On 12 March 2016 there was the groundbreaking for the Kinshasa DRC Temple. Our department was asked to provide stories and a timeline for that area. I was not privileged to attend but my heart swelled on that day when I knew it was happening. The Congolese had the privilege of an apostle, Elder Neil L. Anderson, perform the dedication of the site. Both Elder and Sister Anderson speak French and that was such a rich blessing for them to be able to hear the talks and pray in their own language without an interpreter. Elder Anderson even mentioned this historic event in his conference talk in April. One of the gold shovels was donated to the Church History Center here in Johannesburg. For some reason I have gained a kinship to the DRC without ever being there. I am so happy for the saints in the Democratic Republic of Congo and what this temple will do for them. They are the ones that I see most at the temple patron housing and I love them. They flock to the temple with such enthusiasm. With a temple in their country, hopefully they will be able to attend the temple more than once in their lifetime.
Elder Anderson arriving on the temple site
The gold shovels waiting to be used to turn the ground
Elder Anderson addressing the saints
The future Kinshasa Temple
Elder Carl B. Cook presided over the groundbreaking ceremony and also spoke. As I mentioned he told the story of Christina Namwinga (again look on a previous post with the title as her name) and the importance the temple was to her. Pres. Cook also shared that four years ago he had come to urban to review a few sites but didn't feel good about them. When he visited this site, he thought "THIS IS THE PLACE".....similar feeling to maybe what Brigham Young thought when he entered the Salt Lake Valley. The song, "Come, Come Ye Saints" will always have a more depth meaning for me after his talk. President Cook took this song and expanded the meaning. He pleaded with those who are members but do not have recommends to Come, Come Ye Saints and prepare yourself to receive a temple recommend. When the temple is completed, Come, Come Ye Saints and participate in the temple ordinances. Come, Come Ye Saints and serve in the temple. Let us staff with local ordinances workers and not missionaries from other countries.
Sister Cook also gave some remarks. These are some of her thoughts:
The temple is:
- a place to rise above the cares of the world
- a place of healing to renew your hope and brighten your spirit
- a place of revelation
- a place to comprehend our potential
- a place to demonstrate our love for God
Former Stake President Colin Wilford told us that we were a witness to a prophecy. In 1998, then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, was visiting Durban and told the members that he could see the church flourishing in Durban and that he could see a temple there in Durban. He quoted D & C 97: 15 & 16.
Area Seventy Khumbulani Mdletshe remembered when he was a young boy growing up in Kwa Mashu, these were the untouchable hills and he longed to go to them. Now there will be a temple - a proud monument of faith.
President Cook then dedicated the grounds. In his prayer he asked the Lord to consecrate the land; to bless the national leaders that peace an posterity will a bound; that the veil would be thin and the spirit would abide; to protect it against destructive forces; that the members would prepare family names for ordinances; that the saints would volunteer their time and talents; that we would feel His love. Then they started the waves of turning the soil over where Prince Buthelezi gave his remarks (below).
Africa Southeast Area President, Carl B. Cook, presided over the ceremony
Dominic Tshabalala and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
The future Durban Temple
This conference, April 2016, the building of a new temple in Harare, Zimbabwe was announced. I immediately got on our phone and started messaging all the wonderful people we know in that country. "They were jumping on beds" with excitement.
Temples are beginning to "dot" the African continent.
Just before the first turning of the soil, one of the dignitaries, Prince Mangosuthu Buthlezi, started to share his thoughts on this special occasion. I don't think they were prepared for his speech because there was no mike. Finally, they brought one to him but we were not able to hear most of it. They have since printed it and gave it to us. I would like to share some of it for you because it was so memorable and touching coming from someone who is not a member.
But first let me tell you something about him. Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi is 88 years old and is a Zulu tribal leader who founded the Inkatha Freedom Party in 1975 and served as Chief Minister of the KwaZulu bantustan (under apartheid) until 1994, when he was appointed Minister of Home Affairs of South Africa by President Nelson Mandela, where he served on the President's cabinet from 1994 - 2004. Throughout much of the apartheid era, Prince Buthelezi was considered one of the foremost black leaders. He played a key role in creating a framework for a negotiated solution to South Africa's racial conflict. He continue to serve as both leader of the IFP and a member of South Africa's Parliament, retaining his seat in the 2014 general election. Here are just a portion of his words:
"I extend my gratitude to the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for inviting me to witness this afternoon's ground-breaking ceremony.....I look forward to seeing this temple for I know that throughout the world the temples of the Latter-Day Saints are magnificently designed and beautifully constructed. Visually, they convey the idea that this is a sacred place"
"The presence of this Temple will prompt those outside the church to ask questions about faith what they believe. For those inside the church, it will provide a place where marriages and families can be sealed, baptisms conducted and knowledge expanded. (someone has done their homework) It will be a reminder to all to e mindful of the kind of life we are leading."
"I appreciate the emphasis on marriage and family throughout the doctrine of the Latter-Day Saints. I married my wife, Princess Irene, in July 1952, and we have remained committed to one another for almost 64 years. The Lord blessed our marriage with eight children, and I am a proud grandfather to many grandchildren. I know what it is to be family-focused."
"I also know what it means to lose family members, for my wife and I have buried five of our children who preceded us into eternity. We take great solace in believing that the separation is temporary and we look forward to being reunited with our children in the presence of the Lord."
"This life, undoubtedly, is a testing experience. When I consider the hardship, trials and battles I have endured throughout more than sixty years in leadership and public life, I find it difficult to agree with the hedonists that the primary purpose of life is pleasure. I have had many moments of joy, and I consider myself happy. But I know that my happiness is a gift from God, for only He could bring me through the life I have lived with a smile on my face!"
"....for we live not according to our own dictates, bu according to the leading of the Lord. This has allowed me to have no regrets, for, faced with difficult choices, I have simply doen what moral conscience dictated."
"I know that this too is a central tenet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: to live a morally upright, ethical life, faithful to one's spouse and family. It is admirable that so many young members of this Church are called into full time mission work and spend a considerable amount of time as missionaries at a young age."
Then ends with...."I wish you well as you build the Durban Temple, in the hope that the principles of moral living, commitment and family values will deepen in South Africa."
Some great words for an "outsider" of the church.
Bishop Graham and Prince Buthelezi
Prince Buthelezi is standing next to President Cook.
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