Frankfurt Temple and Old n New Friends

Dear families and friends,

 

Hello from the tropics where it is so warm that we can't feel excitement about the coming of Christmas yet!  Our computer weather report shows very cold weather in the Utah area. 

 

We have had two big happenings:  Germany for a week, and a tour group yesterday.

 

Germany was wonderful, and all of our flights were on time (unheard of!, but prayers are answered!)  It was COOL so we borrowed winter coats and scarves from the directors of the conference.  All the other countries represented were in their winter season already:  Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Moldova, and Slovakia.  There were colored leaves on the ground!  We miss autumn.  

Our lodgings were right on the temple grounds:  the church, the temple, distribution center, and a large building made up of bedrooms/bathrooms like in a hotel, with a tunnel entry from our housing to the temple.  We also spent a day in the city of Frankfurt, touring beautiful cathedrals and city buildings, shopping in big stores that have everything (we found some cranberries for our Thanksgiving dinner).  We ate in very tasty restaurants every night in the little town of Friedrichsdorf, the town where the temple is located, like a suburb of Frankfurt.  For church we went to the International ward which has an English session, and we met an elder who is a good friend of one of the sister missionaries here in CV, so he sent a letter to her with us.  It was so refreshing to sing English hymns and understand all of the speakers and lessons. 

 

One night at dinner someone at our table mentioned gardening, and we said that CV does not have good soil.  The elder and his wife sitting across from us said that where they came from in MINNESOTA, the dirt was very rich.  I asked them where they were from, and it was ANOKA.  My hometown.  They had been there for 20 years, so they knew all the people that I remember.  How fun!!

 

Our return flights were pretty much on time, except for the Lisbon airport where we got lost and it was very huge.  We also only had a short time between flights.  We walked as fast as possible down innumerable aisles to get where we thought we should be, but ended up in a long line at Passport Control.  I couldn't stand it, was almost frantic with worry about missing the flight, so Larry talked to a worker who helped us go right to the head passport man and get us through with no lines.  We just barely made the flight, but we did make it.  It was like one of those dreams where you are moving fast but not getting anywhere you want to be and time is running out.  We got to one of the islands here at 2 a.m. and went to a hotel until 6:30 a.m.. then flew home to here, and spent most of that Monday sleeping!

 

Yesterday we hosted a tour group of Larry's former Brazilian missionaries who were on a cruise ship from Rome to Brazil, with a stopover of 6 hours in Mindelo.  So we set up buses and tour guides, and even attended a beautiful baptism of a young man from our Outreach group.  We went to the beach, and some went shopping, and at the close of the tour, we took them back to the ship (there were 60 in the group) and got to see how big it was.  It would dwarf the Titanic.  Space for 4000 passengers and at least 10 layers of upper decks.  We had 1/2 hour till they would sail, so we hurried to our house and went up on the roof and watched it go.  A beautiful and inspiring sight.

 

This coming weekend we are travelling to one of the southern islands called Fogo, meaning "fire", since it is a volcano (it actually had a eruption in the mid 1990s--no disasters.)   We are going to train a new missionary couple from Chile in the work of Outreach, and also will get to tour the island.  Then we will fly to Praia on the main island for a day and get to tour the wilderness areas and the mountains.  So we are keeping busy.

 

Better close for this letter now.  We love each one of you so much and pray for you all every day.

 

Love always, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

 

More pictures of the Frankfurt Temple below...

Thanksgiving and Tender Mercies

Dear families and friends,

 

Almost Thanksgiving?  Yes, and we will be hosting a traditional dinner for 16 plus missionaries us on that day.  They help with the food.  It is so nice to have them here; it keeps us and them from getting too lonely on this family holiday.  Here is a turkey photo for you--these wild turkeys crossed the mountain road where we were traveling in Santo Antao last month.  "It is good luck if a turkey crosses your path; it is even better luck if his tail feathers are spread."

We will be leaving for Germany on Tuesday evening, arriving on Wednesday at noon, stopping in Lisbon for a couple of hours.  We have waited many months for this special trip and now it is here--the time has gone so fast!  We won't be taking our computer and won't have much free time to use someone else's there, so we won't be able to respond to any emails right away.

 

What are your plans for Thanksgiving?  Matt, please let us know where you will be for that day.  Hopefully, Sherrie can get my medicine to you and the instructions for sending it (which I will tell her). 

 

Today we had a tender mercy.  We were given some like-new white shirts and ties by one of the couple missionaries who visited here from Germany.  We wanted to share them with the branches here to give to new members.  So today we went to sacrament meeting at the other chapel across town and took the 5 shirts and ties to give to the branch president there.  He told us that just that morning, four investigators who are going to be baptized next Saturday were asking if there was any way they could each get a shirt and tie so they can help with the sacrament.  (They are marvelous young men, roommates at the local university, and all 4 of them received the missionary lessons and were converted!).  The president said that "our timing" in bringing the shirts and ties today was just right.

 

We also were able to help three sets of elders.  One set had an extra bed frame in their house and an extra refrigerator, things they did not want to keep, since they would be moving out of their apartment soon.  So we volunteered to find a pickup truck and driver to move those items for them--another set of elders needed a frig since theirs was not keeping things cold, so we gave them the newer, better frig.  And the next set of elders did not have a bed frame for one of their mattresses, the elder had been sleeping on the mattress on the floor (against mission rules because of many insects, some of them BIG.)  So they got the bed frame, and everyone is supplied now!

 

All of the missionaries in the mission are rejoicing for the mission nurse who went home in August.  She will be getting married on Nov. 20 in the Twin Falls, Idaho temple.  She is a widow, and her fiancee is a widower (a fine Church member and leader in the Church).  Since her late husband was not a Church member, she had never been sealed to anyone, or her children either, and now those blessings will come to her.  She was my special good friend here, and the missionaries all loved her too.  She and he had known each other for many years.

 

We just do whatever needs to be done, and whatever we can think of to help the people and the missionaries here.  All is well, our daily activities continue to be much the same, and we are happy and fulfilled.

 

We are watching emails closely for news of Grandma Sanchez.  Thank you to all of you for your prayers for her.

 

Love always,

 

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

Happy, All Saints' Day and Birthday

Dear families and friends,

Jessica's 6th birthday is a week from tomorrow, Monday, November 8.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sweet granddaughter!

Happy Halloween today!  Although the holiday is recognized here, it is not like America with costumes and trick or treat.  The big holiday here is November 1, called All Saints' Day.  It is a Catholic holiday, but everyone observes it ( no work, just go to the beach, etc.)

It is also the day when the missionaries wanted to have a zone activity on the island of Santo Antao, for which we need to ride the ferry boat.  But when we went to the harbor office yesterday to buy tickets for the boat, they said there was no boat coming back to our island that day, only going over early in the morning.  So we all would have been stuck there overnight, and that is expensive for 10 missionaries plus us.  They have now decided to spend a couple of hours having a picnic and games on a beach on our island, so I made some chocolate chip cookies for them for lunch.  Missionaries are not allowed to go swimming or play in the water--this is a rule for all missions, because of the dangers of the ocean currents and the clothing worn to go swimming, etc.

We hosted two sets of visitors last week, feeding both couples lunch at our home.  I was a little lazy so I made the same menu for both of them, 3 days apart.  The first couple came from Europe headquarters in Germany, and they were here to train us and the branch leaders and all the missionaries in the purposes of Outreach for Young Single Adults.  It is one of the missionary tools that elders and sisters can use to help teach and fellowship YSAs.   The second couple was the new mission secretary and mission nurse (Elder and Sister).  Both couples were so fun to be with, and since they were from USA, we spoke English all day.  The ones from Germany work in the mission headquarters office, so they do not need to learn German.

Yesterday the mission president was here, and he invited us to share lunch with him, so we went to a favorite restaurant right next to the church.  He is young, only 43, but so strong and spiritual, and just the right leader for all of us in Cape Verde; he is the first native Cabo Verdian president of the mission.  He is so kind and helpful to all the missionaries.  A special thing about him and his wife is that they are expecting a baby the end of April.  Since his wife has health problems related to pregnancy, she does not travel with him during this time, so we miss seeing her. 

We are steeped in the work of finishing up our projects and preparing for the next couple to come as missionaries to take our place.  We have so many friends here that it will be tearful farewells when the time comes.  But we are both anxious to see and be with our families again.

Thanks to those of you who have helped in the care of Mother---Grandma Sanchez, with her recent leg break, surgery and hospitalization and rehab.  We are grateful for the updates on her. 

We are also grateful for emails you send us--they truly brighten our week!  We love you all very much, and pray for each of you every day. 

Love and hugs, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

Handing Out School Kits during the Season for Mosquitos

Dear families and friends,

We have been having our usual hot weather, but the rains have not returned.  The street "rivers" have dried up, and things are normal again.

Our trip to San Nicolau was really great!  We were taxied around and across and over hills, mountains, valleys, through beautiful green landscapes, and often had the view of the sea (which we dearly love).  We delivered school kits to many out of the way schools, some large, some tiny.  The joy was talking with the children as we gave them a kit, and meeting the directors. 

The school children, their school building and us distributing the kits.

Even though they were in need of many things, they were all contented and happy with what they had.  That seems to be true of everyone here--no big business sharks and money grubbers.

The trip ended up being four days instead of three, because the plane we were supposed to take back here got cancelled.  There were about 50-60 passengers for that flight, so the airline had to find and pay for hotels, dinners and transportation for all of us.  We were fortunate to get a hotel in a town close to the airport which was a lovely hotel, more fancy than we would have reserved for ourselves.  Then the next morning, we were put on a direct flight back here instead of the usual flight via another island. 

This is our airplane.

But we were both really tired when we got back home, so we slept most of the day, and I ended up sick for 2 days.  But we were both fine for Saturday to have General Conference broadcast here.

The missionaries (English-speaking) met at the church just before the session and worked out companionships with other English speakers, so that the Portuguese-only speakers could stay at the chapel for the Portuguese broadcast.  Some of them brought snacks for us all, so we enjoyed them during the hymn breaks.  Marvels!--all the equipment, projector, computer, etc., worked fine and we all enjoyed a wonderful spiritual feast.  Between sessions, the missionaries left our home and returned to the chapel to get their regular companions and go tracting or teaching.  Then back to us for the evening (sessions were from 3-5 and 7-9 p,m.)

On Sunday, they asked if they could come in the morning and watch the delayed broadcast of the Priesthood session, and the sisters also wanted to watch the Relief Society session from the previous week.  So everyone watched both the Priesthood and RS sessions--fun!  A first for most of us!

We have been delivering newborn baby kits at the maternity ward of the hospital once a week--Elder Goff cannot go to that area of the hospital of course, so my friend who is the district RS president, came to the hospital to help me with the project.  There were even two sets of twins in one day.

Since this is the season for mosquitoes, we are counseled by our mission president to get screens made for at least two cross-ventilating windows--for us and for each set of missionaries.  No one wants to get the dreaded Dengye fever which was on the southern islands last year (not here, thank goodness).  A little prevention and protection is surely better than the sickness.

We were so glad to receive Davy and Marie's news of the sale of their Wyoming home!  A big relief for them. 
We were saddened to learn of Ryan's problem with migraine headaches--we truly hope and pray that his problem will be manageable and if possible, cured.

Jessica's birthday is coming soon--November 8.  She and Christian are enjoying school, and so are Nicole and Ryan.  Marie gets some one-on-one time with Annabelle, and Sherrie with Shaylee, during the school hours.  We miss you all very much, and send big hugs and lots of love.  We pray for each of you every day.

Love always,

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

Below are more pictures...enjoy!

Some very unusual flowers by our hotel.

Here are some pictures of the beautiful landscape and some buildings.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Dear families and friends,

Our life just keeps getting busier and the weeks are flying by!  Although the weather is hot, it is also the rainy season--at least 4 or 5 times a week, it rains--usually at night, or whenever we have laundry hanging outside that is almost dry!  The streets have become like rivers in many areas--it is still possible to walk to places, but we get wet. If we have to cancel a meeting or activity, we just reschedule it for the next day and it usually goes OK.

Our Outreach room at the church now has an air conditioner!  Hallelujah!!  And ceiling fans have been installed in the other rooms. Now we just need an electric piano that works--the one in the chapel has electrical problems and most days does not function, or it quits during a hymn.  There is an older one in the Primary room that I use for piano lessons, and some weeks it gets carried upstairs to the chapel for meetings by strong young men.  A new one has been ordered from Portugual because the current one cannot be fixed (many repairmen have tried already).  One of the branch presidents in our building has a magic touch, or kick, actually.  He gives the piano a bop with his foot just before church begins and it often will work throughout most of the meeting!  Of course, he can't do that during the meeting because it would not be dignified....

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we will be on another island, San Nicolau, to distribute school kits and hygiene kits to the school districts there.  The reason it takes three days is that the planes do not fly every day  of the week--so we go on Monday and return on Wednesday with no flights on Tuesday.  Oh well, we need a little vacation!  We visited that island last year when we first came--it is very beautiful, lots of green mountains and beautiful beaches. 

We are looking forward to General Conference--it will be shown live in the chapel in Portuguese for the members, but the missionaries like it in English (those that speak English), so we will probably have them (about 10 or 12) at our house to see it via our computer with a projector to show it on our living room wall.  Of course we will have goodies to snack on.  Times are 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. both days.  You are very blessed to be able to see it at home or at the church or in SLC.  We and all the missionaries cry when we first see the opening pictures of the Conference Center, the Choir, and the prophet and apostles. 

Since school began last Monday, we have been very busy getting school kits to the branch presidents to give to needy members, and to other groups who help schools.  The kits are in boxes in a warehouse downtown, and some days Larry has gone there three different times for different groups.  We also received some stuffed animal toys and dolls(all new) from the Humanitarian Center in SLC, so we spent an afternoon with our Outreach Presidency delivering toys to some daycare centers in town and we stayed at one to play games with the little kids.  It was lots of fun.

How were the birthdays, Joe and Marie?  Our anniversary was also remembered by a little surprise party from our Outreach presidency--very sweet.  37 years seems like a very long time to them.  It really is not that long!

We have a party for Relief Society and Elders Quorum tonight, an old-time dance (I don't know yet how old!)  At least there will be good food!

We love each of you and pray for you every day.

Love and hugs, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

The Rains Can Delay, But Not Deter the Work of God

Dear families and friends,

Our rainy season has begun, but it is thus far not as much destruction as last year.  It has rained 3 times in the past week, but in between it is sunny and warm.

Last Thursday and Friday we had planned to visit the island of Santo Antao by boat, and get a van and drive to the other end of the island to deliver school kits and hygiene kits from the Salt Lake Humanitarian Center.  Our young adult committee of 3 and one of the church leaders would be going with us.  Sadly, early that morning we got a phone call that the rain during the night had washed out the roads to that part of the island, so we should not come.  The months of August, September and October are unsettled in weather, and yet they are the months when we travel to other islands for helping schools before and when they first begin.  We will need to schedule another time to go, and hopefully it will work.

We will be traveling to the island of San Nicolau on the 27th--29th of September to visit two school districts for the same reason as above.  Hopefully the weather will be more cooperative.  Access is by airplane (regular jet type), so we can get there, but then we have to drive a van around the island.  It also requires three days of our time because the flights do not go every day, so we will have some time to be "tourists".  We are friends with the welfare director on the island, so we will at least know someone to go around with, and we visited there last October and enjoyed our time.

Last Monday morning we attended an opening ceremony for activities, games, etc. at the prison.  They schedule a week of sports and other activities at the end of summer.  We were two of three invited guests and were seated on the stage area at the front of the big group.  It was like sitting on thrones as a king and queen, and Larry was asked to give a talk (at the last minute).  He talked a bit about religion in our and their lives, and how it is meant to be an everyday part of each of us.  The exciting thing is that the other guest, a Naval official whom we had met before at other ceremonies, came up to us afterward and asked to make a time to talk together to answer some questions he had about our beliefs--he was very positive and seems to really want to know. 

The water project is progressing through the government officials (they really are helpful), and after the rainy season, work will actually begin on providing hookups for families who do not have water in their homes.  Some are too poor to pay the monthly charge, and some are living in new areas where pipes for water have not yet been laid.  All of this should be taken care of through our project.

Two weeks ago an air conditioner was installed in the Institute room of our chapel where we hold Outreach activities.  It is SO NICE to be able to cool off during our meetings--until this time we would be "bathed in perspiration"--not just us, but everyone here.

Most of our work in the past few weeks has been distributing school, hygiene, newborn kits to organizations who will give them to the individuals who need them.  We do not give out the kits; schools, Red Cross, hospitals, etc. do this.  Thus we are protected from mass groups of people gathering to get something; it works very well this way, and the people who need the kits can go to their local leaders to get them.  School and hygiene kits for Church members are distributed through the branch presidents who know which persons are in need.  The kits are just for those in need, not for every person.

A couple of weeks ago, we mentioned that the seminary age youth had gone to the big island for EFY.  Late one of those nights, we got a phone message from their leader to "pray for the kids at EFY."  So we did--many other leaders also received this message.  When they returned at the end of the week, it was Testimony Sunday.  Every youth bore testimony of the marvelous spiritual experience that happened when they prayed in deep faith for their friends there.  Several youth said they felt a great peace and a light around them, and the Spirit was very strong, assuring them all that their friends would be all right.  Apparently several kids had gotten sick suddenly and had to go to the hospital--not knowing the cause, and fearing for the safety of their friends, the ones who were not sick spent a long time in special prayer together, and said it was the greatest spiritual experience of their lives thus far.  The sick ones were soon restored in time to come home at the end of the week.

Happy Birthday to Joe next Sunday and to Marie on Thursday the 23rd.  It will also be our 37th wedding anniversary on the 20th.  We went out for a special dinner last week to celebrate, not knowing if we would be traveling somewhere on that day.

Hope you all are happy and well.  We pray for each one of you every day.  Thank you for the letters you send us; we treasure them.

Love always Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister

Kyiv, Ukraine Gets a Temple -- Our Son Matt Served His Mission There

Church News

Kyiv Ukraine Temple: Expressing love for a prophet

By Gerry Avant
Church News editor

Published: Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010

Related articles:
President Monson dedicates Kyiv Ukraine Temple, first in former Soviet Union
Photo gallery
Spiritual pilgrimage accomplished through sacrifice and faith
Photo gallery: Preparing for the dedication
Missionary couple integral to Church history in Ukraine
Video: Kyiv Ukraine Temple Primary Children Sing
Video: Kyiv Ukraine Temple Saints Speak
Kyiv Ukraine Temple fulfills 1991 prophecy

KYIV, UKRAINE
The love members in the Kyiv Ukraine Temple district feel for President Thomas S. Monson is, quite literally, beyond description. Even if there were no language barriers, many would have no difficulty expressing their feelings for President Monson’s legendary role in bringing the first temple to Eastern Europe in the vast area once under Soviet control.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson applies first dab of mortar to seal symbolic cornerstone prior to dedicating the Kyiv Ukraine Temple held Sunday morning, Aug. 29. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, his second counselor, and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf look on.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson hands trowel to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, his second counselor, during cornerstone ceremony for the Kyiv Ukraine Temple.

It is little wonder that when he came to attend a cultural program on Saturday evening, Aug. 28, and to dedicate the Kyiv Ukraine Temple on Aug. 29, his presence evoked an outpouring of love and admiration.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Before leaving the Kyiv Ukraine Temple after presiding over dedicatory services Sunday, Aug. 12, President Thomas S. Monson pauses to say a final few words of farewell. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf is at right.

Several times during his visit, President Monson expressed his love for the people of this vast temple district, which includes eight nations: Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Romania, Russia and Ukraine.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, Sunday morning, Aug. 29, 2010.

As often as possible, he paused to shake hands with members young, old and in between and engage them in as much conversation as language barriers allowed. In reality, a common language wasn’t necessary since this man is known for his compassionate and caring nature and communicated his love for the members through his smile, the warmth in his eyes and his good-natured humor.
During a brief ceremony to seal the Kyiv temple’s symbolic cornerstone Sunday morning, he spoke of his interest as a young boy in geography. He said that he saw maps and read about places such as Ukraine and other countries and wondered if he would ever travel to them. He then commented that he assigned himself to dedicate the Kyiv temple, so he could come here. He barely mentioned his extensive travels to other parts of Eastern Europe.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson selected several youth from the audience to assist with the cornerstone ceremony prior to dedicating the Kyiv Ukraine Temple.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Iryna Nekrasova, who supervised the music for events pertaining to the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, helps a youngster apply mortar to the temple's cornerstone.

President Monson’s history in this part of the world began in 1968, five years after he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve, when he was assigned to oversee the work in countries in Eastern Europe behind the figurative Iron Curtain and the literal Berlin Wall.

Gerry Avant, Church News

At cornerstone ceremony prior to the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple Sunday morning, Aug. 29, are Elder William R. Walker, left; President Thomas S. Monson, President Dieter Uchtdorf, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Russell M. Nelson.

He has made numerous visits to this once closed-off section of the world, ministering to members, and offering words of counsel, comfort and confidence. He buoyed spirits in congregations and provided one-on-one service to members, “lifting hands that hang down” and “strengthening feeble knees.” For many Latter-day Saints, especially those in East Germany, Elder Monson was the face of the Church, their tie to headquarters in Salt Lake City. His was the apostle’s voice that conveyed continuing revelation, bringing hope to Latter-day Saints in a desperate situation under communism’s yoke.
On a hillside overlooking Dresden he offered a prayer of dedication on the German Democratic Republic (DDR) on April 27, 1975.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Vesna and Igor Gruppman are all smiles after leaving dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple Sunday afternoon. He was born in Kyiv (Kiev) and lived here until he was 16.

Twenty years later, on Aug. 26, 1995, President Monson, then first counselor in the First Presidency, returned to that hillside with a small group of people, including his wife, Sister Frances J. Monson, and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the Seventy and now President Monson’s second counselor in the First Presidency, and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf.
During the 1995 return to the hill, President Monson spoke about the occasion when he offered the prayer upon the DDR in 1975: “It was a cold, rainy day. I felt impressed that I should offer a dedicatory prayer, realizing that as the DDR had become a new nation with the division of Germany at the end of World War II it had never been formally dedicated. As I said the words, `May this be the dawning of a new day for the Church in this land,' we heard a rooster crow in the valley below. A church bell began to chime. Then I felt warmth on my hands and face. After I finished the prayer, I opened my eyes and saw that the clouds had parted and a ray of sunshine was streaming down on the spot where we were standing. Before we could return to our automobile, the clouds had gathered and it began to rain again” (Church News, Sept. 2, 1995, p.5).

Gerry Avant, Church News

A crowd gathers to watch the cornerstone ceremony for the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple held Sunday morning, Aug. 29.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Lada Serdyuk participates in the Kyiv Ukraine Temple's cornerstone ceremony Sunday morning, Aug. 29.

Over the years President Monson has continued to work in behalf of the Church throughout the world, including “Iron Curtain countries.” He had a key role in gaining permission from the DDR government for the Church to build the Freiberg Germany Temple. He broke ground and dedicated the temple site on April 23, 1983. President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the temple on June 29, 1985.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson greets Colleen Biddulph. She served with her husband, Howard L. Biddulph, when he was called as the first president of the Ukraine Kiev Mission in 1992.

Church leaders from headquarters and Eastern Europe, as well as many members in the area recognize the pivotal role the Freiberg temple has had in the progress of the Church here and upon individual lives and their testimonies. Ever since the first group of Latter-day Saints traveled from Kyiv to the Freiberg temple in November of 1992, the Freiberg temple has been “their temple.” (Please see Church News, Aug. 28, 2010.)
Latter-day Saints in other Eastern European nations also laid claim to the Freiberg temple as they began making visits.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson gives a wave as he returns to the Kyiv Ukraine Temple after conducting the ceremony for the symbolic sealing of the temple's cornerstone Sunday morning, Aug. 29.

Gerry Avant, Church News

President Thomas S. Monson takes a few moments to visit with members after dedicating the Kyiv temple on Sunday, Aug. 29.

In 1994, Gottfried Richeter, who was first counselor in the Freiberg temple presidency, told the Church News:
“The Freiberg Germany Temple, once planned and built for the members of the German Democratic Republic, experienced a substantial extension of its district after the collapse of the communist government in the eastern countries of Europe (1989-92).

Gerry Avant, Church News

Members bid farewell to President Thomas S. Monson following dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple on Sunday, Aug. 29.

“Now the visits of Czech, Polish and Hungarian members are not uncommon. They even bring their own temple workers along. Most of those visitors, however, are comparatively new converts to the Church. In their homelands, the materialistic doctrine was the doctrine of their government, and the whole educational system accordingly was atheistically defined. The desire of the people of the eastern countries was for freedom, truth and justice, and their longing for something better, more noble and more beautiful was great.
“As members from many parts of the eastern countries have a long trip connected with personal sacrifices, the trip for the members of Ukraine is by far longer and more strenuous, not to mention the material sacrifices. The first groups from Ukraine always arrived by bus, which was filled to capacity — a real 'old timer.' They had to pass two border checkpoints, and, at one time, their wait lasted eight hours.

Gerry Avant, Church News

Dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, Sunday morning, Aug. 29, 2010.

“In terms of social status, they have the lowest of all the countries mentioned. With an average monthly income of $12, they have to somehow exist and do without all the things the people in the West take for granted.
“Life had been very hard to them. But their great faith, their humility, their love and willingness to learn touched the temple workers deeply. They never complained about their situation, nor felt sorry for themselves.
“For their young people, baptisms for the dead were arranged. When we saw a group of young women (about 15 years old) coming toward the temple on the morning of their arrival, we opened the door for them. But we watched them standing on the first step, close together as a group, with their heads bowed in solemn prayer. This was their attitude before they entered the temple for the first time in their young lives.
“When the hour of departure was near, the members turned around again and again to hug and thank the temple workers. Some of them stood crying at the outside wall, with their heads leaning against it and their arms stretched out wide, as if to embrace the temple and hold it tight” (Church News, Sept. 24, 1994, p. 7).
Members who gathered in Kyiv, Ukraine, for the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple recognized President Thomas S. Monson not only as President of the Church, the prophet of their day, but also as their friend. From the expressions on their faces it was obvious that they love him for the work he has done in their behalf, and are grateful that he came to dedicate “their own” temple.

© 2010 Deseret News Publishing Company