Small-scale Groundbreaking Held for Davao Temple, One of Philippines' 7 Temples

Church leaders in Davao Philippines participated in the groundbreaking service for the Davao Philippines Temple on Saturday, November 14, 2020.

“It never ceases to amaze me how the hand of the Lord has been over this nation. How He has prepared its people and its land to receive the gospel and the blessings of the temples of the Lord,” said Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, Philippines Area President who presided at the event and offered the dedicatory prayer.

Elder Wakolo was joined by his wife, Anita, Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, Elder Steven R. Bangerter of the Philippines Area Presidency and other local interfaith leaders. Attendance at the groundbreaking ceremonies was by invitation only.

“We pray that this temple, even while being constructed, will bless the lives of all who live in the vicinity and those who pass by, by increasing their hope and peace through Christ,” prayed Elder Wakolo.

The temple will be built on a 2.7-acre site at Ma-a Road and Anahaw Road, Bgy. Ma-a, Davao City 8000, in the Philippines. The two-story structure will be approximately 18,450 square feet. The site will also include patron and temple presidency housing and a meetinghouse.

“This Davao Philippines Temple will be known as a House of God. Above its entry will be engraved the salutation ‘Holiness to the Lord,’ which calls our minds to recognize the Lord’s house as a sanctuary, set apart from the cares and concerns of the world” said Elder Bangerter.

“Today we rejoice in the blessings of God, and we give thanks for the kindness of our friends and neighbors who have so graciously helped us prepare for the construction of this beautiful temple,” said Elder Bangerter.

The temple was announced in October 2018 by President Russell M. Nelson. The Philippines has seven temples announced, under construction or in operation including the Alabang, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Urdaneta, Cebu City and Manila temples.

Missionaries arrived in the Philippines in 1961. Since then, membership has grown to more than 800,000 Latter-day Saints in over 1,200 congregations.

“My prayer is that we visit the temple as often as we can. Let us experience heaven here on earth through the temple. Heaven becomes closer when we go to the temple,” said Elder Wakolo.

Upon its completion and prior to its dedication, a public open house will be scheduled. Details for the open house and temple dedication will be announced at a future date.

Latter-day Saints consider temples to be the “house of the Lord” and the most sacred places of worship on the earth. Temples are not the same as the Church’s meetinghouses. All are welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities in a meetinghouse. In temples, Latter-day Saints participate in sacred ceremonies, such as marriage, that unite families beyond death.

Source: Church News