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Durban South Africa Temple

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Durban South Africa Temple
Map
Number168
Dedication16 February 2020, by Ronald A. Rasband
Site14.49 acres (5.86 ha)
Floor area19,860 sq ft (1,845 m2)
Height97.4 ft (29.7 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
←
Arequipa Peru Temple
Durban South Africa Temple 		→
Winnipeg Manitoba Temple
Additional information
Announced1 October 2011, by Thomas S. Monson[1][2]
Groundbreaking9 April 2016[3], by Carl B. Cook
Open house22 January-1 February 2020
Current presidentEdward W. Baldwin[4]
LocationUmhlanga, South Africa
Geographic coordinates29°42′31″S 31°04′27″E / 29.7085°S 31.0743°E / -29.7085; 31.0743
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms1
Sealing rooms1
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The Durban South Africa Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Durban, South Africa.[5] The intent to construct the temple was announced by church president Thomas S. Monson on 1 October 2011.[6] The temple was announced concurrently with the Barranquilla Colombia, Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo, Star Valley Wyoming, and Provo City Center temples.[5] When announced, this increased the total number of temples worldwide to 166 and the number in South Africa to two.

The temple has a single attached end spire with an angel Moroni statue.[7] The temple’s architects were Brian Everett NWL and Sagnelli and Paton Taylor JV.[8] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on April 9, 2016, conducted by Carl B. Cook, a church general authority.[9]

History

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The temple was announced by Thomas S. Monson on October 1, 2011.[10] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, took place on 9 April 2016, with Carl B. Cook presiding.[3] Following construction, the LDS Church announced on 18 June 2019 that a public open house would be held from 22 January through 1 February 2020, excluding Sunday.[11] The temple was dedicated on 16 February 2020 by Ronald A. Rasband.[12] It was the last temple dedicated before the church stopped all dedications and rededications for 20 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] Just after its dedication, like all others in the church, the temple was closed due to the pandemic.[14]

Design and architecture

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The temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of Durban and its spiritual significance to the church.[15]

The temple sits on a 14.49-acre plot located north of the Umhlanga city center, in the Izinga development.[7] The indigenous landscaping around the temple features trees, shrubs, vines, and flowers. There are over 800 trees on the grounds, including king palms and coral trees.[16] These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.

The structure stands 97 feet tall, constructed with marble.[7] The exterior has fluted stone panels with geometric carvings drawn from the region’s African roots.[11] The temple also has a pitched red clay tile roof, a design element it shares with the houses in the surrounding neighborhood.[15]

The interior “features more than 50 art pieces, with many depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, as well as various African landscapes.”[13] It also includes marble floors inscribed with tribal geometric patterns, and rugs with a South African basket weaving design.[13][16]

The temple includes one sealing room, one instruction room, and one baptistry,[7] each designed for ceremonial use.

The design uses symbolic elements representing the heritage of the Durban region. Symbolism is important to church members and include the carved patterns on the temple’s exterior and its floors, which are intended to represent traditional African geometric designs.[15]

Temple presidents

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The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[17] The first president and matron, serving from 2020 to 2022, were Leon A. Holmes Elizabeth A. Holmes.[17][18] As of 2024, the temple’s president and matron are Edward W. Baldwin and Vanessa A. Baldwin.[19]

Admittance

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Following the completion of the temple, a public open house was held from January 22 to February 1, 2020 (excluding Sundays).[11] The temple was dedicated by Ronald A. Rasband on February 16, 2020, in three sessions.[8]

Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[11][20]

See also

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class=notpageimage|
Temples in South Africa
Red = Operating
Blue = Under Construction
Yellow = announced
Black = Closed for Renovations

References

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  1. ^ Walker, Joseph (1 October 2011). "LDS general conference opens with the announcement of six new Mormon temples". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved 20 April 2022..
  2. ^ "Mormon church president announces plans for new temples in Utah, Wyoming, Colombia, Africa". Washington Post. AP. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011..
  3. ^ a b "Ground Broken for Durban South Africa Temple: Construction to begin on the nation's second temple", Newsroom, LDS Church, 9 April 2016
  4. ^ "New Temple Leaders Called to Serve in 2022", Newsroom, LDS Church, 24 October 2022 [26 May 2022], retrieved 24 October 2022
  5. ^ a b Walker, Joseph (1 October 2011). "LDS general conference opens with the announcement of six new Mormon temples". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved 19 April 2022..
  6. ^ "Mormon church president announces plans for new temples in Utah, Wyoming, Colombia, Africa". Washington Post. AP. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011..
  7. ^ a b c d "Durban South Africa Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  8. ^ a b "'We were one people today — the people of Jesus Christ,' says Elder Rasband at Durban temple dedication". Church News. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Groundbreaking for Durban South Africa Temple". Church News. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  10. ^ Church, President Thomas S. Monson President of the. "As We Meet Again". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d "Durban South Africa Temple Open House and Dedication Dates Announced: January and February 2020", Newsroom, LDS Church, 18 June 2019
  12. ^ "South Africa's Second Temple is Dedicated", Newsroom, LDS Church, 16 February 2020
  13. ^ a b c "Durban South Africa Temple". Church News. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  14. ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  15. ^ a b c "See Inside the New Durban South Africa Temple - Church News and Events". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Durban South Africa Temple" (PDF). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Presidents and Matrons of the Durban South Africa Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Meet the new temple president and matron called to serve in South Africa". Church News. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  19. ^ "Read about the new leaders of temples in South Africa, Canada, Italy and more". Church News. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  20. ^ www.churchofjesuschrist.org https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/inside-temples?lang=eng. Retrieved 7 December 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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