A temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be built in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, it was announced on Sunday at the faith’s annual General Conference in Salt Lake City in the United States.
A total of 17 new temples were announced on Sunday by the Church’s President and Prophet, Russell M. Nelson.
DOWNLOADThe Pacific Area Presidency of the Church was there when the announcement was made. Elder Ian S. Ardern, President of the Pacific Area, shared the following:
"As I sat in the Conference Centre, there was an air of anticipation as President Nelson stood to speak as the concluding conference speaker. Would a temple be announced for Wellington, New Zealand?
Hearing the announcement was a spiritual experience for me. Elder Nattress was seated in front of me, and his delight was obvious. Elder Yamashita quickly sent us both a note of delight.
The missionaries arrived in Wellington (Karori) in 1854, where the first baptism was performed and a year later the first branch of the Church in New Zealand was organized. 168 years later we have a temple announced for the wider Wellington area. How blessed we are of the Lord to soon have three operating temples in New Zealand.
We are awaiting a dedication date announcement from the First Presidency for the opening of the Hamilton Temple.
The Auckland Temple building is on schedule and already you can see that it will be a light of delight to the city.
This evening is a time to give thanks for our temples."
Kiana Butters is from Wellington and is attending the University of Canterbury: "Temples are a place where I feel closest to my Heavenly Father because I am able to understand His plan for me more fully and I feel His love deeply. I was so excited when I found out one was being built in my own home town." In this photo, she is standing next to the Oakland California Temple.
Klein Salmon (pictured above, wearing a cap) is a young man living in Porirua, north of Wellington: "My family and I were messaging each other and my Mum got emotional with the big news. What seemed to be a dream for us here in Wellington is now revelation being fulfilled."
Mere Fiore volunteers as the Church’s communication director in Wellington: "God has heard and answered our hearts' most earnest desires to have the Lord's house here in beautiful Wellington and South island region. I look forward to daily connecting my whanau (family) on earth and heaven!"