Description

The Pape’ete Tahiti Temple is the 27th constructed and 25th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Before the dedication of the Papeete Tahiti Temple, Tahitian members crossed 2,500 miles of the Pacific Ocean to attend the Hamilton New Zealand Temple.

History

Latter-day Saints have lived in Tahiti since the earliest days of the Church, when the Prophet Joseph Smith sent volunteer missionaries to the Pacific Islands. These missionaries arrived in French Polynesia in 1844, becoming the first Mormons to teach in a non-English-speaking country. Church membership in Tahiti grew, and in 1972 the first Tahitian stake was organized. Today Church membership in French Polynesia is over 23,500.

Announced

Tahitian members were originally to be served by a regional temple in Pago Pago, American Samoa—over 1,400 miles from Papeete—announced in 1977. But on 2 April 1980,  plans for a regional temple in the Pacific were replaced with plans for three smaller temples in Apia, Samoa; Nuku’alofa, Tonga; and Papeete, Tahiti.

 Groundbreaking

A groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication for the Papeete Tahiti Temple were held on February 13, 1981 with Spencer W. Kimball presiding.

Open House

The Papeete Tahiti Temple opened its doors to the public for a 10-day open house from 27-29 October 1983. During the open house more than 16,000 visitors toured the building.

Dedication

President Gordon B. Hinckley, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Papeete Tahiti Temple over 6 session from 27-29 October of 1983.

In his dedicatory prayer, he noted the growth of Church membership in French Polynesia and called the temple a capstone to the Saints’ faithful efforts over the preceding years.

Dedication Order

The Papeete Tahiti Temple was the fifth temple built in Polynesia and the first built in French Polynesia.

1994

In 1994, the Papeete Tahiti Temple was featured on a colorful national postage stamp, commemorating the arrival of Mormon missionaries on the island 150 years before.

Remodel

In August 2005, the Papeete Tahiti Temple closed for 15 months to undergo an extensive renovation and expansion project. With over 2,000 additional square feet, new rooms were added to the temple including a bride’s room, waiting room for non-patrons, and additional office space; the baptistry and one of the sealing rooms were both enlarged; the mechanical and electrical systems were overhauled; and the interior was completely redecorated.

Open House

During the public open house that preceded the rededication of the Papeete Tahiti Temple, 36,800 people partook of the heavenly setting inside the renovated building.

After renovations the Tahiti Temple is scheduled to have a second open house October 14-November 4, 2006

Following renovation in 2006, the Papeete Tahiti Temple opened to the public for tours during an open house prior to the rededication. Despite a national transportation strike and road blockades during the beginning of the open house, over 36,000 people came to see the notable landmark that had stood near the island’s northwestern shore for 23 years.

During the public open house that preceded the rededication of the Papeete Tahiti Temple, 36,800 people partook of the heavenly setting inside the renovated building.

The renovation concluded with a spiritually charged public open house attended by 36,800 people.^[1]Sarah Jane Weaver, “Tahitian temple, pearl of the Pacific,” Church News 18 Nov. 2006: 3.

Cultural Celebration

A member meeting was held as part of the celebrations to rededicate teh temple on 11 November 2006. Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles presided. He brought the greetings of 96-year-old President Gordon B. Hinckley, who enjoyed the services in Salt Lake City via satellite. Elder Perry addressed the gathering of thousands of saints in a stadium decorated with brightly colored plants and flowers donated by members. He said:

“As we try to do our part, in all righteousness, the Lord will bless us in all things. This is His work that we are praising.”^[2]Sarah Jane Weaver, “Enjoy finer things of righteousness,” Church News 18 Nov. 2006: 6.

A spectacular cultural event followed, which climaxed with thousands of returned missionaries marching into the stadium to the stirring hymn “Called to Serve.” In a grand display, the missionaries carried the flags of their countries of labor—a stirring representation of the international influence of this island nation.

In a final grand gesture, a replica of the temple rose among them. Thousands of youth filled the field followed by several families and the new temple presidency dressed in white, crossing the field to the temple.^[3]Sarah Jane Weaver, “Marching forward,” Church News 18 Nov. 2006: 8.

Rededication

The Temple was rededicated on 12 November 2006 —23 years after its original dedication—in two sessions attended by approximately 10,000 Tahitians from six stakes and three districts. ^[4] “Tahitian temple, pearl of the Pacific”, Church News, Nov 18, 2006^[5]”More Temples Underway Around the World”, Ensign, August 2006.

Services were transmitted to local stakes centers and also broadcast via the Church satellite system to Salt Lake City, New Caledonia, and to the BYU-Hawaii campus. “The people are just wonderful,” said Elder Perry. “There are not a friendlier people in all the earth than the people here in Tahiti.”^[6]Sarah Jane Weaver, 3.

 In his dedicatory prayer, he said:

“Wilt Thy Holy Spirit dwell here at all times. Safeguard it from any destructive hand. May all who enter its portals be worthy in every respect. Safeguard it from the storms of nature, and let it stand as a haven of peace and security.”^[7]Papeete Tahiti Temple dedicatory prayer, in Church News, Nov. 12, 2006, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/49774/Papeete-Tahiti-Tahiti-temple-has-served-well-the-Saints.html.

2009

The grounds of the Papeete Tahiti Temple were expanded in 2009 after the Church acquired a large parcel of adjacent land, which permitted the addition of more parking and gardens, the straightening of the only access road, and a reconfiguration of the front entrance. These projects improved visibility of the temple as frontage along the main road greatly increased.

Presidents

Temple President	Years Served
Yves R. Perrin	2018–
T. Marama Tarati	2015–2018
Jean A. Tefan	2012–2015
Michael F. Moody	2009–2012
Thomas R. Stone	2006–2009
Tekehu M. Munanui	2002–2005
Louis P. Arhan	1999–2002
Don H. Hendricks	1998–1999
John S. Morgan	1995–1998
C. Jay Larson	1992–1995
Ralph J. Richards	1990–1992
Fernand J. Caumet	1987–1990
Joseph E. Childers	1983–1987

Details

Location

On an island known for its black sand beaches and rare dark pearls, the Papeete Tahiti Temple is located in the commune of Pirae in the urban area of Papeete—the capital of French Polynesia. The temple is situated on a five-acre lot alongside a Church meetinghouse. The grounds are landscaped with lovely blooming plants and palm trees.

Exterior

Designed in a modern style with French and Polynesian influences, the Papeete Tahiti Temple’s exterior pays homage to its tropical location. It has a blue slate tile roof, reminiscent of the ocean depths, and white sand stucco covering its walls. Beautiful stained glass windows shine over the entrance and below the temple’s spire.

Spire and Moroni

Capping the spire is a gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni raising a trumpet to the sky, symbolic of Jesus Christ’s gospel spreading to all the earth.

Interior

The Papeete Tahiti Temple originally had 9,936 square feet, and a 2005–2006 renovation increased the square footage to 12,150. Inside the temple, a celestial room represents heaven on earth. The temple also contains a baptistry; instruction rooms, where patrons learn more about God; and sealing rooms.

Individuals and Contractors

Sources and Links