The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full report, CLICK HERE.
Elder Gong and his wife, Susan, greet the group in the new house of the Lord
Traditionally, members of the news media and other invited guests get the first peek at a new house of the Lord. In Bangkok that first look was given to young adults from across Thailand on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Susan, greeted each of the more than 375 young adults as they entered the temple.
“This is my first time to see Elder Gong,” said Suchawadee Prasithichai of Bang Khen, a district of Bangkok. “This is my special day. And I learned a lot about him.”
Prior to entering the house of the Lord, the Apostle and his wife held a devotional for the group in a stake center next to the temple.
“Ten years ago, Elder Gong and I were here in Thailand, and we just felt that the blessings of God were ready to be poured out upon the people,” Sister Gong said. “And it’s happening. A temple is such a beautiful thing to have right here in the middle of Bangkok. It will be a light to the world. I am grateful for your goodness and sacrifice which helped make it possible.”
Elder Gong, quoting teachings given by Church President Russell M. Nelson, said “everything we believe and every promise God has made to His covenant people come together in the temple.”
The Apostle said peace, purity and purpose are three words that describe what the temple means to him.
“Peace is something that we’re all seeking. Purity is something that we value. And we’re looking for purpose,” Elder Gong said.
To read the full report, CLICK HERE.
