Members of the Church of Jesus Christ in Mbuji-Mayi Rejoice in Temple Announcement

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, rejoiced when Church President Russell M. Nelson announced on October 1, 2023 plans to construct a new temple in their city. Currently, the nearest temple for members in Mbuji-Mayi is in Kinshasa, a distance of about 1,000 km and accessible only by air.

“The temple is a place of revelation,” testified President Nelson. “There you are shown how to progress toward a celestial life. There you are drawn closer to the Savior and given greater access to His power.”

Several members of Mbuji-Mayi expressed their joy after hearing President Nelson's announcement.

• Brother Moïse Tshiteya, Tshikila Ward: “This announcement brought me great joy. I jumped when I heard the news! I know it is a great blessing for our province, for our country, and for Mbuji-Mayi. It is the house of God that will come to us.”

• Sister Eunisse Muanza, Diulu 2 Ward: “I was so happy I didn’t even know what to say. Often, we have trouble traveling to the temple [because of the distance]. When we heard this news, we were all very happy.”

• Sister Hélène Mukajimuenyi, Diulu 2 Ward: “I am very happy that we are building the holy temple in Mbuji-Mayi because we cannot buy plane tickets to go regularly to the holy temple in Kinshasa. The temple is truly the house of God.”

• Sister Dorcas Meta, Diulu 2 Ward: “I am happy with the announcement of the holy temple for Mbuji-Mayi. Because we were learning at a distance, and we were so tired of going there that we decided to pray only here.”

• Sister Bijoux Ndaya, Mbuji-Mayi Stake: “This is something I have wanted for a long time. Personally, the temple is quite important because in the temple we make important covenants.”

• Brother Felicien Ntumba, Mbuji-Mayi Stake: “In the temple we make covenants with God. These will allow us to get closer to his Son and also to stay on the covenant path.”

• Brother Salem Kankonda, Diulu 1 Ward: “I feel joy. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us, and that the temple will be a great blessing for the city of Mbuji-Mayi and for those who make covenants with our Heavenly Father.”

• Brother Idriss Kalonji, Muya Ward: “It really gave me great joy to hear this news from the prophet. The temple is first and foremost a place to make covenants and to learn our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness.”

• Brother Vincent Ntumbabu, Masanka Ward: “We have worked a lot for this temple here in Mbuji-Mayi. Our Heavenly Father judged our worthiness so that we could have a temple here. We will do our best to be worthy to enter the temple so we can make covenants.”

• Brother Freddy Beya, Tshikila Ward: “When I learned that the temple was to be built in Mbuji-Mayi, I was so, so happy. The temple is truly a holy place. This is going to change a lot of things here.”

For Latter-day Saints, a temple is different from other Church buildings. Temples are where Latter-day Saints receive special instruction about God and Jesus Christ. In the temple, members make eternal covenants (or promises) with God. This includes promises to keep the commandments, live the gospel of Jesus Christ, be faithful in marriage, and help care for others.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints currently has 335 temples around the world in operation, construction, or planning stages. Upon its completion, the Mbuji-Mayi Temple will be the fourth in DR Congo. The other three temples are in Kinshasa (dedicated in 2019), Lubumbashi (under construction), and Kananga (in planning stages).