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]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zimbabwe | |
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Area | Africa South |
Members | 41,262 (2023)[1] |
Stakes | 8 |
Districts | 2 |
Wards | 63 |
Branches | 37 |
Total Congregations[2] | 100 |
Missions | 2 |
Temples | 1 Under Construction |
Family History Centers | 18[3] |
History
editYear | Membership |
---|---|
1975 | 689 |
1979 | 778 |
1985* | 1,400 |
1989* | 1,600 |
1995* | 6,200 |
1999 | 8,287 |
2004 | 14,561 |
2009 | 17,241 |
2014 | 26,156 |
2019 | 34,330 |
2022 | 38,289 |
*Membership was published as a rounded number. |
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2023) |
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
editAs of October 2023, 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 |
Gweru Zimbabwe Stake | 26 Oct 2003 | Zimbabwe Bulawayo |
Harare Zimbabwe Stake | 12 Dec 1999 | 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 |
Mutare Zimbabwe Stake | 19 Mar 2000 | Zimbabwe Harare |
Nkulumane Zimbabwe Stake | 2 Jun 2013 | Zimbabwe Bulawayo |
Mission
editZimbabwe 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
editOn 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.
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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
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Zimbabwe", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 15 June 2023
- ^ Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches.
- ^ Zimbabwe Family History Centers Map, familysearch.org, retrieved 15 June 2023
- ^ Membership statistics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- ^ Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Zimbabwe
- ^ a b Hoyt, Amy, "Mormonism in Africa:A Brief Introduction to Mormonism in Africa", Claremont Graduate University, retrieved January 29, 2022
- ^ Last, First. "Pres. Hinckley to make history with tour of 5 African nations", Deseret News, 13 February 1998. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
- ^ Provo Daily Herald article on announcement of LDS Temples
- ^ "A look back at LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson's Global Ministry Tour", Provo Herald, 23 April 2018. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
- ^ Mortimer, Wm. James (2000), 1999-2000 Church Almanac, Deseret Morning News, p. 431, ISBN 1573454915
- ^ Toone, Trent (3 April 2016). "President Monson announces 4 new temples at Sunday morning session". Deseret News..
Additional reading
edit- "Zimbabwe—Land of Beauty, People of Faith", Liahona, March 2014
External links
edit- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Africa Southeast site
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Official site
- Harare Zimbabwe Temple at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org