The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belize refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Belize. The first branch was organized in Belize City in 1980. In 2022, there were 5,534 members in 12 congregations.
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belize | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Area | Central America |
| Members | 5,631 (2023)[1] |
| Districts | 2 |
| Branches | 12 |
| Family History Centers | 2[2] |
History edit
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 452 |
| 1989* | 1,300 |
| 1999 | 2,605 |
| 2009 | 3,609 |
| 2019 | 5,485 |
| 2022 | 5,534 |
| *Membership was published as a rounded number. Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Belize[1] | |
President Samuel Flores, the president of the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission and with another missionary, visited Belize on May 5, 1980 to begin formal missionary work. They were followed by 10 additional missionaries the next day. The first meeting was held on May 11. On June 1, Ernesto Alay was baptized, becoming the first convert in Belize. The Belize District was organized on April 17, 1983. Seminary and institute began in the early 1980s. Hilberto Cassanova became the first full-time missionary from Belize, serving from 1987 to 1989. In 1987, Meetinghouses were dedicated in Orange Walk and San Ignacio. On June 18, 1991 the Cayo Belize District was organized.[3][4]
Then Elder Russell M. Nelson dedicated Belize for missionary work on December 7, 1992 at Burrell Boom with 36 members present.[5] President Gordon B. Hinckley visited and spoke to a congregation of 1,200 at St. John´s College Gymnasium on November 13, 1997.[6]
Silbert and Jennifer Gordon were the first Senior Couple to serve a full-time mission when they left on their mission on May 15, 2017.[7] In March 2018, Elder Quentin L. Cook visited Belize.[8]
Humanitarian Efforts edit
In 2002, the Church donated wheelchairs to Belize.[9] Latter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of the church, has provided Hospitals and clinics, and disaster relief among other supplies and services.[10][11][12] In 2021, Latter-day Saint Charities provided a $20 million donation to UNICEF to provide vaccines to Belize and other countries.[13]
Districts and Congregations edit
Orange = District Center and Meetinghouse
Purple = meetinghouse
(FHC) = Family History Center
As of February 2023, Belize had the following districts and congregations:[14]
Belize City District
- Belize City Branch
- Cinderella Branch (Spanish)
- Corozal Branch
- Orange Walk Branch
- San Pedro Branch[15]
Cayo Belize District
- Belmopan Branch
- Bullet Tree Falls Branch
- Dangriga Branch
- Maya Mopan Branch
- San Ignacio Branch
- Santa Elena Branch
- Succotz Branch
Congregations in a district are called branches, regardless of size.
Missions edit
Belize was part of the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission when formal missionary work began. On 1 July 1990, the newly created Honduras San Pedro Sula Mission administered Belize. In 1993, Belize was briefly assigned to the Guatemala Guatemala City North Mission before being returned to the Honduras San Pedro Sula Mission.[4] In 2008, Belize was assigned to the El Salvador San Salvador West Mission/Belize Mission.[1]
Temples edit
There are no temples in Belize. Belize is currently located within the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple District.[16]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Belize", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 29 May 2023
- ^ Category:Belize Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved August 18, 2022
- ^ "Desarrollo de la Iglesia en Belice (Development of the Church in Belize)", LDS Church Central America Area, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ a b "Church Almanac: Country Information: Belize", Church News, Deseret News, January 28, 2010, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ Gardner, Marvin K. (December 19, 1992), "Tiny nation of Belize is dedicated", Church News, Deseret News, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ Hartfirst=John L. (November 22, 1997), "Mexico's president welcomes prophet", Church News, Deseret News, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ First senior full-time missionaries from Belize called, LDS Newsroom, February 5, 2018, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ Prescott, Marianne Holman; Weaver, Sarah Jane (March 30, 2018), "Elder Cook: 'The great and spacious building isn't as dominant in Central America'", Church News, Deseret News, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ "Hundreds more wheelchairs distributed", Church News, Deseret News, July 28, 2014, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ "Latter-day Saint Charities - Where we work", Latter-day Saint Charities, retrieved October 14, 2021
- ^ Tech. Sgt. Heather Redman (July 28, 2014), "12 AF medics depart Belize after training", 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ J7/9 Public Private Cooperation at U.S. Southern Command, Facebook, June 26, 2017, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ COVID-19 Vaccines Administered in Belize: World Immunization Week celebrated in April, LDS Newsroom, April 26, 2021, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ "Classic Maps", churchofjesuschrist.org, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ Grand Opening: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, San Pedro Sun, February 17, 2014, retrieved November 15, 2021
- ^ "Guatemala City Guatemala Temple District", churchofjesuschristtemples.org, retrieved November 15, 2021
External links edit
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Central American Area - Official Site (Spanish)
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Newsroom (Belize)
- ComeUntoChrist.org Latter-day Saints Visitor site