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

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Flag of Panama.svg
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Panama
Templo Mormon en Panama por Dott.jpeg
The Panamá City Panamá Temple
Area Central America
Members 61,009 (2022) [1]
Stakes 4
Districts 7
Wards 43
Branches 29
Total Congregations [2] 72
Missions 1
Temples
  • 1 Operating
FamilySearch Centers 26 [3]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Panama refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Panama. The first branch (small congregation) was formed in 1955. As of December 31, 2022, there were 61,009 members in 72 congregations in Panama. [1]

Contents

History

Membership in Panama
YearMembership
1941*100
1975953
19792,293
1989*15,000
199935,257
200943,703
201959,526
202261,009
*Membership was published as an estimated number.
Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Panama [1]
Baptism of an eight year old in Cerro Punta, Panama. LDS Baptism Panama.JPG
Baptism of an eight year old in Cerro Punta, Panama.

A brief history can be found at LDS Newsroom (Panama) or Deseret News 2010 Church Almanac (Panama)

Authorization

In 1940, the first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to come to Panama, included soldiers and families who came to settle in the military bases established by the United States. Following this, the small community created started holding Sunday meetings, giving rise to the need of a branch of an LDS church. [4]

Otto Hunsaker was the person who wrote to the First Presidency in 1941 requesting them to authorize the creation of a branch. He put in the formal request twice. On May 18, 1941, Elder Antoine R. Ivins, a general authority of the Church, was authorized to organize the first branch. [4]

Stakes and Districts

As of February 2023, Panama had the following stakes and districts: [5]

Stake/DistrictOrganized
Arraiján Panamá Stake12 Mar 2006
Changuinola Panamá District23 Apr 1995
Chitré Panamá District1 Oct 1980
Colón Panamá Stake5 Nov 1995
Concepción Panamá District7 Jun 1998
David Panamá Stake19 Apr 1987
Guna Yala Panamá District1 Jun 1979
La Chorrera Panamá Stake23 Jul 1989
Panamá City Stake11 Nov 1979
San Miguelito Panamá Stake20 Apr 1986
Tocumen Panamá Stake17 May 1998

Missions

The Panamá Panamá City Mission was organized July 1, 1988 and is the only mission in Panama. [6]

Temples

The Panama City Panama temple was announced by the LDS Church on August 23, 2002. [7] Ground was broken by Spencer V. Jones, a General Authority Seventy of the LDS Church, on October 30, 2005, three years after its announcement. The open house for the temple was held from July 11 to July 26, 2008, with the temple being dedicated in four sessions by church president Thomas S. Monson on August 10, 2008. [8] [9]

Templo Mormon en Panama por Dott.jpeg
edit
Location:
Announced:
Groundbreaking:
Dedicated:
Size:
Style:
Notes:		 Ancón, Panama
23 August 2002 by Gordon B. Hinckley
30 October 2005 by Spencer V. Jones
10 August 2008 by Thomas S. Monson
18,943 sq ft (1,759.9 m2) on a 6.96-acre (2.82 ha) site
Classic modern, single spire design - designed by Mallol & Mallol and Naylor W. Lund
Temple dedicated on 10 August 2008 following an open house from 11 July to 26 July 2008. First temple dedicated in Panama.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Panama", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 30 May 2023
  2. ↑ Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches
  3. ↑ Category:Panama Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved August 18, 2022
  4. 1 2 "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Panama". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  5. ↑ "Panama City Panama Temple District", churchofjesuschristtemples.org, retrieved March 3, 2022
  6. ↑ "PF Maps", LDS Church
  7. ↑ "Two new temples announced", Church News , p. 13, September 14, 2002, retrieved 2012-10-16
  8. ↑ Swensen, Jason (August 11, 2008). "LDS Church's 127th temple is dedicated in Panama". Deseret News . Retrieved 2012-10-16.
  9. ↑ "Dedication Announced for Panama City Temple", Ensign , June 2008, retrieved 2012-10-16


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