Difference between revisions of "Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Temple"

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Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world were delighted when President Thomas S. Monson announced plans for the Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple at the opening session of the 181st Semiannual General Conference of the Church. Kinshasa, the country’s capital and largest city, will house the first Mormon temple built in the nation and in Central Africa. The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Temple will be the fourth Mormon temple built on the African continent. The other three temples in Africa are in Johannesburg, South Africa (dedicated in 1985); Accra, Ghana (2004); and Aba, Nigeria (2005). The Durban South Africa Temple and Abidjan Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) Temple have been announced.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has experienced rapid membership growth since the first stake of the Church in Kinshasa was created in 1996. There are currently 9 stakes in the combined conurbation of Kinshasa-Brazzaville with a total of 15 stakes and 4 districts in the countries of Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo. Congolese members currently travel more than 2,100 miles (3,200 kilometers) to Johannesburg, South Africa, to enjoy temple worship and ordinance work. Unreliable public transportation makes the journey to the Johannesburg South Africa Temple difficult. The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple will be a tremendous blessing to over 23,000 Church members spread throughout the vast region of Central Africa.

The completed temple will contain instruction rooms, sealing rooms, a celestial room and a baptistery. In instruction rooms, Church members learn about the purpose of life and make promises to live faithfully. Marriages are performed in sealing rooms, and Latter-day Saints believe families can be sealed, or joined, not only for this life but for eternity. The celestial room symbolizes eternal life in the presence of God and Jesus Christ.

Rapid Church Growth in Africa

The construction of Mormon temples (Temples are separate from chapels, where members gather for weekly worship services) , no matter the location, is a sign of not only a Latter-day Saint community that is strong and mature, but also one that is growing. The fact that the Church in Africa has grown exponentially in the past 30 years is surprising to even those who understand the culture and complexity of this vast region of the globe - whether they are leaders and converts living and serving in Africa, or those who journey to Salt lake City, Utah to help guide the affairs of the global Church.

In 2014, more than 12,000 people were baptized and became members of the Church in Southeast Africa (about 4 percent of growth Churchwide) and 24,000 people were baptized and became members in West Africa (about 8 percent of the 296,000 converts around the globe). And in 2015, growth merited the creation of the Church’s first two stakes (groups of congregations under the direction of an ecclesiastical leader) in Mozambique. Also in 2015, the Church created 17 new stakes (each similar in size to a diocese) throughout Africa.

An understanding of historical context helps a person appreciate the rapid growth in membership that has occurred. In Africa 30 years ago, the Church had 137 separate congregations and about 22,000 members. Today, there are more than 1,600 congregations and half a million members — that’s 11 times more wards and branches and 20 times more members than in 1985.

Establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ in Kinshasa

Kinshasa’s first Mormon missionaries arrived in February 1986. Church services were organized in members’ homes until September of that year when the remodeled villa the Church purchased was ready to accommodate its 208 members. By July 1987, there were 300 members in the country, many of them young men and young families. Nine years after the Zaire Kinshasa Mission was established, the first stake (or group of local congregations) was organized. As of 2014, there were 37,909 Church members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 130 congregations, 11 Family History Centers and now a temple on the way.

Temple Site

The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple will be constructed next to the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake Center on land that has been reserved for several years. An institute and seminary building also operates on the 10-acre property. The temple will be located at Avenue de l'OUA, Commune de Ngaliema, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Ground was broken for the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple on Friday, 12 February 2016. Attendance at the ceremony was by invitation only, with the general public invited to view the proceedings live from local meetinghouses. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presided. He was joined by other leaders of the Church and in the community.

During remarks to the Latter-day Saints and members of the community, Elder Andersen commented, "This holy house will also bless the country and the people who surround it, whether or not they are members of the Church. It will be a light upon a hill, and the glory of the Lord will be upon it." He also paid tribute to the people of Africa and of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He stated, "They are a spiritual people. They trust in God and they pray to God. Our Heavenly Father loves His sons and daughters here and answers their prayers."

Attending the groundbreaking were a number of government and religious leaders and 800 Latter-day Saints. Members of the Area Presidency, Elders Carl B. Cook and Kevin S. Hamilton, and their wives attended as well as Elders Jean Claude Mabaya, Wembo Lono and Alfred Kyungu of the Seventy. There are more than 40,000 members and 145 congregations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Open House and Temple Dedication

After the temple is completed, open house dates will be announced so the public can tour the temple before it is dedicated. A date for dedication will also be announced.

External Links

• Ground Broken for First Central Africa Temple (News Release)

• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Temple (Mormon Temples)

• With Kinshasa Temple Groundbreaking, Church Growing Rapidly in Africa