SA: Church to build landmark temple

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-1999
SA: Church to build landmark temple

ADELAIDE, April 27 AAP - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will build its
second temple in Australia after winning council approval in Adelaide.

South Australian state president of the church, Phil Howes, said members of the church,
commonly known as the Mormons, welcomed the decision.

"They're really excited because it's a long way to Sydney and they won't have to make that
pilgrimage anymore," Dr Howes said.

"Many families would go maybe once a year or once every couple of years. We encourage
people to go at least once.

"People look forward to it and plan it ... it's a big occasion."

Construction of the temple, to serve South Australia and the Northern Territory, is due to
begin in six to eight weeks with the building expected to be finished in the next 12 months.

It will be open to the public before it is dedicated, after which time only members of the
church will be allowed to enter the building because it is regarded as a sacred place.

A chapel and meeting hall will also be built on the site in the inner suburb of Marden
over the next two to three years.

One key feature of the temple will be wedding ceremonies, with members of the church
believing that marriage can be for eternity if they are performed or later "sealed" in a
temple.

"We regard the temple as being our highest form of worship and in there instruction will be
given and also weddings," Dr Howes said.

"We believe in being married forever not just till death do you part.

"We believe that within the temple you can be married for ever and that is one of the
highest ordinances there is."

The church has more than 100,000 members in Australia with more than 12,000 in South
Australia and the Northern Territory.

The first temple was built in Sydney in 1984.

The Adelaide temple is designed to accommodate 60 to 80 people at any one time, making it
smaller than the Sydney temple.

AAP vm/sn/hu

KEYWORD: TEMPLE

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.