Suva Fiji Temple

The Suva Fiji Temple is the 91st operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).[2][3]

Suva Fiji Temple
Number 91
Dedicated 18 June 2000 (18 June 2000) by
Gordon B. Hinckley
Site 4.7 acres (1.9 hectares)
Floor area 10,700 sq ft (990 m2)
Height 71 ft (22 m)
Preceded by Melbourne Australia Temple
Followed by Mérida Mexico Temple
Official website • News & images

The LDS Church in Fiji

The first missionaries visited Fiji in 1953. The first recorded meeting of the Church was held July 25, 1954, in the Matanisiga Hall in Toorak, Suva.[4] After visiting the island in 1955, church president David O. McKay, opened the first LDS branch in Fiji, calling missionaries to increase outreach to Fijians and Indians.[4] In 1975, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Fiji Technical College was opened. The first Stake in Fiji, the Suva Fiji Stake was organized 12 June 1983, with Inosi Naga as president. Stakes were created in Viti Levu and Districts in Vanua Levu and Taveuni due to congregation and membership expansion. The number of congregations increased rapidly in the 1990s form 19 to 41.[4]

History

On May 7, 1998 the LDS Church First Presidency announced plans to build a temple in Suva, Fiji.

A ground-breaking ceremony were held for the Suva Fiji Temple on May 8, 1999. Earl M. Monson, a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, presided at the ceremony.[5] The site chosen for the Fiji temple was 4.7 acres (19,000 m2) and is considered one of the most beautiful temple sites. The Pacific Ocean can be seen from three sides of the property on one of the tallest hills in the area, and the site is located just a few minutes away from downtown Suva. The exterior of the temple is finished with Snow-white granite from Campolonghi, Italy and the grounds are beautifully landscaped.[6]

The temple was open for public tours from June 7 to 12, 2000. Just before the open house, starting on May 19, political unrest occurred in Fiji. A group of armed rebels held a group of government leaders hostage in Suva for weeks. Those held hostage included the Prime Minister of Fiji at the time, Mahendra Chaudhry. The situation was so intense that the church decided to send all of the Mormon missionaries in the area to the other side of the island to avoid any dangerous situations. Despite these problems and little media attention over 16,000 people toured the temple including 300 community leaders. Those who toured the temple were able to see the two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms, Celestial room, baptistery, and learn more about Mormon beliefs associated with the temple.

The Suva Fiji Temple was dedicated on June 18, 2000 by LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley.[7] Because of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état, which had been occurring since before the open house, it was decided that a small dedication service would be best and the normal four dedicatory services were abandoned. Sixty people attended the dedication, which was held in the Celestial room of the temple.[8][9]

Renovations

The temple closed October 13, 2014 for renovations that included improving air conditioning and adding new finishes inside the building.[10] After renovations were completed, a public open house was held from Monday, 25 January 2016, through Saturday, 6 February 2016, excluding Sunday, 31 January.[11] The temple was rededicated by Henry B. Eyring on Sunday, February 21, 2016. The temple was rededicated the day after landfall of Cyclone Winston, the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded in Fiji. The cyclone forced changes to the cultural celebration held the day prior to the rededication.[1]

See also

References
  1. "President Eyring Rededicates Suva Fiji Temple: Major cyclone doesn't discourage Latter-day Saints' participation", Newsroom, LDS Church, 2016-02-21
  2. "'Fortress of faith' prompts brotherhood and tears", Church News, June 24, 2000
  3. Hunter, Richard; Wakeley, Alan (June 24, 2000), "Four temples dedicated in one overseas tour", Church News
  4. Jacob, W. James and Lesuma, Meli U. "History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fiji", BYU Religious Studies Center. Retrieved on 27 March 2020.
  5. Wakeley, Alan (May 22, 1999), "'Warm spirit' prevails in Fiji", Church News
  6. "Facts and figures: Suva Fiji Temple", Church News, June 24, 2000
  7. "Suva Fiji: 'May be blessed with peace'", Church News, June 24, 2000
  8. "Country information: Fiji", Church News, Jan 29, 2010
  9. Weaver, Sarah Jane (March 3, 2016). "Elder Cook Recalls Dedication of Fiji Temple amid Political Unrest in 2000". churchofjesuschrist.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  10. "Suva Fiji Temple to Close for Renovation" (Press release). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Public Affairs Department. July 30, 2014.
  11. Semerad, Tony. "Why are Mormon temples being renovated?", The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 October 2015. Retrieved on 27 March 2020.
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