| abstract
| - Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe and is commonly referred to as "the breadbasket," because of its many fertile farms. Eighty-percent of the 53 million Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians, due to Christianity being introduced into the country in AD 988. After obtaining its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine is now a democratic nation and is enjoying a resurgence of culture and language. The first Mormon missionaries arrived in the country of Ukraine in October 1990, and in June 1991 the Kiev Branch was formed. In September 1991, Elder Boyd K. Packer and Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles arrived to dedicate the land for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And finally, in October 1991, the missionary work officially began. During 1992, Mormon missionaries began preaching outside of Kiev; preaching in Donetsk, Gorlovka, and Khar'kov. In July 1993, the Ukraine Donetsk Mission was formed. With the membership of the Mormon Church growing at a steady rate the past few years, and with the dedication and faithfulness of its members, the announcement to build a Mormon temple in Kiev was announced by the First Presidency on July 20, 1998. In 2002, while on a trip to Europe to rededicate the Freiberg Germany Temple and dedicate The Hague Netherlands Temple, President Gordon B. Hinckley visited the Ukrainian Church members. He encouraged them to remain faithful, but he did not reveal the site for the temple in Kiev, which he had announced four years earlier. During the trip, President Hinckley did meet with Viktor Bondarenko, chairman of the state committee on religious affairs in Ukraine, who was assisting the Church in acquiring property for the building of the Mormon Temple. During a trip to Utah, Mr. Bondarenko indicated that securing the property for the temple had been a major complication since it required about 3 or 4 hectares (1 hectare equals 2.47 acres); but indicated that the process was being finalized. [1] At this writing (June 2006), the Kiev Ukraine Temple is in the planning and developmental stages. However, details of the interior of the temple were revealed and will include traditional Ukrainian art. By June 2007, the land issue was largely resolved, and on June 23, 2007, ground was broken for the temple. That date was chosen to coincide with President Hinckley's 97th birthday, and the temple will take two years to complete. The temple will have a similar although not exact exterior design as the Draper Utah Temple. A large central window will be visible above the front doors, reminiscent of imagery evoked by Mussorgsky's 'The Great Gate of Kiev', the final grand movement from his 'Pictures at an Exhibition'.
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