Inside the Brisbane temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Former members of a mysterious church have opened up what really goes on inside the walls of a grand temple perched overlooking Brisbane city.

The Brisbane Australia Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Kangaroo Point. Picture: Instagram

The secrets of a grand temple perched overlooking Brisbane city can be revealed as former members of the mysterious church speak out.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Brisbane Australia Temple – which is the 115th dedicated temple in operation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – sits on the cliffs at Kangaroo Point among the towering unit blocks and historic homes of River Terrace.

While a feature of the cityscape since 2000, mystery still surrounds the building and what goes on inside – until now.

A former member who left the church when they moved away from home said there were strict rules that had to be followed for anyone who entered the temple.

The temple under construction. Picture: Suzanna Clarke

“Firstly, you must pay 10 per cent of your income as tithing to the church,” they said.

“You’re required to wear your church-issued underwear.

“It’s expected that you will attend church every single week.

Inside the temple. Picture: Supplied

“You are required to sit down with your local leader and answer all his invasive questions, including about your own private sex life (yes, even when married) so he can decide if you can enter the great and spacious building.”

Another former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said you could only enter the temple after being interviewed by a “bishop”.

Construction on the grand building was completed in 2003. Picture: Instagram

Such is the level of secrecy, photographs are not allowed to be taken inside.

“I shot a wedding there, but I wasn’t allowed inside during the ceremony,” a wedding photographer said.

“I sat outside and waited for the ceremony to finish and then I took photos of the bride and groom.”

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE

It was announced that the church would be built in July 1998, with a groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication taking place in May, 2001, with construction commencing in November of that year.

Key features of the granite building – which is 23m high and spread out over 994 sqm – include a spire adorned with a statue of the angel Moroni, two sealing rooms, two ordinance rooms, as well as a baptistery.

Church members have revealed what really goes on inside the temple’s walls. Picture: Supplied

The temple is surrounded by landscaped grounds featuring water fountains and palm trees, while there is also a meeting house located nearby.

It took 18 months to build the temple. Picture: Instagram

The temple was formally dedicated by former president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gordon B Hinckley on June 15, 2003, with access to the church restricted to members from that date forward.

WHO ARE THE LATTER DAY SAINTS

The temple belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Restorationist denomination of Christianity established in 1830 by Joseph Smith.

Followers of the faith are known as Latter-day Saints or informally as Mormons.

The golden statue of Angel Moroni sits atop the building. Picture: Suzanna

Members of the church have strict rules to follow including paying a tithing, which is giving 10 per cent of their income towards the church, while members are prohibited from consuming alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco.

Members of the church are also required to wear “temple garments”.

CHURCH’S PLANS FOR EXPANSION

Plans for a Brisbane Australia South Temple were announced on April 7, 2024.

It would make Brisbane the 11th city worldwide and only state capital in Australia to have two temples as part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney each having a single temple.

The Brisbane Australia Temple has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Inside the Brisbane temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints