Celebrating 170 Years: Church Reaches Historic Milestone in New Zealand

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October of 2024 marks the 170^th year that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been established in New Zealand.  

Since the first missionaries and members of the Church began to meet in small congregations in 1854, the Church of Jesus Christ has grown and flourished, becoming an integral part of the religious and cultural landscape of New Zealand. 

Since the arrival of the first missionaries, William Cooke and Thomas Holder, the Church has seen substantial growth, and its members have become valued contributors to New Zealand communities.

Church membership is around 117,000, and worshippers attend services in 228 congregations. In many parts of the country, members and friends of the Church have been celebrating the milestone in recent weeks.

The construction of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple in 1958 was a significant milestone for Latter-day Saints.  A second temple is expected to be opened in 2025 in Auckland New Zealand. A third, in Porirua, just north of Wellington, will be built in the coming years.

Temples are considered by Latter-day Saints to be houses of the Lord, where worshippers learn more about God’s plan for His children, and the mission and teachings of Jesus Christ.  They also participate in sacred ordinances or ceremonies in which families are united for eternity.

In conjunction with the anniversary, the Matthew Cowley Pacific Church History Centre in Hamilton unveiled a new exhibit celebrating the Church College of New Zealand. Click HERE for a video link about the Church in New Zealand and the Hamilton Temple.

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Speaking of the early New Zealand Saints, Lili-Anne Kershaw-Smiler said, “They fasted, they prayed, they witnessed so many miracles, and because they chose to continue on the faithful path and because they chose to dig deep and keep going and do the right thing, we are blessed today as members of the Church.”

Area President, Elder Peter F. Meurs, said, “We rejoice in the blessings that have come to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through the faith and diligence of our [New Zealand] members. At General Conference, President Nelson taught, ‘I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment. The Lord is indeed hastening His work. Now is the time for us to make discipleship our highest priority.’”

For members of the Church of Jesus Christ in New Zealand, history provides many opportunities to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ, and to face the future with hope and courage.