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On November 2, 2024, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Tarawa Kiribati Temple. This event marked the beginning of construction for a new temple, bringing joy to over 28,000 Latter-day Saints in Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.
Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, General Authority Seventy, attended with his wife Sister Amy Jaggi. They welcomed His Excellency Taneti Maamau, President of Kiribati, and First Lady Madam Teiraeng Maamau. Other notable attendees included Willie Tokataake, Speaker of the House; Karen Bray, Australian High Commissioner; André van der Walt, New Zealand High Commissioner; Zhou Limin, Chinese Ambassador; and other distinguished guests.
The proceedings were conducted by Elder Iotua Tune, Pacific Area Seventy, alongside his wife Sister Maii Toanimatang. Elder Jaggi expressed hope for peace and protection in Kiribati: “Today’s breaking of the ground is symbolic of planting a giant coconut or breadfruit seed. It will produce the greatest harvest we have seen or can conceive for generations to come.”
He further stated that the temple would offer "great protection from the storms of life" and quoted President Russell M. Nelson: “Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit.” Elder Jaggi invited attendees to make their own promise to follow Jesus Christ's example.
President Taneti Maamau spoke about the partnership between Kiribati's government and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “The longstanding partnership...has allowed us to nurture faith, build communities, and ensure peace and security for our people.” He recalled requesting a temple during a visit with President Russell M. Nelson in 2018 due to travel challenges faced by citizens seeking temple blessings.
Young speakers at the event included Tamara Ruateiti from Temaiku 1st Branch who encouraged staying on "the covenant path," Agnes Temokua from Buota Branch who highlighted preparing for temple endowment, and Obeira Teauoki also from Buota Branch who shared his preparation plans for a temple marriage.
The ceremony was broadcast live across meetinghouses in Kiribati. The new temple will be built on a 0.80-acre site at Ambo in South Tarawa. It will feature a single-story design with an end-spire covering approximately 10,000 square feet. Additional facilities are planned nearby including patron housing.
Missionary work began in Kiribati in 1975 when students returned as missionaries after attending a church-owned high school in Tonga. This led to establishing the first branch on Tarawa Island where church meetings were initially held at Auriaria Kokoi Ataria School.
Temples are considered sacred places by Latter-day Saints distinct from regular meetinghouses (chapels) where Sunday services occur. They serve primarily for sacred ceremonies such as eternal marriages and proxy baptisms.
