At the opening of the 171st semiannual General Conference, Hinckley said the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had dedicated its 103rd temple in Uruguay, exceeding its goal of building 100 temples worldwide by the end of 2000. Temples soon will be dedicated at the former Mormon pioneer encampment at Winter Quarters, Neb., in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Perth, Australia.
Temples differ from more common meeting halls used for regular weekly worship.
Certain ceremonies, including eternal marriage and proxy baptisms for dead ancestors, can only be performed in more sacred temple buildings. Hinckley is the 15th president and prophet of the church that now claims 11 million members worldwide. He told members of the church not to not be concerned about critics. But we shall go forward, returning good for evil, being helpful and kind and generous. Copyright 2001 Associated Press.