DAVAO CITY — The public will soon get a chance to visit the newly built temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Davao City—the first in Mindanao and the fifth in the Philippines.
Church officials announced that a public open house will be held from March 26 to April 10, 2026, except Sundays, allowing visitors to tour the sacred building and learn more about its purpose.
On March 23, members of the local media were given exclusive access inside the temple, where they were shown its various rooms and were briefed on the significance of each area.
According to Elder Erich W. Kopischie, General Authority Seventy of the Church, the temple is considered a sacred place and is not open for regular access, even to members, without proper preparation.
He explained that unlike typical chapels, entry to the temple is limited, and its rooms are designed for families or individuals seeking a quiet place to pray and connect with God.
The temple is also seen as a symbol of light and peace centered on Jesus Christ.
Kopischie added that amid global conflicts, confusion, and crises, the temple serves as a place where individuals can seek peace, reflect, and strengthen their faith.
“And there is also a very powerfull symbol of peace,also we have so much involved right now too much war too much confusion,too much annoying,for arms as a child born and to us his son is given his name is called wonderful the mighty God is called the prince of peace,” Kopischie said.
Meanwhile, Elder William K. Jackson, also a General Authority Seventy, emphasized the importance of families in their faith, saying that temples play a vital role in strengthening family relationships and spiritual connection.
“The temple is all about family and family is important to us we believe that family is important institution in society in fact, we believe it’s more important of iternity as well, and in temple we learn how to get back to our heavenly father, the Lord back to God for Latter-Day Saints is through the Temple and what we do there can we defined as Love, Love of God, Love of Companionships, love of family and extended Family. It is a place we go to remeber and acknowledge Jesus is the Christ our Lord and Savior and sa made this opportunities and blessings available to us,” Jackson said.
The dedication of the temple is scheduled on May 3, 2026, at 10 a.m., to be presided over by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Located at the corner of Ma-a Road and Anahaw Road in Barangay Ma-a, the temple features design elements inspired by the Philippines’ piña fabric, along with colorful art glass representing indigenous tropical flowers.
There are currently more than 900,000 members of the Church in the Philippines, and the Davao temple is expected to serve members across Mindanao.
Vice President Sara Duterte is also expected to visit the temple in April to personally experience the site following the media preview.Other operating temples in the country are located in Cebu, Manila, Urdaneta, and Alabang, while additional temples are under construction in other parts of the Philippines.
