The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines explained

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines
Area:Philippines
Membership:867,271 (2023)
Stakes:123
Districts:56
Wards:770
Branches:486
Missions:26
O:3
U:3
A:7
Fhc:186

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church; Filipino; Pilipino: Ang Simbahan ni Jesucristo ng mga Banal sa mga Huling Araw) in the Philippines refers to the organization and its members in the Philippines.

The Philippines ranks as having the most church members and members per capita among Asian countries and the fourth most members worldwide.

History

The first contact the church had with the Philippines was in 1898 during the Spanish–American War. Two church members, Willard Call and George Seaman, who were part of the United States artillery battery, were set apart as missionaries and began to proselytize after being deployed to the Philippines. However, they met with little success.[1] Active proselytizing stopped at the onset of World War II.[2]

The first Filipino to join the LDS Church was Aniceta Pabilona Fajardo in 1945,[3] who was introduced to the church by Maxine Grimm, who was in the Philippines with the Red Cross in the aftermath of World War II.[1]

The Luzon Serviceman's District was organized during the Korean War under the Japanese Mission for American servicemen stationed in the Philippines. In August 1955, the district was then transferred to the newly organized Southern Far East Mission, under the direction of Joseph Fielding Smith, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. During this time, Smith visited the Philippines. Due to legal issues, the LDS Church could not send missionaries to the country. Missionary work, however, was done by Latter-day Saint servicemen and American residents, including Kendall B. Schaefermeyer, a returned missionary serving in the U.S. Navy. He had baptized four Filipinos by October 1957 and was teaching more than 20 others.

During 1960, Gordon B. Hinckley, then an Assistant to the Twelve, and apostle Ezra Taft Benson, visited the Philippines. The purpose of the visit was mainly to see the work of the servicemen groups, but they brought back encouraging reports of the missionary work being done among the native Filipinos.

The church obtained official recognition in the Philippines in 1961 when Robert S. Taylor, president of the Southern Far East Mission, filed the paperwork with the Philippine government. Subsequently, on 28 April 1961 in a meeting with servicemen, American residents, and Filipino members, Hinckley rededicated the country. The first American missionaries (Ray Goodson, Harry Murray, Kent Lowe and Nestor Ledesma) arrived in Manila two months later. One of the first converts after official recognition was the family of José Gutierez, Sr. By the end of 1961, six more were baptized.

Due to growth that followed, the Philippines was organized into its own mission by 1967, with Paul S. Rose as the first president. In 1969, the church spread across the islands, having the highest amount of baptisms compared to every other area of the world.[2] This led to the division of the Philippines Mission in 1974 into the Philippines Manila and Philippines Cebu City missions.

The first stake in the Philippines was created in Manila on 20 May 1973. In September 2017, the number of stakes in the Philippines reached 100, only the fifth nation in the world to reach that milestone.

While serving as church president, Spencer W. Kimball presided over two area conferences, one in 1975 and another in 1980. During the area conference in 1980, Kimball met with then-President Ferdinand Marcos at Malacañang Palace. In 1987, Manila became the headquarters of the church's Philippines/Micronesia Area.

Augusto A. Lim, the first Filipino general authority, was called to the Second Quorum of Seventy in June 1992.

In 1987, the Book of Mormon was translated into Tagalog by Ricardo Cruz, with the assistance of Posidio Ocampo and Ananias Bala in the final stages of production.[4] Since then, the Book of Mormon has been translated to several other languages of the Philippines.

On June 30, 2021, the LDS Church broke ground for Asia's first "For the Strength of Youth (FSY) Camp" located in Tanay, Rizal, near Manila.

Notable people

Stakes and districts

Stake/Districtdata-sort-type=dateOrganizedMissionTemple
Agoo Philippines Stake22 Feb 2004Philippines BaguioUrdaneta Philippines
Aguilar Philippines Stake9 Dec 2001Philippines UrdanetaUrdaneta Philippines
Alaminos Philippines District8 Nov 1992Philippines UrdanetaUrdaneta Philippines
Alicia Philippines Stake22 Jun 1987Philippines CauayanUrdaneta Philippines
Angeles Philippines Stake18 Jan 1981Philippines AngelesManila Philippines
Antipolo Philippines Stake31 Aug 1997Philippines AntipoloManila Philippines
Antique Philippines District22 Jul 1990Philippines IloiloCebu City Philippines
Aparri Philippines District4 Dec 1988Philippines TuguegaraoUrdaneta Philippines
Bacolod Philippines North Stake7 Feb 1982Philippines BacolodCebu City Philippines
Bacolod Philippines South Stake4 Jun 2000Philippines BacolodCebu City Philippines
Bacolod Philippines Stake5 Jul 1981Philippines BacolodCebu City Philippines
Bacoor Philippines Stake9 Dec 2012Philippines CaviteManila Philippines
Bago Philippines Stake20 Jan 2002Philippines BacolodCebu City Philippines
Baguio Philippines Stake17 Nov 1985Philippines BaguioUrdaneta Philippines
Balanga Philippines Stake7 Jul 1991Philippines OlongapoManila Philippines
Balayan Philippines District13 Dec 1992Philippines CaviteManila Philippines
Baler Philippines District18 Oct 2009Philippines CabanatuanUrdaneta Philippines
Balingasag Philippines District18 Apr 1999Philippines Cagayan de OroCebu City Philippines
Baliwag Philippines Stake2 May 2004Philippines Quezon City NorthManila Philippines
Ballesteros Philippines Stake16 Feb 2003Philippines LaoagUrdaneta Philippines
Bambang Philippines District29 Dec 2002Philippines CauayanUrdaneta Philippines
Bangued Philippines District17 Jun 2001Philippines BaguioUrdaneta Philippines
Bangui Philippines District11 Aug 2002Philippines LaoagUrdaneta Philippines
Batac Philippines Stake23 Mar 1997Philippines LaoagUrdaneta Philippines
Batangas Philippines Stake9 Jun 2019Philippines San PabloManila Philippines
Bauang Philippines District30 Nov 2003Philippines BaguioUrdaneta Philippines
Bayambang Philippines Stake5 Jun 1997Philippines UrdanetaUrdaneta Philippines
Baybay Philippines District12 Mar 1990Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Biliran Philippines District11 Feb 2001Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Binalbagan Philippines Stake3 Mar 1991Philippines BacolodCebu City Philippines
Bislig Philippines District27 Oct 1987Philippines ButuanCebu City Philippines
Bogo Philippines District6 Dec 1994Philippines Cebu EastCebu City Philippines
Bongabon Philippines District12 Sep 2004Philippines CabanatuanUrdaneta Philippines
Borongan Philippines District27 Feb 1996Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Bulan Philippines District17 Jun 1990Philippines LegazpiManila Philippines
Butuan Philippines Stake19 Feb 1989Philippines ButuanCebu City Philippines
Cabanatuan Philippines Stake9 May 1982Philippines CabanatuanUrdaneta Philippines
Cabuyao Philippines Stake26 Mar 1992Philippines San PabloManila Philippines
Cadiz Philippines Stake10 Nov 1985Philippines BacolodCebu City Philippines
Cagayan de Oro Philippines East Stake6 May 1990Philippines Cagayan de OroCebu City Philippines
Cagayan de Oro Philippines Stake26 May 1985Philippines Cagayan de OroCebu City Philippines
Cagayan de Oro Philippines West Stake16 May 1999Philippines Cagayan de OroCebu City Philippines
Calape Philippines District3 Mar 1995Philippines Cebu EastCebu City Philippines
Calasiao Philippines Stake9 Dec 2001Philippines UrdanetaUrdaneta Philippines
Caloocan Philippines Stake22 Feb 1981Philippines Quezon CityManila Philippines
Camarin Philippines Stake5 May 2019Philippines Quezon City NorthManila Philippines
Camiling Philippines Stake3 Aug 2003Philippines AngelesUrdaneta Philippines
Candon Philippines Stake23 Mar 1997Philippines BaguioUrdaneta Philippines
Carigara Philippines Stake23 Jan 1996Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Catanduanes Philippines District19 Nov 2000Philippines LegazpiManila Philippines
Catarman Philippines Stake11 May 2008Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Catbalogan Philippines District23 Nov 1981Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Cauayan Philippines Stake17 Nov 1996Philippines CauayanUrdaneta Philippines
Cavite Philippines Stake17 Aug 1985Philippines CaviteManila Philippines
Cebu City Philippines Stake11 Jan 1981Philippines CebuCebu City Philippines
Cebu Philippines Central Stake27 Aug 2000Philippines CebuCebu City Philippines
Cebu Philippines Consolacion Stake8 Sep 2013Philippines Cebu EastCebu City Philippines
Cebu Philippines Liloan Stake17 Oct 1999Philippines Cebu EastCebu City Philippines
Cotabato Philippines District12 Feb 1995Philippines General SantosCebu City Philippines
Daet Philippines Stake30 Apr 2000Philippines NagaManila Philippines
Dagupan Philippines Stake25 Jan 1981Philippines UrdanetaUrdaneta Philippines
Dasmariñas Philippines Stake5 Nov 1989Philippines CaviteManila Philippines
Davao Philippines Buhangin Stake17 Aug 1985Philippines DavaoCebu City Philippines
Davao Philippines Stake15 Nov 1981Philippines DavaoCebu City Philippines
Davao Philippines West Stake14 Sep 2014Philippines DavaoCebu City Philippines
Digos Philippines Stake31 May 1992Philippines General SantosCebu City Philippines
Dipolog Philippines District11 Oct 1987Philippines Cagayan de OroCebu City Philippines
Dumaguete Philippines Stake17 Jan 1982Philippines DumagueteCebu City Philippines
Escalante Philippines Stake23 Oct 1994Philippines DumagueteCebu City Philippines
Fairview Philippines Stake11 Jun 2000Philippines Quezon CityManila Philippines
Gapan Philippines Stake17 May 1998Philippines CabanatuanUrdaneta Philippines
General Santos Philippines Stake6 Aug 1995Philippines General SantosCebu City Philippines
Gingoog Philippines District15 Nov 1987Philippines ButuanCebu City Philippines
Goa Philippines Stake28 May 2000Philippines NagaManila Philippines
Gonzaga Philippines District20 Nov 2005Philippines TuguegaraoUrdaneta Philippines
Guimba Philippines District31 May 1992Philippines CabanatuanUrdaneta Philippines
Hinunangan Philippines District1 Jan 2017Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Iba Philippines Stake29 May 1983Philippines OlongapoUrdaneta Philippines
Ilagan Philippines Stake10 Dec 2000Philippines TuguegaraoUrdaneta Philippines
Iligan Philippines Stake18 Oct 1992Philippines Cagayan de OroCebu City Philippines
Iloilo Philippines Central Stake5 Feb 2023Philippines IloiloCebu City Philippines
Iloilo Philippines North Stake9 Mar 1997Philippines IloiloCebu City Philippines
Iloilo Philippines Stake20 Jan 1985Philippines IloiloCebu City Philippines
Imus Philippines Stake21 Mar 2021Philippines CaviteManila Philippines
Iriga Philippines Stake7 Jan 1992Philippines NagaManila Philippines
Jordan Philippines District22 Dec 2013Philippines IloiloCebu City Philippines
Kalibo Philippines Stake5 Mar 2000Philippines IloiloCebu City Philippines
Kidapawan Philippines District19 Feb 1995Philippines General SantosCebu City Philippines
La Carlota Philippines District4 Jul 2004Philippines BacolodCebu City Philippines
Laoag Philippines Stake23 Apr 1989Philippines LaoagUrdaneta Philippines
Las Piñas Philippines Stake15 Sep 1985Philippines CaviteManila Philippines
Legazpi Philippines Stake19 Aug 1985Philippines LegazpiManila Philippines
Ligao Philippines District30 May 1993Philippines LegazpiManila Philippines
Lingayen Philippines Stake22 Sep 1985Philippines UrdanetaUrdaneta Philippines
Lipa Philippines Stake1 Jul 2001Philippines San PabloManila Philippines
Lopez Philippines Stake16 Mar 2003Philippines San PabloManila Philippines
Lubao Philippines Stake5 Jul 1998Philippines OlongapoUrdaneta Philippines
Lucena Philippines Stake5 Jan 1988Philippines San PabloManila Philippines
Mabalacat Philippines Stake30 Aug 2015Philippines AngelesUrdaneta Philippines
Makati Philippines East Stake22 May 2011Philippines ManilaManila Philippines
Makati Philippines Stake29 May 1977Philippines ManilaManila Philippines
Malaybalay Philippines District16 Feb 1992Philippines Cagayan de OroCebu City Philippines
Malolos Philippines Stake11 Jun 1989Philippines Quezon City NorthManila Philippines
Mandaluyong Philippines Stake10 Sep 2017Philippines ManilaManila Philippines
Mandaue Philippines Stake19 Nov 1989Philippines Cebu EastCebu City Philippines
Mangaldan Philippines Stake17 Aug 2003Philippines UrdanetaUrdaneta Philippines
Manila Philippines Stake20 May 1973Philippines ManilaManila Philippines
Marbel Philippines District6 Oct 1974Philippines General SantosCebu City Philippines
Marikina Philippines East Stake23 May 2021Philippines Quezon CityManila Philippines
Marikina Philippines Stake30 Nov 1980Philippines Quezon CityManila Philippines
Masbate Philippines District8 Nov 1994Philippines LegazpiCebu City Philippines
Mati Philippines Stake15 Mar 1988Philippines ButuanCebu City Philippines
Mindoro Oriental Philippines District18 Aug 1991Philippines CaviteManila Philippines
Monkayo Philippines District3 Sep 1992Philippines ButuanCebu City Philippines
Montalban Philippines Stake4 Jun 2000Philippines Quezon CityManila Philippines
Morong Rizal Philippines Stake23 Mar 1992Philippines AntipoloManila Philippines
Naga Philippines North Stake6 Nov 2022Philippines NagaManila Philippines
Naga Philippines Stake18 Aug 1985Philippines NagaManila Philippines
Naic Philippines Stake25 Oct 1991Philippines CaviteManila Philippines
Narra Philippines District10 Mar 1996Philippines ManilaManila Philippines
Novaliches Philippines Stake7 Sep 1997Philippines Quezon City NorthManila Philippines
Olongapo Philippines Stake23 Jul 1978Philippines OlongapoUrdaneta Philippines
Orion Philippines Stake14 Feb 1988Philippines OlongapoUrdaneta Philippines
Ormoc Philippines Stake27 Jun 1999Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Oroquieta Philippines Stake20 Apr 1997Philippines Cagayan de OroCebu City Philippines
Ozamiz Philippines District7 Nov 1993Philippines Cagayan de OroCebu City Philippines
Pagadian Philippines District6 Nov 1977Philippines Cagayan de OroCebu City Philippines
Panabo Philippines District31 Jan 1993Philippines DavaoCebu City Philippines
Paniqui Philippines Stake30 Aug 1992Philippines AngelesUrdaneta Philippines
Parañaque Philippines Stake22 Nov 1981Philippines ManilaManila Philippines
Pasay Philippines Stake25 Jan 1998Philippines ManilaManila Philippines
Pasig Philippines Stake15 Sep 1985Philippines AntipoloManila Philippines
Placer Philippines District28 Jul 1996Philippines ButuanCebu City Philippines
Puerto Princesa Philippines Stake1 May 1987Philippines ManilaManila Philippines
Quezon City Philippines South Stake30 Nov 1997Philippines Quezon CityManila Philippines
Quezon City Philippines Stake29 May 1977Philippines Quezon CityManila Philippines
Quezon Philippines Palawan District29 Sep 2019Philippines ManilaManila Philippines
Rosales Philippines Stake10 Mar 1996Philippines UrdanetaUrdaneta Philippines
Roxas Capiz Philippines Stake12 Mar 2000Philippines IloiloCebu City Philippines
Roxas Philippines Isabela District22 May 2005Philippines CauayanUrdaneta Philippines
Sagay Philippines Stake28 Jun 2009Philippines DumagueteCebu City Philippines
San Antonio Philippines Stake6 Sep 1993Philippines OlongapoUrdaneta Philippines
San Carlos Philippines District7 Sep 1989Philippines DumagueteCebu City Philippines
San Fernando La Union Philippines Stake6 Dec 1981Philippines BaguioUrdaneta Philippines
San Francisco Philippines Stake14 Feb 1999Philippines ButuanCebu City Philippines
San Gabriel Philippines Stake20 Jun 1993Philippines CaviteManila Philippines
San Jose del Monte Philippines North Stake18 Jun 2017Philippines Quezon City NorthManila Philippines
San Jose del Monte Philippines Stake16 Jan 1992Philippines Quezon City NorthManila Philippines
San Jose Mindoro Philippines Occidental District8 Nov 1998Philippines CaviteManila Philippines
San Jose Nueva Ecija Philippines Stake10 May 1998Philippines CabanatuanUrdaneta Philippines
San Pablo Philippines Stake20 Aug 1985Philippines San PabloManila Philippines
Santa Cruz Laguna Philippines Stake31 May 1992Philippines San PabloManila Philippines
Santa Cruz Marinduque Philippines District18 Apr 1993Philippines San PabloManila Philippines
Santa Cruz Zambales Philippines Stake17 Dec 1990Philippines OlongapoManila Philippines
Santa Ignacia Philippines Stake2 Dec 2001Philippines AngelesManila Philippines
Santiago Philippines North Stake16 Oct 2011Philippines CauayanUrdaneta Philippines
Santiago Philippines Stake22 Mar 1998Philippines CauayanUrdaneta Philippines
Siniloan Philippines District31 May 1992Philippines AntipoloManila Philippines
Sipalay Philippines District30 Apr 2000Philippines DumagueteCebu City Philippines
Sipocot Philippines Stake12 Nov 2000Philippines NagaManila Philippines
Sogod Philippines District28 Jan 2007Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Solano Philippines District23 Jun 1983Philippines CauayanUrdaneta Philippines
Sorsogon Philippines District1 May 1987Philippines LegazpiManila Philippines
Surigao Philippines District26 Aug 1983Philippines ButuanCebu City Philippines
Tabaco Philippines District18 Jun 1995Philippines LegazpiManila Philippines
Tacloban Philippines Stake13 May 2007Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Tagbilaran Philippines Stake2 Jun 1982Philippines Cebu EastCebu City Philippines
Taguig Philippines Stake15 Jun 2014Philippines AntipoloManila Philippines
Tagum Philippines Stake31 Jan 1993Philippines ButuanCebu City Philippines
Talisay Philippines Stake21 Mar 1982Philippines CebuCebu City Philippines
Tanjay Philippines District11 Nov 1990Philippines DumagueteCebu City Philippines
Tarlac Philippines Stake13 Dec 1981Philippines AngelesUrdaneta Philippines
Taytay Philippines Stake18 Jan 1998Philippines AntipoloManila Philippines
Toledo Philippines Stake17 Aug 1990Philippines CebuCebu City Philippines
Tolosa Philippines Stake22 Jan 1989Philippines TaclobanCebu City Philippines
Tuguegarao Philippines North Stake21 May 1989Philippines TuguegaraoUrdaneta Philippines
Tuguegarao Philippines South Stake30 Oct 2011Philippines TuguegaraoUrdaneta Philippines
Urdaneta Philippines Stake22 Sep 1985Philippines UrdanetaUrdaneta Philippines
Valenzuela Philippines Stake8 Feb 1998Philippines Quezon City NorthManila Philippines
Vigan Philippines Stake13 Jan 2002Philippines LaoagUrdaneta Philippines
Zamboanga Philippines Stake10 Nov 1985Philippines DavaoCebu City Philippines

Missions

Missiondata-sort-type=dateOrganized
Philippines Angeles12 Feb 1992
Philippines Antipolo28 June 2019
Philippines Bacolod1 July 1974
Philippines Baguio1 July 1979
Philippines Butuan1 July 2006
Philippines Cabanatuan28 June 2018
Philippines Cagayan de Oro19 Oct 1987
Philippines Cauayan1 Sep 1990
Philippines Cavite1 July 2013
Philippines Cebu1 July 1987
Philippines Cebu East1 July 2013
Philippines Davao1 July 1977
Philippines DumagueteJune 2024
Philippines General SantosJune 2024
Philippines Iloilo30 June 2010
Philippines Laoag1 Nov 2004
Philippines Legazpi1 July 2013
Philippines Manila28 June 1967
Philippines Naga1 July 1989
Philippines Olongapo1 July 1988
Philippines Quezon City1 July 1986
Philippines Quezon City North30 June 2011
Philippines San Pablo26 June 1990
Philippines Tacloban1 July 1990
Philippines TuguegaraoJune 2024
Philippines Urdaneta1 July 2013

Philippines Missionary Training Center

The Philippines has its own Missionary Training Center (MTC), where native Filipinos receive missionary training in their own language. The first MTC was dedicated on October 8, 1983, and was housed in a private rented residence. The second MTC was opened July 13, 1992, and stands across the road from the Manila temple.[6] In 2011, the MTC underwent extensive remodeling and was rededicated in May 2012 by Russell M. Nelson.[6] Other nations, including those listed below, send missionaries to the Philippines MTC to receive training in their native language.[7]

As of January 2017, the MTC president is Rodolfo A. Carlos.

Temples

Operating

Under Construction

Announced

See also

Additional reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Philippines: Church Country Information. Mormon newsroom. November 17, 2013.
  2. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/country/philippines/ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temples
  3. Book: Gonzalez . Joaquin Jay . Filipino American Faith in Action: Immigration, Religion, and Civic Engagement . 1 February 2009 . NYU Press . 978-0-8147-3297-7 . 186 . 15 July 2022 . en.
  4. https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/1988-01-09/book-of-mormon-in-80th-language-859 Church News
  5. Leach, Robin (December 11, 2009). "Photo Gallery: Mayor declares Dec. 4 as Lani Misalucha Day". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  6. https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2012-06-02/apostle-dedicates-new-mtc-and-visits-members-government-leaders-38468 Church News
  7. https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2012-08-04/bangladeshi-is-eager-to-serve-38640 Church News

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines".

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