Elder Soares Dedicates Nairobi Kenya Temple

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Nairobi Kenya Temple, the first house of the Lord in East Africa, on Sunday, May 18.

The Apostle honored the deep commitment of faithful Church members of East Africa to follow the Lord, knowing some had traveled great distances or humbly waited years for their temple blessings.

“These members in Africa, generally speaking, they embrace the gospel in such a way that they make it the center of their lives,” he said. “Having a temple in Nairobi is a moment of celebration of that covenant confidence they have in the gospel with the Lord, and a celebration of their faith.”

Download Photo

Elder Soares continued: “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.”

Church News ‘Walk in faith and patience’: A look back at the Church’s historic journey to Kenya’s first house of the Lord

Elder Soares said he hopes members will learn and appreciate the following truths about the house of the Lord.

First, understand that God loves His children.

“God has a perfect and infinite love for His children and has inspired our dear Prophet to announce and to build a temple in this part of the world, where so many people from different countries will rejoice together,” he said.

Second, as members receive ordinances and make covenants with the Lord, they will feel closer to Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They will desire to be better, to continue in their discipleship, and to walk on the covenant path in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior.

“This house promotes an environment that helps us to have a willing and continuous desire to be better and better,” Elder Soares said. “We feel God’s love for us. We increase in our gratitude for the Savior’s sacrifice for us and [for] what we receive through the ordinances and covenants.”

Download Photo

He encouraged members who attend the temple to reflect on their covenants and promises, and to delight in the opportunity to receive personal revelation in His holy house. As they do, blessings will come in “ways they will never imagine.”

“In His house, we can listen to the voice of the Lord clearly without any barriers. We can receive insights for our lives. We can receive the instruction to guide our children and families in righteousness. We can all walk together toward Jesus Christ,” he said. “My message is, welcome to the temple, and enjoy as much as you can inside of the holy house of the Lord.”

Elder Soares was accompanied at the dedicatory services by his wife, Rosana; Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy and current executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, and his wife, Nancy; and Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, a General Authority Seventy and Africa Central Area President, and his wife, Nathalie. Elder Mutombo greeted members with hugs and smiles as they approached the temple doors.

Download Photo

“It’s a great day — a day of miracles,” he said. “We have been waiting for this day. Thank you for being here.”

Church News Read Elder Soares’ prayer to dedicate the Nairobi temple

“We are so excited to now have a new temple — and a new chapel,” said Geoffrey Shikokoti, who serves as second counselor in the Mountain View Ward bishopric of the Nairobi Kenya West Stake. “What I’ve learned is that the Lord loves us and we should be patient because there are so many blessings waiting for us. God’s timing is always the best, and if we serve our Heavenly Father diligently and do the things He wants us to do, He is going to bless us more.”

The dedicatory session was conducted in English with translations offered in Swahili, French and Amharic, languages spoken in the temple district.

The Nairobi temple will serve members in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan.

Related Content

• Nairobi Kenya Temple Open House Begins
• Celebrating ‘covenant confidence’ in East Africa: Elder Soares dedicates the Nairobi Kenya Temple
• ‘Hope’ and ‘rising generation’ underscore groundbreaking for first temple in Kenya and East Africa
• ‘Walk in faith and patience’: A look back at the Church’s historic journey to Kenya’s first house of the Lord