Secretive Mormon temple to open to public for first time in 64 years

First person – RNZ reporter Leah Tebbutt details what lies inside New Zealand’s only Mormon temple which has been shrouded in secrecy for the last 64 years.

The inside of New Zealand’s only Mormon temple has been shrouded in secrecy. No-one from outside the church has been inside for 64 years.

However, ahead of its rededication following extensive renovations for the past four years, journalist Leah Tebbutt took the opportunity to go inside.

Driving past the temple that sits proudly atop of a hill just outside of Hamilton, I imagine what waited inside was one large yet grand room where those of the Latter-Day Saints faith would go to pray.

What I discovered was the complete opposite.

After slipping on shoe coverings I was led past an endless rack of white jumpsuits to the baptismal font.

The baptismal font is held inside the temple for the purpose of baptising the deceased.
Photo: Supplied

Elder Wakolo explains those who enter the temple must change into white, as “all are equal”.

However, the jumpsuits are for practicality and only worn in the baptistry. It is where they baptise the deceased.

I am informed those who are living are baptised on behalf of their ancestors who may then decide to accept or deny the act.

The baptismal font, which sits on 12 golden oxen, sets my expectations for the rest of the tour.

Twelve golden oxen hold the baptismal font up.
Photo: Supplied

This is not one large yet grand room. Its a maze of tranquil spaces for different occasions.

All very grand.

Most are adorned with extravagant chandeliers symbolising the light of god. Such as the one which sits neatly above an alter in the sealing room.

This is where a bride and groom are married, sealing themselves together for eternity.

It’s a core belief of the church that life is eternal, and therefore marriages “must be performed in a temple by authority from God”.

This lays out the reason for the temple’s build 64 years ago in 1958 – the first in the Southern Hemisphere.

George Elkington is currently stationed at the church’s history centre. He tells me it was a group of labour missionaries who started the structure in 1955.

“They left whatever they were doing and came and served for 10 shillings a week,” he said.

“What I remember of them, because many of them were my first cousins and two of my brothers served as labour missionaries, they just seemed to be a happy people. It wasn’t a sacrifice in their minds, it was a labour of love.”

The bride has a special room to prepare for her marriage in the Sealing room.
Photo: Supplied

His wife, Joena Elkington said missionaries were taught skills from those who travelled from America to help.

“From what they learnt and used on the temple, for most of them became their profession for life.”

Once built, the temple served all of those in the South Pacific, including Australia.

Elder and Sister Meurs have travelled from Perth to also walk me through their sacred building. The sealing room is where they were married some years ago.

It’s a beautiful setting, ethereal. Looking down at the carpet I click on why they have instructed me to cover my shoes. The pristine white carpet looks as plush and if not more comfortable than a hotel bed.

Latter-Day Saint temples are not places of regular Sunday worship. Continuing through the maze I am led to the instruction room, closely followed by the celestial room – or heaven.

The tranquil celestial room represents heaven for those in the church.
Photo: Supplied

This is where one would sit and be reflective. However, it is hard to not be distracted by the rooms beauty.

Wrapping the room is a soft mural, paying homage to the land of Aotearoa in which it sits. Adorning every surface are exquisite bouquets, and furnishings you could easily sit in for hours.

Dalton Wihongi was an electrician during renovations. It’s a full circle for him as both his grandfathers were labour missionaries.

“It was cool to be able to work up there and be in the same rooms they have built from scratch. I would call them up and say ‘hey I was in this room’,” he said.

“A lot of the guys that built the original one, they left the odd ‘so and so was here’. I seen my granddad’s one on my dad’s side written down there.”

The Hamilton Temple currently serves 117,000 Latter Day Saints in New Zealand.

However, even those within the church can’t waltz on in. You must be recommended by your church leader.

Former Hamilton MP and current city councillor Martin Gallagher visited the temple the last time it was open to the public.

“As a six year old I came with my parents. It had a similar layout but I don’t recall some of the ornate detail.

“I remember the baptismal font but I guess it was just a six year old being wide eyed and curious.”

His tour was a moment of reflection on how far Hamilton had come in those 64 years since he was last inside, Gallagher said.

“Their families, in many cases, have come on to make huge contributions to our society at large.

“Genuinely, even though I am not a member of the Latter-Day Saints faith community, I absolutely honour them.”

The temple will be open to the public for the next three weeks. The church is expecting up to 50,000 visitors to take the once in a lifetime opportunity.

The temple will then be formally dedicated on 16 October and the veil of secrecy will fall again.