(Manaus, Brazil) - Thousands of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil gathered for the dedication of a new temple Sunday. Photo Gallery

The LDS Temple is the sixth in the country, but the first in the Amazon region of northern Brazil. It will serve 40,000 church members in 80 congregations, some of which traveled 36 hours to their nearest temple before. It is the only temple with its own dock for those arriving by boat. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the LDS Church First Presidency and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles traveled to Manaus for the dedication.

At the dedication ceremony, a choir of Brazilians sang a familiar hymn as the first of three dedicatory services began. In his address, Uchtdorf told the crowd that they should thank the area's pioneers, the first Latter-day Saints in Brazil who became members just one generation ago.

"Who would have thought back then, that right here, on the Rio Negro there would be this beautiful edifice of a temple," he said. "So, we're grateful to be here with you on this historic day."

President Uchtdorf and his wife, Harriet led a procession of Church leaders from the temple to the building's cornerstone for the traditional sealing ceremony. President Uchtdorf sealed the cornerstone with some mortar, followed Sister Uchtdorf, then church leaders and their wives.

President Uchtdorf invited the children, who he called the future of the faith, to pose for photographs with him, Sister Uchtdorf, Elder Cook and his wife.

The interior designs include the colors reflective of the area. Rich greens and blues reflect those found in the river and surrounding jungle. The attention to craftsmanship in the décor and finish work, like the detailed staircases and stained glass window, illustrated the great care taken to make the interior a special place for members.

The Manaus Brazil Temple is now the 138th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.