Did President Gordon B. Hinkley see the prophet Lehi from the Book of Mormon?
At the 1983 dedication of the Mexico City Temple, President Gordon B. Hinckley shared a powerful spiritual moment as he testified that the room was not only filled with living members, but also with a larger, unseen congregation from the other side of the…
Did President Hinckley see the prophet Lehi? For years, faithful saints in Mexico sacrificed to attend the temple. They saved what little they had and traveled long distances, leaving their country to receive sacred ordinances. For decades, they made that journey until finally in 1983, the Mexico City Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was dedicated. And inside one of those sacred sessions, something incredible happened.
Gordon B. Hinckley stood and began to speak. His voice trembled and he testified, quote, "All rooms are filled with Latter-day Saints, but I am convinced there is a larger unseen congregation participating with us." close quote. He began naming those who had helped build the church in Mexico, missionaries, leaders, the faithful who had gone before. Then, after speaking for several minutes, he stopped again like he had forgotten someone.
And then, with a strong voice filled with emotion and joy, he said, quote, "There is another from the other side of the veil." And then he declared, "Welcome, Father Lei. Oh, how your heart must rejoice. close quote. Lehi, those in the room felt it. One woman later said the moment felt so real she almost turned to look, expecting to see him because in that moment it felt like heaven and earth were no longer separate.
Like generations were standing together watching promises being fulfilled. And President Hinckley made it clear this wasn't just a moment. It was prophecy. He said, quote, "Six new temples have been dedicated this year. Most of these temples have been built to serve descendants of Lehi. I believe the Lord has brought into play those processes by which he is remembering ancient covenants concerning descendants of Lehi.
Close quote. The people in that room were not just attending a temple dedication. They were part of a promise made long ago and remembered by God. And even now, that work continues. In 2025 alone, Mexico added over 38,000 new church members, bringing total membership to more than 1 and a2 million. Mexico has the second highest population of Latter-day Saints in the world, a living reminder that the promises made long ago are still being fulfilled.
