The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced a public open house for the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple, which is under renovation.
The open house will begin on Saturday, 29 September 2007, and continue through Saturday, 20 October 2007, excluding Sundays.
Following the open house, the temple will be formally rededicated on Sunday, 4 November 2007. Two dedicatory sessions will be held to accommodate Latter-day Saints in the area who will be served by the temple.
A cultural celebration will be held on Saturday, 3 November.
Latter-day Saint temples differ from the Church’s meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered "houses of the Lord" where Christ's teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity.
In the temple, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and strengthen their commitment to serve Jesus Christ and their fellow man.
The Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple will serve approximately 41,000 Latter-day Saints throughout Tonga and the Line Islands of the Pacific Ocean.