Groundbreaking of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
The groundbreaking of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple was presided over by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Nov. 8, 2018. Elder Andersen dedicated the site with a prayer in French, the official language of Ivory Coast. Elder Andersen’s wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, also spoke to the congregation in French.
"Today is a sacred day, a holy day, a day that will long be remembered in the records kept in heaven and by the Saints of God here in the Ivory Coast," said Elder Andersen at the event. "... The building of this temple means that the restored kingdom of God will be established here in Abidjan and throughout the Ivory Coast until the Savior returns to the earth, and that there will be covenant people here to receive Him when He returns."
Timeline of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
The Abidjan temple was announced April 5, 2015, by President Thomas S. Monson. The groundbreaking and site dedication were held on Nov. 8, 2018, and presided over by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Architecture and Design of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Plans and renderings of the Abidjan temple call for a one-story rectangular building. Above the front of the building is a central spire with a rectangular base. Shrubs, trees and red flowers grow around the temple grounds.
Groundbreaking Photos of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
![Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, is joined by Elder Marcus B. Nash, Africa West Area President, and Ivory Coast leaders and dignitaries in breaking grounds for the construction of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple on Nov. 8, 2018.](https://www.thechurchnews.com/resizer/v2/2I63YOF4YMMCMUVL75CUP666TA.jpg?auth=23735c5cd58fd81c3b833d15baaf43d74be5ac4d3c683bfed6195d6cce8a399f&focal=0%2C0&width=740&height=435)
![Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Kathy Andersen help Primary children at the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire Temple on Nov. 8, 2018.](https://www.thechurchnews.com/resizer/v2/X2M56CBHEZ6KMW5E2U362LN2VE.jpg?auth=4f301d54279ed29a8555068d4ad2f5df9b3f9682226c811fa8e3dabdd7f829da&focal=0%2C0&width=740&height=435)
![Sisters take over the shoves in the ceremonial groundbreaking the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple on Nov. 8, 2018.](https://www.thechurchnews.com/resizer/v2/CXY32OWOQYKABAVSB77POB7BZE.jpg?auth=7746c4d8cb0323e6b10f19c06acf660da13c82fe614ad53f2b33ab6975664990&focal=0%2C0&width=740&height=435)
![Invited by Elder Neil L. Andersen to come closer to the ceremonial groundbreaking, missionaries gather at the future site of the the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple on Nov. 8, 2018.](https://www.thechurchnews.com/resizer/v2/JWMHKV2DR3I74PFVU5L5M32KWU.jpg?auth=3ae526821d344c868c3c3bba44e7c45493719c98762a8c67fda60bc4761b83d9&focal=0%2C0&width=740&height=435)