An open house is underway for the recently completed Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As a start to the open house events, a media day for the Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple is being held today, Monday, April 28, 2025. Invited guests will tour the temple on Tuesday, April 29, and Wednesday, April 30, 2025. A public open house will run from Thursday, May 1, through Saturday, May 17, excluding Sunday. All are welcome to attend this unique opportunity.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple in a single session on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The dedicatory session will be broadcast live to all units in the temple district.
'Without a doubt, the temple is truly the house of the Lord. This Temple is God's answer to countless prayers offered in faith by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It marks the end of long road trips to the Accra, Ghana Temple. The temple is the shining symbol of divine light and knowledge. It is a sacred place of learning, and comfort where the soul is strengthened and can find peace and joy in the Lord,' said Alfred Kyungu, President of the Africa West Area, attending the news conference.
Surrounded by several media outlets and in the ‘shadow’ of the Temple, Elder Kevin R. Duncan, General Authority Seventy and Executive Director of the Temple department for the Church, answered rigorous questions about the purpose of the Temple, the blessings for the people and the difference between temples and meeting houses worldwide.
When asked for a final message, he said, “Welcome everyone! Please come to the Temple as many of you as can make it, and as many times as you would like. We want people to see and feel the Spirit that is here.”
Former Church President Thomas S. Monson announced the establishment of the Abidjan Temple during the April 2015 General Conference.
“When I think of temples, my thoughts turn to the many blessings we receive there. As we walk through the temple doors, we leave behind the distractions and confusion of the world. Within this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and respite from the cares of our lives,” he said.
Côte d’Ivoire has experienced rapid growth in Church membership over the years. The Church was established in the country in 1987, and the first stake was formed in 1997. Today, Côte d’Ivoire has 32 stakes and districts (dioceses) and 265 congregations serving the 67,000 members living there.
Initially, many Ivorian Saints sacrificed to travel to Europe or South Africa to make temple covenants. After the dedication of the Accra Ghana Temple in 2004, the Ivorian Saints distinguished themselves through their dedication to family history and temple work. They regularly led group trips to the temple, bringing their own family names and ordinance workers.
During the open house, visitors learn more about the purpose of temples and why they are important to Latter-day Saints. Once the temple is dedicated, faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ can enter to worship, serve and perform ordinances.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consider the temple the “house of the Lord,” the most sacred place on earth. Temple services bind families forever, teach the purpose of life, and explain God’s plan of salvation. Temple attendance emphasizes personal spiritual growth and strengthens Latter-day Saints’ commitment to follow the example of Jesus Christ.