Preparing the Temple Site

On October 3rd, this announcement was read in church.

Translation from the Italian text:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During the October 2008 General Conference, our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson announced the intentions of the Church to construct a temple in Rome, Italy. Since that time the Church has been sustained by your numerous fasts and fervent prayers and has labored incessantly to obtain the necessary permissions and authorization to begin the construction.
Today, a little more than two years since that marvelous day, we have the immense pleasure to announce that on Saturday, 23 October 2010, on the location selected for the temple that President Thomas S. Monson will preside at a ceremony to begin the ground breaking for the Rome Temple.
The First Presidency has invited the following participants to the ceremony:
• Bishops and Branch Presidents, together with their immediate family
• Presidents of stakes, Missions and Districts, together with their immediate family
To allow all the other members to participate in this event, the ceremony will be videotaped and transmitted in chapels throughout Italy on the following day, Sunday 24 October 2010.
This is great day for all the stakes and districts of Zion in Italy, in which to celebrate the construction of a temple in this beautiful nation.
Brothers and sisters, let us be even more resolved and fully determined in living the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ and to follow His perfect example so that we are spiritually prepared to receive the great blessings that will spring from the service made in the House of the Lord.
Cordially,
The Europe Area Presidency
Erich W. Kopischke
Gérald Caussé
José A. Teixeira

There were tears of overwhelming gratitude. The joy in the eyes of the Rome Saints reflected unspeakable, overwhelming gratitude and humility at the realization of all they have hoped for, prayed for and fasted for. I see the great wisdom in the decision of who has been invited to attend. Though every member in Italy would wish to be there, the site simply can't hold that many. However, every branch and ward in all of Italy is able to have an eye witness there, who can then return to their unit to testify of this historic and remarkable day. No one will be left out. We are all overwhelmed with the joy we feel.

Since the announcement, crews have been busy non-stop, preparing the temple grounds.

Posing with Sister Acerson, Sister Calabrese and her grandson in front of a truck load of chairs to be transported to the site. The Acerson's (former mission president's family) are among those invited).

Entrance to Temple Site

New pathways built. I'm sure the people living in these apartments have no idea how lucky they are to have a beautiful temple built in their neighborhood.
Ground cleared and leveled to seat 500 people.
We were happy to learn that the Umbrella Pines will remain.
Standing on the newly built platform the prophet will speak from.
We brought oatmeal raisen cookies to Sami Cantafio (on the right), which he shared with our Stake President (on the left) and another friend. Homemade American cookies are a treat.
On Sunday we invited Carl Champagnie to our home for lunch. It was such a pleasure to get to know him. He shared a bit of how the Lord has led him to the place where he is now - the Project Manager for the Rome Temple.
Just as millions come to see this famous Rome icon,
so too, will millions come to see the House of the Lord being built in Rome, Italy.

St. Peter's at night.