Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
The Second Republic will always work closely with the Church as the two complement each other in ensuring the betterment of people’s livelihoods, Acting President Dr Kembo Mohadi has said.
Speaking to the media after touring The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Open House Temple in Harare yesterday, he said Government and the Church have worked cordially since time immemorial and will continue on that path.
“You are asking a question of what is our take between us as a Government and the Church, it has always been like that . . . you know, the Church and the Government have always worked together from time immemorial,” he said. “It doesn’t matter which denomination it is, but we have always worked with the Church. They look after the spiritual side of the human being, we look after the social side of things, so we work together.
“We always complement each other, and we are going to continue to complement each other.”
Through the tour of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Open House Temple, Acting President Mohadi wanted to get an appreciation of the United States-headquartered church.
He added that the centre of worship in church organisations has always been Jesus Christ, even though there are different churches in the country and beyond.
In Zimbabwe, the church was first introduced through missionaries during the colonial era until the emergence of indigenous church organisations.
“We all converge there, regardless of what denomination you come from, the Lord is always one,” he said.
Commenting on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Open House Temple in Highlands, the Acting President said he had been impressed by the structure.
He added that, being a Christian himself, he will also find time to visit the Open House Temple again.
“Well, this is a magnificent place and a wonderful place to be, you know, even if you are not a Christian, I don’t know whether you are a Christian (referring to the reporter), but I am, myself.
“But you really feel that you are closer to the Almighty, closer to the Creator (when you are here), and it is a wonderful place to be.
“I think if time allows, I will come here more often and meditate, pray to the Almighty, and see what is possible, what we can possibly do together,” said Acting President Mohadi.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Authority Seventy Erich Kopischke said the construction of the Open House Temple would lessen the burden on the one in Johannesburg, South Africa, as worshippers from Zimbabwe had to travel there on occasion for worship.
“. . . normally, the saints in the past, from Harare and (the rest of) Zimbabwe, they had to go to Johannesburg, that was the closest temple, but now, we have a House of the Lord here in Harare, and the members of the church, and also foreigners, they can come here to the temple grounds, and they can pray, and they can make sacred promises,” he said.
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