Church Officials Announce Groundbreakings For Two Temples In South Pacific
Jul 27, 2021, 3:27 PM | Updated: Jul 14, 2023, 1:53 pm
Renderings of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple (left) and the Neiafu Tonga Temple (right). (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
(Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
SALT LAKE CITY — Groundbreaking dates have been announced for two new temples in the South Pacific region for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Officials said attendance at the events will be by invitation only, but the ceremonies will be broadcast to congregations in the two temple districts.
The Neiafu Tonga Temple and the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple were first announced by Church President Russell M. Nelson during a session of General Conference in April 2019.
Neiafu Tonga Temple
Officials will break ground on the Neiafu Tonga Temple on Saturday, Sept. 11.
It will be the second temple in the country, including the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple.
A rendering of the Neiafu Tonga Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
Elder ‘Inoke F. Kupu of the Quorum of the Seventy will preside at the event, according to Church leaders.
Officials said the single-story structure will be built at the site of the Church-owned Saineha High School, and will cover about 17,000 square feet.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Pago Pago American Samoa Temple
Groundbreaking for the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple will happen on Saturday, Oct. 9.
Officials said they will determine which Church leader will preside at the ceremony based on COVID-19 travel requirements.
A rendering of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
Plans call for a single-story temple that will be approximately 17,000 square feet, located on Ottoville Road on the site of the Pago Pago Samoa Central Stake Center in Tafuna, American Samoa.
Officials said the temple construction will also include housing for the temple president, matron and missionaries, as well as a distribution center.
The temple will be the first for American Samoa.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
