The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Costa Rica
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Costa Rica refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Costa Rica. The first branch was organized in 1950. As of December 31, 2022, there were 53,234 members in 78 congregations in Costa Rica.[1] History
On July 8, 1946, Costa Rica became part of the LDS Church's Mexican Mission. The first two missionaries, Robert B. Miller and David D. Lingard, arrived in Costa Rica on September 6, 1946. They presented Costa Rican president Teodoro Picado Michalski a copy of the Book of Mormon and began preaching in the country. Due to political unrest, the missionaries left the country in 1948 and 1949. Missionaries returned in 1950 and had their first public meeting on June 7, 1950, with 70 people in attendance. The church's first branch was organized on August 25, 1950 and the property for a meetinghouse was purchased in 1951.[4] On June 20, 1974, the Costa Rica Mission was started. Manual Najera Guzman was president of the San Jose Costa Rica Stake, which was created on January 20, 1977. At the time of their first meeting, one month after the stake was created, there were 3,800 members.[5] Stakes and DistrictAs of February 2023, Costa Rica had the following stakes:[6]
MissionsThe Mexico Mission was the first to send missionaries to Costa Rica. On November 16, 1952, the Central American Mission was organized. It was renamed the Central America Mission on June 10, 1970, and then the Costa Rica San Jose mission on June 20, 1974, as more missions were created in Central America. On July 1, 2015, the Costa Rica San Jose West Mission was created with the Costa Rica San Jose Mission being renamed the Costa Rica San Jose East Mission.[7]
TemplesThe San José Costa Rica Temple was dedicated on June 4, 2000 by James E. Faust.
See alsoReferences
External links
|