The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Portugal refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Portugal. As of 2022, the LDS Church reported 46,849 members in 60 congregations in Portugal,[1] making it the third largest body of LDS Church members in Europe behind the United Kingdom and Spain. In 2019, Portugal had the most LDS Church members per capita in Europe.[4] Nearly all members are native Portuguese or permanent immigrants from former Portuguese territories.[citation needed]
 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Portugal | |
|---|---|
 (Logo in Portuguese) | |
 A meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Póvoa de Varzim | |
| Area | Europe North |
| Members | 46,849 (2022)[1] |
| Stakes | 7 |
| Districts | 1 |
| Wards | 39 |
| Branches | 21 |
| Total Congregations[2] | 60 |
| Missions | 1 |
| Temples | 1 |
| Family History Centers | 24[3] |
History edit
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1975 | 91 |
| 1979 | 2,098 |
| 1989* | 23,000 |
| 1999 | 35,248 |
| 2009 | 38,188 |
| 2019 | 45,576 |
| 2022 | 46,849 |
| *Membership was published as an estimate. Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Portugal[1] | |
The first meetings of the LDS Church in Portugal were among members of U.S. armed forces stationed in the country in early 1970. In April 1974, the mostly peaceful Carnation Revolution brought an end to decades of authoritarian rule that had formally promoted Roman Catholicism and had restricted other faiths from proselyting. Several weeks after the fall of this Estado Novo regime, church president Spencer W. Kimball visited Portugal and received confirmation that the LDS Church would be recognized and that the missionaries could start preaching in the country.
In November 1974, William Grant Bangerter of the Quorum of the Seventy came to Lisbon to preside over the newly created Portugal Lisbon Mission. Four Portuguese-speaking missionaries were transferred to the new mission from Brazil. The first official meetings of the LDS Church were held at the home of a member of the Canadian embassy who lived in Portugal.
By July 1975, there were already about 100 Portuguese Latter-day Saints, and by July 1978, membership reached 1,000. The church's growth has steadily progressed since that time; at year-end 2016, more than 38,000 Mormons live in Portugal, organized in dozens of local congregations known as wards and branches.
Relationship with the media edit
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The LDS Church uses a religious programming space provided on channel RTP 2 in conjunction with other religious denominations. This opportunity is made possible under Portugal's religious freedom laws. It consists of two programs, the seven-minute "People of Faith" and the 30-minute "Paths". A number of radio programs are also provided on station RDP in formats similar to television programming.
Stakes edit
As of February 2023, the LDS Church has 7 stakes and a district in Portugal:[5]
| Stake/District | Organized |
|---|---|
| Açores Portugal District | 28 Mar 1982 |
| Almada Portugal Stake | 28 Mar 2021 |
| Coimbra Portugal Stake | 14 Apr 2002 |
| Lisbon Portugal Stake | 10 Jun 1981 |
| Oeiras Portugal Stake | 25 Jun 1989 |
| Porto Portugal Stake | 2 Nov 1986 |
| Porto Portugal North Stake | 28 May 1989 |
| Setúbal Portugal Stake | 6 Sep 1987 |
Mission edit
- Portugal Lisbon Mission
Temples edit
The Lisbon Portugal Temple was announced on 2 October 2010 by church president Thomas S. Monson.[6] A groundbreaking service, to signify beginning of construction, was held on 5 December 2015, with Patrick Kearon, president of the church's Europe Area, presiding. The temple was dedicated on 15 September 2019 by Neil L. Andersen.[7]
 |
edit | ||
| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Dedicated: Size: |
Lisboa, Portugal 2 October 2010 by Thomas S. Monson[8] 5 December 2015 by Patrick Kearon[9] 15 September 2019 by Neil L. Andersen 23,730 sq ft (2,205 m2) on a 4.6-acre (1.9 ha) site - designed by Simão Silva, ACS Architects | ||
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Portugal", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 3 June 2023
- ^ Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches.
- ^ Portugal Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved August 18, 2022
- ^ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints membership statistics
- ^ "Lisbon Portugal Temple", churchofjesuschristtemples.org, retrieved 2021-05-10
- ^ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temples
- ^ "Elder Neil L. Andersen Dedicates Lisbon Portugal Temple: Temple is the 14th in Europe, 166th worldwide", Newsroom, LDS Church, 2019-09-15
- ^ Taylor, Scott (October 2, 2010), "President Thomas S. Monson opens conference by announcing 5 new temples", Deseret News, retrieved 11 November 2012.
- ^ "Groundbreaking Held for the First Temple in Portugal". Newsroom, United Kingdom. LDS Church. 5 December 2015.
External links edit
- LDS Newsroom - Portugal
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Official site (Portugal)
- ComeUntoChrist.org Latter-day Saints Visitor site