Perth Australia Temple Wiki

The plans for the Perth Australia Temple’s construction were announced on June 11, 1999.

“Australia is emerging as a very significant place for the Church. The new temples will assist our many new members to unite their families eternally and cement their faith in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ,”^[1]“News of the Church,” Ensign, Aug. 2001, 71 said Peter Meurs, president of the Perth Australia Warwick Stake.

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Australia Temples at Time of Announcement

Announced

• Brisbane Australia
• Adelaide Australia

Under Construction

• Melbourne Australia

Dedicated

• Sydney Australia [1984]

Elder Kenneth Johnson, first counselor in the Australia/New Zealand Area Presidency, presided over the groundbreaking of the Perth Australia Temple on 20 November 1999. During his remarks, Elder Johnson noted that temples have only been constructed when the Lord has instructed His prophets to do so; “man cannot assume that opportunity, God has to assign it.” Elder Johnson also quoted from letters of congratulations received from Major Michael Jeffrey, governor of Western Australia, and Richard Court, premier of Western Australia.

Governor Jeffrey wrote, “I have no doubt that the temple will contribute to the growth and stability of the Church here. But more importantly it will contribute to the growth and stability of members and their families. This is the most significant step forward since the Church was established in Western Australia 103 years ago and I congratulate you all on reaching this important and exciting milestone.”

Approximately 37,000 visitors toured the during the open house from 28 April–12 May 2001.^[3]Gordon B. Hinckley, “Welcome to Conference,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 4

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President Hinckley dedicated the Perth Australia Temple on 20 May 2001.

Nearly 2,800 members of the Church attended the dedication, including Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In the dedicatory prayer, President Hinckley said, “In the sacred name of our Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, we dedicate and consecrate this the Perth Australia Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unto Thee and unto Thy Son.

“Wilt Thou accept it as the offering of our hands and our hearts. From this day forth may Thy watch care be over it.”

He continued the prayer by dedicating the grounds and the structure of the temple and then expressing gratitude: “We thank Thee for this land of Australia where this and other temples have been built. We thank Thee for the freedom of worship which obtains here. May this great nation always remain a place of individual liberty, that men and women may approach Thee within these walls without threat or disturbance of any kind.” President Hinckley ended the prayer by blessing the Church and those who would serve in the temple. ^[4]”‘We thank Thee for this land of Australia,'” Church News, 26 May 2001, 25 Jun. 2005