ABA, Nigeria — As the public open house for the newly completed Aba Nigeria Temple begins June 18, Nigerian Latter-day Saints are anticipating what will be the second operating temple in West Africa. And many are looking back to promises they made themselves more than three years ago when they took part in the groundbreaking.
To them, dreams are finally becoming reality.
"I sang in the stake choir at the groundbreaking ceremony," Eucheria Anyanwu of the Aba Nigeria Stake recalled. "I immediately started helping my family become a holy family. We changed our lives by holding regular family home evenings, having scripture study daily and regular Church attendance. We are ready to enter the House of the Lord after the dedication."
Sister Anyanwu's feelings echo many in this West African country that was the site of some of the first baptisms of African pioneers in 1979. In fact, a monument was dedicated in April at Ikot Eyo to these 184 pioneers. (Please see May 28, 2005, Church News.)
Some of these early members, and many of their descendants, are joining friends and neighbors to tour the newly completed sacred edifice during a public open house that will run through July 2, except Sundays. A cultural celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6. The next day, Sunday, Aug. 7, the Aba Nigeria Temple will be dedicated in four sessions. The temple will open for ordinance work the next day, Monday, Aug. 8.
For many Nigerian saints, preparing for the temple has meant more than personal spiritual preparation. They have also given of their time and talents to help with finishing touches in the new edifice and surrounding facilities. For example, seamstresses sewed sheets and pillow cases for the beds in the ancillary building for patron housing located on the temple site. Many continued serving by making draperies for the temple and the ancillary building. They were taught the art of drapery sewing by Sister Esther Stratton, an experienced drapery seamstress who served as a temple construction missionary in Nigeria with her husband, Elder Howard Stratton. (Elder and Sister Stratton were released from their mission this month.)
One seamstress who found great joy in serving was Martha Ike of the Aba Nigeria Stake, who joined the Church two years ago. "I have felt very pleased with my experience in learning to make these draperies," she said. "I have made curtains before, but I felt very good learning a fine, detailed skill. Sister Stratton teaches very well. I love being a part of helping with the temple in any small way."
Other members here helped sew covers for tissue boxes in the temple, and members are volunteering to help at the open house and are rehearsing — some nightly — for dedicatory choirs.
Onuoha Ukeh, a high councilor in the newly created Lagos Nigeria West Stake, wrote the Church News about members' preparation. "Temple preparation classes are holding and people are eagerly attending despite the time the classes hold. In some wards, temple preparatory classes hold as early as 8 a.m. on Sunday, before commencement of sacrament meeting at 9 a.m. In other wards, the classes hold about 12:30 p.m., Sunday, after sacrament meeting."
In anticipation of a dedicated, operating temple, stake presidencies are organizing future group trips to the temple from outlying areas. Brother Ukeh added.
Bishop Peter Oyewole Oyedeji of the Oshodi Ward, Lagos Nigeria West Stake, said: "The temple in Nigeria is a long-awaited dream that has come true. It is my greatest desire to witness the dedication. I have asked my ward members to prepare. We are looking forward to the dedication. In fact, we can't wait for it.
"When (President Gordon B. Hinckley) came to Nigeria in 1998, he had said that the country will not be the same again," Bishop Oyedeji recalled. "We have seen great changes in the political area, economy, etc. I know that when we have a temple on our soil, that there will be greater things here. I have been to the temple before and I know the blessings it brings."
As to Brother Ukeh, he said he is personally preparing by working on family history, with the help of his non-LDS parents, who "have been helpful in this regard. I have done quite well and much in this regard. I already have a temple recommend and my wife will soon get hers. I like reading anything I can get about the temple so that the spirit of the temple will be with me. I want to go to the temple. Therefore, I try to be worthy. Only things that would increase my spirituality interest me these days."
Contributing to this article were Elder Vern Whisenant and Sister Donna Whisenant, Africa West Area public affairs, and Julie Dockstader Heaps, Church News staff writer.
