Church Growing in Africa

Growth of the Church in Africa has continued at a strong rate for the past 30 years. At the beginning of 2016, there were 1,600 LDS congregations in Africa, with more than half a million members of the Church—that is 11 times more wards and branches and 20 times more members there than in 1985.

In 2015 the Church created 17 new stakes throughout Africa.

Leaders attribute the growth, at least in part, to the gospel focus on family. João Castenheira, a stake president in Maputo, Mozambique, says, “The members look for a church that brings them happiness, and the restored gospel of Christ brings happiness to families.”

“I really feel this is Africa’s time,” says Elder Edward Dube of the Seventy, a native of Zimbabwe. “The Lord’s hand is in the continent.”