Mission guide
Zimbabwe Harare West Mission
The Zimbabwe Harare Mission serves in a country known for its highland capital, rich history, and growing Church community.
- English
- Shona
Zimbabwe Harare West Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Zimbabwe Harare West Mission T-Shirt
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Zimbabwe Harare West Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Zimbabwe Harare West Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
English and Shona are spoken in the mission area. Shona is one of Zimbabwe’s main local languages and is also used in Church materials.
At a glance
- Country
- Zimbabwe
- Main city
- Harare, 1,849,600 people in the city proper (2022 census)
- Languages
- English and Shona
- Time zone
- Central Africa Time (UTC+2)
- Climate
- Subtropical highland, with a warm wet season and a cool dry winter
- Church in Zimbabwe
- 46,071 members, 11 stakes, 102 congregations
A short history of the area
Salisbury became the capital of Southern Rhodesia in 1923 and the capital of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland from 1953 to 1963. After Zimbabwe became independent on April 18, 1980, the city was renamed Harare on April 18, 1982.
The Church here
- 1925Peter and Elizabeth DuPlooy were baptized while visiting South Africa, becoming early Church members connected with Southern Rhodesia.
- Early 1930sMissionary work began in Southern Rhodesia, with missionaries visiting from South Africa.
- 1950Eight missionaries were sent to Salisbury and Bulawayo.
- February 1951The first convert was baptized.
- April 17, 1951Missionaries distributed 3,000 handbills, and a large crowd attended an introductory meeting.
- 1980Zimbabwe became an independent nation, a new mission was established in Zimbabwe, and membership was a little more than 1,000.
- 1987The Zimbabwe Harare Mission was organized from the South Africa Johannesburg Mission.
- 1991Elder James E. Faust dedicated Zimbabwe for the preaching of the gospel on October 25.
- 1999Zimbabwe’s first stake was organized in Harare on December 12.
Temples nearby
Harare Zimbabwe Temple
Dedicated March 1, 2026 · Near Harare
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- MhoroHello
- Makadii?How are you?
- NdatendaThank you
- NdapotaPlease
Foods to try
- Sadza (a thick maize-meal staple often served with relish or meat)
- Muriwo (cooked leafy greens or vegetables served as a relish)
- Nyangwa (pumpkin, often prepared as a vegetable dish)
- Kapenta (small dried fish commonly served with sadza)
Fun facts
- Harare sits about 1,483 metres above sea level, and Harare Kopje rises to about 1,540 metres.
- Mukuvisi Woodlands covers 263 hectares and is home to zebras, giraffes, eland, wildebeest, ostriches, impalas, and many birds.
- Harare’s Churchill School Pipe Band holds the world endurance piping record of 100 hours.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.