Elder Kearon Dedicates the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple

The Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now a dedicated house of the Lord.

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the temple on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

The Church has 385 temples in operation or various stages of development around the world. These sacred structures are the faith’s most sacred spaces. In these special buildings, Latter-day Saints seek peace and guidance, learn more about the purpose of life, make covenants to follow Jesus Christ and serve their neighbor, and participate in marriage or sealing ceremonies that, through the power of Jesus Christ, allow families to be together for eternity.

“Through these sacred ordinances made possible through the atoning gift of our Redeemer, old wounds can be healed and broken hearts can be mended, on both sides of the veil,” he said. “This is a house of miracles.”

The public was invited to tour the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple from August 15 through August 22.

The dedication comes during a period of increased focus on temples worldwide. Latter-day Saints are also preparing for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration that will take place from April 5 through October 1, 2027. Each temple open house and dedication is an opportunity to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and deepen appreciation for temple worship.

Elder Kearon was joined at the dedication by his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon; Elder I. Raymond Egbo, General Authority Seventy and Assistant Executive Director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Comfort Egbo; and Elder David L. Buckner, General Authority Seventy and member of the Asia Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Jennifer Buckner.

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The Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple stands on a 3.16-acre site along Russian Federation Boulevard in Phnom Penh. The building rises approximately 35 meters (115 feet) to the top of its spire and encompasses about 924 square meters (nearly 10,000 square feet).

Acknowledging Cambodia’s experiences with hardship and loss, Elder Kearon said, “We are in a land that has known extraordinary pain, hardship, loss and despair. It is so fitting that the Lord has seen to provide a house here which will draw our hands and hearts far beyond the trials of mortality and into eternity.”

The temple’s architecture and interior design draw inspiration from Cambodian culture and artistic traditions. The exterior reflects elements found in traditional Cambodian religious structures, while interior design motifs are inspired by kbach patterns commonly seen in local silverwork, furniture, murals and pottery. Colors throughout the building reflect traditional Cambodian textiles, local flora and cultural symbolism.

Original artwork inside the temple includes depictions of local landscapes and scenes that reflect the faith and heritage of the Cambodian people.

The growth of the Church in Cambodia has been accompanied by decades of humanitarian and community service. Since the mid-1980s, the Church has supported hundreds of humanitarian projects throughout the country, including assistance for schools, hospitals, health centers, sanitation initiatives, emergency relief efforts and educational programs.

For more information about why the Church of Jesus Christ builds temples, visit temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.