COPENHAGEN, Denmark — A small group of Danish members gathered Aug. 15 near the Copenhagen City Center to watch a brief ceremony in which the statue of the Angel Moroni was lifted onto its tower next to the Copenhagen Denmark Temple, under construction with completion expected in 2004.
"Moroni will be here high above us, and as a symbol he will stand for something far greater than himself," said Elder Marlin K. Jensen, president of the Europe Central Area. "He is a symbol of the gospel being restored and of all the truths and ordinances and powers that can be exercised here in the temple."
Elder Jensen suggested that at times of personal challenge, members should, "Look up to Moroni and remember his life, and remember what he represents; and try as best we can to act accordingly."
Seeing curious neighbors leaning out of windows over their flower boxes in the surrounding red brick apartment buildings, Elder Jensen looked up and smiled back at them.
"I feel grateful to our neighbors here for their tolerance and their patience, as we erect this temple. I know one day they will be very grateful, as we all will be."
One neighbor, Per Plank, who watched proceedings and has observed the progress of the temple, said, "I think it is going to be beautiful."
According to Elder Devon Jensen, who is assigned to the temple project with his wife, Sister Rita Jensen, many of the construction workers attended the occasion with their families. The workers from M.T. Hojgaard A/S, who attached the statue of the Angel Moroni to the tower, were dressed in white work clothes and wore white gloves.
"They looked really sharp," said Elder Jensen. After the statue was in place, workers gave Sister Jensen a hug and offered their congratulations. "They knew this was a very special day for the Church and its members," said Elder Jensen.
On the day prior, strong winds churned up the waters of the Baltic Sea outside the Copenhagen Harbor, and gray skies threatened rain. But on the day of the proceedings, the weather was mild and sunny as priesthood leaders arrived from surrounding stakes including President Jens H. Andersen of the Copenhagen Stake, President Erik Ryttersgaard of the Aarhus Denmark Stake, President Leif Mattsson of the Gothenborg Sweden Stake, President Michael Nilsson of the Malmo Sweden Stake, Johan S. Koch, temple coordinator; and President Gary M. Hudson of the Denmark Copenhagen Mission. There are approximately 8,000 members in the temple area.
President Gordon B. Hinckley announced plans for the Copenhagen Temple March 17, 1999. The Church began its permanent representation in Denmark in 1850 — first in rented buildings in Copenhagen, and then with a beautiful neo-classical chapel built in 1931, which was dedicated by Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Quorum of the Twelve. This chapel was dedicated as a temple site on April 24, 1999. The temple will include some carefully reconstructed portions of the original structure.
