Harare Zimbabwe Temple Open House Commences
The Harare Zimbabwe Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is set to welcome the public for tours starting this week. The open house period runs from January 22 to February 7, 2026, and will not be held on Sundays. This temple holds significant importance as it will be the first of its kind in Zimbabwe.
Upcoming Events at the Harare Zimbabwe Temple
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple on March 1, 2026. This dedicatory session will be broadcast to all congregations within the Harare district, ensuring that many can participate in the event.
Media Day and Tours for Special Guests
A dedicated media day will take place on January 19, 2026. Following this, invited guests will have the opportunity to tour the temple on January 20 and 21, 2026.
Significance of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple
This new temple will serve over 46,000 Latter-day Saints in Zimbabwe and nearby regions. Prior to its construction, members in this part of Southern Africa traveled to Johannesburg for temple ordinances since 1985.
- Announcement of the Temple: President Thomas S. Monson announced the construction of the temple in 2016.
- Growth of Temples: In 2016, there were 150 temples globally. Now, nearly a decade later, this number has risen to 383.
Design Features and Cultural Elements
The Harare Zimbabwe Temple features a design that incorporates local culture. For instance, the stained-glass windows display a floral motif representing Zimbabwe’s national flower, the flame lily. Inside, paintings and rugs showcase various native plants, including:
- Aloe ballii
- Yoruban bologi
- African lettuce
- Terracotta gazania
- Aspilia mossambicensis
- Wentzel’s sugarbush
Purpose of Temples
Latter-day Saints view temples as sacred houses of worship, distinct from regular meetinghouses. Temples are dedicated to essential ordinances, such as marriages that bind families eternally and proxy baptisms for deceased individuals.
This open house marks a historic moment for the Latter-day Saints in Zimbabwe, fulfilling a long-standing need within the community for local access to temple worship.
