News Release

Family History's 3 Years Negotiations Bring Results in DRCongo

Richard Dadzie, Jean Claude Mabaya, secretary of Ministry of Interior and Thierry Mutombo at the signing of the contract in Kinshasa.

Doing this will help many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints find their ancestors, and make available these records.   Mormons believe in bringing families together and finding their ancestors is a part of that.

Wayne Van As, director of Family History for the Africa southeast area, stated, "Many of our efforts seemed to run into brick walls just when we thought we had obtained a breakthrough. The breakthrough for us came when the temple groundbreaking took place in Kinshasa.  It was as if a light was switched on, and we were able to meet with the right people who could move these efforts further."

Finally, in August of 2016, an agreement was reached with the government in DR Congo to digitize these precious records. Our family history team members in Kinshasa, Jean Claude Mabaya and Thierry Mutombo were present to have the agreement signed between the Ministry of Interior and FamilySearch, which when completed, would make available over 20 million records. The efforts of Public affairs, OGC and the guidance of the Area Presidency during this time has helped tremendously in making this a team effort, and moving the work of the Lord forward. The Lord has certainly shown that he is in control of His work, and has opened the way for His people in Africa.

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