Laie Hawaii Temple

Laie Hawaii Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located on Oahu's northeast shore.  The temple was dedicated in 1919 and holds distinction for: a) being the first LDS temple built outside of the continental United States, b) the oldest LDS temple to operate outside of Utah, and c) the fifth-oldest LDS temple still in operation. At the end of 2008, the temple closed for its second extensive renovation (the first one was completed in 1978). At the end of the renovations but prior to the rededication the temple was open to general public for guided tours.  We took advantage of the first public viewing in 32 years (and only the third public viewing in the temple's 91-year history) and made reservations for the guided tour.

Before the tour itself we watched 15 minute video about the temple. We learned that the temple is not used for regular Sunday worship.  Only church members in "good standing" (which was not clearly explained) are allowed to enter the temple to participate in special ceremonies such as eternal marriage (a ritual in which couples and families are "sealed" for eternity) and baptisms for the dead (to give those who have died having never been baptized the opportunity to be baptized by proxy).  Photography was not allowed inside, and as with the Iolani Palace we had to put protective covers over our shoes. The tour took us to different areas of the temple such as the Changing Room (inside the temple members wear an all-white attire including white neck ties), the Ordinance Room (where "voices" give "instructions" for prayer - when asked the guide could not clearly explain where the voices are coming from), the Sealing Room (where eternal marriages are performed), the Celestial Room (for "quiet contemplation") and the Bapistry (a jacuzzi-size pool resting on the backs of twelve oxen that represent the twelve tribes of Israel.)

It was interesting to learn about what the temple is used for.  We were expecting the tour to include a "sales pitch" but it wasn't really about that.  R very much enjoyed the interior design, wanting to take fabric swatches of the carpet, drapes, and upholstery for some future design use.  The decor was contemporary with light-colored woods and pale blues and greens in the fabrics.

Exterior Temple View

We finished our North Shore trip by having yummy sushi at Banzai Sushi Bar in Haleiwa.