The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo refers to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As of 2019, the LDS Church reported 68,871 members in 211 congregations in the DRC,[1] making it the third largest body of LDS Church members in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ghana.[3] Currently, the DRC ranks as having the 16th highest LDS growth rate among countries of the world, with an annual growth rate of 13 percent.[4]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
AreaAfrica Central
Membership68,871 (2019)[1]
Stakes23
Districts1
Wards178
Branches33
Total Congregations211
Missions4
Temples1 Operating,
2 Announced
Family History Centers24[2]

History
Membership in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
YearMembership
1988*400
1989*1,400
1995*5,300
19998,197
200414,991
200920,883
201442,689
201968,871
*Membership was published as a rounded number.
Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Democratic Republic of the Congo[1]

The LDS Church was first recognized in Zaire in 1986. That year the first missionaries began preaching in Kinshasa. The establishment of the church was aided by the Banza family, who had joined the church while studying at a university in Geneva, Switzerland. The third petitioner to establish the church that year was Nkitabungi Mbuyi, who had joined while studying in Belgium and subsequently served as a missionary for the church in England before his return to Zaire.[5] The church has grown quickly since then, with the first stake being organised in 1996.

Since establishing itself in the country, the LDS Church has played a large role in providing humanitarian aid services in the nation. This has involved installing clean water distribution systems in areas where sanitation and water are low.[6]

In 2011, it was reported that the church had reached a total of 100 congregations in the DRC.[7]

By late 2019, the church had 22 stakes and one district as well as several branches directly under missions in the DRC.

Missions
  • Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa East
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa West[8]
  • Democratic Republic of Congo Lubumbashi
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi

Temples
Temples in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Red = Operating
Blue = Under Construction
Yellow = announced
Black = Closed for Renovations

On October 1, 2011 the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple was announced by church president Thomas S. Monson. On February 12, 2016 ground was broken for the temple in a ceremony conducted by Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The temple was dedicated by Dale G. Renlund on April 14, 2019.[9] On April 5, 2020, the Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple was announced by church president Russell M. Nelson, with another to be built in Kananga announced on October 3, 2021.
Location:
Announced:
Groundbreaking:
Dedicated:
Size:		 Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
1 October 2011 by Thomas S. Monson[10][11]
12 February 2016 by Neil L. Andersen
14 April 2019 by Dale G. Renlund
12,000 sq ft (1,100 m2) on a 5-acre (2.0 ha) site
Location:
Announced:		 Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
5 April 2020 by Russell M. Nelson[12]
Location:
Announced:		 Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo
3 October 2021 by Russell M. Nelson[13][14]

See also

References
  1. "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: the Democratic Republic of the Congo", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 1 July 2021
  2. Category:the Democratic Republic of the Congo Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved 8 June 2021
  3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints membership statistics
  4. Africa, Caribbean Lead the way in LDS Growth [sic]
  5. talk by Dale Renlund on the history of the LDS Church in the DRC given at the October 2019 general conference
  6. "Church Helps Bring Water to African Communities". Luputa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Mormon Life: Global Snapshots. 17 April 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  7. "Growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church): Church Growth News". 10 April 2011.
  8. Cumorah.com International Atlas
  9. article on Kinshasa Temple dedication
  10. Walker, Joseph (1 October 2011). "LDS general conference opens with the announcement of six new Mormon temples". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved 19 April 2022..
  11. "Mormon church president announces plans for new temples in Utah, Wyoming, Colombia, Africa". Washington Post. AP. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011..
  12. "Prophet Announces Eight New Temples at General Conference: The Church will build its first temple in the Middle East", Newsroom, LDS Church, 5 April 2020
  13. "13 new temple locations announced by President Nelson as conference closes", Church News, Deseret News, 3 Oct 2021
  14. "At the October 2021 General Conference, the Prophet Says the Church Will Build 13 More Temples", Newsroom, LDS Church, 3 Oct 2021
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