This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
June 10, 2005
By Justice Ilevbare
Between June 18 and July 2, 2005, friends, families and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will converge on Aba, Abia State, for opening of the Aba Nigeria Temple. The temple, which is the third in Africa, is first of its kind in Nigeria. The church believes the temple will bring prosperity to Nigeria.In April 2002, a decision to construct a temple in Nigeria was announced by the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gordon Hinckley, at its Annual General Conference at Salt Lake City, United States. That decision has been transformed into reality today as the temple stands in all its splendor in Aba, Abia State.
Speaking on the purpose of the temple, the chairman, National Public Affairs Council of the church, President Cornelius Tay said, "To members of The Church of Latter-day Saints temple is literally the 'House of the Lord.' They take part in religious ceremonies that reach beyond mortality, both for themselves and on their deceased ancestors. They also make covenant to serve God and their fellow man in the temple."
According to Tay, the pivotal role of the temple in the lives of Latter-day Saints will begin to be felt and experienced shortly after the temple's dedication in August. The Aba temple is located on upper Aba/Okpu road and it's the 121st operating temple of the church worldwide and the third to be constructed and dedicated in Africa. The two others already operational in Africa are located in Ghana and South Africa. The temple will be open to the public between June 18 and July 2 will be open to the public for "free tours," Tay added.
"Following its dedication, the temple will only be opened to Latter-day Saints who fill requirements of worthiness to enable them receive instructions, blessings and ordinances—all of which focus on the family and its eternal purposes as well as their eternal possibilities. Also marriages will be solemnised in the temple for worthy members of the church for time and eternity, thus enhancing harmonious marital and parental relationships," he said.
But what does this temple mean to Nigeria? Tay said: "President Hinckley, the prophet and several Apostles of the church have all prophesied concerning Nigeria that with the opening of Aba temple, our nation will be blessed and will witness prosperity and stability."
Tay said the church was founded in 1830 in the United States and has spread to all the continents of the world within its 175 years on existence. "The church was formally organised in Nigeria in 1978 and today has over 60,000 members in many stakes (branch) and districts in the country."
Giving a brief history of the church, Tay said it was founded in a tiny farmhouse in rural Fayette, New York, USA, by a handful of six men. "Today, that humble beginning has transformed into a worldwide Christian religious community that guides, directs and uplifts the daily life of over 12 million members in over 170 countries all worshipping God and His son Jesus Christ in over 180 languages."
In the church, there is a difference between the temple and a meeting house. While a meeting house is opened to everyone including Sunday worship activities, temples are not open to everyone but only the faithful of the church after the temple must have been dedicated.
Speaking on the beliefs of the church, Tay said the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian faith, but is neither Catholic nor Protestant, rather it is "a restoration of the church." Members of the church believe that "Christ restored His church," with its complete teachings and authority, through the prophet Joseph Smith.
"As with our Christian denominations, the central doctrine of the church is that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that He lived, died and resurrected. We believe He guides and directs His church today through the president of the church."
Tay said the church shares the belief that the Bible is a holy scripture. They also believe the Book of Mormon, which they claim is "another testament of Jesus Christ," is Holy Scripture. The Book of Mormon contains some of the religious teachings of the people of ancient America. "It includes an account of ministry of Jesus Christ on the American continent after His resurrection. Other scripture includes the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price," he explained.
He said a number of Nigerians had been baptised abroad and later returned to Nigeria. According to him, the first member to be baptised was Anthony Uzodimma Obinna, one of those who had waited for many years for the coming of missionaries. "By early 1980, more than 1,700 converts were baptised in Nigeria and Ghana."
The temple, which will be formally dedicated on August 7, 2005, will feature a cultural display by children and youths of the church. Among those expected to attend the dedication is the president of the church, Hinckley. Also, baptised members of the church from eight years and above, who have a "dedication recommendation" from their Bishop or branch president, may attend the dedication.
"Members of the church are encouraged to bring their families, relatives, friends and neighbors to open house. Those attending should be quiet, orderly and reverent while in the temple and on the grounds of the temple," Tay advised.
The church currently has five missions [in Nigeria]: Enugu, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Ibadan and fifteen stakes and eleven districts.