A group of senior missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and some of their friends, visited the Hamilton New Zealand Temple and the nearby Visitors’ Centre yesterday.
The group was led by Frederick K. Balli Jr., president of the Church's New Zealand Auckland Mission, and his wife, Robyn Balli.
While in Hamilton the group also met with president of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple, Michael A. Roberts.
"The Hamilton New Zealand Temple is the only one in New Zealand and one of 150 operating temples worldwide," President Roberts said.
"To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temples are the most sacred place on earth—a place where earth and heaven meet and where we feel close to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ."
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Senior missionaries for the Church take on a number of different roles during their 18 months of unpaid, self-funded service, including supporting disaster relief, humanitarian, self-reliance, education, legal, medical, dental and public affairs projects.
President Russell M. Nelson, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said in 2004: “I express gratitude for our senior missionaries. They are young in spirit, wise, and willing to work. These dear members are willing to serve and strengthen the lives of others. Even if these seniors don’t know the local language, their accomplishments are great and their spirit of sacrifice is precious.”