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.[4] 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.[5]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
AreaAfrica Central
Members89,136 (2021)[1]
Stakes25
Districts3
Wards216
Branches39
Total Congregations[2]255
Missions4
Temples1 Operating
1 Under Construction
1 Announced
3 Total
Family History Centers24[3]

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.[6] 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.[7][8]

In 2011, it was reported that the church had reached a total of 100 congregations in the DRC.[9]

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

Missions
Mission Organized
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kananga (announced starting in July 2023)[10] 1 Jul 2023
Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa East 28 Jun 2019
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa West 1 Jul 1987
Democratic Republic of Congo Lubumbashi 30 Jun 2010
Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi 1 Jul 2016

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.[11] 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[12][13]
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:
Groundbreaking:
Size:		 Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
5 April 2020 by Russell M. Nelson[14]
20 August 2022 by Matthew L. Carpenter
19,300 sq ft (1,790 m2) on a 2.57-acre (1.04 ha) site
Location:
Announced:		 Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo
3 October 2021 by Russell M. Nelson[15][16]

See also

References
  1. "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: the Democratic Republic of the Congo", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 1 July 2021
  2. Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches.
  3. Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved August 21, 2022
  4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints membership statistics
  5. Africa, Caribbean Lead the way in LDS Growth [sic]
  6. Renlund, Dale. "Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ". churchofjesuschrist.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  7. Collett, Howard (11 Sep 2010). "A prayer for clean water: New well brings new life to DR Congo". Church News. Deseret News. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  8. Means, Sean P. (March 12, 2020). "Review: 'Heart of Africa' offers a different view of LDS missionary life". Salt Lake Tribune.
  9. "Growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church): Church Growth News". 10 April 2011.
  10. Swenson, Madison (Nov 23, 2022), "Church Opening Six New Missions in 2023", KSL TV 5, retrieved January 13, 2023
  11. article on Kinshasa Temple dedication
  12. 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..
  13. "Mormon church president announces plans for new temples in Utah, Wyoming, Colombia, Africa". Washington Post. AP. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011..
  14. "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
  15. "13 new temple locations announced by President Nelson as conference closes", Church News, Deseret News, 3 Oct 2021
  16. "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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