Angel Moroni Statue Tops Urdaneta Philippines Temple

The Urdaneta Philippines Temple, currently under construction, received an angel Moroni statue, Tuesday, June 14 2022, a sign that the temple is progressing toward completion.

Commonly placed on temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this gold-leafed statue of an ancient Book of Mormon prophet symbolizes the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The historic event was witnessed by Elder and Sister Wakolo, Elder and Sister Argana, Elder and Sister Soquila, and Brother and Sister Fernando.

The installation of the angel Moroni statue is of great significance to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is done not to worship the angel but rather to show respect for his role in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Moroni’s Role

“The angel Moroni is very important to us in terms of the Restoration of the gospel, in terms of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, as he appeared to the prophet, Joseph Smith,” Elder Wakolo declared.

Sister Wakolo added that for her, it also signifies the gathering of Israel and the much-awaited coming of the Savior Jesus Christ.

"It has been very special to watch the angel be erected today as we begin the final stretch to finish this temple and turn it over so that the wonderful work of the temple can start," Nathan Peters, Project Manager of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple related how he has been looking forward to this occasion.

The statue of Moroni is not a figure of worship but rather one of respect for his role in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Moroni was a real person, an ancient prophet in the Book of Mormon who revealed the location of golden plates to the young Joseph Smith in 1823, from which the sacred book of scripture was translated.

Why is a temple important?

For members of the Church, a temple is the most sacred place of worship on the earth. It is unique from all other places of worship. It is designated as the only place where families can be united forever and where the most sacred gospel ordinances are performed.

"I am excited that the project will be completed soon. It is going to bless many members here in the Urdaneta area. We all know how the temple will bring the families closer together and will help us in our exaltation," Project Manager Arwin Manalo stated in the interview.

Elder Eduardo M. Argana, Area Seventy, who witnessed the event said that the building of temples signifies the importance of the work of salvation. "It will bless the lives of people in the community because they can always feel the love of the Savior, Jesus Christ," he added.

"As a member from Pangasinan, I really appreciate that the Lord has blessed us with another temple. Members residing here can now go to the temple and be able to perform these sacred ordinances," Elder Martiniano S. Soquila, Jr., Area Seventy, emphasized when asked about why temples are important.

"We had many challenges during the pandemic because of the many restrictions and that made this project a little bit difficult but not impossible because the workers really did their best all the time because this is the house of God," Paula Jimeno, General Superintendent of Haskell Company Phillippines, declared comparing some of their projects from the past.

Construction on the Urdaneta Philippines Temple began on January 16, 2019, with a traditional groundbreaking ceremony led by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Twelve Apostles.