FUKUOKA TEMPLE (Photo)
IS A REALITY!
THE OPEN HOUSE and DEDICATION was in June 2000. The
Fukuoka Temple was open to the public June 1-3, 2000.
It was dedicated June 11, 2000 and opened for ordinance work June 12, 2000.
In conjunction with the temple dedication, a 30-year missionary reunion was held
to celebrate this historic occasion. Eugene M. Kitamura, Director, Tokyo, PBO reports that:
1. The construction was approved February 2, 1999.
2. General Contractor contract was executed March 20, 1999.
3. Ground breaking ceremony was presided over by Asia North Area President Lionel L. Kendrick
on March 20, 1999.
4. The Angel Moroni statue was placed on the temple spire November 8, 1999.
5. They are supposed to have finished and handed the temple over to the Church on February 23.
6. Then the Church will affix the finishing touches like gold leafing, etc.
Sister McArthur further reports, "Word from the Temple Committee is that this is one of the finest
small temples because of the craftsmanship of the Japanese workers. It really is special inside. Every molding, every corner is a glove fit."
The two level temple is squeezed very compactly into the small lot (formerly Fukuoka Mission Home) adjacent to the local dobutsuen. It will contain a two level parking lot (one underground and one ground level), Fukuoka Mission quarters and office on the ground level as well as the baptismal font and Mission President and Matron's quarters, and remainder
of the temple on the second floor.
The exterior marble veneer is grey on the first level and light white on the second level. A steeple shoots high in the sky with gold leafed Angel Moroni on the top.
Fukuoka Stake Public Affairs Director Akiko Ota headed the publicity and open house.
The Church News and KSL web sites had announcements. See: www.ldschurchnews.com and
www.ksl.com for updates.
Pres. Andersen related their experience in the Celestial Room at the 1st dedicatory session in the AM on June 11.
He said he and Fukuoka Mission President James A. McArthur were asked to speak, and as was former President Goro Yamada.
President Hinckley had tears in his eyes. Then when the 25 member choir started singing in Japanese,
President Hinckley started to cry. It was a very wonderful experience. Presidnet Andersen said he felt like it will be when we pass from this existense, pass thru the veil and enter the Spirit World. All of our relatives and friends will be there.
The reunion of RM's from all various jidais (time periods) on the 10th of June at the Fukuoka Stake Center was also wonderful, Presidnet Andersen said.
Other former mission presidents of the Fukuoka Mission in addition to Kan Watanabe (1970-1973), Goro Yamada (1976-1979), and L. Dwight Pincock (1994-1997) were there such as Roy I. Tsuya and his wife Wuta (1979-1982), Cyril
I.A. Figuerres and his wife (1991-1994), and Gene
Shimizu, wife of Takeshi C. Shimizu (1982-1985), deceased, was also present.
Click Here for a Transcript of Shorthand Notes Taken by
Brother McCune during a Telephone
Conversation from President Cyril I. A. Figuerres, former President of the Japan Fukuoka LDS Mission, on Friday,
July 21, 2000.
|
