Open House Begins for Auckland New Zealand Temple

A public open house for the Auckland New Zealand Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begins this week.

The First Presidency of the Church has announced that an open house will be held from Thursday, February 27 to Saturday, March 22, excluding Sundays.

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The temple is located at 19 Redoubt Road, Goodwood Heights, Auckland.

Latter-day Saints consider each temple to be a “house of the Lord,” and the most sacred place of worship on earth.

The open house gives people of all ages the opportunity to tour the temple’s beautiful interior and grounds and learn about the purpose of these sacred structures.

Tours are free, but reservations are recommended and can be made at this website. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Elder Peter F. Meurs, Pacific Area President of the Church, said, “Temples are houses of the Lord, places where Heaven and Earth meet, and where individuals and families come to worship, pray, feel God’s love, and learn of Jesus Christ. Their lives are enriched, their understanding of God’s plan deepened, and their faith in Jesus Christ strengthened.”

He continued, “The crowning blessing of temples is that by the power of God and in the name of Jesus Christ, families can be united for eternity. We are very grateful that the Auckland New Zealand Temple is opening and that myriad blessings will flow into hearts and homes as a result. As we begin this public open house, we welcome our neighbours, friends, and all to experience for themselves the beauty and peace of the temple.”

Local Latter-day Saint, Jana McQueen, said that when she worships in the house of the Lord, she returns to her “family and community a better person, having more clarity when making life’s decisions.”

Lisa Kau, another Aucklander, agrees that her temple attendance is important.

"It's so exciting having a temple so close. I can see how worshipping there will become a more regular part of my devotion to Jesus Christ.”

The Auckland Temple will be the second house of the Lord in New Zealand, after the Hamilton New Zealand Temple, which opened in 1958. A third temple will be built in Porirua, north of Wellington.

Temples differ from the Church’s meetinghouses (chapels). All are welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities at local meetinghouses.

The primary purpose of temples, however, is for faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ to participate in sacred ceremonies, such as marriages, which unite families forever.

Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship in 226 congregations across New Zealand.