A new temple will be built in Otavalo, Ecuador, Elder Juan Pablo Villar, of the South America Northwest Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced on behalf of the First Presidency on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
“We are pleased to announce the construction of a temple in Otavalo, Ecuador,” the First Presidency statement says. “The specific location and timing of the construction will be announced later. This is a reason for all of us to rejoice and express gratitude for such a significant blessing — one that will allow more frequent access to the ordinances, covenants and power that can only be found in the house of the Lord.”
The new temple in Otavalo will be the third temple in the country, according to a news release from the church. The Guayaquil Ecuador Temple was dedicated on Aug. 1, 1999, by President Gordon B. Hinckley. The Quito Ecuador Temple was dedicated on Nov. 20, 2022, by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Ecuador is home to 45 stakes and five districts, with 279,046 members and 338 congregations.
The Otavalo, Ecuador temple was announced during an evening devotional in Otavalo for Latter-day Saints in the area. Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the devotional, with Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy.