Latter-day Saint Life

How 3 Members Helped the Church Be Officially Recognized in DR Congo

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It all started with three.

In fact, three were required.

For The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be officially recognized in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in early 1986, law required the signatures of three Congolese members.

And three there were, present and available — Nkitabungi Mbuyi, Mucioko Banza and his wife, Régine Banza.

They became the Church’s representatives for the document to be signed by the country’s president, culminating an effort of seven years and multiple trips to Zaire by Church legal counsel Oscar W. McConkie Jr.

Story by Scott Tayler, Church News; lead image retrieved from Church News
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