Attendees wait for the Harare Zimbabwe Temple dedication on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News
As Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles prepared to dedicate the Harare Zimbabwe Temple on Sunday, March 1, he was mindful of his late father-in-law’s service three decades earlier across Africa, including in Zimbabwe.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, left, greets President Panganayi Chitiyo, president of the Harare Zimbabwe Stake, prior to the Harare Zimbabwe Temple dedication on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News
Elder Richard P. Lindsay—father of Sister Susan Gong, wife of Elder Gong—served as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ first area president in Africa, accompanied by his wife, Sister Marian B. Lindsay, who served faithfully with her husband. ...
Zimbabwe now has its first dedicated house of the Lord and the Church’s 214th worldwide. The southeastern African nation is part of the significant growth and strength of the Church in Africa.
Sister Mutariswa and Sister Paradzai attend the Harare Zimbabwe Temple dedication on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News
Now blessed by the availability and proximity of the new house of the Lord, the temple district includes 13 stakes and two districts in Zimbabwe, six stakes and one district in Mozambique, two stakes and one district in Malawi, and one stake and one district in Zambia.
“And we are only beginning,” Elder Gong said. “The Lord and the faithful members are hastening His work in this beautiful part of His vineyard.”
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Young attendees pose after the Harare Zimbabwe Temple dedication on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News
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Attendees wait for the Harare Zimbabwe Temple dedication on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News
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Wellington and Judith Mubaiwa are on the Harare Zimbabwe Temple grounds on the day of the temple's dedication on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News
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Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, talk with media specialists from the Africa South Area on the Harare Zimbabwe Temple grounds on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jeffrey D. Allred for the Deseret News
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Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles greets Shasha Garikayi in the chapel of a stake center on the grounds of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple prior to the temple's dedication on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News
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Young attendees pose after the Harare Zimbabwe Temple dedication on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News
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Visit the Church News to read more about the dedicatory session and the Church in Zimbabwe.
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