11 edit data Phone +64 7-846 2750 | Opened 1958 | |
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Address 509 Tuhikaramea Rd, Temple View, Hamilton 3218, New Zealand Similar Cardston Alberta Temple, Bern Switzerland Temple, Laie Hawaii Temple, Nauvoo Illinois Temple, Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple | ||
Hamilton new zealand temple
The Hamilton New Zealand Temple (formerly the New Zealand Temple) is the 13th constructed and 11th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Located just outside the city of Hamilton, New Zealand in the suburb of Temple View, it was built with a modern single-spire design very similar to the Bern Switzerland Temple.
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The site for the temple was first chosen by Wendell B. Mendenhall who had been given a special assignment by LDS Church president David O. McKay to choose the site. The building of an LDS temple in New Zealand was announced by David O. McKay on 17 February 1955. With its completion in 1958, it was the first temple built by the LDS Church in the Southern Hemisphere and the second to be built outside of the United States and Canada.
A ground-breaking ceremony and site dedication were held on 21 December 1955. The site of the temple is on 86 acres (350,000 m2), which includes the LDS-owned Church College of New Zealand, formerly a secondary school for students aged twelve to eighteen. The temple is 44,212 square feet (4,107.4 m2), has one ordinance room, three sealing rooms, and a baptistry. The spire rises to a height of 157 feet (48 m). The temple was built entirely by church labour missionaries who volunteered all of their time. Local members supported these workers with money, food, and lodging.
Hugh B. Brown, then an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, placed the ceremonial cornerstone of the temple on 22 December 1956. The temple was open for public tours for 23 days prior to the dedication. During this time about 112,500 people toured the temple. The New Zealand Temple was dedicated by David O. McKay on 20–22 April 1958. The temple serves Latter-day Saints in New Zealand and nearby South Pacific islands.
According to Mormon folklore, the Māori King Tāwhiao accurately predicted the site of the temple before his death in 1894.
Presidents
Notable presidents of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple include Glen L. Rudd (1984–87) and Douglas J. Martin (1992–95). The current president is Sidney M. Going (2013–).