Church Participates in Marriage and Events Fair in Mbuji-Mayi

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On June 20–21, 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in the Mbuji-Mayi Marriage and Events Fair, an annual event dedicated to promoting family values, cultural traditions, and marriage within Congolese society.

During the event, Elder Faustin Nyembo, an Area Authority Seventy of the Church, spoke on a panel focused on family and marriage. In his presentation, he emphasized the fundamental role of marriage as a sacred institution and the basic unit of society.

Addressing the subject of bride price (dowry), Elder Nyembo noted that it holds an important place in African traditions and serves as a symbol of commitment and unity between two families. However, he encouraged participants not to reduce marriage to its financial aspect. He stressed that the value of a marriage is not determined by the amount of the bride price, but by love, mutual respect, fidelity, and the commitment of spouses to one another.

Drawing upon the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he encouraged young people to prepare for marriage with responsibility and faith, emphasizing the principles of repentance, forgiveness, prayer, compassion, hard work, and mutual respect.

Elder Nyembo also highlighted initiatives supported by the Church to strengthen marriage and family throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He recalled that several group wedding ceremonies have been organized in recent years to help many couples regularize their marital status and strengthen their family commitments.

As part of the Church’s participation, FamilySearch—an international organization supported by the Church and dedicated to preserving family history—presented its free services to the public. Visitors were introduced to genealogical research tools and learned about the importance of preserving family records and heritage for future generations.

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The Church’s presence at the Marriage and Events Fair provided an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening families, promoting moral values, and preserving family and cultural heritage.