Almighty Father, to whom we bow with reverence and love,
hear our prayer of dedication on this historic day. We are gathered together in
a solemn assembly. Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving for this day when
Thy holy house is completed.
We thank Thee for all that has gone before to make this day
possible. We thank Thee for Thine ordained Prophet, Joseph Smith, who called
upon Thee in prayer, and for Thine appearance, and the appearance of Thy
Beloved Son and for the coming forth of Thy works that followed—the translation
and publication of the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the priesthood under
the hands of those who held it anciently, the keys brought by Moses, Elias, and
Elijah.
We thank Thee for the faith of Thy people through all of the
many years since the Church was organized. At one time, they were driven and
pursued, persecuted and murdered. Their love for the eternal gospel was
stronger than their love of life. We thank Thee for this time when Thy Church
is increasingly admired and respected.
We thank Thee for the revelation under which the priesthood
has been made available to all worthy men, regardless of where they might live
or any circumstances of their lives.
Now, acting in the authority of the holy Melchizedek
priesthood in us vested, and in the name of our divine Redeemer, the Lord Jesus
Christ, we dedicate and consecrate unto Thee and Thy Beloved Son this the Aba
Nigeria Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We dedicate
the ground on which it stands with its vegetation which gives beauty and
harmony to this and surrounding structures. We dedicate this magnificent temple
itself, with all its parts, fixtures and appurtenances. We dedicate the
footings, the foundation, and every part of the superstructure. We dedicate the
walls, windows and doors, the roof, and the steeple with the shining figure of
Moroni.
We dedicate all of the interior features, the baptistry, the
various rooms and facilities for instruction and the administration of sacred
ordinances, the magnificent celestial room, and the sealing rooms with their
sacred altars. We dedicate the offices, halls, and other facilities that all
may accommodate the needs of those who will here serve.
We pray, O God our Eternal Father, that Thou wilt accept
this holy house as the gift of Thy faithful Saints throughout the world, whose
tithes and offerings have made it possible. It stands resplendent in beauty and
strength, a symbol to all of the eternal nature of man. Wilt Thou deign to
visit it and glorify it with Thy presence. Cause that Thy Holy Spirit may dwell
here at all times, that it may be sacred unto Thy people and magnificent in its
purpose and design.
May all who look upon it do so with reverence and respect.
May no unhallowed hand vandalize it in any way. May it always be sacred to
those who are eligible to come within its walls. Save it from storm and
tempest. We pray likewise for the associated structures, that all may stand
together to serve Thy purposes.
In the spread of Thy work over the earth, we have in this
good land and in other nations of Africa, strong stakes of Zion with disciples
of great faith, obedient to Thee, and with a desire to carry eternal truth to
many more.
Bless this nation that it may rise in strength and freedom
among the nations of Africa. Bless its leaders that they may look with favor
upon Thy Saints and safeguard their rights, property, and privileges.
Bless Thy faithful people and keep them from disease and
pestilence, from poverty and want, from conflict of any kind, and from
political oppression.
Dear Father, we pray for all who shall serve here, whether
as workers or patrons. May they be worthy in every way. May no unworthy
individual enter these sacred portals.
We ask that Thy special blessings may rest upon the temple
president and his counselors, and upon the temple matron and her assistants.
Grant them strength and energy to carry forward their arduous responsibilities,
and may they find unmeasured joy in this consecrated service.
We also dedicate the beautiful new stake center. May it serve
Thy people well. May it be respected as a sacred house of worship. May Thine
eternal truth be spoken from its pulpit. May the precious privilege of
partaking of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper be here enjoyed. May the
classrooms be consecrated places of learning of Thee and Thy kingdom. May the
recreation hall be a place of sociality and the building of friendship.
We likewise dedicate the structure which will accommodate
the housing of temple patrons, together with all other facilities of this beautiful
campus designed to bless Thy people in this good land.
We pray for Thy work throughout the earth and for all
engaged in Thy service. We pray for Thy servant who is here today and is old in
years. Give him strength according to his needs. Bless all of the general
officers of Thy kingdom wherever they may serve. Inspire and magnify them in
their responsibilities.
Now, Thou Great Elohim, again we express our thanks and our
love. Again, we pray for Thy blessings, those requested and those unmentioned
of which we stand in need. We bear witness and testimony to all the world of
Thy living reality, our Father and our God; of the living reality of Thy
Beloved Son, our Lord and Redeemer; and that Thou hast restored Thy Church and
kingdom in this the dispensation of the fulness of times. We so testify and
pray unto Thee in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
"'Rise in strength…among the nations of Africa,'"
Church News 13 Aug. 2005: 4.
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