A Look back at the First Fiji Temple dedication

Throw back to the First temple dedication -

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

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

The first LDS missionaries arrived in Fiji in 1893. It was hard work for missionaries to travel among the 100 inhabited islands of Fiji to teach the people. The work was slow and it was not until 1954 that the first small congregation was organized. After 1954 the work began to quicken and by 1993 there were more than 6,600 members in six wards and fifteen branches.

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. 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.

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. Because of the political unrest that had been going on 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.

With the temple having been closed for renovations, the LDS Church announced on June 11, 2015 that a public open house is scheduled from Monday, 25 January 2016, through Saturday, 6 February 2016, excluding Sunday, 31 January. The temple will be rededicated on Sunday, February 21, 2016.

Miss World Fiji feels at peace inside the Temple

Suva, Fiji -

At the temple doors, Martha Johansson, Eileen Waradi, Miss World Fiji 2015, Brittany Hazelman, Martha Johansson, Beniette Seru and Deborah Hazelman (Brittney’s mother)

Miss World Fiji 2015, Brittany Hazelman (24), a graduate from Brigham Young University – Hawaii, visited the Suva Fiji Temple this morning with her mother and friends.

While still a student at BYU-Hawaii, Brittany learned a bit about the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints and also met with the missionaries for religious discussions.

Outside the temple: Beniette Seru, Miss World Fiji 2015, Brittany Hazelman, Martha Johansson, Eileen Waradi and Deborah Hazelman.

During an interview at the temple today, Brittany spoke of her three-year experience as a BYU student, and of her enjoyable visits to the Visitor’s Centre at the Laie Hawaii Temple. “But,” she said, “…ít’s a very different experience actually being inside the temple.”

She shared her excitement at finally being able to enter the temple; she felt impressed “…by the peace and quietness of the temple; it was spirit-filled—I loved it!”

A Unique Opportunity to Share Our Faith

By Kim Woodbury , Manager  Area Relations , Public Affairs Department, Salt Lake City

As an employee of the Church’s Public Affairs Department in Salt Lake City, I have the privilege of helping with temple open houses all over the world. I have enjoyed being in Fiji to help with the Suva Temple open house. The Latter-day Saints here are wonderful and I am very impressed with everyone who is helping with this special event.

Minister for Women, Rosy Akbar assisted by some volunteers at the Open House.

It is not easy to plan and execute a temple open house. It requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice from hundreds of people. I have seen many Church members taking time away from their jobs and their families to make the open house a success. Every single person has an important role to play, from the people putting on shoe coverings to those making sure the reception tent is clean and orderly. Everyone I meet is doing a great job and most importantly, they always have a smile on their faces! The light of the gospel shines in their eyes. The friendliness and enthusiasm of the Fijian Latter-day Saints is now on display for the entire country to see. 

Church leaders and the public affairs committee worked hard to ensure that high-profile government leaders like the prime minister and the president attended the open house. Now it is up to every Latter-day Saint to invite their friends and family members to come. It is nice that there are banners around the city and articles in the media, but experience at other temple open houses shows that most of the people who come are those who have been personally invited by someone they know.

Smiling volunteers ready to open doors for guests

This is a unique opportunity to educate the community about what Latter-day Saints believe and help raise the profile of the Church here. May our Heavenly Father bless you as you share the spirit of the temple with your brothers and sisters in Fiji. I know that the impact of the temple open house and dedication will be felt in Fiji for years to come!