Haiti, one of the Western Hemisphere's poorest nations with a poverty rate approaching 60 percent, soon will be able to offer its Mormon populace the richest blessings of the LDS faith.
A Mormon temple in the capital of Port-au-Prince will be built there.
A groundbreaking is set for Oct. 28, the governing First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said this week.
Uruguayan native Walter F. González, a general authority Seventy in the Utah-based faith, will lead the invitation-only ceremony, according to a news release.
LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson announced plans to build the Haiti temple in 2015. The nation is home to more than 22,000 Mormons (out of an overall population of nearly 11 million) and 46 LDS congregations.
Mormons view their temples as houses of God, places where faithful members can participate in their religion's most sacred rites, including eternal marriages.
There are 182 LDS temples across the globe either in operation, under construction or announced.
Utah has 16 operating temples, with two more on the way. The Cedar City edifice will be dedicated in December. Plans to erect an 18th Beehive State temple, in Saratoga Springs, were announced in April.
