Open to public from February 27 to March 22, 2025 except on Sundays
Venkat Raman
Auckland, February 26, 2025
If you admire the magnificence and well-appointed places of worship, visiting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in South Auckland will be one of the highlights of your life.
The multimillion-dollar Temple of God is so inspirational and pious that it transcends differences in faith, belief and non-belief and takes you to a communion that is Divine and transformational.
The Temple will be open to public visits but only from Monday and Saturday – From February 27 to March 22, 2025.
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the Temple on Sunday, April 13, 2025 and thereafter will not be accessible to the public until sometime in the future.
Its predecessor in New Zealand- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Hamilton was open for public view from March 28 to April 19, 1958 and was Dedicated on April 20, 1958.
Sixty-four years later, it was open to the public again from August 26, 2022 to September 17, 2022.
Some Impressive Facts
It is difficult to transcribe into words the grandeur and yet the simplicity and the heavenly emotion that overwhelms the person entering its portal; which is why, a visit is highly recommended.
Spread over 4.6 hectares (11.36 acres), with a built-up area of the Temple of 4223 sqm, the landscape accounts for 250 large trees, 12,930 sqm of shrub gardens, 8280 sqm of lawn and 300 sqm of flowers that are rotated seasonally.
The interior features include nylon broadloom throughout the building with nylon tiles for instruction, worker and dressing areas, New Zealand wool for rugs, Calacatta Calidia marble tiles with green quartzite borders and skirtings, chandeliers and light fixtures made of crystal and glass.
A time to reflect and pray: The Temple Chapel (Photo Supplied)Elder Jeremy R Jaggi (sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and his wife Amy Anne Stewart took us on a conducted tour of the Temple along with another group of MPs on Monday, February 24, 2025.
The Church stands as a beacon of faith and devotion, a testament to the enduring spirit of its congregation. Nestled in the serene suburb of Goodwood Heights, this sacred edifice overlooks the bustling city of Manukau, casting a tranquil shadow over the Southern Motorway. The Temple, a marvel of architectural splendour is poised to become a spiritual haven for thousands of worshippers.
The journey to the Temple’s completion has been one of dedication and divine inspiration. Announced by Church President Russell M Nelson on October 7, 2018, the Temple’s construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 13, 2020.
Elder Ian S Ardern, President of the Pacific Area, presided over the event, offering a prayer that encapsulated the hopes and aspirations of the faithful.
“This is a historic day as we dedicate the ground for the Auckland New Zealand Temple. It will be a beautiful, bright light in the city of Auckland, inviting all to come unto Christ,” he said. We witnessed that expectation becoming a reality.
Elegant and Reverent
The Temple’s design is a harmonious blend of modern elegance and timeless reverence. Its granite exterior gleams in the sunlight, a symbol of purity and strength. Inside, the Temple is adorned with exquisite artwork and intricate details that reflect the Church’s commitment to creating a space of holiness and peace. The celestial room, a place of profound spiritual significance, is bathed in soft light, offering a sanctuary for contemplation and prayer.
Elder Steven Bangerter, Assistant Executive Director of the Church’s Temple Department, travelled from Salt Lake City (USA) to witness the Temple’s opening.
“The Temple is to us a central place of worship and learning of God and His ways upon the Earth. To us, it is the most holy and sacred place on Earth,” he said. Those words resonate deeply with the faithful, who see the Temple as a tangible connection to the Divine.
The Temple’s significance extends beyond its physical beauty. It is a place where individuals and families can come to seek solace, guidance, and spiritual renewal. Ngatai Smith, a Co-Chair of the groundbreaking ceremony, described the Temple’s role as a sanctuary of peace and tranquillity.
“Most importantly, it will be a place where people will come to hear God speaking to them, words of comfort and gentle guidance,” he said.
Her sentiments are echoed by countless others who have longed for a Temple in their midst.
A brief background
Elder Jaggi has provided us with a comprehensive history of the Temple which can be found on their website. In brief, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, often referred to as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, has a rich and fascinating history.
It was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. Smith, who was raised in the “burned-over district” of Western New York during the Second Great Awakening, claimed to have received Divine Revelations. These Revelations led him to discover and translate the Book of Mormon, which he said was inscribed on golden plates by an ancient prophet named Moroni.
On April 6, 1830, Smith officially organised the Church in Fayette, New York. The Church quickly grew, moving first to Kirtland, Ohio, and then to Missouri, where conflicts with local settlers led to the infamous 1838 Mormon War. After being expelled from Missouri, the Church members settled in Nauvoo, Illinois, where they built a thriving community.
Following Smith’s assassination in 1844 (he was shot to death by an angry mob) Brigham Young led the majority of the Church members westward to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah, where they established a new headquarters and continued to grow.
In the years to come, the Auckland New Zealand Temple will undoubtedly become a cherished landmark, a place where generations of worshippers will gather to celebrate their faith and to find peace in the presence of the Divine. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the unwavering commitment of those who seek to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
As the Temple opens its doors to the world, it invites all to come and experience the profound beauty and sacredness that lie within its walls.
