A Unique Opportunity to Share Our Faith

By Kim Woodbury , Manager  Area Relations , Public Affairs Department, Salt Lake City

As an employee of the Church’s Public Affairs Department in Salt Lake City, I have the privilege of helping with temple open houses all over the world. I have enjoyed being in Fiji to help with the Suva Temple open house. The Latter-day Saints here are wonderful and I am very impressed with everyone who is helping with this special event.

Minister for Women, Rosy Akbar assisted by some volunteers at the Open House.

It is not easy to plan and execute a temple open house. It requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice from hundreds of people. I have seen many Church members taking time away from their jobs and their families to make the open house a success. Every single person has an important role to play, from the people putting on shoe coverings to those making sure the reception tent is clean and orderly. Everyone I meet is doing a great job and most importantly, they always have a smile on their faces! The light of the gospel shines in their eyes. The friendliness and enthusiasm of the Fijian Latter-day Saints is now on display for the entire country to see. 

Church leaders and the public affairs committee worked hard to ensure that high-profile government leaders like the prime minister and the president attended the open house. Now it is up to every Latter-day Saint to invite their friends and family members to come. It is nice that there are banners around the city and articles in the media, but experience at other temple open houses shows that most of the people who come are those who have been personally invited by someone they know.

Smiling volunteers ready to open doors for guests

This is a unique opportunity to educate the community about what Latter-day Saints believe and help raise the profile of the Church here. May our Heavenly Father bless you as you share the spirit of the temple with your brothers and sisters in Fiji. I know that the impact of the temple open house and dedication will be felt in Fiji for years to come!