The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ecuador

Last updated

Flag of Ecuador.svg
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ecuador
Logo de La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias.svg
(Logo in Spanish)
LDS Temple Ecuador.jpg
An LDS temple in Guayaquil, Ecuador
Area South America Northwest
Members 261,767 (2022) [1]
Stakes 42
Districts 5
Wards 263
Branches 54
Total Congregations [2] 317
Missions 6
Temples
  • 2 Operating
FamilySearch Centers 57 [3]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ecuador refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Ecuador. The first missionaries arrived on October 31, 1965. Since then, the LDS Church in Ecuador has grown to more than 250,000 members in more than 300 congregations. [1] Ecuador ranks as having the 5th most members of the LDS Church in South America and 9th worldwide [4]

Contents

History

Membership in Ecuador
YearMembership
1970*1,000
197923,332
1989*70,000
1999146,420
2009185,663
2019253,781
*Membership was published as an estimate.
Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Ecuador [1]

The first Mormon missionaries from the Andes Mission arrived in Quito, Ecuador in October 1965.

Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles believes that teaching descendants of ancient Andean Indians will serve the purpose of fulfilling God's promise to bring the Book of Mormon to the Lamanites. Over the next few years, Kimball visited Ecuador a few times for preaching gospel. The church established a strong presence in Quito, Guayaquil, and among indigenous Otavalans.

In January 1966, [5] Missionaries held the very first sacrament meeting in Guayaquil and they arrived Otavalo in March 1966. Within weeks of their arrival, printed notices were surrounded among nearby Ibarra warning the local residents to avoid Latter-day Saints and a few other proselytizing sects.

The inaugural branch meeting was held in March, attended by the missionaries and Manuel Macías Caseras in Otavalo. Within the year, the branch grew to more than 18 members.

On August 1, 1999, the Guayaquil Ecuador Temple was dedicated by church president Gordon B. Hinckley. [6] On April 3, 2016 a second temple was announced to be built in Quito.

Stakes and districts

Stake/DistrictOrganizedMissionTemple District
Ambato Ecuador Stake10 Dec 1995Ecuador Quito SouthQuito Ecuador
Babahoyo Ecuador Stake15 May 2005Ecuador Guayaquil EastGuayaquil Ecuador
Cuenca Ecuador Stake23 Nov 1997Ecuador Guayaquil SouthGuayaquil Ecuador
Durán Ecuador North Stake16 Mar 1980Ecuador Guayaquil EastGuayaquil Ecuador
Durán Ecuador South Stake31 May 1992Ecuador Guayaquil EastGuayaquil Ecuador
El Triunfo Ecuador District17 Nov 2002Ecuador Guayaquil SouthGuayaquil Ecuador
Esmeraldas Ecuador Stake22 Oct 1995Ecuador Quito WestQuito Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Alborada Stake26 Feb 2023Ecuador Guayaquil EastGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Centenario Stake18 Aug 1991Ecuador Guayaquil SouthGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador El Cisne Stake11 Feb 1996Ecuador Guayaquil WestGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador El Salado Stake4 Jun 1978Ecuador Guayaquil WestGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Fortin Stake3 Sep 2017Ecuador Guayaquil NorthGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Garcia Moreno Stake30 Apr 1989Ecuador Guayaquil WestGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Huancavilca Stake6 Dec 1992Ecuador Guayaquil SouthGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Juan Montalvo Stake18 May 2014Ecuador Guayaquil WestGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Kennedy Stake11 Feb 1996Ecuador Guayaquil EastGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador La Pradera Stake2 Sep 2007Ecuador Guayaquil SouthGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Las Orquideas Stake18 Aug 1991Ecuador Guayaquil EastGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Prosperina Stake16 Mar 1980Ecuador Guayaquil WestGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Puerto Liza Stake7 Sep 1997Ecuador Guayaquil WestGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Puerto Nuevo Stake4 Mar 1979Ecuador Guayaquil WestGuayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil Ecuador Via Daule Stake8 Jun 1997Ecuador Guayaquil NorthGuayaquil Ecuador
Libertad Ecuador Stake13 Jun 2004Ecuador Guayaquil WestGuayaquil Ecuador
Loja Ecuador District7 May 1991Ecuador Guayaquil SouthGuayaquil Ecuador
Los Chillos Ecuador Stake31 May 2009Ecuador Quito SouthQuito Ecuador
Los Chillos Ecuador San Rafael Stake3 Sep 2017Ecuador Quito SouthQuito Ecuador
Machala Ecuador Puerto Bolívar Stake23 Sep 2018Ecuador Guayaquil SouthGuayaquil Ecuador
Machala Ecuador Stake22 Mar 1992Ecuador Guayaquil SouthGuayaquil Ecuador
Manta Ecuador Stake25 Feb 1996Ecuador Guayaquil NorthGuayaquil Ecuador
Milagro Ecuador Stake5 May 1991Ecuador Guayaquil EastGuayaquil Ecuador
Otavalo Ecuador Stake6 Dec 1981Ecuador Quito NorthQuito Ecuador
Otavalo Ecuador Imbabura Stake19 Jan 1997Ecuador Quito NorthQuito Ecuador
Otavalo Ecuador Imbaya Stake9 Oct 2016Ecuador Quito NorthQuito Ecuador
Portoviejo Ecuador Stake13 Jan 1981Ecuador Guayaquil NorthGuayaquil Ecuador
Quevedo Ecuador North Stake26 Apr 1981Ecuador Guayaquil NorthGuayaquil Ecuador
Quevedo Ecuador South Stake7 Sep 1997Ecuador Guayaquil NorthGuayaquil Ecuador
Quito Ecuador Stake22 Aug 1979Ecuador Quito WestQuito Ecuador
Quito Ecuador Calderón Stake19 Apr 1998Ecuador Quito NorthQuito Ecuador
Quito Ecuador Chillogallo Stake21 May 1995Ecuador Quito WestQuito Ecuador
Quito Ecuador Colón Stake10 Jan 1981Ecuador Quito SouthQuito Ecuador
Quito Ecuador La Ofelia Stake25 Jan 1998Ecuador Quito WestQuito Ecuador
Quito Ecuador Turubamba Stake20 Oct 2013Ecuador Quito SouthQuito Ecuador
Riobamba Ecuador Stake9 Jun 1992Ecuador Quito SouthQuito Ecuador
Samborondón Ecuador Stake19 Aug 2018Ecuador Guayaquil EastGuayaquil Ecuador
Santa Rosa Ecuador Stake19 Sep 1994Ecuador Guayaquil SouthGuayaquil Ecuador
Santo Domingo Ecuador Stake3 Sep 1995Ecuador Quito WestQuito Ecuador
Ventanas Ecuador District9 Nov 1994Ecuador Guayaquil EastGuayaquil Ecuador
Vinces Ecuador District21 Oct 1992Ecuador Guayaquil NorthGuayaquil Ecuador

Missions

MissionOrganized
Ecuador Guayaquil East29 Jun 2020
Ecuador Guayaquil North1 Jul 1991
Ecuador Guayaquil South1 Jul 1978
Ecuador Guayaquil West1 Jul 2013
Ecuador Quito South*1 Aug 1970
Ecuador Quito North1 Jul 2013
Ecuador Quito WestJune 2024

Temples

Ecuador location map.svg
Temples in Ecuador ( edit )
  • ButtonRed.svg = Operating
  • ButtonBlue.svg = Under construction
  • ButtonYellow.svg = Announced
  • ButtonBlack.svg = Temporarily Closed
LDS Temple Ecuador.jpg
edit
Location:
Announced:
Groundbreaking:
Dedicated:
Size:
Style:
Guayaquil, Ecuador
31 March 1982 by Spencer W. Kimball
10 August 1996 by Richard G. Scott
1 August 1999 by Gordon B. Hinckley
45,000 sq ft (4,200 m2) on a 6.2-acre (2.5 ha) site
Classic modern, single-spire design - designed by Rafael Velez Calisto, Architects & Consultants and Church A&E Services
Templo de Quito (Ecuador).jpg
edit
Location:
Announced:
Groundbreaking:
Dedicated:
Size:
Quito, Ecuador
3 April 2016 by Thomas S. Monson
11 May 2019 by Enrique R. Falabella
20 November 2022 by Quentin L. Cook [7]
36,780 sq ft (3,417 m2) on a 3.96-acre (1.60 ha) site

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guayaquil Ecuador Temple</span> LDS Church temple in Guayaquil, Ecuador

The Guayaquil Ecuador Temple is the 58th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Canada</span>

Since its organization in New York in 1830, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a presence in Canada. The church's first missionaries to preach outside of the United States preached in Upper Canada; the first stake to be established outside of the U.S. was the Alberta Stake; and the Cardston Alberta Temple was the first church temple built outside of the boundaries of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Louisiana</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Louisiana refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Louisiana. The first small branch was established in 1842. It has since grown to 29,727 members in 52 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was introduced to Ghana, West Africa, in 1962. It was officially organized in 1978, following announcement of the revelation on priesthood. As of 2022, the LDS Church reported 101,924 members in 353 congregations in Ghana, making it the second largest body of LDS Church members in Africa, behind Nigeria. In 2021, Ghana ranked as having the third most LDS Church members per capita in Africa, behind Cape Verde and Sierra Leone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Missouri</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Missouri refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Missouri. The official church membership as a percentage of general population was 1.14% in 2014. According to the 2014 Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey, roughly 1% of Missourians self-identify themselves most closely with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The LDS Church is the 8th largest denomination in Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United Kingdom</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United Kingdom refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in the United Kingdom. In 2019, the United Kingdom had the second highest number of LDS Church members per capita among countries in Europe, behind Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in Brazil in 1926 with the opening of the South American Mission. Missionary work was focused on small German immigrant colonies in South Brazil. The LDS Church was forced to expand missionary work to Brazilians and Portuguese speakers when non-Portuguese languages were banned in public meetings in 1938. The Brazil Mission was opened on February 9, 1935, with Rulon S. Howells as mission president. The first Portuguese translation of the Book of Mormon was published in 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines refers to the organization and its members in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in French Polynesia</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had its first presence in French Polynesia in 1843 when the first missionaries arrived in the country. It was also the location of the first foreign-language mission of the church which was created that same year. It existed until 1852 when it was closed due to restrictions by the French government, and the missionaries left the territory. In 1892, the mission resumed with the return of the missionaries after general religious tolerance was established.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Taiwan. Having 62,222 members in 2022, Taiwan has more members of the church than any Country or Territory in the Church's Asia Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Massachusetts</span> Church in Massachusetts

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Massachusetts refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Portugal</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Portugal refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Portugal. As of 2022, the LDS Church reported 46,849 members in 60 congregations in Portugal, 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. Nearly all members are native Portuguese or permanent immigrants from former Portuguese territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Italy</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a presence in Italy since 1850.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nicaragua</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nicaragua refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Nicaragua. The first convert was baptized in 1954 and the first Nicaraguan mission opened in 1989. As of December 31, 2022, there were 101,361 members in 109 congregations in Nicaragua.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wales</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wales refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Finland</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Finland refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Finland. In 1950, there were 204 members in Finland. In December of 2022, there were 4,826 members in 29 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kiribati</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kiribati refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Kiribati. In 1976 the first branch was organized in Tarawa. As at the 2020 Census, there were 6,720 people declaring as LDS members. According to LDS church, as of year-end 2022, there were 22,210 members in 43 congregations, making it the largest body of LDS Church members in Micronesia. Kiribati also has the most LDS Church members per capita in Micronesia, and the third most members per capita of any country in the world, behind Tonga and Samoa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Indonesia</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Indonesia refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Indonesia. The first small branch was established in 1970. Since then, the LDS Church in Indonesia has grown to more than 7,500 members in 24 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mariana Islands</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mariana Islands refers to the organization and its members in the Mariana Islands. The Mariana Islands consist of two jurisdictions of the United States: the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and, at the southern end of the chain, the territory of Guam. As of December 31, 2022, the LDS Church reported 2,547 members in one stake, five congregations, one mission, and one temple in Guam. There are 906 members in a ward in the Northern Mariana Islands. There are two family history centers, one in Guam and one at the Saipan Ward building in the Northern Mariana Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Cook Islands</span> Latter Day Saints Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Cook Islands refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Cook Islands. The first regularly held Sunday meetings began in 1943. In 2022, there were 1,862 members in 5 congregations.

References