Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
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Photo: Porthela Kakou
Construction of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple Nears Completion
Construction of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple grows closer to completion. The project began almost six years ago with a groundbreaking ceremony presided by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He said, "The building of this temple means that the restored kingdom of God will be established here in Abidjan and throughout the Ivory Coast until the Savior returns to the earth and that there will be covenant people here to receive Him when he returns."
Photo: Kondro Yao Théodore
First Temple Constructed in the Former French West Africa
The Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple will be the first temple constructed in the former French West Africa, a federation of eight French colonial territories that included Mauritania, Senegal, Mali (formerly French Sudan), Guinea (formerly French Guinea), Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta), Benin (formerly Dahomey), and Niger. Ivory Coast (or Côte d'Ivoire in French) regained its independence from France in 1960. The temple's primary language will be French.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Road Next to Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple Donated to Community
A new two-kilometer road that runs next to the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple was donated yesterday to the community of Cocody by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A donation ceremony was held at the Cocody Cote d’Ivoire Stake Center, adjacent to the temple. Elder Alfred Kyungu, a General Authority Seventy and counselor in the Africa West Area, said, "We give because we love the people of Cocody, and Cote d’Ivoire." Saraka Kouakou, the Temple Facility Manager, shared details of the road construction and updated attendees on the progress of the temple, which is nearing completion.
Photo: Ebick Ngoma
Construction of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple Continues
Ivorian Saints look forward to the completion of their country's first temple, the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple. The West African country, known as Côte d’Ivoire in French, was dedicated for the preaching of the gospel in 1987 when just a handful of members who had been baptized in other countries lived there. Ten years later in 1997, the first stake was organized. Today, there are 20 stakes and 12 districts.
Photo: Côte d'Ivoire Abidjan North Mission
Elder Bednar and Elder Kearon Visit the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
During a 10-day ministry to the members in Africa last month, Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stood for a photograph with their wives and other accompanying Church leaders at the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple. At the conclusion of the ministry, Elder Bednar said: "We love being here. We love these people. And we love this place." Ornamental grills have been installed over the windows of the temple, and landscaping efforts continue.
Photo: Ebick Ngoma
Installing Window Grills in the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
A column of scaffolding has been erected in front of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, providing a platform for the laborers who are installing an ornamental grill over the steeple window. Last month a grill was installed over the door that exits to the west gathering plaza. Lamp posts have been installed on the grounds, and landscaping efforts are moving forward. It is the first temple to be constructed in the Ivory Coast.
Photo: Kondro Yao Théodore
Installing Ornamental Grills at the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Ornamental grills are being installed over the windows of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, and the flowerbeds are teeming with leafy plants and trees. Construction of the temple began five years ago at groundbreaking services presided by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He said, "This house will be a blessing for the country and the members. This temple is an answer to the prayers of the Saints in Cȏte d’Ivoire."
Photo: Côte d'Ivoire Abidjan North Mission
Benches Delivered to the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Benches have been delivered to the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple and placed around the circular planter at the main entrance. The planter and flowerbeds feature a variety of vegetation that beautify the grounds. The temple, which was constructed on a half-acre plot behind the Cocody stake center, features a full basement to accommodate the square footage needed for the ordinance rooms and supporting spaces.
Photo: John Alston
Missionaries Gather for a Photo at the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Missionaries arriving last month in the Côte d'Ivoire Abidjan East Mission were taken to see the progress on the beautiful Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple. The project, which began almost 5 years ago, has entered the final months of construction. The first missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Ivory Coast arrived in 1988. Today, there are thousands of members organized into 19 stakes and 14 districts.
Photo: Ebick Ngoma
Elevating the Neighborhood Around the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
The beautiful grounds and brilliant exterior of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple is making an impact on the surrounding neighborhood. The temple is located in the affluent commune of Cocody, behind the stake center for the Cocody Côte d'Ivoire Stake. This house of the Lord, which has been under construction for over four and half years, is progressing toward completion.
Photo: Kondro Yao Théodore
Landscaping Efforts Continue at the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
A bird finds rests at the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, perched atop the outstretched trumpet of the angel Moroni statue. Far below, the temple grounds are coming to life with the addition of grass sod and leafy plants. Numerous pavers have been laid, lamp post bases have been secured, and retaining walls painted. When the temple is dedicated, it will relieve demands on the Accra Ghana Temple, which currently serves 67 stakes and 29 districts in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Togo, Benin, and Senegal.
Photo: Ebick Ngoma
Setting Sun at the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
The steeple of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple stands steadfastly over Rue I30 in the commune of Cocody while rays of the setting sun emit a golden glow across the neighborhood. Ivorian Saints are organized into 18 stakes and 15 districts. They look forward to the completion of the country's first temple, as they currently participate in temple ordinance work at the Accra Ghana Temple, located 330 miles (530 kilometers) to the east. Work continues on the building's interior and surrounding grounds.
Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Africa West Area
Elder Christofferson Tours the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
On Saturday, February 25, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with priesthood leaders in the West African nation of Cote d'Ivoire and toured the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple with his wife, Sister Katherine Christofferson. Some of the interior work that is completed or underway includes hanging drywall, installing door and windows casings, attaching crown moldings, and securing vent covers.
Photo: Kondro Yao Théodore
Landscaping Progress at the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Thick pieces of stone sit in orderly piles on a retaining wall at the west end of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple grounds. Tarps have been laid to protect the paver stones that were laid between the concrete edgings of the walkways while landscaping efforts continue. Irrigation lines are being run, more plants have been added. Construction of the temple has been underway for over 50 months.
Photo: Kondro Yao Théodore
Palm Trees Planted on the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple Grounds
Formal grounds are taking shape around the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple. Walkway pavers have been laid and curbing installed. In the garden spaces next to the temple, palm trees are taking root, and a variety of other plants are being placed in the ground. Church members in Côte d'Ivoire currently travel to the neighboring country of Ghana to participate in temple ordinances at the Accra Ghana Temple.
Photo: Kondro Yao Théodore
West Plaza of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Significant progress has been made on the west plaza of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple. Pavers have been laid in a beautiful pattern around a semicircular planter and staircase. Couples and families who have been sealed will exit through the doorway on the south where a temporary construction door is being used. The temple is one of two under construction in West Africa, the other being the Freetown Sierra Leone Temple.
Photo: Kondro Yao Theodore
Monument Sign Base for the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
On the north side of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, the concrete base for the monument sign sits along Rue I30 in line with the temple entrance. The ornamental fence and retaining wall jog in at the sign, creating a garden space for the flowers that will be planted. Construction of the temple began four years ago with a groundbreaking ceremony presided by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Photo: Ebick Ngoma
Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple Exterior Painted Off-White
Recent photographs of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple show the newly painted off-white exterior of the building. The west side can be seen through a narrow opening between the eaves of the stake center and the top of the corrugated tin construction barrier. The temple in Abidjan is the only temple to have a palladium-leafed statue of Moroni instead of the traditional gold leaf. The building has been under construction for almost four years.
Photo: Kondro Yao Théodore
North Side View of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
A recent look at the north side of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple shows the progress that is being made on the exterior. A beautiful geometric relief is visible along the tops of the walls and around the entry doorway. At the top of the doorway, an overhead panel is inscribed with the French words: Sainteté au Seigneur – La Maison du Seigneur. With the ornamental fence in place, the temporary tin barrier has been removed from the north side.
Photo: Kondro Yao Theodore
Landscaping the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple Grounds
Trees have been removed and irrigation lines installed along the south side of the Cocody stake center in preparation for new landscaping that will coordinate with the grounds of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple. The exterior walls of the services building have been plastered and are visible over the construction barrier. A small portion of the south end of the temple can also be seen just beyond the stake center.
Photo: Ebick Ngoma
Window Moldings and Panels Installed on the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Decorative moldings and panels have been installed around the windows on the west side of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple. Concrete block is still visible in the recessed areas around the window groupings, which will eventually be primed and painted in the main exterior color. Ornamental grills will be installed over the windows similar to the Yigo Guam Temple and Praia Cape Verde Temple.
Photo: Kondro Yao Théodore
West Side View of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Building materials are stacked on and around the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple to support the continued construction of the country's first temple. Cored concrete block can be seen in the foreground near the gathering plaza on the west side. Scaffolding remains around the steeple and exterior walls. Abidjan is one of the most populous French-speaking cities in Africa. There are 16 stakes and 17 districts that operate in the country.
Photo: Romain Toha
Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple Steeple Painted
The steeple of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple has changed from a dark gray to a warm cream color as progress is made on plastering and painting the exterior of the building. Ornamental lintels and moldings have been installed around the window openings while work continues on the interior and on the grounds. It is only temple currently under construction in West Africa, but plans have been announced for five more temples in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Photo: Ann Lewis | Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan East Mission
Painting the Exterior Walls of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Scaffolding is seen along the west side of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple that provides platforms for the construction workers who continue to install ornamentation and apply plaster to the exterior walls. Several wall sections that sit above the base course have been painted a light cream color. A door on the west wall provides an exit for couples who have been sealed to an outside garden area featuring a semicircular planter and steps that lead to the grounds between the temple and stake center.
Photo: Kondro Yao Théodore
Exterior Details Added to the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Recent photographs of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple reveal the subtle details that are appearing on the exterior walls. A bas-relief triangle pattern can be seen along the west face just below the roofline on the north end, and recessed stone at the corners of the tower is creating an etched effect. Windows have been installed to protect the work progressing on the interior.
Photo: Ebick Ngoma
A Tale of Two Steeples in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
The steeples of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple and Cocody Côte d'Ivoire Stake Center are captured together in a new photograph taken from the northwest corner of the Church complex. The stake center was built in 2008–2009 with a grassy field in the rear that offered just enough space to construct a temple. Construction continues on both the temple and a Church services building that claimed a portion of the parking lot.
Photo: Ann Lewis | Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan East Mission
Plastering the Exterior Walls of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Cored concrete block has been attached to the reinforced concrete exterior walls of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple over the past several months, creating recessed areas around the window openings that will later be filled with ornamental trim. Along the upper mid-section of the temple, the block is being plastered and coated to create a smooth surface. The Church services building being built next to the stake center is progressing alongside the temple.
Photo: Ebick Ngoma
Moroni Is Installed Atop the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
A uniquely colored statue of the angel Moroni was attached to the new steeple of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple today. Figures of the same angelic messenger were installed two days ago on the Richmond Virginia Temple and last month on the Pocatello Idaho Temple. On the west side of the temple, the grounds are being hardscaped, and temporary glass has been installed in the window openings to protect the work progressing on the interior.
Photo: Ebick Ngoma
Steeple Attached to the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
The Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple is preparing for its future mission, having grown a foot or two this week. The lattice-patterned steeple was hoisted into place by crane and secured to the concrete tower that sits over the entrance.
Photo: Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan East Mission
Preparing for Landscaping Around the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
An excavator has dug a sizable hole on the west side of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, as crews prepare for the hard landscaping and supporting utilities that will be installed around the building. A base molding has been installed around the exterior of the temple as interior work moves forward. The concrete structure for the services building has been completed, and rough interior work has begun on some units.