The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zambia
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zambia | |
---|---|
Area | Africa South |
Members | 4,681 (2019)[1] |
Stakes | 1 |
Districts | 2 |
Wards | 7 |
Branches | 6 |
Total Congregations[2] | 13 |
Missions | 1 |
Family History Centers | 2[3] |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zambia refers to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Zambia. At year-end 1992, there were about 100 members in Zambia. In 2019, there were 4,681 members in 13 congregations.
History
Year | Membership |
---|---|
1992 | 100 |
1995* | 400 |
1999 | 711 |
2004 | 1,442 |
2009 | 2,395 |
2014 | 3,359 |
2019 | 4,681 |
*Membership was published as a rounded number. Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Zambia[1] |
The Zimbabwe Harare Mission President, Vern Marble, went to Zambia to search for a couple who had been baptized in England, which they found with assistance from a taxi driver. In April of 1992, Dean and Ruth Harrison were sent to Zambia as missionaries. In July, the Church again received legal recognition. The Lusaka Branch was organized on July 14, 1992 which had a membership around 50. On August 20, 1992, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited Zambia and dedicated the country for the preaching of the gospel.[4] By year-end 1992, there were about 100 members in Zambia.
The Church seminary program was established in Zambia in 1995. By year-end 1997, membership had grown to over 500. A second Branch was organized in Lusaka, named the Libala Branch around 1997 to accommodate the increase in membership. The first Church building was dedicated in Lusaka in 1998.
Branches of the Church were organized in three major cities in the Zambian Copperbelt, in Luanshya on October 27, 2002 and then in Kitwe and N'Dola on December 1, 2002 which were organized into a district in 2005.[5] The Lusaka Zambia District was organized, with 5 branches, on 16 February 2003 which became a stake on March 15, 2015.[6]
In 2009, the Church's Perpetual Education Fund was brought to Zambia for the first time. The purpose of this funds is to assist youth in developing areas in effort to move them out of the cycle of poverty. Zambia became the 43rd country to offer the Perpetual Education Fund.[7]
In 2016, Goma Radio Station, in Luanshya allocated 2 days per week where Church leaders and public affairs representatives spoke on two topics: Self reliance on Tuesdays and For the Strength of the Youth on Thursdays.[8]
Stake and Districts
As of October 2022, the following stake and districts were located in Zambia:[9]
Lusaka Zambia Stake
- Chainama Ward
- Kasupe Branch
- Libala Ward
- Lilanda Ward
- Lusaka Ward
- Matero Ward
- Munali Ward
Kitwe Zambia District
- Kawama Branch
- Kitwe Branch
Ndola Zambia District
- Chifubu Branch
- Luanshya Branch
- Masala Branch
- Ndola Branch
- Roan Branch
- Twapia Branch
Other Congregations
The Zambia Lusaka Mission Branch serves individuals and members not in proximity to a meetinghouse, and is not part of a stake or district.
Congregations not within a stake are named branches, regardless of size.
Mission
Zambia was administered by Zimbabwe Harare Mission when proselyting begun in 1991. The Zambia Lusaka Mission was organized on July 1, 2011. The mission also includes Malawi.[10]
Temples
As of June 2021, Zambia was located in the Johannesburg South Africa Temple District. As of June 2021, a temple in Harare Zimbabwe is under construction which is considerably closer than Johannesburg.
References
- ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Zambia", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 25 June 2021
- ^ Total Congregations is the sum of wards and branches and does not include member groups which is a smaller and/or more temporary congregation of members than wards and branches.
- ^ Category:Zambia Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved 8 June 2021
- ^ "1992: Church News year in review", Church News, Deseret News, 26 Dec 1992, retrieved 26 June 2021
- ^ "Branches organized in Zambia", Church News, Deseret News, January 2, 2003, retrieved 26 June 2021
- ^ "Fireside focuses on family history", Church News, Deseret News, September 4, 2003, retrieved 26 June 2021
- ^ "Perpetual Education Fund benefits Zambia returned Mormon missionaries", Church News, Deseret News, November 4, 2009, retrieved 26 June 2021
- ^ "GOMA Radio Launches New Series On LDS Beliefs", Newsroom, LDS Church, September 28, 2016, retrieved 25 June 2021
- ^ "Classic Maps", churchofjesuschrist.org, retrieved 2021-06-08
- ^ "New boundaries announced for several missions", Church News, Deseret News, 19 Feb 2011, retrieved 26 June 2021
External links
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Africa South Area
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Visitors Site