'Right place for a temple'
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KYIV, UKRAINE
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf began a long-anticipated visit to Ukraine and Russia on May 28 by visiting important historical areas of Kyiv, presenting new imaging equipment to a medical diagnostic center, and touring the construction site of the Kyiv temple.
Along the way he shook the hands of many members and missionaries.
President Uchtdorf was joined by his wife, Harriet, and Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve and his wife, Kathy. Also, Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy and president of the Europe East Area, and Elder Sergey N. Mikulin, Area Seventy, accompanied them.
President Uchtdorf and others were guided on a walking tour through historic parts of Kyiv by Sister Kateryna Serdyuk and her daughter, Lada. They learned of the founding of the city of Kyiv as the center of the ancient Rus people and of the acceptance of Christianity by Grand Prince Vladimir in 988 A.D. The group visited a statue of Vladimir overlooking the Dnipro River where, in September 1991, Elder Boyd K. Packer dedicated the land of Ukraine for the preaching of the gospel.
President Uchtdorf commented that he had previously visited Kyiv in 1994 as a member of the Europe East Area Presidency to preside at a young single adult conference and hold a fireside with members.
The group then visited a medical diagnostic center not far from the Kyiv temple site. In 2008, the Church made a significant contribution of medical imaging equipment to the clinic. President Uchtdorf made an official presentation of the equipment to Aleksander Serafimovich Sytnyk, a member of the board of the non-profit clinic.
Mr. Sytnyk spoke of the years of effort to establish a clinic that could provide modern medical services for the low income and socially at risk population, including victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. He expressed gratitude for the partnership between the clinic, the government, the Church and other donors who are making that dream a reality.
In his remarks, President Uchtdorf testified of Jesus Christ as the master healer and presented Mr. Sytnyk with a replica of the "Christus" statue to place in the clinic as a reminder of the Savior's healing power. A fixed plaque was unveiled near the entrance of the building noting the exceptional contribution of the Church to the establishment of the diagnostic center.
At the temple site later that day, the group was welcomed with a Ukrainian bread and salt ceremony by members dressed in traditional Ukrainian costumes. As honored guests they took a piece of a decorative loaf of bread that was presented to them on a colorful traditional towel and dipped it into a small bowl of salt. They ate it as a symbol of hospitality and friendship. In this picturesque setting, with the new temple rising behind them, a small group of Kyiv members of the Church then sang traditional Ukrainian songs of welcome.
In brief remarks, President Uchtdorf said, "This is the right place for the temple." He related a conversation held earlier that day with a local land developer who had worked with the Church to secure a temple site. When President Gordon B. Hinckley selected the temple site, the developer said he thought that President Hinckley had made the wrong choice.
However, he said, as things developed, it became clear that President Hinckley made the right choice.
Sister Uchtdorf told the small group, "You look like happy people." One sister replied, "We not only look like happy people, we are happy people."
President Uchtdorf thanked them and observed that their "music reflects the beautiful soul of the people and of the country." The group then toured the temple patron housing facility and the temple.
Anticipation was high as missionaries waited for President Uchtdorf and Elder Andersen at a chapel located next to the temple. President and Sister Uchtdorf and Elder and Sister Andersen shook hands with all the missionaries before the meeting.
Elder Andersen said this is a marvelous time in Ukraine, a time to bring more people to the Church. The Lord's Spirit broods on the temples, and hundreds and even thousands will join the Church as they are brought to the knowledge of the gospel, he said. "There are many people seeking and waiting. It is such that you cannot work only with the members. You must help find people yourselves."
He reminded them that the members can bring only so many, the missionaries must be actively involved in finding. "I promise you," he said, "that He will increase the fruit of your labors as you testify of Him."
President Uchtdorf reminded the missionaries that an assignment was made by the Quorum of the Twelve and they were sent to this mission by the Spirit. "You are here for a purpose. A mission not only builds the Church for Jesus Christ, but a mission is an experience that will build your life's foundation, your character, and how you overcome challenges. Your first and strongest convert should be yourself. Live each day to your best."
He taught the missionaries to go to the "fourth floor, last door," a lesson demonstrated by the missionaries who found his wife, her sister and their mother. As a young girl, Sister Uchtdorf lived in an apartment with her family in a four-story building. The missionaries began tracting on the first floor and worked their way up knocking on every door. It was only when they persisted to the last door on the fourth floor that they found a family looking for the gospel.
He also counseled missionaries to encourage their converts to stay and build the kingdom in Ukraine. He promised that "in 20 years, if they [the members] stay here on the path, they will realize great blessings by having stayed in their homeland."
More than 900 members and friends attended a meeting that evening in a rented hall in downtown Kyiv. Members and missionaries gathered early in a spirit of reunion.
Speaking among themselves prior to the meeting, members told of their sacrifices and efforts to attend, in some cases changing appointments, arranging transportation and preparing spiritually.
Elder Andersen spoke of the growth of the Church he has witnessed during his life and of the great blessing it is to have a temple in Ukraine. Other countries where the Church has been established for many years do not have temples, he said. In contrast, the Church has been in Ukraine for less than 20 years and a temple is being built. "You are getting a temple; that says something about Ukraine," he said.
Sister Uchtdorf spoke of the differences among people, countries and languages but said there are some things in common with all: "We all want to return to our Father in Heaven, to keep His commandments and follow Jesus Christ."
President Uchtdorf said that this is not a Church in a corner. "We have much to share with people. We believe in religious freedom, we believe that people should keep all the good they have and we will add to it." He counseled the members to stay in Ukraine and build up the Church here. He quoted Malachi 3:8-10 and promised the members "the Lord will pour you out a blessing if you pay your tithing."
He told the members they should start now to prepare to invite their friends to the temple open house and not to take counsel from their fears. He admonished all adults to have a temple recommend so they would be able to go to the temple after it is dedicated. "With this challenge I give you a promise," he said. "You will have a measure of spirituality in your life as you have never had before, guidance in your life as never before. You may have problems with health, jobs, other challenges, but the Lord will help you resolve these challenges and bless you with peace in your lives."
Following the member meeting, one brother shared his sentiments that are representative of many others. "President Uchtdorf spoke for 50 minutes, but it seemed to me as if he'd only spoken for one minute," he said.
Other stops on President Uchtdorf's travels include meeting with members and missionaries in Yekaterinburg and Moscow, Russia, before participating in an Area broadcast from London.
