President of Zimbabwe Tours New Temple Alongside Government, Interfaith and Civic Leaders

The Harare Zimbabwe Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now open for public tours, offering an opportunity to experience this sacred space.  

The open house will be held from Thursday, January 22, through Saturday, February 7, 2026, excluding Sundays, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. 

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Many government, interfaith and civic leaders toured the temple during an open house for invited guests, who showed significant interest and appreciation for the first temple in Zimbabwe.  

On one of those tours, Elder Erich W. Kopischke, General Authority Seventy, and Elder Vaiangina Sikahema, Second Counselor in the Africa South Area Presidency, hosted the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H. E. Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Vice President Hon. K.C.D Mohadi.  

Elder Sikahema presented President Mnangagwa with a Christus statue and a portrait of the temple. During his visit, President Mnangagwa expressed a strong impression to connect with God and a desire to return to the temple. 

Following his visit, Hon. Mohadi spoke about the importance of churches and governments working together for the good of society, and how churches are an essential part of the fabric of society. 

“I felt closer to the Almighty, closer to the Creator, and it is a wonderful place to be,” said Mohadi.  

Other invited guests included ambassadors from Ghana, China, Indonesia, Portugal, Russia, the U.S. and Zambia. Also enjoying the temple open house were ministers and representatives from the Zimbabwe government, including ministries of tourism and hospitality, religious affairs, provincial affairs, local government and public works, defense, education, women affairs, and foreign affairs, as well as the National Assembly. 

A large contingency of interfaith leaders attended. One leader remarked that he was walking on holy ground. 

Members of the media showed up in large numbers. While addressing the journalists, Elder Kopischke expressed joy and excitement to have them as some of the first to see inside the temple. Two media organizations broadcast live from the gardens surrounding the temple.    

“When you walk with us through this house today, I invite you to look beyond your curiosity,” said Elder Kopischke. “Look beyond the structure, beyond the brick and mortar. Take time to reflect, ponder and … feel. Feel the light and feel the peace within the walls of this building and the surrounding grounds. In this house we come to know [Jesus Christ], who He really is, and we bind ourselves to Him through sacred covenants. We promise that we will love God with all our hearts and that we will love our neighbour.”  

Sitting alongside Elder Kopischke and speaking at the media conference was Alison Chitiyo, a 16-year-old member of the Church.  

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“The family is our greatest treasure. My family shaped who I am today. Family memories remind me that our connections are truly sacred. Knowing that families can be together forever brings me immense peace,” she said. 

Many thousands of Latter-day Saints and community members are expected to visit the temple in the coming weeks. The temple will be dedicated by Elder Gerrit W. Gong, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, on March 1, 2026, and will be open for members to worship in the temple the following week. 

Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ are different from meetinghouses or chapels where members gather for Sunday worship services. A temple is considered a house of the Lord, where the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ceremonies that unite families for eternity.