Photo of athletes in front of the Kinshasa Temple during a Word of Wisdom conference at the Kinshasa Stake Center, DRC. 12 July 2025
Athletes in front of the Kinshasa Temple during a Word of Wisdom conference at the Kinshasa Stake Center, DRC. July 12th, 2025© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Kinshasa, July 12, 2025 – With the stake president's approval, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in one of its buildings, hosted a remarkable event organized by the National Network of Congolese Athletes. This first-ever conference in the Democratic Republic of Congo brought together sports pioneers, martial arts masters, and youth, eager to grow physically and spiritually.
An Inspired Look at the History of Sports in the DRC
Under the theme "Analysis of Sports in the DRC Before and After Independence," participants reflected on the history of Congolese sports with gratitude and humility. This retrospective offered a chance to acknowledge the blessings received over generations and to better understand how sports can serve as an instrument of peace, discipline, and service.
The Word of Wisdom in Action
The focus of this meeting was a deep reflection on the Lord's law of health, known as the Word of Wisdom. This commandment, revealed by the Prophet Joseph Smith, encourages God's children to care for their bodies by avoiding harmful substances and pursuing a healthy, balanced, and disciplined lifestyle.
The grandmasters present, aged between 62 and 86, shared compelling testimonies about the benefits of living according to these principles. Through kata demonstrations, and personal stories of faith, they illustrated how physical strength can be maintained by following the ways of the Lord.
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Building Youth by Example
One of the key goals of this conference was to inspire youth. Young people were encouraged to follow the examples set by these men and women of faith, who blended athletic dedication with spiritual commitment. They learned that by honoring their bodies and living according to the Lord's teachings, they can achieve great things and become instruments in His hands.
A Model to spread
Inspired by this experience, the National Network of Congolese Athletes has expressed a desire to see this initiative extend to all Church regions in Kinshasa and beyond. The goal is to bless more families, teach the Word of Wisdom by example, and strengthen the faith of the youth through activities that nurture both body and spirit.
Conclusion:
This conference demonstrated that by combining our physical strength with faith in Jesus Christ, we can achieve extraordinary results. When guided by the Spirit, sports become avenues for sanctification, service, and enduring joy.