Seventy and area president. "There will be many millions throughout Central America.
"Although we have seen much, we will see more," he said.
Elder Brewerton offered remarks following the "simple but significant" ceremony, held in June, that was also attended by his counselors, Elders Carlos Amado and Jorge A. Rojas. Others attending were Pres. Boyd Fenn, director of the Guatemala Training Center, and local Church leaders. Elder Amado delivered an address at the event.
With the Guatemalan flag waving in the breeze under overcast skies, the congregation of about 135 people stood to sing the national anthem. A 25-voice choir from the Guatemala City stake performed at the ceremony.
In his remarks, Elder Amado quoted excerpts from the dedicatory prayer for Central America offered by Elder Spencer W. Kimball, then of the Council of the Twelve, on Nov. 16, 1952:
" `Bless, we pray thee, the missionary work in all the world but today we ask thy special blessing upon the Lamanite cause and ask that the seed of Lehi in these Central American countries and the gentiles among them be blessed.' "
Elder Amado said the new missionary training center, where local missionaries will be trained, was evidence that this prayer had been answered.
"We hope and plan for it to be filled and well-used by those from Central America and the Caribbean nations who come here," he said.
Elder Udine Fallabella, a regional representative who was the first stake president in Central America in 1967, reviewed the growth that has come during his lifetime.
"The Church is growing faster than our steps keep up with it," he said. "We must follow the admonition of President Spencer W. Kimball to lengthen our stride."
