News Release

Church Creates Conakry Branch – First Congregation in Guinea

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints created a branch (small congregation) in Conakry – the Church’s first in the West African country of Guinea. 

 

Elder Terrence M. Vinson, West Africa Area President (the Church’s senior ecclesiastical leader in this area), organized the new branch at a meeting of Church members on June 18, 2017. As part of this organization, the Conakry Branch and the country of Guinea became part of the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission.

The creation of the Conakry Branch follows an historic visit to Guinea, Senegal and Mali by Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest presiding body in the government of the Church). Elder Bednar was the first apostle to visit Latter-day Saints in these countries. His wife, Susan Bednar, accompanied him.

“We are all brothers and sisters of a Heavenly Father who loves us,” Elder Bednar said during his visit. “Every father and mother hearing my voice want the best for their children. Heavenly Father wants the same for each of us.

“God provided a plan for us,” Elder Bednar continued. “Knowing we are His children changes everything. It gives us direction and purpose.”

Approximately eight percent of the residents of Guinea identify themselves as Christian. The official language is French.

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