Open house set to begin for Kenya's first LDS Temple
NAIROBI, Kenya () — For the first time, will open its doors in Kenya. The of the Utah-based faith group will begin an open house this week.
For members of the Church in Kenya, this is something they've looked forward to for quite some time.
'The first Church members in Kenya were baptized in 1979, with two small congregations in 1981 in Nairobi and Kiboko. Soon after, Kenya's first stake was organized in 2001,' the Church said. 'Over the years, Church membership has grown fast in Kenya and other African countries. There are more than 19,200 members and three stakes in about 70 congregations.'
The Kenya Nairobi Temple, April 2025. Photo Courtesy: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
'We stand amazed to see the construction of the house of the Lord here in Nairobi, Kenya,' , President of the Africa Central Area told the Church Newsroom. 'The house of the Lord is built for worship and… sacred covenants of eternal significance. I love to see the house of the Lord in this beautiful land of Kenya and the Eastern Africa region.'
Both members and non-members alike will be allowed inside of the hallowed Latter-day Saint building before its dedication. After its dedication, which is set to take place May 18, only worthy members of the Church will be able to enter.
The Church says of the will dedicate the temple.
, former Prophet and President of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced the temple eight years ago during the April 2017 General Conference.
The public open house will start this Thursday, April 17, and will go through Saturday, May 3. Open house dates exclude Sundays as Church members attend their congregations, known as wards. The Church says all are welcome to tour the new house of the Lord during this unique opportunity.
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are referred to by members as 'Houses of the Lord,' according to the Church website. Members hold the entire property of Temples sacred, from the grounds outside to what is inside and what happens inside.
'From the very beginning, there have been sacred places upon the earth where God has communed with His children. They were designated by God and hallowed by His presence as places where He would teach and bless His children,' the Church says on its site.
The Church teaches that throughout biblical history, the Tabernacle carried around was a '' The Church also points to several additional scriptures from the and , which mention temples on several occasions.
Inside the Temple, members of the Church seek to draw closer to God by making covenants and performing 'saving' ordinances from themselves or members of their family who have passed on. These temples are typically only open to members who have a .
Members believe through the temple endowment ceremony, they can 'be endowed power from on high,' which appears in Luke 24:49.
'Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God's priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power,' , has said.
The Endowment is one of many things that can happen inside of a Latter-day Saint temple. In the LDS church, members can also baptize family who have passed away and confirm them as members of the Church if they wish to accept them in the spirit world.
Sealings for marriage and family sealings can also be performed in the temple.
'Unlike marriages that last only 'until death do you part,' temple sealings ensure that death cannot separate loved ones. For marriages to continue after death, they must be sealed in the right place and with the right authority. The right place is the temple and the right authority is the priesthood of God,' .
What occurs in the sealing is outlined in , the Church states.
The Church says that children born into a sealed temple marriage are 'children born in the covenant, thus, they are part of an eternal family, based upon their faithfulness.' Sealings are only performed in temples.
Some may ask about those children not born in the covenant, the Church teaches that they too can become part of an eternal family.
'Children who are not born in the covenant can also become part of an eternal family once their natural or adoptive parents are sealed to one another,' the Church says.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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