LAIE, Hawaii — The newly remodeled Laie Hawaii Temple Visitors Center reopened Jan. 21 with an open house for area Church leaders.
The center contains the recently introduced "God's Plan for His Family" exhibit, which teaches the message of the Restoration in the context of prophetic guidance for families. In this missionary-guided exhibit, visitors walk through various scenes of a family's home. There are six separate film presentations including a final theater presentation showing how Heavenly Father has revealed truth to His prophets through the ages and how the gospel has been restored in the latter days through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The center, which had been closed since June and opened to the public the day after the open house, was dedicated in December by President Gordon B. Hinckley in conjunction with the dedication of the Hale La'a Boulevard project in Laie. (Please see Dec. 18, 2005, Church News.) In his dedicatory prayer, President Hinckley blessed the improvements on the visitors center, "that increasing numbers may be attracted here and come and learn more of Thee and Thy Beloved Son and Thy great and glorious work in this the dispensation of the fullness of times."
Visitors have already been flocking to the newly opened visitors center, with more than 1,000 coming on Sunday, Jan. 23. "The response has been outstanding, beyond our expectations," said Elder Jay R. Geddes, the new visitors center director who began his service Jan. 21, along with his wife, Sister Sondra A. Geddes.
Among those present at the open house were Stephen A. Allen, managing director of the Missionary Department; President Ronald K. Hawkins of the Hawaii Honolulu Mission; Mark J. Lusvardi, director of public programs of the Missionary Department; and local priesthood leaders.
"The exhibits at this center have been raised to a higher level," Brother Allen said. "The new temple view room creates a setting where visitors can see the beautiful (Laie) Hawaii Temple while missionaries testify about the blessings of the temple for families."
Other features in the remodeled visitors center include an exhibit on the Book of Mormon featuring a 7-foot globe surrounded by copies of the Book of Mormon in more than 60 languages. In addition, a colorful display shows three Hawaiian-style houses on a beach setting, each with a display showing children's testimonies and answers to life's most important questions.
Brother Lusvardi expressed enthusiasm for a specially designed theater with an Asian garden setting. "The films were produced in China, Japan and Korea and introduce visitors to the gospel. Each film is shown in its own native language and is introduced by missionaries serving from those countries.
President Hawkins said the new Asian room "relates the gospel in a powerful and specific way that is sure to help many understand our message."
He added, "The message of the Restoration and blessings of the gospel are portrayed with such vivid clarity that all will be touched."
Speaking of the new exhibits, Brother Lusvardi said, "All of those who have contributed to this wonderful building have helped create an environment where the Lord's Spirit can touch the hearts of those who visit here."