Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Site Dedicated 9 April 2016
by Carl B. Cook

Our beloved Heavenly Father, we unitedly bow our heads in prayer as we meet to consecrate this land for the building of the Durban South Africa Temple. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for Thy many tender mercies. We love Thee, Heavenly Father. We love Thy Son, Jesus Christ. We thank Thee for the restoration of the gospel and for the establishment of Thy Church in this land. We are grateful that Thy gospel is going forth to all who will listen. We pray that this, Thy work, may continue and even accelerate. We also pray for this nation’s leaders, that peace and prosperity may abound.

We are mindful of the rejoicing of many Saints, both those who are with us today and those who have gone beyond. We are grateful for our predecessors who helped lay a foundation for what is happening today. We pray that the veil may be thin, and that they may share in the joy of this moment.

We are grateful for modern revelation that has guided our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, to direct that a temple be built upon this sacred spot at this appointed time. May Thy Spirit abide here. We dedicate this magnificent plot of ground to the building of Thy temple, Thy holy house. Wilt thou please protect it against any destructive forces, either of nature or of man. Please watch over it and hallow it, that it may remain a suitable site for Thy temple.

We look forward with great anticipation to the building of this holy structure. We pray for those who will be working on this temple site. Please protect them from injury. Please bless their minds and their hands that their work might be pleasing unto Thee, and that the completed temple might be a reflection of our deep love and reverence for Thee.

As the temple rises from the ground, may each of us be blessed with increased love for our fellowman. May we re-dedicate ourselves to Thy work. Please help us to prioritize our lives and make time to prepare family names for temple ordinances. We know that many individuals and families are waiting anxiously for their work to be done. May we think of them often and be inspired to do our part to help them. May Thy chosen servants in this temple district also prepare themselves to volunteer their time and talents and work in Thy holy house once it is completed.

May each of us be inspired to purify our lives and look to our Savior and His Atonement to help us overcome the things of the flesh, that we may not only enter Thy temple, but also be prepared to dwell with Thee. We desire to feel Thy love and Thy Spirit each day of our lives.

We dedicate this site unto Thee, Heavenly Father, and we pledge our faith and our support of all of Thy works. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Dedicated 16 February 2020
by Ronald A. Rasband

Our glorified and eternal Father in Heaven, we, Thy children, come before Thee in earnest prayer in the name of Thy Beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at the completion of this holy temple in Durban, South Africa. We pray Thou wilt accept this offering of our love and devotion to Thee.

On the outside of this beautiful structure is the inscription in gold letters, "Holiness to the Lord." May "holiness to the Lord" also exemplify the inner feelings of our hearts, the thoughts of our minds, and the labors of our very lives. With gratitude and humility, we offer our dedication to Thee and Thy Son and to the restored gospel. We testify of our resurrected Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ, and His Atonement, the singular act that broke the bands of death, set in place the covenant path, and opened the gates of salvation.

At the direction of President Russell M. Nelson, today by divine design, with the authority of the priesthood which comes from Thee, and in the name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, we dedicate this temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Durban, South Africa. May it stand as a pinnacle of hope and salvation, of Thy restored priesthood and purposes here on the earth. May it prepare us to join Thee for all eternity.

We dedicate the ground on which this temple stands and the surrounding gardens, the unseen footings and foundation, the walls and windows and the beautiful dome with the crowning figure of Moroni. We dedicate the baptistry, the areas for initiatory ordinances, the endowment room, the glorious celestial room, the sealing room and the altar, and every other part of this hallowed house.

To this prayer of dedication, we add the words of Thy chosen servant, our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, that "the crowning jewel of the Restoration is the holy temple. Its sacred ordinances and covenants are pivotal to preparing a people who are ready to welcome the Savior at His Second Coming." Wilt Thou continue to bless, guide, and inspire President Nelson and those who serve with him in the councils of the Church.

We pray Thou wilt watch over this temple and protect it. May it withstand tempests and turmoil, destruction and defilement. We bless the additional buildings of this temple complex that they too will be watched over by guardian angels that their structures will grace this holy site.

May the influence of the Holy Ghost be unrestrained within these walls and may the temple serve as a beacon of everlasting light to all who see it and a sanctuary to all who enter in. We pray for those who attend the temple of any age. May they feel strengthened to live their covenants with determination, patience, and discipline. Wilt Thou bless them with insight, steadfastness, and forgiving hearts.

We dedicate this holy temple as a house of learning, righteousness, and prayer—and a house for those on both sides of the veil. May our love for Thee mature as we ponder the divine providence of being in the temple and receiving truths of everlasting importance.

We are grateful for the tithes and offerings of Thy people all around the world, brothers and sisters devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. From their consecration this holy edifice has been built and is presented to Thee.

May we recognize the importance of being tied together as families for eternity under priesthood authority, and may the blessings of making sacred covenants be the culmination one upon another of our righteous living. May our ancestors who have waited for baptism, endowments, and sealings be encircled with Thy promise of eternal life through our efforts on their behalf in the temple.

May our youth—young men and young women—feel the spirit of this work which will give them the strength to resist the temptations of the adversary that could lead them astray. May they take to heart the conviction expressed by Nephi to "go and do" Thy bidding, and may their "doing" be worthy of temple service as they advance in their lives.

May this temple provide refuge from the storms, tensions, and confusions that beset us on life’s journey, and may we have the resolve to stand strong as witnesses of Thee and Thy Son. May Thy Spirit be poured down upon all who come to this temple weighed down with heavy hearts and sorrows. May the divinity and reality of our Lord and Savior fill our souls as we worship in this holy house, and may our Savior’s love be our constant source of joy, peace, and plenty.

We pray for blessings upon those who shall preside here, including the temple president and his counselors, the matron and her assistants, and all those who serve now or will serve here in the Durban Temple in the years ahead. Grant them vitality, compassion, and solace in Thy service. May all who serve in this temple, whether they be workers or patrons, express reverence and respect for those who attend and those for whom work is being completed. We gratefully acknowledge the trained hands that so beautifully completed this temple beyond standards of the world.

Bless the nations of this temple district, Mozambique, South Africa, and Lesotho, O Father, that those who govern will do so in righteousness. Bless the leaders with courage to protect the religious liberties of the citizens and insight to enlarge opportunities that these people may be lifted from the bonds of poverty and disease and look forward to more prosperous living.

We ask that the nations on this vast continent will be blessed by Thy merciful hand and that the scourges and plights of many will be replaced by honesty, brotherhood, and goodwill. May teachings of the gospel help heal, fortify, and strengthen each country.

And now we dedicate this temple as an abode for Thee and Thy Son. Wilt Thou accept this temple, and wilt thou recognize our sincerity in placing it before Thee. May we, Thy children gathered in Thy name, merit Thy bounteous blessings and Thy watchful care, we pray, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, even the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord, amen.