What Church Leaders and Latter-day Saints in Kinshasa Are Saying about the New Temple There
Contributed By Scott Taylor, Church News managing editor
The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple was dedicated by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 14, 2019. Latter-day Saints in the area say they feel blessed to have the new temple.
Article Highlights
- The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple is the 163rd operating temple of the Church.
- Latter-day Saints have been preparing for the Kinshasa temple for years.
- The temple is a blessing in the Kinshasa community.
Local leaders shared their thoughts following this weekend’s dedication of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple:
- “My impressions and the feelings of members in the various countries in Africa where I am assigned to go (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Central Africa, Burundi, and other neighboring countries): God has blessed us with the temple among us. We will make the covenants in our temple in French and fulfill all the ordinances necessary to save our ancestors, strengthen our family bonds, and receive the instructions of the Lord in His holy house and promise to go there as often as possible.” —Elder W. Jean-Pierre Lono, an Area Seventy for the Africa Southeast Area who resides in Kinshasa
- “In my home, I am strengthened by the presence of the temple not far from the family. My family is very happy and well-prepared to go to the temple every week. In our ward and neighborhoods, families have been very concerned about going to the temple—on Friday (two days before the temple dedication), families [flocked to] the Kinshasa Distribution Center to buy the necessary clothing to enter the temple. So joy and enthusiasm energizes our families with this beautiful temple.” —Sister Angel Lono, wife of Elder Lono
- “The Kinshasa temple will provide many members of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to have the opportunity to receive the temple ordinances in their country and language. For other countries, it will be closer and with less challenges related to travel and visas.” —Elder Eustache Ilunga, an Area Seventy for the Africa Southeast Area who resides in Kinshasa
- “What has excited me most is to have the blessing to witness for the very first time the dedication of a temple in our city and country. It is a witness of a dream becoming real.” —Sister Mamie Ilunga, wife of Elder Ilunga
- “We were blessed and spiritually nourished by a modern Apostle. In particular, I was impressed by his humility. I remember Isaiah 2:2 concerning the temple and Doctrine and Covenants 84:106–108. As Church leaders, we have to help the weak to strengthen their faith through our teaching, testifying, and inviting them to action. The members will gain a great faith through obedience to the gospel.” —President Mathieu K. Bokolo, president of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Ngaba Stake
- “During the temple preparation period, our family learned more about family history.” —Sister Astrid Madika Lubadi, wife of President Bokolo
- “The members of the Democratic Republic of the Congo actually prepared for the temple in several ways: they are worthily holding recommends for temple use, and they have done their genealogy to have many, many names to bring to the temple for ordinance work. We recognize the blessing of the Lord for giving us the temple in our land. We have prepared ourselves as a family and have also prepared many members in our stake to go regularly to the temple.” —President Mubiaya Remy Tshilombo, president of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Kimbanseke Stake
- “Indeed, we have many [non-member] friends who have visited the Kinshasa temple and want to know of its purpose and use.” —Sister Tonadio Alda Bumba, wife of President Tshilombo
