The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the dates for the public open house, dedication and youth devotional for the Durban South Africa Temple.
The open house is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22 through Saturday, February 1, 2020, with the exception for Sunday, January 26. The free open house gives people of all faiths the opportunity to step inside the temple and see the sacred structure’s beauty. Information is also provided about why the Church builds temples.
Church leaders will dedicate the Durban South Africa Temple on Sunday, February 16, 2020, in three sessions, 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. All dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to meetinghouses in the temple district. Additional details regarding the dedication will be announced at a future date.
A youth devotional will be held the evening prior to the dedication in a meetinghouse close to the temple, and it will be broadcast to meetinghouses in the temple district. Church leaders will speak to the youth.
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differ from meetinghouses or chapels, where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered houses of the Lord where Jesus Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. In the temple, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to follow Jesus Christ and serve their fellow man.