Latter-day Saints have been living in Angola since 1985. However, many had been baptized while living for a short time in France or Portugal. After their return to Angola, they formed the nucleus of the Church there. Records indicate that some 400 members baptized in Europe from 1980 to 1996 returned to cities in Angola.
The Church was officially recognized in Angola in 1993. The first branch (a small congregation) was organized in 1996 in the capital city, Luanda. They had been meeting in the homes of priesthood holders.
Elder J. Richard Clarke of the Seventy, then president of the Africa Area, praised the members for their faith in an area burdened by civil war.
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