NAIROBI, Kenya — Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Nairobi Kenya Temple on Sunday, May 18, marking a historic first for East Africa. The temple is the Church’s first sacred house of worship in the region.
During the dedicatory service, Elder Soares paid tribute to the enduring faith and commitment of Church members across East Africa, many of whom had traveled long distances or waited years to access temple blessings.
“These members in Africa embrace the gospel in such a way that they make it the center of their lives,” Elder Soares said. “Having a temple in Nairobi is a moment of celebration of that covenant confidence they have in the gospel with the Lord, and a celebration of their faith.”
Elder Soares emphasized that building temples closer to the people is a reflection of divine intent. “The decision to extend temples closer to the people is a sign that God and His Beloved Son want to extend their blessings to all people. Seeing temple ordinances and covenants extended to every person who is worthy is a marvelous blessing,” he stated.
Spiritual Significance and Personal Reflection
In his remarks, Elder Soares underscored three central spiritual messages associated with the Nairobi Kenya Temple. First, he reaffirmed the divine love God has for His children, noting the temple’s establishment in a region where many nations will unite in faith. Second, he highlighted how receiving sacred ordinances brings individuals closer to Jesus Christ and strengthens their discipleship. Finally, he emphasized the temple’s role as a place of inspiration and personal revelation.
“This house promotes an environment that helps us to have a willing and continuous desire to be better,” Elder Soares said. “We feel God’s love for us. We increase in our gratitude for the Savior’s sacrifice and what we receive through the ordinances and covenants.”
He encouraged temple attendees to reflect on their covenants and remain open to receiving divine guidance. “In His house, we can listen to the voice of the Lord clearly without any barriers. We can receive insights for our lives,” he said. “Welcome to the temple, and enjoy as much as you can inside of the holy house of the Lord.”
Leadership in Attendance and Community Reactions
The dedicatory services were attended by several Church leaders, including Elder Soares’ wife, Rosana; Elder Kevin R. Duncan, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Nancy; and Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, Africa Central Area President, and his wife, Nathalie.
Greeting members at the temple doors, Elder Mutombo described the day as a miracle: “It’s a great day — a day of miracles. We have been waiting for this day. Thank you for being here.”
Local Church leaders and members expressed their joy and gratitude for the temple’s completion. Geoffrey Shikokoti, second counselor in the Mountain View Ward bishopric of the Nairobi Kenya West Stake, called it a testament to God’s timing and love.
“We are so excited to now have a new temple — and a new chapel,” he said. “What I’ve learned is that the Lord loves us and we should be patient because there are so many blessings waiting for us.”
A Regional Blessing
The Nairobi Kenya Temple will serve Latter-day Saints across a broad area, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan. The dedicatory session was conducted in English and translated into Swahili, French, and Amharic to accommodate the diverse temple district.
The dedication of the Nairobi Kenya Temple represents a significant milestone in the expansion of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across Africa and underscores the Church’s commitment to bringing sacred ordinances closer to its growing global membership.
