News Release

Young Women of Krugersdorp 2 Walk to the Temple

On 14 September 2013, at 5 am the Young Women and their leaders of Krugersdorp 2 Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met at the chapel to begin a 30 km walk to the Johannesburg Temple. It became more than just a walk, more than just a fund raising activity; it became a symbol of preparing to go to the Temple one day, pure and worthy to enter into sacred Temple ordinances.

It began with a discussion on how to raise funds for the annual Roodepoort Stake young women camp. As the Krugersdorp 2 Ward young women and leaders deliberated over this question an idea began to germinate. Why not combine a fund raising activity with an experience that the young women would never forget, an experience that would point them to the Lord and his Holy House. Why not walk from the Krugersdorp chapel in Krugersdorp to the Johannesburg Temple in Parktown and raise funds for every km walked. The young women and their leaders became more and more excited as they realized not only the difficulty of the task but also the symbolic nature of such a walk. It became a symbol of trying to follow in the footsteps of the pioneers who gave so very much as they crossed the plains to the Salt Lake Valley in the US.

Every 5kms or so, a brief rest was taken and some light refreshments enjoyed. Passers-by gazed rather perplexedly at this large group of around 30  people whose spirits were high as they briskly trod the pavements, chattered amongst themselves and seemed full of energy and enthusiasm. As the day wore on and the km’s ticked over, the young women began to tire. Some had blisters; sore feet and most had sore joints and limbs. The determination of the young women and their leaders was awe inspiring as they decided to not give up and even with the pain and difficulty they were experiencing, to go forward and achieve the goal. Little by little however the Temple drew closer until finally the spires of the sacred edifice were in full view of the walkers. The tired and somewhat dejected spirits of the young women soared as they realized the journey was almost over and their goal achieved. The pace quickened, their resolve steeled until finally with one last push, the destination was reached. As they stood together and mingled in the precincts of the Temple there was great joy and a quiet and an enduring understanding of what it really means to go up to the House of God.

Quotes from some of the YW

Lara Hall (17) wrote:

For me, this walk was symbolic of so much more than just reaching the temple. What made this journey something that each of us will remember for the rest of our lives was the hard work, determination and firm resolve that it took to get there. As soon as we reached our destination we immediately forget about all these difficulties and were overwhelmed with joy. I know that this joy is but a fraction of what I will experience as I receive the temple ordinances one day. 

Kiera Human (15) wrote:

For me this was hard but worth it, it taught me many things like perseverance, patience, and unity as my love and respect grew for the other members who were on this walk with me. Some struggled more than others but we all helped each other to achieve the goal. This walk was very spiritual. As I was walking I came to realise that our own lives are like this walk, difficult, strenuous with many temptations, but if we push through we can reach our goal which in this case was the temple, but in life it is the Celestial Kingdom where Heavenly Father dwells. Sometimes on the walk I felt discouraged and would be tempted to get into the car but then I would remember the commitment I made to walk the full 30 km and finish it! I cannot even begin to describe how amazing I felt when I completed my goal. I cannot even imagine how great it will be when I reach my Heavenly Father.  I would like to bear my testimony that we can all one day return to our Heavenly Father. We may go through many trials and tribulations but if we focus on the temple then we will reach exaltation. This walk has helped motivate me to stay on the straight path in order to get to the temple, and back to my Heavenly Father again. 

Cheryl Pienaar (12) wrote:

The walk was amazing, hard and very fun. Having to work for our camp money was worth the effort. The walk taught me that if I put my mind to something that I can achieve it. I almost gave up as my feet were so sore, but felt determined to complete it. The last 6 KM were extremely trying as I could hardly walk, but I kept on pushing forward. Seeing the temple spires was a huge relief, I felt so happy and excited. We had achieved our goal. 

“And many people shall go and say come ye and let us go up unto the mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (2 Nephi 12:3) 

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