Tonga and American Samoa Temple groundbreaking dates announced
Jul 27, 2021, 5:06 PM
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced groundbreaking dates for new temples in Tonga and American Samoa on Tuesday.
The Neiafu, Tonga Temple groundbreaking will be Sept. 11, 2021. Groundbreaking for the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple will follow on Oct. 9, 2021.
Church President Russell M. Nelson announced the addition of the Tonga and American Samoa temples in April 2019.
The Neiafu, Tonga Temple will be built at the site of of a Church-owned high school. It will be a single-story structure and will be about 17,000 square feet. It is the country’s second temple, after the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple.
More than 66,000 Church members live in Tonga, which is approximately 60 percent of the nation’s population.
The Pago Pago American Samoa Temple will be built near a Church stake center in Tafuna, American Samoa. The single-story temple will be 17,000 square feet. It is that country’s first temple.
More than 16,000 Church members live in American Samoa.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Tonga and American Samoa Temples will be by invitation only. The ceremonies will be broadcast to congregations in the two temple districts.
Read more:
- All Latter-day Saint temples around the world reopened
- Church leaders break ground on second Montana temple