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Astounding Africa
Positive news out of Africa about church expansion is hardly surprising nowadays, but fresh figures reflect the breadth and depth of that growth.
The Africa South Area Presidency offered a rare peek at a range of metrics, independent researcher Matt Martinich reports at ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com, in nations ranging from Botswana to Zambia.
From the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025, the area saw the following increases:
• Sacrament meeting attendance: up 21%.
• BYU-Pathway Worldwide enrollment: up 41%.
• Convert baptisms: up 13%.
• New converts attending sacrament meeting (year to date): up 26%.
• Seminary and institute enrollment: up 32%.
• Missionaries serving from the Africa South Area: up 45%.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Schoolchildren attend the open house of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple on Jan. 22, 2026.
In addition, Martinich notes, full-time missionaries have been assigned for the first time to the two-island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe, located off the coast of West Africa.
“The first convert baptisms,” he adds, “the dedication of the country for missionary work by [apostle] Ronald A. Rasband, and the organization of a member group also recently occurred [there].”
Taken together, these “impressive numbers” from Africa, Martinich says, show that “member activity rates appear to be improving … suggesting improved retention and post-baptism engagement.”
In short, more people are joining the church and sticking with it.
The latest ‘Mormon Land’ podcast: The history of garments
(Courtesy) This photo shows an "open sleeve" garment now available to faithful members.
The evolution of temple garments — from long sleeves to sleeveless — with the authors of the forthcoming book “Mormon Garments: Sacred and Secret.”
Listen to the podcast.
Around the world
• Yale University police reported this week that an intruder clad mostly in black entered a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse near the Ivy League school’s Connecticut campus and left with “white pants and white robe attire,” the New Haven Register reported.
Police did not report anything else being taken in a theft of what sounds like baptismal clothes.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Rob Gardner directs “Lamb of God,” his celebrated concert work about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
• Latter-day Saint composer Rob Gardner’s “Lamb of God” will take center stage March 30 at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.
The production about Jesus’ final days will feature a full orchestra, Tony winner Jessie Mueller, Grammy victor Joy Woods and Brigham Young University’s Concert Choir.
“Every element of this New York premiere is beyond thrilling,” Gardner said in a news release, “the iconic venue, the exceptional artists, and one of the finest choral programs in the country.”
• Latter-day Saint women will celebrate the 184th anniversary of the Relief Society in a worldwide broadcast, which can be downloaded starting March 8.
The gathering will feature messages from all three members of the Relief Society General Presidency, along with apostle Quentin Cook.
Founded on March 17, 1842, and boasting more than 7 million members, the society is one of the world’s largest women’s organizations.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Apostle David A. Bedna, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson, and Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, will speak at the the BYU Women’s Conference, April 29 through May 1, 2026, in Provo.
• The annual BYU Women’s Conference will commemorate its 50th anniversary April 29 through May 1 at the Provo campus.
The gathering will include addresses from President Camille Johnson, head of the global Relief Society; Tamara Runia, first counselor in the Young Women General Presidency; and apostle David Bednar.
• Church leaders met recently with Palau’s president, Surangel Whipps Jr., about the education and medical donations the Utah-based faith has made to the island nation in the western Pacific.
“We are grateful for all that your church does here and throughout the world,” Whipps said in a news release. “We look forward to partnering with you on several great projects.”
From The Tribune
(Photo illustration by Christopher Cherrington | The Salt Lake Tribune)
• Will former church President Russell Nelson’s campaign against the “Mormon” term last? And are more internet users now searching instead for “Latter-day Saint”?
• Minneapolis members turn to Jesus and one another amid the crackdown from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• Tribune guest columnist Natalie Brown explains why she pays a “tithe that hurts.”
(The American Standard Film Co.) Sydney (Lindsey Normington, left) and Caleb (Samuel Sylvester), Latter-day Saint newlyweds on their wedding night, are the main figures in writer-director Gregory Barnes' short film "Together Forever," premiering at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
• A former stripper and a graduate student play out a Latter-day Saint couple’s awkward wedding night in “Together Forever,” which premiered last week at the Sundance Film Festival.
• Research shows that women who attend highly sexist religious institutions report significantly worse health than women in more inclusive congregations, notes the founding director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project. Three Latter-day Saint scholars view the overall data much differently.
• A drag queen in the Queen City tells Religion News Service columnist Jana Riess he has become a better Christian since leaving the church.
(Jess Wright | jesswphotography.com via RNS) Drag queen Molly Mormen takes on the Queen City.