More than 25 years after the Church received legal recognition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, President Thomas S. Monson announced during general conference that a temple is to be built in the capital city of Kinshasa. In a country with a Church membership of more than 23,000, news of the temple is an answer to prayer. "Even after the meeting at which the announcements were made, when asked about it, each member of the Area Presidency would just choke up and be unable to speak for several minutes," said Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Seventy and Africa Southeast Area president. "Our reaction is not unique; the same happens with virtually everyone with whom I have spoken who will be in the new temple districts. The announcement of the Durban South Africa Temple and the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple is an answer to many, many prayers over years. I believe the Lord has revealed His direction and the Brethren have had the faith to press forward even though they know that doing so will be filled with some challenges."
For many Latter-day Saints in the area, a temple in Kinshasa means they will be able to attend the temple in this lifetime — a dream many didn't know would become a reality.