The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Lord Fakafanua, the Prime Minister Reverend Dr. Pohiva Tuionetoa and other distinguished guests were also present.

Elder Inoke Kupu, Area Seventy, presided and conducted at the ground-breaking on the temple site. In a prayer, he said, “Bless the Saints of Vava'u and the Niua’s (northern islands of Tonga) that they may live worthily to receive the blessings of the temple.”

The Neiafu Tonga Temple groundbreaking will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11. Elder ‘Inoke F. Kupu, an Area Seventy, will preside at the ceremony.

The Pago Pago American Samoa Temple groundbreaking will take place on Saturday, Oct. 9. A presiding church leader will be named later based on travel requirements related to COVID-19, the news release said.

Attendance at both groundbreaking ceremonies will be by invitation only.

What do we know about the Neiafu Tonga Temple?

The two leaders met at the royal palace in Nuku’alofa.

 The Tongan royal family and nobles are Free Wesleyan Christians and 62 percent of the population has membership in the LDS Church.

"It's important for us to be able to thank leaders for the privilege of religious freedom in their country," President Nelson said after emerging from the white, shiplap-sided palace.

"It's a really precious aspect of governmental relations to allow the people to have the ability to practice the religion of their choice."

Elder Cardon is a member of the Seventy and a counsellor in the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Tukuafu is an Area Seventy in the Church, and resides in Tonga.

Cardinal Mafi is the fourth Roman Catholic Bishop of Tonga, and the first Cardinal from the island nation.

During their meeting on Monday 5 June, the leaders discussed ways Catholics and Latter-day Saints are helping Tongan individuals, families and communities.