The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Mexico

The Albuquerque New Mexico LDS Temple

As of year-end 2007, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) reported 63,987 members in 14 stakes,^[1] 128 Congregations (89 wards^[2] and 39 branches^[2]), 1 mission, and 1 temple in New Mexico.^[3]

History

Mormons first came to New Mexico in 1846. The LDS Church has traditionally had a strong presence in the Four Corners Region of New Mexico, settling the town of Kirtland and other surrounding areas. Mormons found converts among the Zuni Indians.^[4]

Membership History

Year	LDS Membership
1920	1,313
1930	2,096
1940	3,313
1950	5,557
1960	13,363
1970	21,873
1980	36,881
1990	48,000
1999	57,807
2008	64,872

Missions

On March 7, 1943, the Navajo-Zuni Mission was organized, and specialized with teaching Native Americans in their language. This was renamed the Southwest Indian Mission on January 1, 1949. It was renamed the New Mexico-Arizona Mission on October 10, 1972.

New Mexico became its own mission when the New Mexico Albuquerque Mission was organized on December 15, 1996. Stanley D. Robers was president at the time of organization.^[5]

Temples

On March 5, 2000 the Albuquerque New Mexico Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

	73. Albuquerque New Mexico
	Location: Announcement: Dedication: Coordinates: Size: Style:	Albuquerque, New Mexico, US 4 April 1997 5 March 2000 by Gordon B. Hinckley 35°10′3.7″N 106°31′31.1″W / 35.167694°N 106.525306°W 34,245 sq ft (3,181 m^2) on a 8.5 acre (3.4 ha) site Classic modern, single-spire design - designed by Fanning Bard & Tatum

Communities

Latter-day Saints had a significant role in establishing and settling communities within the "Mormon Corridor", including the following in New Mexico:

• Carson
• Fruitland
• Kirtland
• Luna
• Pleasanton
• Virden
• Waterflow

See also

• Mormon Battalion

References

1. New Mexico Stakes.LDS Stake & Ward Web Sites. List of Stakes in New Mexico.
2. LDS Meetinghouse Locator.Nearby Congregations (Wards and Branches).
3. LDS Newsroom (Statistical Information)
4. http://newsroom.lds.org/country/usa-new-mexico
5. The New Mexico Albuquerque Mission

Further reading

• Jack A., Nelson (1992), "New Mexico, Pioneer Settlements in", in Ludlow, Daniel H, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, New York: Macmillan Publishing, pp. 1010–1011, ISBN 0-02-879602-0, OCLC 24502140.

External links

• LDS Newsroom (New Mexico)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Official Site
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Visitors Site

Coordinates: 35°6′1.3″N 106°34′48.9″W / 35.100361°N 106.580250°W