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A groundbreaking ceremony for the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took place on March 15, 2025. Elder Denelson Silva, First Counselor in the Africa South Area Presidency, led the event alongside Elder Dwayne J. van Heerden, Area Seventy, and other local leaders.
Elder Silva reflected on the long-awaited realization of a temple in Madagascar: “35 years ago, in 1990, the idea of a temple in Madagascar was merely a dream,” he stated. “But now, on this historic day, that dream has become a reality.”
During his dedicatory prayer spoken in Malagasy, Elder Silva highlighted the dedication of local church members: “Father, many of Thy children in this land have dreamed of this day,” he prayed. He emphasized their efforts to live according to their faith and asked for blessings on those involved in constructing the temple and the surrounding community.
Toky Harilanto Andrianarivelo, Mayor of Antehiroka, expressed optimism about the temple's impact: “The teachings shared during the meeting convinced me that it’s not just about building a church here; the temple will change the lives of the people in the Antehiroka area… I will tell the people of Antehiroka that this is a place of worship.”
Madagascar is an island nation off Africa's southeastern coast and ranks as the fourth-largest island globally. This temple marks a significant milestone as it becomes Madagascar's first temple for over 15,000 Latter-day Saints across more than 40 congregations.
The Church began its formal mission work in Madagascar with establishing the Madagascar Antananarivo Mission in 1998 and organized its first stake there two years later.
Temples hold special significance for Latter-day Saints as houses of worship distinct from regular meetinghouses. They serve primarily for sacred ceremonies such as marriages and proxy baptisms for deceased ancestors.
