While touring the new Syracuse Utah Temple last week, I found myself wondering if any of the other adult attendees were inside a Latter-day Saint temple for the first time. And if so, did they leave the open house wanting to learn more about our faith?
I don’t know the specifics for that temple, but I read recently that a significant number of people learned more about the Church after the Nairobi Kenya Temple open house—just how many people is deeply inspiring.
Baptisms Following the Open House
The Nairobi Kenya Temple is the first in the country and was dedicated by Elder Ulisses Soares on May 18. The Church News reports that “more than 9,700 visitors with over 60 percent being youth or young parents” came to the preceding open house. That statistic alone is inspiring, but what really brings me joy is that more than 30 individuals, including three families, have since joined the Church.
How amazing! And it seems the missionary work isn’t slowing down: the Mountain View Ward near the temple had a weekly attendance of 90 people before the open house, but now they have 240, with attendance still growing. And those faithful Saints have been gathering in a tent because their meetinghouse was razed to make way for the temple and a new meetinghouse. This Sunday, May 25, they will be back in a meetinghouse.
“We are so excited to now have a new temple—and a new chapel," Geoffrey Shikokoti, who serves as second counselor in the Mountain View Ward bishopric, told the Church News. “What I’ve learned is that the Lord loves us and we should be patient because there are so many blessings waiting for us.”
Extending the Lord’s Blessings
I know that statistics are not everything, but it is inspiring to know that people around the world are being drawn to the Lord through temple open houses. One man, who didn’t know about the Word of Wisdom, said after being in the celestial room that he knew he needed to stop drinking, reports the Church News. His experience is a testament to something Elder Soares said while at the dedication:
“The decision to extend temples closer to the people is a sign that God and His Beloved Son want to extend their blessings to all people. Seeing temple ordinances and covenants extended to every person who is worthy is a marvelous blessing.”
Read more about the open house on the Church News.
More articles for you:
▶ This new temple is the first of its kind in a big way
▶ Why the temple feels different: An insight from Exodus
▶ This might be the best thing to tell someone before they receive their endowment
A new book on temple worship
Read the first chapter of the book here: How to feel at home in the house of the Lord
