SALT LAKE CITY — Top leaders of the Mormon church on Saturday announced plans to build a temple in Trujillo, Peru.
The temple will bring the total number of temples in South America — existing or under construction — to 17.
Worldwide, the Trujillo temple will be the 146th for the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormon missionaries first began preaching in Trujillo in 1960.
The first church baptisms were in 1961 and the first church meeting house built in 1963.
The Trujillo temple will be built on the site of an existing meeting house. Church officials say it will serve an estimated 88,000 members in the area.
Latter-day Saints use temples for their most sacred religious ceremonies, including weddings and proxy baptisms. Only church members in good standing are allowed to enter a temple.
