Elder Kearon Invites Filipinos to Experience the Alabang Philippines Temple  

Elder Patrick Kearon, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, welcomed government officials, interfaith leaders, community partners, and other guests to the open house of the newly constructed Alabang Philippines Temple in Metro Manila on November 19, 2025.

He extended a warm invitation for Filipinos everywhere to come, see, and experience this new “House of the Lord,” a sacred place built to serve as a house of worship, learning and peace for all who enter. 

Accompanied by his wife, Jennifer Kearon, Elder Kearon emphasized the temple’s importance to members of the Church and encouraged the public to attend and tour the temple before its dedication. 

“We are delighted to be at the Alabang Temple open house,” Elder Kearon said. “We want to invite you and your friends to come and have a look around this temple, a holy and sacred place to us.” 

Sister Kearon added her own message of welcome: “It is such a beautiful place, a place of holiness and sacredness where we can connect and commune with God. We hope that when you come and visit, you can feel close to God, feel His love for you and His desire for you to have peace and happiness.” 

Elder and Sister Kearon were in the Philippines on a brief ministering assignment. During their visit, they traveled to Cebu to meet with survivors of recent typhoons, visited with history specialists and archivists at FamilySearch, and joined hundreds of youth and young single adults in a devotional held near the Alabang Philippines Temple. 

Voices From Across Faiths and Sectors Express Reverence and Appreciation 

Elder and Sister Kearon welcomed guests from many sectors of Philippine society, including national and local government leaders, interfaith representatives, business and social development leaders, and community partners. 

As visitors walked through the temple, many shared their thoughts and spiritual impressions. The interior of the temple reflects its sacred purpose and deep reverence for God while also incorporating Filipino cultural motifs that honor the heritage of the country. 

Professor Bong Baybado, PhD, an interfaith scholar and professor at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, said the experience resonated with his own faith tradition. 

“I was amazed by the baptismal font and the confirmation room. They connect with my own faith tradition. But what moved me even more was learning about marriage for eternity. We usually say ‘till death do us part,’ but here the commitment goes beyond this world. It is deeply inspiring.” 

The Most Rev. Ariel Cornelio P. Santos, Archbishop and Primate of the Charismatic Episcopal Church in the Territory of Asia, said he felt a sense of peace within the temple. 

“The celestial room is very peaceful and very serene—truly a place to encounter God. I admire the intentionality of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in showing reverence for God. You can see it in the way the temple was built and in the principles they uphold.” 

Rev. Fr. Edward San Diego of the Archdiocese of Manila shared his admiration for the beauty of the temple. 

“Before entering, I was amazed by how beautiful the temple is. All I could say was ‘Wow!’ because of how beautiful the temple is inside and out.” 

Why the Church Builds Temples  

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temples are the most sacred places of worship on earth. Latter-day Saints believe that temples are where families can be united for eternity and where sacred ordinances central to their faith are performed. 

Temples are also places where individuals can feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They provide an atmosphere of peace and spiritual learning, strengthen family relationships, and offer a setting where people can seek divine guidance for the challenges of life. 

 A Historic Invitation to Experience the Alabang Philippines Temple 

The Alabang Philippines Temple is the fourth temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines and the second in the greater Manila area. Together with the Manila Philippines Temple, dedicated in 1984, it will serve Latter-day Saints throughout the region. 

The public open house for the Alabang Philippines Temple began on November 21, 2025, and will continue through December 13, 2025. The temple is open to visitors from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, providing individuals and families of all faiths and backgrounds an opportunity to explore the temple before its dedication in January 2026. 

During the tour, guests learn about the purpose of temples and their central place in the lives of Latter-day Saints. It explains how temples help strengthen families, deepen faith in Jesus Christ, and support a life centered on making and keeping sacred covenants with God.