Charlton Martin and Matt Krull, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, participated with other young people in an interfaith activity in Auckland on 27-28 June.
The Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board organised a service project to clean up and remove rubbish from a small part of the Otara Lake and waterways. Participants removed mattresses, TVs, paint containers and other items.
The group consisted of 30 young adults from a number of different faith communities.
A tour of different religious sites took place following the service project. The tour included a Catholic Church, a Hindu temple, a Buddhist temple, a Muslim mosque, a Sikh temple and a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The group was greeted at the Latter-day Saints’ Redoubt Road, Manukau meetinghouse by Church leader, President Mark Green. Charlton and Matt conducted the tour.
“The day was an opportunity to serve and meet new friends,” said Charlton. “It is interesting how a little mud and hard work can bring you closer together. I think all of us found the values we share are stronger than our differences. At the conclusion of the event, a lake was cleaner, friendships were created and a greater interfaith understanding accomplished.”
Read more about Latter-day Saints and interfaith relations.