Dedication of the Durban South Africa Temple
For the 10 days prior to the dedication of the Durban South Africa Temple, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, had been speaking with the members, missionaries, youth and friends of the Church in the temple district — including two pairs of kings and queens, of Lesotho and the Zulu nation.
One day before he was to dedicate the Durban South Africa Temple, Elder Rasband conducted the temple’s final public tour, leading the contingent of the Zulu nation’s royal family headed by His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini; Her Majesty Queen Mchiza; Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the king’s uncle; and other members of the royal family.
“And even though I’ve been with two kings, today I had the strong impression that we were here to worship and honor the King of kings,” said Elder Rasband on the day of the dedication, Feb. 16, 2020, calling that impression “truly the benediction to our trip.”
Elder Carl B. Cook of the Presidency of the Seventy, who with Sister Lynette Cook joined the Rasbands on their travels throughout South Africa and Lesotho, emphasized the virtues and values of the area’s Latter-day Saints.
“We appreciate the light in the eyes of the African people,” said Elder Cook. “We love how they live and work in families and communities. We are lifted by their genuine smiles and happiness, by their faith in God and their gratitude for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We are inspired by their goodness. We learn so much from them.”
Although attendees spoke multiple languages — including English, Portuguese, Xhosa, Zulu and other tribal languages — the gospel of Jesus Christ united them as one, said Elder Rasband.
“The doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ unite us, and I felt very at one as a people today,” he said at the dedication. “Regardless of how they look, regardless of how they dressed, we were one people today — the people of the Church of Jesus Christ.”
Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May the influence of the Holy Ghost be unrestrained within these walls, and may the temple serve as a beacon of everlasting light to all who see it and a sanctuary to all who enter in. We pray for those who attend the temple of any age. May they feel strengthened to live their covenants with determination, patience and discipline. Wilt Thou bless them with insight, steadfastness and forgiving hearts.”
Read the dedicatory prayer of the Durban South Africa Temple here.
Timeline of the Durban South Africa Temple
Church President Thomas S. Monson announced a temple for Durban, South Africa, on Oct. 1, 2011. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Durban South Africa Temple on April 9, 2016.
Visitors toured the newly constructed house of the Lord from Jan. 22 through Feb. 1, 2020, for its open house. On Feb. 16, 2020, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Durban South Africa Temple.
Architecture and Design of the Durban South Africa Temple
The 19,860-square-foot Durban South Africa Temple was built on 14.49 acres of land. The exterior landscaping is filled with more than 800 trees and thousands of shrubs and flowers. The roofing is made from red clay tile and was designed similarly to buildings in downtown Durban.
The interior of the temple features more than 50 art pieces, with many depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as well as various African landscapes. Tribal geometric patterns are inscribed into the marble flooring throughout the temple, and a South African basket-weaving design is shown throughout the building’s rugs.
Interior Photos of the Durban South Africa Temple
