The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zimbabwe

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zimbabwe
AreaAfrica South
Members41,262 (2023)[1]
Stakes8
Districts2
Wards63
Branches37
Total Congregations[2]100
Missions2
Temples
  • 1 Under Construction
FamilySearch Centers18[3]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zimbabwe refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Zimbabwe. In 1975, there were 689 members in Zimbabwe. In 2022, there were 38,289 members in 91 congregations, in 8 stakes.[4]

History

Membership in Zimbabwe[5][1]
YearMembership
1975689
1979778
1985*1,400
1989*1,600
1995*6,200
19998,287
200414,561
200917,241
201426,156
201934,330
202238,289
*Membership was published as a rounded number.

Limited missionary contact began in Zimbabwe (what was Southern Rhodesia) in the 1930s,[6] but the first convert was not baptized until 1951. Missionary work was limited until after the church's 1978 Revelation on Priesthood which allowed blacks to hold the priesthood.[6]

Gordon B. Hinckley visited Zimbabwe and spoke to members on February 18, 1998.[7]

In April 2016 Thomas S. Monson announced the Church would build a temple in Zimbabwe.[8]

More than 4,000 people turned out to hear Russell M. Nelson speak on April 17, 2018 during his visit to Zimbabwe.[9]

Stakes and districts

As of November 2024, the following stakes and districts were located within Zimbabwe

Stake/District Organized Mission
Bindura Zimbabwe Stake 22 Apr 2012 Zimbabwe Harare
Bulawayo Zimbabwe Stake 20 Mar 2005 Zimbabwe Bulawayo
Bulawayo Zimbabwe Masiyephambili Stake 9 Jun 2024 Zimbabwe Bulawayo
Gweru Zimbabwe Stake 26 Oct 2003 Zimbabwe Bulawayo
Harare Zimbabwe Stake 12 Dec 1999 Zimbabwe Harare
Harare Zimbabwe Chitungwiza Stake 3 Nov 2024 Zimbabwe Harare
Harare Zimbabwe East Stake 4 Dec 2016 Zimbabwe Harare
Harare Zimbabwe Marimba Park Stake 8 Jun 2008 Zimbabwe Harare
Harare Zimbabwe South Stake 15 Jun 2014 Zimbabwe Harare
Kadoma Zimbabwe District 10 Dec 2017 Zimbabwe Harare
Masvingo Zimbabwe District 29 Sep 2024 Zimbabwe Bulawayo
Mutare Zimbabwe Stake 19 Mar 2000 Zimbabwe Harare
Nkulumane Zimbabwe Stake 2 Jun 2013 Zimbabwe Bulawayo

Mission

Zimbabwe was part of the South Africa Johannesburg Mission until the Zimbabwe Harare Mission was created in July 1987.[10] In 2018, the mission was split to create the Zimbabwe Bulawayo Mission.

Temples

Main article: Harare Zimbabwe Temple

On April 3, 2016 the Harare Zimbabwe Temple was announced by church president Thomas S. Monson. As of January 4, 2021, the temple was under construction. Once complete it will be dedicated and open for services.

Map
edit
Location:
Announced:
Groundbreaking:
Size: 		Harare, Zimbabwe
3 April 2016 by Thomas S. Monson[11]
12 December 2020 by Edward Dube
17,250 sq ft (1,603 m2) on a 6.7-acre (2.7 ha) site

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Zimbabwe", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 15 June 2023
  2. ^ Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches
  3. ^ Zimbabwe Family History Centers Map, familysearch.org, retrieved 15 June 2023
  4. ^ Membership statistics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  5. ^ Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Zimbabwe
  6. ^ a b Hoyt, Amy, "Mormonism in Africa:A Brief Introduction to Mormonism in Africa", Claremont Graduate University, retrieved January 29, 2022
  7. ^ Last, First. "Pres. Hinckley to make history with tour of 5 African nations", Deseret News, 13 February 1998. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  8. ^ Provo Daily Herald article on announcement of LDS Temples
  9. ^ "A look back at LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson's Global Ministry Tour", Provo Herald, 23 April 2018. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  10. ^ Mortimer, Wm. James (2000), 1999-2000 Church Almanac, Deseret Morning News, p. 431, ISBN 1573454915
  11. ^ Toone, Trent (3 April 2016). "President Monson announces 4 new temples at Sunday morning session". Deseret News..

Additional reading

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