Latter-day Saint Life

What the president of Paraguay had to say after visiting a temple garment factory

O7GTAKSCSND4PP4MBBXOW5ZZTE.avif
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña greets workers at a textile plant in Luque, Paraguay, during his visit for the inauguration ceremony in February 2024.
Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, dedicated the expanded textile plant in Luque, Paraguay, outside the capital of Asuncion, on Jan. 29, 2024, according to a Church Newsroom release.

The factory produces garments worn and considered sacred by endowed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The clothing is worn beneath everyday clothes as a reminder of sacred covenants members make in the temple. The plant first opened in 1995 and operates exclusively in producing religious clothing for the Church. The Paraguay plant was originally dedicated the same year.

The expansion will increase employment from 90 to 290 and includes 2,830 square meters of offices, a dining room, a modern cutting room, and a large warehouse. It is estimated that the expansion will double exports to 2 million garments annually. … 

Paraguay Newsroom reported on Feb. 23, 2024, that Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and first lady Leticia Ocampos spoke at the inauguration ceremony of the expanded facility and met with Elder Alan R. Walker, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the South America South Area presidency.

President Peña said he celebrates when an organization “bets on Paraguay,” offering employment opportunities like the Church has done in the country for nearly 30 years.

He was delighted that the inauguration centered on faith.

“Paraguayans are people of great faith,” President Peña said, “I believe that faith is important because it leads us to paths that are difficult, but that are ultimately the correct ones to carry forward the dreams and aspirations of each of us.”

You can read the full story on Church News here.

► You may also like: We love how this Broadway actress explained temple garments to her castmates

Share
Stay in the loop!
Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content