Great news for everyone in Zimbabwe! The exciting announcement of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple came during the 186th Annual General Conference on April 3, 2016, and was made by the beloved Prophet Thomas S. Monson. This marked the beginning of something truly special for the community!
On December 12, 2020, a memorable groundbreaking ceremony took place, led by Elder Edward Dube, a proud native of Zimbabwe and 1st Counselor in the African South Area Presidency. His uplifting words, “As we watch the rising of this building from the ground up, may we also turn our hearts upward to Thee and Thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ,” really captured the hope and excitement of the day. We were also honored by the presence of President Mnangagwa, patrons praised the Church’s invaluable contributions to the nation, emphasizing how important this Temple is to everyone. At the groundbreaking ceremony was President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, was also in attendance. President Mnangagwa praised the Church in his remarks, saying, “The contribution of the Church to national development and social well being of the citizenry cannot be overemphasized.”
Big news is coming in January! The Harare Zimbabwe Temple will open its doors for a Public Open House from January 22 to February 7, 2026, and everyone is invited to come and explore this incredible new place of Temple Work. Located at 65 Enterprise Road, Highlands, Harare, this beautiful temple spans 6.7 acres and showcases stunning architectural design. Standing tall at 103 feet 4 inches, it features a single attached end spire, although it doesn’t have the gold-leafed Angel Moroni. Inside, there are two Instruction Rooms, two Sealing Rooms, and one baptistry, all combining to create a spacious 17,247 square feet of sacred space.
The artistic rendering of the temple was shared on October 1, 2020, and its construction is warmly welcomed, especially since it will save so many faithful members the long 13-hour trip to the Johannesburg South African Temple. This temple will be the very first in beautiful Zimbabwe and the eighth in Africa, making it a monumental step forward for the local community, which is home to around 26,000 members, six stakes, and two districts.
A special moment happened on April 17, 2018, when Prophet Russell M. Nelson visited the temple site during a tour, filling everyone with even more excitement about this wonderful Temple. The Harare Zimbabwe Temple is not just a building; it’s a warm and inviting space for the Saints to come together, share their faith, and build lasting friendships. We can’t wait to see this amazing temple come to life and bring joy to our community!