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| − | [[Image: Durban- South- Africa-Temple -2020-2. jpg|250px|thumb|<div align="left"><span style="color:# 0000FF"> Durban South Africa Temple</span></div> |right]] | + | [[Image: Red- Cliffs- Utah-Temple. png|250px|thumb|<div align="left"><span style="color:# 0D8ED3"> Red Cliffs Utah Temple . ©2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.</span></div>]] |
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| − | On 1 October 2011, during the opening session of the 181st semiannual [[General Conference|general conference]] of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], [[Thomas S. Monson]], then-President of the Church, announced the construction of a temple in Durban, South Africa. The Durban South Africa Temple will be the fifth Latter-day Saint temple built in Africa and the second in South Africa. The [[Johannesburg South Africa Temple]], which was dedicated in 1985, was the first Latter-day Saint temple built in South Africa.
| + | For a five-week period, St. George, Utah, will be home to both the Church’s oldest operating temple — the [[St. George Utah Temple]] — and the newest — the '''[[Red Cliffs Utah Temple]]''' — until the dedication of the [[Urdaneta Philippines Temple]] on April 28, 2024. The two temples in St. George are located just 3.5 miles apart. |
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| − | The nation of South Africa has 12 [[Stake|stakes]], 4 [[District|districts]], and 1 operating temple in the city of Johannesburg, over 350 miles (570 kilometres) northwest of Durban. The city of Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. With a metropolitan population of almost 4.5 million people, it is the country's third-largest city, behind Johannesburg and Cape Town.
| + | :President [[Jeffrey R. Holland]] recounted how he and his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, were driving in the proposed area of the new temple, knowing the need for a name since St. George has had its namesake temple for nearly a century and a half. He recalled his wife looking north toward Pine Valley and mentioned Red Cliffs as a possibility because of the dominating geological feature.[https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/03/24/president-eyring-dedicates-the-red-cliffs-utah-temple-a-tribute-to-faith-of-the-past-and-confidence-in-the-future/] |
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| − | The design for the Durban South Africa Temple was inspired by the buildings of downtown Durban. The corners of the building and tower employ simple and elegant detail, while fluted stone panels accent the window openings. In the center of the fluting, simple geometric carvings highlight the African roots of the region. Similar to the houses in the surrounding neighborhood, the temple has a pitched red clay tile roof.
| + | :They later suggested Red Cliffs as a name option to the First Presidency, the Apostle said, adding that the name represents not only the immediate area but also honors much of the entire temple district that encompasses the Virgin River region.[https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/03/24/president-eyring-dedicates-the-red-cliffs-utah-temple-a-tribute-to-faith-of-the-past-and-confidence-in-the-future/] |
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| − | The indigenous landscaping brings color and life to the temple grounds. The entire site is 14.49 acres. More than 800 trees dot the grounds, including symbolic king palms and flowering trees such as the coral tree, with its vibrant red flowers. Among the 2,800 square meters of lawn are thousands of shrubs, vines, and flowers, including South African aloes that flower in winter and the striking strelitzia juncea, well known in the region. In addition, decorative motifs of the king protea, the national flower of South Africa, have been used around the temple on the entry gates, stone benches, and art glass.
| + | President [[Henry B. Eyring]], Second Counselor in the [[First Presidency]], dedicated the temple in two sessions on Sunday, March 24, 2024. |
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| − | The Durban South Africa Temple features more than 50 exquisite art pieces, including many scenes from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and several pieces depicting African landscapes. The temple walls are adorned with scenes of sunsets, rivers, waterfalls, African wildlife, and indigenous flora and fauna.
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| − | ==Early Church History in South Africa==
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| − | [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] has a long-standing history in South Africa. In August 1853, only 23 years after the Church was officially organized, the first congregation in South Africa was formed four miles from Cape Town. The growth of the Church was amazing. In just two years' time, one congregation became three, and South African Latter-day Saints in the area totaled almost 130. Government restrictions and challenges in speaking Afrikaans led to a period from 1865 to 1903 in which no Latter-day Saint [[Missionary|missionaries]] were sent to South Africa. Just a few years after [[Missionary Work|missionary work]] resumed there, the first Latter-day Saint church building was constructed in Mowbray in 1917.
| + | The '''[[Manti Utah Temple|Manti Temple]]''' closed for a major renovation in October 2021 and will be rededicated on April 21, 2024. |
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| − | The growth of the Church moved steadily onward. By October 1978, there were 7,200 church members in South Africa, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and southwest Africa (Namibia), 3,450 of whom attended the area’s first conference. Fourteen years later, 4,200 church members attended a conference in Johannesburg, and four years after that, a regional conference celebrated the attendance of 5,000 church members.
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| − | As of 2014, South Africa had over 59,000 Church members of all races, worshiping in unity and working together to overcome some of South Africa’s cultural challenges. Throughout South Africa, there are 154 congregations, and 61 [[Family History Library|family history centers]], where members and others can learn how to do [[Genealogy|genealogical research]].
| + | A joint statement from the Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was released on March 5, 2024: |
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| + | : Today, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the responsibility and ownership for the '''[[Kirtland Temple]]''', several historic buildings in Nauvoo, and various manuscripts and artifacts officially transferred from Community of Christ to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for an agreed-upon amount. Together, we share an interest in and reverence for these historic sites and items and are committed to preserving them for future generations.[https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/sacred-sites-and-historic-documents-transfer-to-church-of-jesus-christ] |
| − | ==Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Durban South Africa Temple==
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| − | The ground was broken for the Durban South Africa Temple on Saturday, 9 April 2016, as hundreds of Latter-day Saints and other community members gathered to celebrate the event.
| + | “We are deeply honored to assume the stewardship of these sacred places, documents, and artifacts,” said [[Russell M. Nelson]], President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “We thank our friends at Community of Christ for their great care and cooperation in preserving these historical treasures thus far. We are committed to doing the same.”[https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/sacred-sites-and-historic-documents-transfer-to-church-of-jesus-christ] |
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| − | Elder [[Carl B. Cook]] of the [[Seventy]] and President of the Church’s Africa Southeast Area presided at the groundbreaking. He was joined by his wife Lynette. Elder [[Stanley G. Ellis]] and Elder [[Kevin S. Hamilton]], also of the area presidency, and their wives Kathryn and Claudia, respectively, attended along with dignitaries and community leaders.
| + | Included in the transfer are original elements of the Kirtland Temple, including an oval window frame, front door keystone and frame, stone arch, windows, and pieces of original stucco and sandstone.[https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/frequently-asked-questions-clarify-the-transfer-of-sacred-sites-and-historic-documents] |
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| − | [http://www.ldsdaily.com/church-lds/ground-broken-durban-south-africa-temple/ Elder Cook commented], "Today the ceremonial shovels will turn the soil, and the construction of the temple will begin. We can likewise begin building. We can build our personal lives in preparation for the temple. Today we can increase our faith, we can increase our obedience to God, and serve Him more fully."
| + | The Kirtland Temple will remain an historic building. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reopened it on March 25, 2024, for public tours at no charge. |
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| − | Today there are more than 61,000 Latter-day Saints in South Africa. The first temple in the country was completed in 1985 in [[Johannesburg South Africa Temple|Johannesburg]].
| + | <center><embedvideo service="youtube" urlargs="rel=0" dimensions="400x225" alignment="inline">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c147-Dzyvyk&rel=0</embedvideo></center> |
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| − | The Church has three operating temples in Africa ([[Aba Nigeria Temple|Aba, Nigeria]]; [[Accra Ghana Temple|Accra, Ghana]]; and [[Johannesburg South Africa Temple|Johannesburg, South Africa]]), and two more announced (Abidjan, Ivory Coast; and Harare,
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| − | ==Groundbreaking Ceremony==
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| − | The ground was broken for the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple on Friday, 12 February 2016. Elder [[Neil L. Andersen]] of the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]] of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] presided. He was joined by members of the Area Presidency, Elders [[Carl B. Cook]] and [[Kevin S. Hamilton]], and their wives, Elders Jean Claude Mabaya, Wembo Lono and Alfred Kyungu of the [[Seventy]], a number of government and religious leaders, and 800 Latter-day Saints.
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| − | During remarks to the Latter-day Saints and members of the community, [http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/ground-broken-first-kinshasa-temple Elder Andersen commented], "This holy house will also bless the country and the people who surround it, whether or not they are members of the Church. It will be a light upon a hill, and the glory of the Lord will be upon it." He also paid tribute to the people of Africa and of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He stated, "They are a spiritual people. They trust in God and they pray to God. Our Heavenly Father loves His sons and daughters here and answers their prayers."
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| − | ==The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple Dedicatory Services==
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| − | On Sunday, 14 April 2019, under a beautiful African sky, hundreds of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered to witness a historic moment - the dedication of the Kinshasa Democratic of the Republic of the Congo Temple. Elder [[Dale G. Renlund]] of the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]] led the dedication and performed the cornerstone ceremony, which symbolizes the completion of the temple and its readiness to be dedicated for sacred use. He was accompanied by his wife Sister Ruth Renlund, members of the Africa Southeast Area Presidency and their wives, and other leaders.
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| − | In his dedicatory prayer, Elder Renlund offered a blessing upon the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that they may be provided for in their needs and that there may be continued peace in the country. He also gave a blessing upon the members of the Church that they may be made strong amidst their challenges.
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| − | In his remarks at the dedication ceremony, Elder [[Joseph W. Sitati]], a member of the Africa Southeast Area Presidency, highlighted the significant growth in the number of temples of the Church worldwide, and the blessings that these holy edifices bring to the lives of the members of the church and the countries in which they are located.
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| − | The dedication of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple marks an important milestone for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the DRC, the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa by area. The history of the Church in the DRC dates to the 1970s when the first Congolese converts were baptized in Europe. Today there are more than 60,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the DRC, where the Church is experiencing phenomenal growth.
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| − | The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple is the 163rd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide and the fourth operating temple on the African continent. The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple will serve seven countries in the surrounding area, including Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, and Gabon.
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| − | <center><embedvideo service="youtube" urlargs="rel=0" dimensions="400x225" alignment="inline">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wji_fyrj9vg&rel=0</embedvideo></center> | |
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| − | <noinclude>[[category:Templates]]</noinclude>
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For a five-week period, St. George, Utah, will be home to both the Church’s oldest operating temple — the St. George Utah Temple — and the newest — the Red Cliffs Utah Temple — until the dedication of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple on April 28, 2024. The two temples in St. George are located just 3.5 miles apart.
“We are deeply honored to assume the stewardship of these sacred places, documents, and artifacts,” said Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “We thank our friends at Community of Christ for their great care and cooperation in preserving these historical treasures thus far. We are committed to doing the same.”[4]
Included in the transfer are original elements of the Kirtland Temple, including an oval window frame, front door keystone and frame, stone arch, windows, and pieces of original stucco and sandstone.[5]
The Kirtland Temple will remain an historic building. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reopened it on March 25, 2024, for public tours at no charge.
