MONTERREY, Mexico — Progress on the Monterrey Mexico Temple continues as the block walls of the temple are near completion.

Ground for this, the 12th temple in Mexico, was broken on Nov. 4, 2000, with Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen of the Seventy, president of the Mexico North Area, presiding. The Monterrey temple was announced Dec. 21, 1995, and will be the last of those temples already announced for Mexico to be completed in an ambitious building program that has increased the number of temples in Mexico by nine. There are currently 10 operating temples in Mexico. Also under construction is the Guadalajara Mexico Temple, which is expected to be dedicated in 2001. When the Monterrey temple is completed, Mexico will have 12 temples.

According to William R. Treu, regional project manager, the foundation of the Monterrey temple is 100 percent complete, the exterior block walls 90 percent complete, and the interior below grade plumbing started. A stake center is being constructed on the same property. The contractor is Okland Construction Co. of Salt Lake City, working with Impulsa of Mexico City.

The temple is located near the famous Cerro de la Silla (Hill of the Seat) in the colony of Valle Alto in the southeast section of Monterrey. Like a number of other temples in Mexico, it will be faced with white marble from Torreon, Mexico.