Apia Samoa Temple | Church News Almanac

President Gordon B. Hinckley, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Apia Samoa Temple in seven sessions from Aug. 5 to Aug. 7, 1983. Dedicatory prayer excerpt: We are grateful for these beautiful islands of Samoa, and for Thy faithful saints who dwell here. Jacob, son of Lehi, declared anciently: Great are the promises

1983 Dedication of the Apia Samoa Temple

President Gordon B. Hinckley, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Apia Samoa Temple in seven sessions from Aug. 5 to Aug. 7, 1983.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We are grateful for these beautiful islands of Samoa, and for Thy faithful saints who dwell here. Jacob, son of Lehi, declared anciently: ‘Great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the isles of the sea.’ We have witnessed the fulfillment of Thy covenant, for Thou hast not forgotten them.”

Read the dedicatory prayer for the Apia Samoa Temple.

2005 Rededication of the Apia Samoa Temple

On July 9, 2003, the Apia Samoa Temple, while undergoing renovation, was destroyed by a fire caused by an unknown source. Initially, the temple was scheduled to be rededicated in December 2003; however, due to the fire, this would be delayed for a couple of years.

After two years of renovation, the finished temple of the Lord was rededicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley on Sept. 4, 2005. Upon rededication, the temple received the unofficial name “Pearl of Pacific.”

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Now Father, we pray that Thou wilt watch over this sacred structure and preserve it from the kind of destructive force which destroyed its predecessor building. Wilt Thou sanctify it and hallow it, that all who enter herein may do so with a knowledge that they are in Thy holy habitation.”

Read the rededication prayer for the Apia Samoa Temple.

Timeline of the Apia Samoa Temple

October

15

1977

February

19

1981

Groundbreaking

July

19

1983

Open house

A public open house was held for the Apia Samoa Temple.

August

05

1983

Dedication

July

09

2003

Fire

While under construction, the Apia Samoa Temple was destroyed by a fire around 7:25 p.m. The remains from the damage were demolished, while the undamaged angel Moroni statue was removed and stored away until a new structure was rebuilt.

July

16

2003

Announced reconstruction

August

05

2003

20th anniversary

Despite the destruction caused by the fire, Church members in Samoa gathered on the temple site to commemorate the 20th anniversary since the temple was originally dedicated.

October

19

2003

Second groundbreaking

August

06

2005

Rededication open house

An open house was held for the reconstructed temple from Aug. 6 to Aug. 27, 2005, excluding Sundays.

September

04

2005

Rededication

SEE ALL Timeline of the Apia Samoa Temple

Plans to construct a temple in Apia, Samoa, were announced in October 1977. Six years later, President Spencer W. Kimball conducted the groundbreaking ceremony and offered the prayer to dedicate the site. Two years later, President Gordon B. Hinckley, second counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the temple in seven sessions.

In July 2003, two decades after the initial dedication, the Apia Samoa Temple was undergoing renovation and was scheduled for rededication in December 2003. These plans were altered when the temple was destroyed during a fire. Shortly after, President Hinckley announced the reconstruction of the Apia Samoa Temple, which would eventually be rebuilt and dedicated by September 2005.

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