The announcement that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will build a temple in Auckland, New Zealand came as a joyful surprise for many members.
Some young adult members of the Church shared their reactions to President Russell M. Nelson’s 7 October announcement in this video:
The country’s only temple since 1958, located in Hamilton, closed earlier this year for renovations. Since then, Church members desiring to worship at the temple have had to travel overseas, with the nearest temples being located in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
The Church has yet to announce a specific location or construction timeframe for the Auckland New Zealand Temple, but Awanui Morris, a young Latter-day Saint living in Auckland, says he hopes to be a part of it all.
“To be honest, I want to help in any way I can,” Morris said.
Read more about temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, how they are used and why they are important to Latter-day Saints here.