Anticipating the reopening of the Hamilton, New Zealand Temple, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints residing in Wellington enjoyed a week of temple-focused activities at home from 11-17 October 2021.
Panellists' for the Wellington Stake face-to-face temple focused event.
Hosted by young adult leader, Yona Fernandez, panellists' Peter Thomson, stake president; Kim Smith, Relief Society president; Ben Matthews, Bishop of Wainuiomata ward; and Barbara Henar, member of the stake Young Women presidency participated in an online event focused on preparing for temple blessings. Photo Credit: Janryll Fernandez.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The temple-week culminated in a Stake virtual event hosted by Yona Fernandez, a young adult leader.
A panel discussed ways to focus on temple blessings at home.
Panellists included Peter Thomson, stake president; Kim Smith, president of the women’s Relief Society; Ben Matthews, bishop of a congregation in Wainuiomata; and Barbara Henare, a member of the stake Young Women presidency.
President Thomson said, “One way members can focus on the temple at home is by rehearsing the covenants we have made in the temple, in our minds.
“Another way,” he added, “is by planning to be at the temple when it opens.”
President Thomson encouraged fellow saints to be diligent in “saving up money and keeping worthy of a current temple recommend.”
President Smith said that the way to focus on the temple is by focusing on the Saviour.
Quoting the Church’s president, Russell M. Nelson, she said, “Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house."
Activities included a temple-themed family evening, indexing, sharing memories and a meal, preparations for temple attendance, and movie night, which were held individually, with family and with congregations online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Leading up to temple week at home, participants learned how to take part in indexing and other activities at FamilySearch.org.
Over 31,000 records have been indexed during October to date, which is more than a 700% increase compared with September.
The Hamilton New Zealand Temple closed for renovations in 2018. Prior to closing, the Wellington Latter-day Saints enjoyed a week of temple worship together, twice a year.