Ukhozi FM and KZN Culminate Visit by Touring the LDS Ogden Temple

The Temple visited was the Ogden Temple. The Ogden Temple is one of 143 operating temples around the world, it was the 14th temple ever to be built.  It recently underwent a complete renovation.  Each temple, after construction or renovation, is dedicated by a prophet of the church for use by members.  Before the dedication an open house is held where leaders, journalists and community members can tour the building.

The Durban group consisted of the Ukhozi FM Radio group: Sibusiso Buthelezi-Ukhozi FM Radio Presenter, Mroza Buthelezi-Ukhozi FM Radio Presenter and Bonga Mpanza-General Manager of Ukhozi FM Radio and a representative from the KZN Premiere's office, Zamokuhle Mchunu-Sr Manager Sustained Livelihood,  plus their escorts, Kenneth Mofokeng-Mgr SE Area LDS Welfare Services, Sipho Duma-Stake Public Affairs Director and Graham Sabela-Bishop Pinetown Ward. 

The visiting delegation received special permission to visit the Temple in advance of the open house week.  They were given a tour of the entire building by Elder Kent F Richards and Elder Carl B Cook and their wives.  A reception was held in their favour afterwards.

While the Church’s thousands of meetinghouses are open to all people who wish to attend religious services, following a public open house and their dedication, temples are open only to faithful Latter-day Saints. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. Inside, members learn more about the purpose of life and make promises to serve Jesus Christ and their fellow man.

The group from Durban expressed their appreciation not only for the special tour of the temple, but for the special treatment they received throughout the week from the many church members that worked so hard to make this tour possible.

This is a summary of most of what they did during their week in Salt Lake City:

• Every morning, the Ukhozi group broadcasted live from the Conference Center.  These broadcasts took place anywhere from 12:30 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. and included live interviews with returned missionaries from South Africa in the Zulu language.
• Meeting with President Paulsen of the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission.  President Paulsen served as President of the South Africa Johannesburg Mission a few years ago.
• This is the Place State Heritage Park
• Family Outing to Millcreek Canyon with Sean Donnelly's Sister and Family
• Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Concert
• “Imbedded” with the Choir during Sunday morning rehearsal
• Tabernacle Choir broadcast Music and the Spoken Word
• Interviews following the broadcast with members and leadership of the Choir
• Tour of Temple Square and the Conference Center
• Brunch at the Grand America
• Guests of Elder Carl B. Cook at his home in Ogden Canyon.  Horseback riding, barbeque, etc.  Elder Cook is the Area President of the Africa SE Area.
• New Publishing Services Media Center.  Screening of Meet the Mormons
• Humanitarian Center
• Welfare Square
• Box lunches at Welfare Square with presentation by Elder and Sister O’Crowley regarding various agricultural projects with emphasis on self-reliance.
• Bishops’ Central Storehouse
• Tour of BYU, beginning with video in the Hinckley Center
• Luncheon at BYU
• Tour of BYU Broadcast facility, which included an on-air interview with two members of the Young Ambassadors who had performed in South Africa.
• Tour of the MTC
• Visit to Sundance
• Family Home evening with family in Pleasant Grove who are friends of Brother Donnelly.
• Pioneer Day Parade
• Private VIP tour of the Ogden Temple by Elder Kent F. Richards
• PRCA Rodeo and Fireworks in Ogden