Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Construction continues on the first temple to be built in the Pacific island country of Papua New Guinea in the capital city of Port Moresby. Elements of the hardscape have been installed near the entrance portico, and several trees have been planted on the grounds. Work continues on applying finishes to the concrete block exterior walls of the temple, which stands on a stunning location overlooking Walter Bay.

A metallic spire was lifted into place earlier this month on top of the tower that sits above the main entrance to the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple. The stunning view of the temple from Hubert Murray Highway offers a backdrop of the ocean. Construction of the temple, ancillary building, and meetinghouse began 18 months ago. In the coming months, the buildings will be enclosed, allowing interior finish work to move forward.

Installation of the steeple over the entry to the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple has begun. The steeple for the meetinghouse is also in place, while framing for the roof of the ancillary building progresses. Work has begun on plastering and painting the exterior walls of the temple, which will be fitted with beautiful moldings and ornamentation. Construction on the project has been underway for 17 months.

An overhead view of the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple site taken last month shows the progress being made on the temple and its ancillary facilities. Structural walls are in place for all of the buildings, and preparations are being made for the temple roof. In addition to the temple, there will be housing for temple missionaries, lodging for temple patrons, a residence for the temple president and matron, and a distribution center on site.

Youth and young single adults from the Taurama Branch of the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Stake recently held an activity at the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple site where they were received by the missionary couple. Church members in Papua New Guinea, who currently travel to the Suva Fiji Temple to participate in temple ordinances, look forward to having a temple much closer to home.

Visitors are welcome to make an appointment to visit the construction site of the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple where Elder and Sister Mabey will answer questions and present updates on the temple's construction. Appointments are accepted on Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday as scheduled.

The walls of the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple can be seen rising behind the lush vegetation along Hubert Murray Highway against the stunning blue waters of Walter Bay. The temple is the first house of the Lord in Papua New Guinea. Plans to construct the temple were announced at the October 2019 general conference. The groundbreaking was held nearly one year ago on April 22, 2023.

The expansive ocean views available from the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple site are captured in new photographs taken from nearby Hubert Murray Highway. Structural columns for the temple are rising, and walls for one of the ancillary buildings is going up. The floor slab for another building in the complex can be seen in the foreground. Retaining walls have been built around the property to create a level surface.

A photograph of the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple site, taken from a hill to the west, shows the construction progress that has been made since ground was broken in late April. Two large cranes are on site—one next to the temple and the other next to the accommodation center. The cranes are currently supporting the structural framing of the buildings.

"May the emerging temple become a symbol of peace and blessings for them," prayed Elder Peter F. Meurs, General Authority Seventy, in his site dedicatory prayer at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple. Many honored guests attended the event held on Saturday, April 22, including His Excellency, Sir Bob Dadae, Governor General of Papua New Guinea; Tauvasa Tanuvasa Chou-Lee, Solicitor General; and Joe Zadrozny, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Current and former Church leaders from across the country were present, and a group of 18 men walked the famous Kokoda Trail, a 100km mountainous hike, for four days to be in attendance. Church members have traveled overseas for many years to participate in temple worship. Soon they will have a temple of their own on a beautiful site overlooking the ocean.

Groundbreaking services for the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Elder Peter F. Meurs, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Pacific Area presidency, will preside at the event. The 9,550-square-foot temple will be built on Muniogo Crescent in the Badili neighborhood on a site overlooking Walter Bay where a meetinghouse previously stood. An ancillary building with housing and distribution services will also be constructed.

The site selected for the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple has been announced. The holy edifice will be constructed on Muniogo Crescent in the Badili neighborhood of Port Moresby on the site of an existing meetinghouse that overlooks beautiful Walter Bay. An exterior rendering has also been released showing a single-level temple of approximately 9,550 square feet. Lodging for temple missionaries and patrons, a residence for the temple president and matron, and a distribution center will also be constructed on site. The existing meetinghouse will be demolished to make way for the temple complex. No groundbreaking date has been announced.

A newly released video from the Pacific Area documents the reactions of the Saints to the announcement of the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple. Beautiful stories and testimonies are shared by faithful members who are filled with deep gratitude for a temple to be constructed in their island nation—Papua New Guinea's first. It will allow members to worship in the temple without sacrificing the time and expense required to fly to Australia.