The intent to build the temple was announced on March 1, 1975, by church president Spencer W. Kimball at an area conference.
[1] Hundreds of local church members gathered to clear the site, which included removing brush, weeds, and banana trees.
Hundreds more members donated their time to produce fifty thousand blocks of cast stone composed of quartz, marble chips, and white concrete for the exterior of the temple.
[7] On August 20, 2003, a gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni was added to the temple during an extensive renovation and enlargement project 25 years after its dedication.
Designed by Emil B. Fetzer, the temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the region and the spiritual significance to the church.
[13] The structure stands 101 feet tall,[12] constructed with reinforced concrete faced with quartz and marble aggregates.
[1] The exterior is characterized by a single attached end spire with an angel Moroni statue, elements which were each chosen for their symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions.
[14][15] Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations to preserve its structural integrity, update facilities, and enhance its spiritual and aesthetic appeal.
[1] The renovations included expanding the temple, updating the mechanical systems, and adding a statue of the Angel Moroni to the spire.
[1][16] These changes were made to ensure the temple's compliance with contemporary building standards and to accommodate the evolving needs of the church and its members.
The renovation included refurbishment of the original furniture, which was made in the factory of Walter Spat, who was the first president of the first stake in Brazil.
[18] The visitors' center helps educate and spiritually uplift the community by providing insights into the history of the church in Brazil.
The visitors’ center provides members and non-members with understanding of “the love of the Brazilian people for one another and for the Savior” and the temple's unique place in church history.