A rendering of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The location of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church President Russell M. Nelson shows an artist rendering of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple during a devotional in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Nov. 19, 2019.Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
The Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple site on Sept. 18, 2021, the day of its groundbreaking.Screenshot from YouTube, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Groundbreaking of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple
The groundbreaking of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple was presided over by President Veasna Kuonno Neang, president of the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission, on Sept. 18, 2021. President Bunhouch Eng, president of the Phnom Penh North Stake, also spoke in the ceremony. President Eng shared that when President Gordon B. Hinckleydedicated Cambodia for missionary work in 1996, only half of the 450 in attendance were Latter-day Saints.
In his remarks to the congregation, President Neang said, “Today, a holy temple of God will begin its foundation, representing the faithfulness, love and joy of the Saints in Cambodia. We know that when we come to the temple, we can feel closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. It will be such a blessing to come to the temple as often as we can.”
The Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple groundbreaking ceremony was held on Sept. 18, 2021, with President Veasna Kuonno Neang of the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission presiding. In-person attendance at the event was limited to invitation only to adhere to local COVID-19 social guidelines, but the event was also broadcast online throughout Cambodia and neighboring countries.
The Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple was announced Oct. 7, 2018, by Church President Russell M. Nelson. The groundbreaking and site dedication for this house of the Lord were held on Sept. 18, 2021, and presided over by President Veasna Kuonno Neang, president of the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission.
Architecture and Design of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple
The Phnom Penh temple will be a single-story building of approximately 10,000 square feet. Renderings show a white temple with an exterior of circle designs engraved and vertical bars around some walls. A white fence with holes in a decorative pattern will surround the edifice.
On top of the building is a tall spire in the center with four smaller spires around it. The temple will be built on a site of 3.16 acres, with various trees, yellow flowers and purple flowers decorating the grounds. An ancillary building will also reside on the site.
Groundbreaking Photos of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple
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Church leaders and members participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple on Sept. 18, 2021. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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President Veasna Kuonno Neang of the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission presides at the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 18, 2021. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ground was broken for the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple on Sept. 18, 2021. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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COVID-19 gathering restrictions limited the physical attendance of the Phnom Penh temple groundbreaking ceremony. All those in attendance followed the regulation to be social distanced and wear a mask at all times. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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President Veasna Kuonno Neang of the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission offers the dedicatory prayer at the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 18, 2021. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Left to right: Phnom Penh South Stake President Ul Phorn, Phnom Penh Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony Coordinator Vichit Ith, Phnom Penh North Stake President Bunhouch Eng, and Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission President Veasna Kuonno Neang at the Sept. 18, 2021, groundbreaking. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Shovels used to break ground for the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple on Sept. 18, 2021. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Church leaders and members participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple on Sept. 18, 2021. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Additional Facts
Fact #1
This will be the first Latter-day Saint temple built in Cambodia.
Fact #2
Before this temple was announced, Latter-day Saints in Cambodia traveled to either Hong Kong or the Philippines to attend a temple. Due to the distance and cost needed to travel, a temple visit had been a once-in-a-lifetime event for members in Cambodia.
Fact #3
President Nelson visited Cambodia for the first time in November 2019. At a conference there, he unveiled an artist’s rendering of the Phnom Penh temple and said, “Isn’t that beautiful?”
This will be the first Latter-day Saint temple built in Cambodia.
Fact #2
Before this temple was announced, Latter-day Saints in Cambodia traveled to either Hong Kong or the Philippines to attend a temple. Due to the distance and cost needed to travel, a temple visit had been a once-in-a-lifetime event for members in Cambodia.
Fact #3
President Nelson visited Cambodia for the first time in November 2019. At a conference there, he unveiled an artist’s rendering of the Phnom Penh temple and said, “Isn’t that beautiful?”
