New leaders have been called to preside over four temples in the Pacific Area by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The four new presidents and matrons are: Garth Pitman and Joanne Pitman, Brisbane Australia; Benjamin T. Sinjoux and Christine Sinjoux, Papeete Tahiti; Joseph Saikaly and Denise Saikaly, Sydney Australia; and Selesi’utele T. Lavea and Camellia Lavea, Auckland New Zealand.
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Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other Church leaders take a group photo in front of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple with temple patrons in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Monday, March 18, 2024. 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.All but the Lavea's will begin their service in September. The Lavea's will begin their service when the new Auckland temple is dedicated.
Garth Stuart Pitman and Joanne Davies Pitman, Brassall 1st Ward, Ipswich Australia West Stake, have been called as president and matron of the Brisbane Australia Temple, succeeding President Richard Gordon and Sister Karen Gordon. President Pitman is a branch presidency counselor and mission presidency counselor, and a former stake president, high councilor, bishop, and temple sealer. He was born in Cairns, Australia, to Brian Alan Pitman and Patricia Pitman.
Sister Pitman is a seminary supervisor and a former stake Primary president, ward Primary presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker. She was born in Brisbane, Australia, to Terence Leonard Davies and Nola Yvonne Davies.
Benjamin Tauraa Sinjoux and Christine Heipua Maurin Sinjoux, Pamatai Ward, Faaa Tahiti Tuamotu Stake, have been called as president and matron of the Papeete Tahiti Temple, succeeding President Thierry Hunter and Sister Christine Hunter. President Sinjoux is a temple sealer, senior missionary coordinator, and ward missionary, and a former Area Seventy, Tahiti Papeete mission president, stake president and bishop. He was born in Papeete, Tahiti, to Alphonse Sinjoux and Riorita Sinjoux.
Sister Sinjoux is a senior missionary coordinator and ward missionary, and a former mission president companion, stake Young Women president, stake Primary president, stake Relief Society presidency counselor and ward Primary presidency counselor. She was born in Papeete, Tahiti, to Julien Maurin and Alice Hiti Wan San Kao.
Joseph Azar Elias and Denise Marion Haddon Saikaly, Wollongong Ward, Macarthur Australia Stake, have been called as president and matron of the Sydney Australia Temple, succeeding President David Alan Craig and Sister Penelope Norma Craig. President Saikaly is a temple sealer and elders quorum presidency counselor, and a former temple presidency counselor, stake president, high councilor,bishop, and elders quorum president. He was born in Tripoli, Lebanon, to Azar Elias Saikaly and Hanna Morcous Saikaly.
Sister Saikaly is a former assistant to the matron, stake Primary president, stake Relief Society presidency counselor, stake Young Women presidency counselor and ward Relief Society presidency counselor. She was born in Sydney, Australia, to Arthur Frederick Haddon and Marjorie Helen Hobbs.
Selesi’utele Ti’asi’utele Lavea and Camellia Ligaliga Lavea, Peninsula Park Ward, Auckland New Zealand Manukau Stake, have been called as president and matron of the new Auckland New Zealand Temple, presently under construction in the south Auckland suburb of Goodwood Heights. President Lavea is a temple sealer and temple and family history consultant, and a former temple presidency counselor, stake president, high councilor, and bishopric counselor. He was born in Upolu, Samoa, to Sele Lavea and Toe Vaisaaga.
Sister Lavea is a temple ordinance worker and a former assistant to the matron, stake Primary president, ward Young Women president and ward Relief Society presidency counselor. She was born in Upolu, Samoa, to Fusi Ligaliga and Nellie Paugata Churchward.
For more information about all temple leaders called by the Church of Jesus Christ in 2024, click here.