Passport_temples_LDS

TEMPLE PASSPORT
NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA TEMPLE
DEDICATED AUGUST 9–11, 1983 BY GORDON B. HINCKLEY
The Tongan Saints were thrilled to learn in 1980 that three temples
planned for the Pacific islands would include one near Tonga’s capital city,
Nuku‘alofa. A five-acre site near the Church-operated Liahona College had
been intended for a temple long before Church leaders decided it was time
to build one in Tonga. The property owner, Brother Tevita Mahu’inga, had
served faithfully in many Church capacities. Just before his death in 1973,
he told his son: “There will be a temple built in Tonga someday; and our
five-acre piece just next to Liahona I have reserved for a temple site. You
give it to the Church at the appropriate time.” After several unsuccessful
attempts at obtaining property on the island, Church officials approached
Brother Mahu’inga’s son and acquired the land for the temple. Thus Tevita
Mahu’inga’s dream was fulfilled seven years after his death.
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