The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wyoming refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Wyoming. The church's first congregation in Wyoming was organized in 1877.[3] It has since grown to 67,797 members in 172 congregations.[3]
Official church membership as a percentage of general population was 11.5% in 2014 which is the third highest in the United States, behind Utah and Idaho. According to the 2014 Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey, 9% of Wyomingites self-identify themselves most closely with the LDS Church.[4] The LDS Church is the largest denomination in Wyoming.[5]
Stakes are located in Afton, Casper (2), Cheyenne (2), Cody, Evanston (2), Gillette, Green River, Kemmerer, Laramie, Lovell, Lyman, Riverton, Rock Springs, Sheridan, Thayne, and Worland.
The Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission was created in 2015 to cover church historical sites in the area, but the mission was discontinued in 2021.
History
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2023)
Membership in Wyoming
Year
Members
1920
10,764
1930
12,825
1940
17,806
1950
19,477
1960
22,965
1970
27,397
1980
47,314
1990
51,692
1999
54,425
2009
61,430
2019
67,729
Source: Windall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac State Information: Wyoming[1]
The Willie and Martin handcart companies of 1857 became trapped in the winter snows and approximately 200 of the 1,075 in the companies died, but others were saved by Utah rescue parties.[6]
In 1877, members settled the Star Valley area, and in 1878, Brigham Young Jr. dedicated the spot as a gathering place for the members.[7]
County Statistics
List of LDS Church adherents in each county as of 2010 according to the Association of Religion Data Archives:[8]
The Gillette Wyoming Stake CenterThe Star Valley Tabernacle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located in Afton, Wyoming.The entrance gate of the Martin's Cove Mormon Handcart Historical Center near Devil's Gate (Wyoming).
As of November 2024, Wyoming was home to the following stakes:[9]
Casper, Wyoming, U.S. 4 April 2021 by Russell M. Nelson[12] 9 October 2021 by S. Gifford Nielsen 24 November 2024 by Quentin L. Cook 9,950sqft (924m2) on a 9.52-acre (3.85ha) site The temple's dedication was originally scheduled for October 13, 2024. On August 26, 2024, as the temple's open house began, it was announced the dedication was rescheduled to November 24, 2024.
Latter-day Saints had a significant role in establishing and settling several communities within the "Mormon Corridor", including the following in Wyoming:
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