The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana

Last updated

Flag of Ghana.svg
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ghana.jpg
Area Africa West
Members 106,888 (2023) [1]
Stakes 29
Districts 10
Wards 201
Branches 152
Total Congregations [2] 353
Missions 4
Temples 1 Operating
2 Announced
3 Total
Family History Centers 75 [3]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) was introduced to Ghana, West Africa, in 1962. It was officially organized in 1978, following announcement of the revelation on priesthood. As of 2022, the LDS Church reported 101,924 members in 353 congregations in Ghana, [1] making it the second largest body of LDS Church members in Africa, behind Nigeria. In 2021, Ghana ranked as having the third most LDS Church members per capita in Africa, behind Cape Verde and Sierra Leone. [4]

Contents

The early church

Membership in Ghana [5] [1]
YearMembership
1979400
1983826
19875,500
19908,970
199514,000
199917,278
200426,222
200940,872
201462,031
201989,135
2022101,924
*Membership was published as a rounded number.
Ghana LDS membership history Ghana LDS Membership History.PNG
Ghana LDS membership history

The following statistics are from the Church Growth Almanac: [6]

In 1962, the LDS Church came to Ghana through a convert, Raphael Abraham Frank Mensah. He published a public plea for support in his religious efforts and a woman living in England read them. The woman was not a member of the LDS Church, but sent material she received from the church's missionaries to Mensah in Ghana. [7] Upon reading the material, Mensah organized his own informal congregation in Accra. [8] He reached out to church president David O. McKay asking for more literature, missionaries, and assistance, but official church support did not come. [7] In 1964, he gave Joseph William Billy Johnson a copy of the Book of Mormon. Johnson converted and became an industrious leader. He organized branches and converted many people, despite persecution from others in his country. [9] Without any official recognition from church headquarters, leaders established a primary school called the Brigham Young Educational Institute and congregations in Cape Coast. There were unofficial visits from church members during this time, beginning with Virginia Cutler of Brigham Young University, who was also a visiting professor at the University of Ghana. She sent literature and encouraged the members to continue in the faith. Others from church headquarters that met with members were M. Neff Smart, Merrill J. Bateman, Edwin Q. "Ted" Cannon, and Lynn M. Hilton. All these visits were unofficial. [7] During Hilton's visit, he recalls members passing around a Book of Mormon that was so used, its pages were folded and dark. Members exchanged it and read for a few minutes at a time. [10] Ghana Land Registry recognized the church as legal in 1969. [7]

By 1978, Johnson led the church in Ghana. [7] He led seven congregations with somewhere between 500 and 1,000 total members. [8] That same year, church president Spencer W. Kimball announced Official Declaration 2 which extended the priesthood to all worthy male members of the church regardless of race. In gratitude, Johnson sent a letter to Kimball, explaining that God had prepared the people in Ghana, and asked him to send missionaries to the members. Four months later, on September 27, 1978, the first official missionaries were called to serve in Ghana and Nigeria. Rendell N. Mabey and Rachel Mabey were the first assigned to the area; they joined Edwin Q. Cannon and Janath R. Cannon. [7] Upon arrival, they were welcomed by excited congregation members who had been waiting many years. They fixed the registry documentation that did not coincide with church policy and resubmitted the paperwork. It was accepted and the church was established. They baptized and confirmed 125 people in a secluded part of the ocean on December 9, 1978. [11] The first to be baptized was Mensah, the second was Johnson, and the 20th was one Ebenezer Crankson whose son is Charles Vroom Crankson (who first became known when the LDS Church's Liahona Magazine published his BYU–Pathway Worldwide success story [12] ). [13] Anticipating the arrival of the missionaries, members had raised money to build new churches for worship. [14] The missionaries organized congregations and set up new leadership for them. They ordained Johnson as a priest and called him to be the first branch president, also calling Naomi Ogoe as the first Relief Society president. [7] In just four days, the missionaries had baptized 249 people and organized two branches. [14] From this point on, the congregations in Ghana were part of the official church, which is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. [7]

By the end of 1979, there were 1,723 members of the church. This rapid growth made some nervous, as there were many members, but not experienced leaders. Ghana's government was also becoming increasingly unstable. Missionaries were temporarily expelled in 1979 because of this concern. [7] A few things needed to be changed, as the membership in Ghana began without any official handbooks. These changes included removing women who were leading congregations, like Rebecca Mould, who members called "the Mormon Prophetess." Sacrament meetings that included dancing, drums, and clapping also ceased. The changes upset some Ghanaian members, who stopped going to church. New material was created as Priscilla Sampson-Davis translated the Book of Mormon and hymnbook into Fante for the church. [9]

In March 1980, the Africa West Mission was organized. Bryan A. Espenschied was the first president to serve, along with his wife, LaNore Espenschied. Emmanuel A. Kissi, who had been previously baptized in Manchester, England headed leadership in Accra, soon becoming district president. [7] The first Ghanaians to serve full-time missions were Isaac Nortey Dadzie and Leon Deguenon. [15] In 1983, David B. Haight became the church's first apostle to visit Ghana. [16] In 1985, Ghana was made into its own mission, previously headquartered in Nigeria. [6]

"The Freeze"

In the mid 1980s, Ghana was seeking political stability through their leader, Jerry J. Rawlings. He believed Ghana was too dependent on the West. An increased fear of American CIA operatives heightened tensions and caused worries about "the Mormons", as well as other foreign organizations like the Peace Corps and the International Catholic Youth Federation. [17] Local chapters of the Presbyterian church had decreased numbers of confirmations and infant baptisms, and felt the LDS Church was to blame. [7] Unease came from the affluence of the missionaries because they drove cars, and the church bought many properties. A damaging film created by former church member, Ed Decker, began showing on Ghana's public programming. His film, The God Makers , connected the religion with paganism and the occult, and was even shown at a special event for state officials. [17] Others were upset, because they perceived the church was indoctrinating members to accept their poverty and oppression instead of finding solutions within political and economic spheres. Articles from the time show anger at the missionaries, who were thought to be colonizing the country with their religion, using it as a front for interest in Ghana's natural resources. [18] Questions about the church's teachings began causing worry, particularly the idea that blacks were cursed and inferior. Some believed the 1978 announcement that allowed black male church members to hold the priesthood was just trying to erase the resentment, instead of change church policy. [19] On June 14, 1989, the LDS Church was called to stop functioning in Ghana. Other churches, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses were also stopped. The official reason given for the freeze on church activity was that, despite warnings, the church was conducting itself in a way that undermined the state of Ghana and was not conducive to public order. [7]

Amidst the discontent, church member and prominent schoolteacher, Stephen Abu, was called to step down from his position teaching at a Presbyterian middle school. When the request was not complied to, those that opposed the church began praying to God to bring death to Abu and his brother, Kissi. Police officers took control of the church meetinghouse, looking for evidence that the LDS Church was against the state of Ghana. They also seized the church-owned farmland and auctioned off their chickens. Abu was brought to trial, where he was charged with continuing to worship, despite the government asking him to cease, and having links with Americans with whom he illegally sold diamonds and gold at the Accra Airport. After a search warrant at his home, nothing of interest was found and he was released on bail. Abu was ordered to come to the police station every morning, and during one visit, was asked to pay 25,000 cedis ($76) for his freedom, leaving him with 5,000 cedis ($15) to feed his family of nine. [7] Another member, Joseph Kwamena Otoo, was thrown into prison 16 times because of his associations with the church. Otoo's head was shaven, and his home searched for material that was anti-revolutionary. Soldiers warned him that members seen going into the church building would be killed. After suffering much persecution, he was pardoned by the commanding officer. [9] Other members were imprisoned after being caught worshiping in a home. Guards asked the men to preach to them, with the intent to ridicule. They taught the officers about Joseph Smith and were let out the next morning. [17]

During this time, the church functioned very differently in Ghana. Foreign missionaries had to quickly withdraw from the country, including the acting mission president. To make it through the angry crowds, the church's name was rubbed off vehicles. Kissi was called as the acting president of the Ghana Accra Mission. Members held sacrament meetings in homes on a family basis, instead of at formal meetinghouses. While there, groups would share talks, sing, and study the scriptures. Those who had an ecclesiastical calling kept the leadership position throughout the Freeze. However, instead of members congregating, the branch presidents would visit families individually. Johnson and his wife were the only missionaries at the time. The payment of tithing ceased, as it was considered a crime. [17]

Government officials started warming up to the religion after a series of interactions with LDS Church officials who dispelled false rumors on doctrine and offered to donate some of the property they owned to the state. [17] On November 30, 1990, after a period of 18 months, the Freeze was lifted and the church was allowed to continue functioning as it had before. The government became convinced the Latter-day Saints were loyal citizens when they submitted to the laws during the Freeze. [7] Interestingly, church membership grew after the Freeze, possibly because of the increased media attention. [17]

1990–present

On April 21, 1991, the first two stakes were organized in Ghana. Boyd K. Packer organized one in Accra with Emmanuel Ohene-Opare as stake president. The other was organized by James E. Faust in Cape Coast with Kweku Prah Ghartey as president. [20] Following this, the first African mission president, Christopher N. Chukwurah, was called. [7] From 1991 to 2007, the Ghana Mission covered Sierra Leone and Liberia. [21] The church put effort into building meetinghouses to support the growing number of members. In 1992, there were four meetinghouses, and by the end of 1999 there were 229. Membership grew rapidly, with 8,970 members in 1990, up to 22,164 by 2002. In 1998, Emmanuel Ohene-Opare was the first Ghanaian to be called an Area Authority. [7] In 2002, a Missionary Training Center (MTC) was built in Tema, Ghana; this was the first MTC in Africa. [22] In 2005, Ghana grew into two missions, with a new mission based in Cape Coast also covering French-speaking Togo, Benin, Cameroon and Central African Republic. [16] The same year, the Book of Mormon was translated into Twi, the most widely spoken native language in Ghana. [6]

In 1993, church president Gordon B. Hinckley visited Ghana for the first time and announced a new temple. He visited again in 1998 to find the property upon which the temple would be built. [7] In preparation, the temple ordinances were translated and recorded into the Twi and Fante languages. Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony held on November 16, 2001, with Russell M. Nelson presiding. The vice-president of the Republic of Ghana, Aliu Mahama, was also present. Nelson also met with the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Kufuor during his visit. [7] The Accra Ghana Temple was dedicated in 2004. It is Ghana's only temple and became the church's 117th working temple. [16] As of 2019, there are four operating missions in Ghana: Accra, Accra West, Cape Coast, and Kumasi. [23]

LDS Church logo - fat.png
LDS Church logo - twi.png
Logo of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the indigenous languages of Fante (above) and Twi(below).

The LDS Church has an extensive humanitarian program in Ghana. The projects have included drilling wells, building schools, working in orphanages, and distributing wheelchairs. They have also built health clinics and provided computers. Local members have organized projects painting streets and buildings. They have donated books to local schools and aided in clean water projects. The church's Benson Institute teaches self-sufficiency skills to families. From 1986 to 2001, 142 projects were sponsored valued at 7.5 million dollars (U.S.). [6]

In 2018, the LDS Church reported having 78,065 members, along with 4 missions, 51 family history centers, and 303 congregations in Ghana. [22]

About two-thirds of heads of households in Ghana are literate in English, and English is spoken in most congregations, especially in urban areas. Despite this, the church's general conferences are translated into the Fante and Twi languages, indigenous to Ghana. [24] Certain church materials such as the Book of Mormon have also been translated into these languages. [25]

Stakes and districts

Stake/DistrictOrganizedMission
Abomosu Ghana Stake6 May 2007Ghana Accra West
Abura Ghana Stake18 Apr 2021Ghana Cape Coast
Accra Ghana Adenta Stake21 Apr 1991Ghana Accra
Accra Ghana Christiansborg Stake9 Nov 1997Ghana Accra
Accra Ghana Kaneshie Stake22 Apr 2012Ghana Accra West
Accra Ghana Kasoa Stake17 Jun 2007Ghana Accra West
Accra Ghana Laterbiokorshie Stake25 Oct 2015Ghana Accra West
Accra Ghana Madina Stake21 Jan 2018Ghana Accra
Accra Ghana Ofankor Stake8 Nov 2015Ghana Accra West
Accra Ghana Tesano Stake22 Apr 2012Ghana Accra West
Asamankese Ghana Stake30 Aug 1987Ghana Accra West
Ashaiman Ghana Stake9 Nov 2014Ghana Accra
Ashaiman Ghana Bethlehem Stake4 Jul 2021Ghana Accra
Assin Foso Ghana Stake10 Nov 1987Ghana Cape Coast
Assin Foso Ghana South Stake9 Sep 2018Ghana Cape Coast
Axim Ghana District21 Apr 2019Ghana Cape Coast
Bibiani Ghana District10 Jun 2018Ghana Kumasi
Cape Coast Ghana Stake21 Apr 1991Ghana Cape Coast
Dzodze Ghana District18 Jun 2023Ghana Accra
Ho Ghana District14 Sep 2014Ghana Accra
Koforidua Ghana Stake25 Jun 1995Ghana Accra
Kpong Ghana District29 Apr 2012Ghana Accra
Kumasi Ghana Bantama Stake12 Jun 1984Ghana Kumasi
Kumasi Ghana Dichemso Stake15 Dec 2013Ghana Kumasi
Kumasi Ghana Konongo Stake5 Jan 2014Ghana Kumasi
Kumasi Ghana Suame Stake21 Jun 2015Ghana Kumasi
Kumasi Ghana University Stake6 Nov 2016Ghana Kumasi
Mpintsin Ghana Stake20 Mar 2016Ghana Cape Coast
Obuasi Ghana District22 Dec 2013Ghana Kumasi
Sofokrom Ghana Stake3 Mar 2024Ghana Cape Coast
Sunyani Ghana District6 May 2012Ghana Kumasi
Swedru Ghana Stake12 Aug 2018Ghana Accra West
Takoradi Ghana Stake18 May 1997Ghana Cape Coast
Tamale Ghana District31 May 2015Ghana Kumasi
Tarkwa Ghana District30 Oct 2016Ghana Cape Coast
Techiman Ghana District27 Nov 2022Ghana Kumasi
Tema Ghana Stake23 Apr 2006Ghana Accra
Teshie Ghana Stake23 Apr 2017Ghana Accra
Twifu Praso Ghana District4 Aug 2013Ghana Cape Coast
Winneba Ghana Stake2 Apr 1989Ghana Accra West
Yamoransa Ghana Stake22 May 2016Ghana Cape Coast

Missions

Ghana is home to one of the church's 10 MTCs, which are facilities for training missionaries for a period between 3 and 12 weeks before they go out into the field. The Ghana MTC is one of two in Africa but serves much of Africa because of its high capacity compared to the smallest MTC in the world, located in South Africa. The Ghana MTC in Tema was the first to be built in Africa and was dedicated on May 17, 2002. [26] At that time, the Ghana MTC could accommodate only 90 missionaries. Because of rapid church growth in Africa, in August 2017, the MTC was replaced with a bigger facility that could accommodate up to 500 missionaries and is located next to the Accra Ghana Temple. [27] In addition to the MTC, Ghana has four missions within its boundaries. [28] Namely:

MissionOrganized
Ghana Accra Mission1 Jul 1985
Ghana Accra West Mission1 Jul 2013
Ghana Cape Coast Mission1 Jul 2005
Ghana Kumasi Mission30 Jun 2012

Temples

Ghana adm location map.svg
Temples in Ghana
Red = Operating
Blue = Under Construction
Yellow = announced
Black = Closed for Renovations

On January 11, 2004, the Accra Ghana Temple was dedicated by church president Gordon B. Hinckley. The intent to build the Kumasi Ghana Temple was announced on April 4, 2021, by church president Russell M. Nelson.

Ghana Mission 247.jpg
edit
Location:
Announced:
Groundbreaking:
Dedicated:
Size:
Style:
Accra, Ghana
16 February 1998 by Gordon B. Hinckley
16 November 2001 by Russell M. Nelson
11 January 2004 by Gordon B. Hinckley
17,500 sq ft (1,630 m2) on a 6-acre (2.4 ha) site
Classic modern, single-spire design - designed by ARUP
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana edit
Location:
Announced:
Size:
Kumasi, Ghana
4 April 2021 by Russell M. Nelson [29]
22,750 sq ft (2,114 m2) on a 2.08-acre (0.84 ha) site
edit
Location:
Announced:
Cape Coast, Ghana
1 October 2023 by Russell M. Nelson [30] [31]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missionary Training Center</span> Religious training centers operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Missionary Training Centers (MTC) are centers devoted to training missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The flagship MTC is located in Provo, Utah, adjacent to the campus of Brigham Young University (BYU), a private university owned and operated by the church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oaxaca Mexico Temple</span>

The Oaxaca Mexico Temple is the 74th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veracruz Mexico Temple</span>

The Veracruz Mexico Temple, located in Boca del Río in the Mexican state of Veracruz, is the 93rd operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Accra Ghana Temple</span> Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Accra Ghana Temple is the 117th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Joseph William Billy Johnson was one of the first converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana, and was one of the first stake patriarchs in the country. Prior to his baptism, he had worked for many years to spread the doctrines of the LDS Church to many of his fellow countrymen. He was baptized six months after the 1978 Revelation on Priesthood and among the first to be baptized in the church in Ghana.

Emanuel Abu Kissi is a Ghanaian medical doctor, founder of a medical clinic, and leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was originally one of only a few black Africans to have served as an area seventy in the church. He was the official head of the LDS Church in Ghana during its "freeze" in 1989–90, and has worked extensively to increase interfaith relationships in Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Utah. Utah has more church members than any other U.S. state or country. The LDS Church is also the largest denomination in Utah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Mexico</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Mexico refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in New Mexico. The first congregation of the Church in New Mexico was organized in 1895. It has since grown to 69,055 members in 137 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As of 2021, the LDS Church reported 102,862 members in 269 congregations in the DRC, making it the third largest body of LDS Church members in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ghana. Currently, the DRC ranks as having the 16th highest LDS growth rate among countries of the world, with an annual growth rate of 13 percent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Liberia</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Liberia refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Liberia. At year-end 1986, there were fewer than 100 members in Liberia. In 2022, there were 20,335 members in 67 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in Brazil in 1926 with the opening of the South American Mission. Missionary work was focused on small German immigrant colonies in South Brazil. The LDS Church was forced to expand missionary work to Brazilians and Portuguese speakers when non-Portuguese languages were banned in public meetings in 1938. The Brazil Mission was opened on February 9, 1935, with Rulon S. Howells as mission president. The first Portuguese translation of the Book of Mormon was published in 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines refers to the organization and its members in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Africa</span>

Three missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started proselyting to white English-speaking people in Cape Town in 1853. Most converts from this time emigrated to the United States. The mission was closed in 1865, but reopened in 1903.The South African government limited the amount of missionaries allowed to enter the country in 1921 and in 1955. Starting around 1930, a man had to trace his genealogy out of Africa to be eligible for the priesthood, since black people were not permitted to be ordained. In 1954 when church president David O. McKay visited South Africa, he removed the requirement for genealogical research for a man to be ordained, stipulating only that "there is no evidence of his having Negro blood in his veins".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in French Polynesia</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had its first presence in French Polynesia in 1843 when the first missionaries arrived in the country. It was also the location of the first foreign-language mission of the church which was created that same year. It existed until 1852 when it was closed due to restrictions by the French government, and the missionaries left the territory. In 1892, the mission resumed with the return of the missionaries after general religious tolerance was established.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sierra Leone</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sierra Leone refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Sierra Leone. In 2022, Sierra Leone ranked as having the third most LDS Church members per capita in Africa, behind Cape Verde and Liberia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kenya</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kenya refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Kenya. In 1981, two small congregations were created in Kenya. In 2022, there were 17,438 members in 57 congregations. On April 2, 2017, church president Thomas S. Monson announced that a temple would be built in Nairobi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Madagascar</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Madagascar refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Madagascar. In 1990, a small congregation was created in Madagascar. In 2022, there were 14,353 members in 43 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Indonesia</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Indonesia refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Indonesia. The first small branch was established in 1970. Since then, the LDS Church in Indonesia has grown to more than 7,500 members in 24 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Togo</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Togo refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Togo. A small group was formed in 1997 which developed into a branch in 1999. In 2022, there were 6,500 members in 23 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cameroon</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cameroon refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Cameroon. The first branch was organized in Yaoundé in 1992. In 2022, there were 2,721 members in 15 congregations.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Ghana", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 10 June 2023
  2. Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches.
  3. Ghana Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved August 29, 2022
  4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints membership statistics
  5. Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Ghana
  6. 1 2 3 4 Stewart, David G.; Martinich, Matthew (2013). Reaching the Nations: International Church Growth Almanac: 2014 Edition, Volume II: Asia & Africa. Henderson, Nevada: Cumorah Foundation. pp. 421–430. ISBN   9780979512124.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Kissi, Emmanuel Abu (2004). Walking in the Sand: A History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University. ISBN   0842525440.
  8. 1 2 Alford, Kenneth L.; Stewart, JeanMarie (2015). "Visions of Faith: Early Church Pioneers in Ghana". Faculty Publications. Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book: 352.
  9. 1 2 3 LeBaron, E. Dale (1990). We Are All Alike Unto God. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, Inc. pp. 1–52. ISBN   0884947386.
  10. Lynn Hilton Oral History, interviewed by Dale LeBaron, 1999, typescript, p. 5-6, The James Moyle Oral History Program, Archives, Historical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.
  11. "Ghana: Church Chronology". TheChurchofJesusChrist.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  12. Crankson, Charles Vroom (19 June 2022). "How BYU-Pathway Students got Blessed through My Efforts".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. "Ghana: Church Chronology". TheChurchofJesusChrist.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  14. 1 2 Mabey, Rendell N.; Allred, Gordon T. (1984). Brother to Brother. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft Inc. ISBN   0884945197.
  15. "Ghana: Church Chronology". ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  16. 1 2 3 Church News - Country Information:Ghana
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Haws, J.B. (2016). "The Freeze and The Thaw: The LDS Church and the State of Ghana in the 1980's". In Goodman, Michael A.; Properzi, Mauro (eds.). The Worldwide Church: Mormonism as a Global Religion. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center. pp. 21–41. ISBN   9780842529730.
  18. "Comment: The Latter Day Saints". People's Daily Graphic. Kissi Research Files, Church Archives. 8 October 1986.
  19. "The Axe Has Fallen". Weekly Spectator. 17 June 1989.
  20. "New Stake Presidencies". TheChurchNews.com. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  21. LDS Church Alamanac, 2010 Edition, p. 491-492.
  22. 1 2 "LDS Statistics and Church Facts | Total Church Membership". Mormon Newsroom. Retrieved 2018-12-11.
  23. "Ghana: Overview". ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  24. "General Conference Interpretation Fact Sheet". ChurchofJesusChrist.org. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  25. "General Conference Interpretation Fact Sheet". ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  26. "15th Anniversary of First Missionary Training Center in Africa". No. News Releases. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  27. "New Ghana Missionary Training Center Completed". No. News Release. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 7 August 2017.
  28. List of missions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  29. "Prophet Announces Twenty New Temples at April 2021 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church, 4 April 2021
  30. Where the 20 new Latter-day Saint temples will be built as Russell Nelson’s record tally continues to rise, Salt Lake Tribune, 1 October 2023
  31. "The Church of Jesus Christ Will Build 20 New Temples", Newsroom, LDS Church, 1 October 2023

Further reading