Latter-day Saint Temple in Tafuna, American Samoa, Opens to Public Tours Before December Dedication

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomed members of the media and invited guests to the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple on Monday, November 2, 2026. The temple is in Tafuna and is the first Latter-day Saint temple in American Samoa. Elder K. Brett Nattress, a General Authority Seventy, welcomed journalists to a special preview. Report 2 identifies him as Assistant Executive Director of the Church’s Temple Department and says Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi of the Pacific Area Presidency joined him.

Report 1 says His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II, Head of State of Samoa, toured the temple with Church leaders later that afternoon. Senior representatives from all three branches of American Samoa’s government also joined the special preview tour.

Report 2 quotes Elder Nattress saying the temple is the house of the Lord and the most sacred place members can go.

According to Report 1, the public open house begins Wednesday, November 4, and runs through Saturday, November 21, excluding Sundays. Report 2 says visitors of all faiths will be able to see inside the temple during the open house, a welcome to strangers that echoes Matthew 25:35. Report 2 does not give the closing date of the open house.

Both reports say the temple will be dedicated in December. Neither gives a specific dedication date.

Report 1 states that more than 17,600 Latter-day Saints live in American Samoa and worship in 44 congregations across five stakes.