Dramatic footage captures Chile Temple developments

October 11, 2016
An aerial view of the Baha'i House of Worship for South America in Santiago, Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile — The final newsreel on the construction of the Baha'i House of Worship for South America has been released as the highly-anticipated dedication of the Temple approaches. The video highlights major developments over the past year and the growing connection of the community to the Temple and the activities of service and worship that it has inspired.

The establishment of this Temple marks the final step in a more than century-long period during which continental Baha'i Houses of Worship have been built across the planet.

Since July 2012, a series of videos has documented the construction process as well as developments in the surrounding community. A central theme of these newsreels has been the deep connection between the physical building of the House of Worship and spiritual forces that have been set in motion around it.

An aerial view of the Baha'i House of Worship for South America and its surroundings at the foothills of the Andes mountains, in Santiago, Chile Slideshow
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An aerial view of the Baha'i House of Worship for South America and its surroundings at the foothills of the Andes mountains, in Santiago, Chile

A growing awareness of the power of prayer has been among the most profound effects of the Temple on the surrounding community. This has been closely tied with a rising expression of commitment to the well-being of humanity through the multiplication of acts of meaningful service.

The dedication ceremony for the Temple begins on Thursday 13 October at 14:00 GMT. Live video coverage of the public opening ceremony will be provided at that time on the Baha'i World News Service website for approximately 90 minutes, and a video recording will be available soon after.

The Baha'i community of Chile has also begun to welcome people for the inaugural conference from 14 to 16 October. Representatives of indigenous populations and national Baha'i communities throughout Latin America, along with individuals and groups from nearly every other continent, are arriving to participate in the celebrations. Live video coverage of the conference can be viewed at http://dedicacion.templo.bahai.cl from Friday 14 October to Sunday 16 October.