The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
A small group of Latter-day Saint leaders and invited guests gathered in Okinawa, Japan, on Saturday, December 5, 2020, for the groundbreaking of a new temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Despite the small gathering, we are extremely grateful as we meet to consecrate this island for the building of a holy temple this day,” said Elder Takashi Wada, Asia North Area president, who presided at the groundbreaking event for the Okinawa Japan Temple.
“Please watch over the people on this island; may all be inspired by thy spirit and recognize the eternal significance of this sacred project,” said Elder Wada in the dedicatory prayer. “We pray that we, and all those who pass near this site, will feel thy presence.”

He continued, “May the inspiring vista bless the entire community, including those not of our faith, and become a cherished landmark for all who live or visit here.”
The groundbreaking officially begins the construction of the new temple. The event was limited to a small gathering because of local government’s COVID-19 restrictions.
The Okinawa Japan Temple will be located on a half-acre site at 7-11, Matsumoto, Okinawa Shi, in Okinawa-ken, Japan. Plans call for a two-story, 10,000-square-foot temple. A temple-patron waiting area will also be added to an adjacent existing meetinghouse that was completed in 2013.
Video of the temple groundbreaking event will be posted as soon as it is available.
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.