Tiered reflecting pools ascend a hill to the glittering Laie Hawaii Temple, the first temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints constructed outside the continental United States. Located on Oahu’s north shore, the temple is merely half a mile inland from the Pacific Ocean. Rows of royal palms line Hale La’a Boulevard, directing the gaze of drivers on Kamehameha Highway toward the temple and the misty mountains beyond. 

Situated on 11.4 acres, the Laie Hawaii Temple is one of only three Mormon temples without a steeple, and its architecture is reminiscent of the Prairie School style of architecture popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright and others. The white exterior is made of smoothed crushed lava rock and coral, and four carved friezes sculpted by Avard Fairbanks adorn the uppermost level. These friezes portray narratives of God’s dealings with His children. The west side depicts the Old Testament, the south the New Testament, the north the Book of Mormon, and the east the latter-day restoration of the Church.