DOWNLOADIn the final session of the April 2025 General Conference on Sunday (6 April), Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced 15 new temples to be built worldwide.
Two of those new houses of the Lord will be constructed in the Pacific Area— in Nouméa, New Caledonia; and the Sydney suburb of Liverpool.
Barbara Ungerer, from Nouméa, said, “It means so much for us. It will allow those of us with small budgets to go to the temple as often as we want. Heavenly Father knows us. He knows that the people of New Caledonia love Him.”
Agnes Gonzales, from Sydney, said, "I was honestly so excited to hear the news - especially knowing it's so close to home! But more than anything, I'm grateful that it means I can bring my friends and family to the open house, and they'll finally be able to see what a temple is like inside."
Nouméa, New Caledonia is situated the southwestern Pacific Islands that are home to more than 2,500 Latter-day Saints. Nouméa, the country’s capital, has a population of about 100,000. New Caledonian Latter-day Saints currently travel to temples in French Polynesia and Hamilton New Zealand.
The first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints moved to New Caledonia from Tahiti. The first stake (a group of congregations) was organized in 2012.
The Liverpool, Australia temple will be Australia’s seventh temple. Other temples in operation are the Adelaide Australia Temple, Brisbane Australia Temple, Melbourne Australia Temple, Perth Australia Temple and Sydney Australia Temple. The Brisbane Australia South Temple is in planning.
Liverpool is situated in the greater Sydney area.
The Church was introduced in Australia in 1840 when a British convert immigrated to the country. The first branch was organized in 1844, and a mission was established in 1851. Stakes in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, each organized in 1960, were among the first stakes established outside of North America.
Today, Australia is home to nearly 160,000 Latter-day Saints in around 300 congregations.