Prime minister turns on lights on New Zealand temple grounds
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HAMILTON, New Zealand — The Honorable Helen Clark, prime minister of New Zealand, was special guest during the annual Christmas Lights Display and concert at the Hamilton New Zealand Temple Visitors Center on Dec. 21.
This was the second year dignitaries of national prominence have turned on the lights on the temple grounds. Each night from Dec. 1 through 24, a concert of Christmas and sacred music was followed by the "turning on of the lights" by the nightly guest. A live nativity play of the birth of Jesus Christ was repeated three times during the evening's celebration.
In addition to the prime minister, special guests included prominent New Zealand business people, radio and TV personalities, major sports figures and leaders of various local churches.
They included Leilani Joyce, the second ranked squash player in the world and member of the Church; Monica Leggat of women's national Silverfern Netball fame; John Gallagher, owner of the fourth largest fencing and security systems company in the world; the Rev. Dennis Brown, Catholic Bishop of Hamilton; and Bill English, leader of the Opposition and National Party.
"After the dignitary delivered a brief Christmas message and the lights were turned on, guests were given a formal tour of the visitors center where they learned more about the Church," said Elder Leo D. Leonard, visitors center director.
He said that guests this year were eager to share their time and deliver a Christmas message. Bill English shared with members of the Hamilton Rotary Club his positive experiences of the Church and explained the Church's emphasis on families and Jesus Christ.
"I had a very special and exciting time," said Mr. English. "Temple View . . . is the best kept secret in New Zealand. People come from all over New Zealand and the world to see the lights, regardless of race or religion.
"They are united in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. These are the people we must be like.
"After we turned on the lights, we went on a tour of the visitors center where we were told that Jesus Christ is the center of their religion and how He taught the Jewish people and people in other parts of the world. This story of His teachings is contained in the Book of Mormon.
"I also heard this young lady missionary talk about [ancient] plates that contained these teachings that were put into the Book of Mormon. These Latter-day Saints have the right answer for us. My wife, Mary, and I have a special night — the way the Mormons do — that is devoted just to the family. We call it our 'No Excuses Night.' It's the one night of the week that we have no excuses not to spend time together as a family."
The Rev. Brown spoke to city leaders shortly after his visit to Temple View and told how he enthusiastically supported the Latter-day Saint effort. "We join them in getting Christmas turned around straightaways," he said. "You must take your families see the lights, and take a tour."
The lights ceremony and tour occur nightly from Dec. 1 through Jan. 4, 2002. Choirs from throughout the country performed through Christmas Eve.
"To make all this happen requires a year of planning and hundreds of volunteers to put up and maintain the lights," said Elder Leonard.
"Approximately 150,000 people viewed the lights in 2000. This Christmas daily rains and cold weather have reduced crowds to an average of 3,000 per night."
