The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zimbabwe
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zimbabwe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Area | Africa South |
| Members | 46,071 (2025)[1] |
| Stakes | 11 |
| Districts | 2 |
| Wards | 65 |
| Branches | 37 |
| Total Congregations[2] | 102 |
| Missions | 2 |
| Temples |
|
| FamilySearch Centers | 30[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 2024, there were 46,071 members in 102 congregations.[4]
History
| Year | 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 |
| 2024 | 46,071 |
| *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 2025, 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 |
| Domboshawa Zimbabwe Stake | 9 Nov 2025 | Zimbabwe Harare |
| 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
The Harare Zimbabwe Temple is currently the only temple in Zimbabwe.
|
|||
| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Dedicated: Size: |
Harare, Zimbabwe 3 April 2016 by Thomas S. Monson[11] 12 December 2020 by Edward Dube 1 March 2026 by Gerrit W. Gong[12] 17,250 sq ft (1,603 m2) on a 6.7-acre (2.7 ha) site | ||
See also
References
- ^ 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..
- ^ As verified here.
Additional reading
- "Zimbabwe—Land of Beauty, People of Faith", Liahona, March 2014
External links
- 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
