A rendering of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Harare Zimbabwe Temple site before construction.Screenshot from Church Newsroom video on YouTube
The location of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple site in the city of Harare.Screenshot from Google Maps
The Harare Zimbabwe Temple site in relation to nearby countries in Africa.Screenshot from Google Maps
Groundbreaking of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple
The groundbreaking of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple was presided over by Elder Edward Dube, first counselor in the Africa South Area presidency and a Zimbabwe native, on Dec. 12, 2020. His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, was also in attendance and spoke to the congregation.
In his remarks to those in attendance, Elder Dube said, “The Harare Zimbabwe Temple will be a beautiful and stunning building. Like every temple, it will stand not only as a manifestation of the faith of Latter-day Saints who live close by in this country and the neighboring countries of Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique, but also a manifestation of the faith of Saints all around the world.”
The Harare Zimbabwe Temple groundbreaking ceremony was held on Dec. 12, 2020, with Elder Edward Dube, first counselor in the Africa South Area presidency, presiding. The event was by invitation only to adhere to local COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.
The Harare Zimbabwe Temple was announced April 3, 2016, by Church President Thomas S. Monson. The groundbreaking and site dedication for this house of the Lord were held on Dec. 12, 2020, and presided over by Elder Edward Dube, first counselor in the Africa South Area presidency.
Architecture and Design of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple
The Harare temple will be a single-story building of approximately 17,250 square feet. According to plans and exterior renderings, the temple will have a tan-colored facade and be surrounded by rectangular windows.
Atop the temple will be a rectangular tower on a square base, with a rectangular window on each of the four sides and a white spire on top that leads up to a point. The building will stand on a site of 6.7 acres, with walkways and flower gardens decorating the grounds.
Groundbreaking Photos of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple
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His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, breaks ground for the Zimbabwe Harare Temple alongside others on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Elder Edward Dube, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Africa South Area presidency (right), and His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe (left) at the groundbreaking of the Zimbabwe Harare Temple on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Elder Edward Dube, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Africa South Area presidency, offers the Zimbabwe Harare Temple dedicatory prayer on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. He is a native of Zimbabwe, where he joined the Church as a young man. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Attendance at the groundbreaking for the Zimbabwe Harare Temple on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, was limited because of local COVID-19 restrictions. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, speaks at the groundbreaking of the Zimbabwe Harare Temple on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. “I would like to express my profound gratitude to the Church for extending an invitation to me. It is most opportune that this event comes in this month of December, where the majority of Christians from all walks of life and denominations commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,” said President Mnangagwa. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Latter-day Saint leaders turn the soil together at the groundbreaking of the Zimbabwe Harare Temple on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Additional Facts
Fact #1
This will be the first Latter-day Saint temple in Zimbabwe.
Fact #2
Zimbabwean Latter-day Saints currently wanting to attend the temple have to travel 14 hours by car to the Johannesburg South Africa Temple.
Fact #3
Three months after becoming President of the Church, President Russell M. Nelsonvisited Harare and said, “You deserve a temple here in Harare because that’s where we get the highest of all the blessings that God can give to His faithful children. I want to be here to see that happen.”
This will be the first Latter-day Saint temple in Zimbabwe.
Fact #2
Zimbabwean Latter-day Saints currently wanting to attend the temple have to travel 14 hours by car to the Johannesburg South Africa Temple.
Fact #3
Three months after becoming President of the Church, President Russell M. Nelsonvisited Harare and said, “You deserve a temple here in Harare because that’s where we get the highest of all the blessings that God can give to His faithful children. I want to be here to see that happen.”
