Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple Wiki

On Sunday, 5 April 2020, at the afternoon session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced that a temple will be built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.^[1]“Prophet Announces Six New Temples at October 2020 General Conference.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 4 Oct. 2020, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2020-general-conference-temples.

The Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple will be the second temple in the country, joining the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Temple.

On 10 May 2022 the official exterior rendering of the Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple was released.^[3]“Lubumbashi DRC and Ephraim Utah Temple Announcement.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 10 May 2022, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreaking-dates-set-for-temples-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-and-utah.

Elder Matthew L. Carpenter, president of the Africa Central Area, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lubumbashi temple on Aug. 20, 2022. “Whenever a temple of God is constructed,” he said, “it stands as another symbol of truth, righteousness and peace as we seek to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ.”

The Honorable Jean Louis Kalamba Ndingu — from the office of the country’s prime minister — spoke at the event on behalf of the government: “I know that the temple is truly the house of the Lord and that in all the history of humanity there is no other way for people to get closer to God other than by following what is taught in the temple. It will be a huge blessing, not only to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but also to all the people of the Congo.”

Also in attendance was Excellence Immaculee Bagabe Betete, a government leader from the Ministry of Culture, Art and Intercommunity Relations. Madame Betete said, “The temple that will be built here is very symbolic. It is a symbol of unity, symbolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit and by consequence the presence of God. My invitation to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who are Christians, is to work tirelessly to complete the temple and to make it a reality in their lives.”

With Elder Carpenter were his counselors, Elder Thierry K. Mutombo and Elder Ian S. Ardern, along with other government, community and interfaith leaders.^[5]Weaver, Sarah Jane. “Recalling Their Roots in Cache Valley, Utah, Elder Cook and Elder Stevenson Break Ground for Second Temple in the Area.” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2022/6/18/23218635/smithfield-utah-temple-groundbreaking-elder-cook-stevenson-cache-valley-roots.

A site located on Av. Kashobwe has been chosen as the location for the temple.

Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 16,700 square feet