HARARE, ZIMBABWE –The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has officially opened the doors of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple to the public, marking a historic moment as the first house of the Lord in Zimbabwe. The public open house allows visitors to tour the temple, learn about its purpose, and gain insight into the beliefs and practices of Latter-day Saints before the building is dedicated and reserved for worship. For nearly four decades, members of the Church in this part of Southern Africa have made long and demanding journeys to participate in temple ordinances.
Since 1985, Latter-day Saints in Zimbabwe have travelled to Johannesburg, South Africa, often enduring a journey of approximately 24 hours by bus. The completion of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple now brings these sacred ordinances significantly closer to home. The temple will serve more than 46,000 Latter-day Saints living in Zimbabwe, as well as members from surrounding areas, easing the physical and financial burden previously associated with temple worship.
The Harare Zimbabwe Temple was announced in 2016 by then-President of the Church, Thomas S. At that time, there were 150 operating temples worldwide. Nearly ten years later, the Church has experienced substantial global growth, with 383 temples now dedicated, under construction, or announced across the world.
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Emphasising the purpose of temples, President Dallin H. Oaks said in 2024 that temple construction is central to the Church’s mission. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is constructing temples all over the world.
Their purpose is to bless the covenant children of God with temple worship and with the sacred responsibilities and powers and unique blessings of being bound to Christ they receive by covenant,” Oaks said. In addition to its religious significance, the Harare Zimbabwe Temple reflects the cultural and natural identity of its location. The building incorporates local design elements, including stained-glass windows featuring a floral motif inspired by Zimbabwe’s national flower, the flame lily.
Throughout the temple, visitors will also encounter artwork and interior designs that highlight flora native to Harare, woven into paintings and rugs. These include Aloe ballii, Yoruban bologi, African lettuce, Terracotta gazania, Aspilia mossambicensis, and Wentzel’s sugarbush, creating a visual connection between the sacred space and the surrounding environment. The opening of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple represents a major milestone for the Church in the country, symbolising faith, growth, and inclusion, while bringing long-awaited temple blessings closer to thousands of families in Zimbabwe and the region.
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