This week in Church history
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
25 years ago
Ground was broken for three temples in the South Pacific by President Spencer W. Kimball in February 1981, Church News reported in its Feb. 28, 1981 issue.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for temples in Papeete, Tahiti, on Feb. 13; in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, on Feb. 18; and in Apia, Western Samoa, on Feb. 19.
President Kimball included the temple events in a 13-day "whirlwind tour of the Pacific," the article stated. His trip included a brief stop in Raratonga where a meeting was held for Church members, and stops in New Zealand and Hawaii.
According to the report, "During the trip, the Church president met with missionaries in Tahiti, New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa, and was honored at banquets, feasts, receptions and cultural programs. He gave 14 speeches and traveled 15,000 miles.
King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, king of Tonga, attended the groundbreaking there and joined President Kimball in speaking to the congregation of 7,000. In Samoa, head of state Malietoa Tanumafil II attended, along with 4,000 others who sat through torrential rains at the groundbreaking. There were 3,000 in attendance at the groundbreaking in Tahiti.
"Construction of the three temples will eliminate the long-distances which now have to be traveled by Tahitians, Tongans and Samoans to participate in temple work," the article stated.
Members in the areas generally traveled to the Hamilton New Zealand Temple. From Tahiti and Samoa, that trip was about 2,600 miles. From Tonga, it was about 1,300 miles.
Of the Samoa groundbreaking the Church News reported: "Moments before the services were to begin, the rains hit, and did not let up until shortly before President Kimball and the head of state walked from the covered stand to turn over the first shovelfuls of dirt."
