This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (April 2024) |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Texas | |
---|---|
Area | NA Southwest |
Members | 378,281 (2022)[1] |
Stakes | 78 |
Districts | 2 |
Wards | 616 |
Branches | 128 |
Total Congregations | 744 |
Missions | 10 |
Temples | 5 Operating 2 Under Construction 3 Announced 10 Total |
Family History Centers | 138[2] |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Texas refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Texas. Official church membership as a percentage of general population was 1.13% in 2007 and 1.21% in 2014. According to the 2014 Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey in both years, roughly 1% of Texans self-identify themselves most closely with the LDS Church.[3]
Texas has the 5th most members of the LDS Church in the United States, and the most members east of the Rocky Mountains.[4] The LDS Church is the 6th largest denomination in Texas.[5]
History
Year | Membership |
---|---|
1893 | 64 |
1898* | 300 |
1906* | 1,000 |
1930 | 3,840 |
1977* | 50,000 |
1984* | 120,000 |
1990* | 154,000 |
1999 | 210,892 |
2009 | 286,902 |
2019 | 362,037 |
2022 | 378,281 |
*Membership was published as a rounded number. |
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2021) |
1844 consideration for Latter Day Saint settlement
Increased persecution around Nauvoo in 1844 led Joseph Smith to consider relocating the church outside the borders of the United States. The Republic of Texas, along with other areas in the western United states, were considered by Smith as a place where the church members would be able to peacefully practice their religion. That year, Smith started negotiations with Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas, for the southern and western portions of Texas to be the future home of the Latter Day Saints.[7] Smith sent Lucien Woodworth to Austin to meet with Houston.[8]
After Smith's death, negotiations with Houston were abandoned.[9]
2008 Hurricane Ike
In response to Hurricane Ike in 2008, members of the LDS Church across Texas and other parts of the country volunteered relief and service.
Total LDS Church response to Hurricane Ike included:
- 80,640 hygiene kits (six truckloads).
- 8.064 cleaning kits (four truckloads).
- 4 truckloads of water.
- 11,520 blankets (two truckloads).
- 4,800 food boxes (four truckloads) which included rice, vegetable oil, peanut butter, fruit drink mix, and assorted canned goods. Each food box could feed a family of four for a week to 10 days.
- Food, water, generators, sleeping bags, tools, chain saws, tarps and other items.[10]
In addition to this aid, thousands of church members came into the area as volunteers to assist in clean up efforts.
Church units and creation dates
Stakes and Districts
As of June 2024, Texas had the following stakes:
Stake | Organized | Mission | Temple District |
---|---|---|---|
Abilene Texas | May 3, 1981 | Texas Lubbock | Lubbock Texas |
Allen Texas | August 26, 2007 | Texas Dallas East | Dallas Texas |
Alliance Texas | February 16, 2014 | Texas Fort Worth | Dallas Texas |
Amarillo Texas | May 31, 1981 | Texas Lubbock | Lubbock Texas |
Amarillo Texas East | August 13, 2023 | Texas Lubbock | Lubbock Texas |
Arlington Texas | April 13, 1986 | Texas Fort Worth | Dallas Texas |
Austin Texas | October 14, 1973 | Texas Austin | San Antonio Texas |
Austin Texas Oak Hills | December 1, 1991 | Texas Austin | San Antonio Texas |
Austin Texas West | September 15, 2019 | Texas Austin | San Antonio Texas |
Bay City Texas | October 13, 1991 | Texas Houston South | Houston Texas |
Beaumont Texas | September 3, 1961 | Texas Houston East | Houston Texas |
Bridgeland Texas[a] | February 22, 2015 | Texas Houston | Houston Texas |
Burleson Texas | September 11, 2016 | Texas Fort Worth | Dallas Texas |
Carrollton Texas | December 9, 2001 | Texas Dallas West | Dallas Texas |
Cedar Park Texas | June 5, 2016 | Texas Austin | San Antonio Texas |
College Station Texas | October 28, 1979 | Texas Houston | Houston Texas |
Colleyville Texas | April 13, 1997 | Texas Fort Worth | Dallas Texas |
Conroe Texas | April 30, 2017 | Texas Houston | Houston Texas |
Corpus Christi Texas | May 31, 1964 | Texas McAllen | McAllen Texas |
Cypress Texas | November 6, 1983 | Texas Houston | Houston Texas |
Dallas Texas | October 18, 1953 | Texas Dallas South | Dallas Texas |
Dallas Texas East | May 15, 1977 | Texas Dallas South | Dallas Texas |
Denton Texas | May 3, 1992 | Texas Dallas West | Dallas Texas |
Eagle Pass Texas District | October 19, 1997 | Texas San Antonio | San Antonio Texas |
El Paso Texas | September 21, 1952 | Texas El Paso | Ciudad Juárez Mexico |
El Paso Texas Mount Franklin | August 29, 1982 | Texas El Paso | Ciudad Juárez Mexico |
El Paso Texas Chamizal | January 17, 2016 | Texas El Paso | Ciudad Juárez Mexico |
Fort Stockton Texas District | September 7, 2003 | Texas El Paso | Lubbock Texas |
Friendswood Texas | May 29, 1977 | Texas Houston South | Houston Texas |
Fort Worth Texas | September 24, 1967 | Texas Fort Worth | Dallas Texas |
Fort Worth Texas North | November 6, 2016 | Texas Fort Worth | Dallas Texas |
Frisco Texas | May 4, 2008 | Texas Dallas West | Dallas Texas |
Gilmer Texas | January 16, 1983 | Texas Dallas East | Dallas Texas |
Harlingen Texas | March 22, 1981 | Texas McAllen | McAllen Texas |
Heath Texas | May 20, 2012 | Texas Dallas East | Dallas Texas |
Houston Texas | October 11, 1953 | Texas Houston South | Houston Texas |
Houston Texas East | May 5, 1968 | Texas Houston East | Houston Texas |
Houston Texas North | November 16, 1975 | Texas Houston | Houston Texas |
Houston Texas South | November 30, 1980 | Texas Houston South | Houston Texas |
Houston Texas Summerwood | June 3, 2012 | Texas Houston East | Houston Texas |
Houston Texas West | January 8, 2006 | Texas Houston | Houston Texas |
Hurst Texas | November 14, 1976 | Texas Fort Worth | Dallas Texas |
Irving Texas | February 7, 2016 | Texas Dallas West | Dallas Texas |
Katy Texas | December 1, 1991 | Texas Houston South | Houston Texas |
Killeen Texas | November 26, 1978 | Texas Austin | San Antonio Texas |
Kingwood Texas | April 18, 1982 | Texas Houston East | Houston Texas |
Klein Texas | November 2, 2003 | Texas Houston | Houston Texas |
Kyle Texas | May 4, 2008 | Texas Austin | San Antonio Texas |
Lawton Oklahoma[b] | 31 October 1976 | Oklahoma Oklahoma City | Oklahoma City Oklahoma |
Laredo Texas[c] | October 31, 1995 | Texas McAllen | McAllen Texas |
League City Texas | October 25, 2009 | Texas Houston South | Houston Texas |
Lewisville Texas | April 12, 1981 | Texas Dallas West | Dallas Texas |
Little Elm Texas | August 25, 2019 | Texas Dallas West | Dallas Texas |
Longview Texas | November 9, 1969 | Texas Dallas South | Dallas Texas |
Lubbock Texas | November 26, 1967 | Texas Lubbock | Lubbock Texas |
Lubbock Texas North | September 14, 2014 | Texas Lubbock | Lubbock Texas |
McAllen Texas | May 4, 1975 | Texas McAllen | McAllen Texas |
McAllen Texas West | September 7, 2008 | Texas McAllen | McAllen Texas |
McKinney Texas | September 11, 1994 | Texas Dallas East | Dallas Texas |
Odessa Texas | December 15, 1968 | Texas Lubbock | Lubbock Texas |
Orange Texas | August 29, 1982 | Texas Houston East | Houston Texas |
Plano Texas | May 27, 1973 | Texas Dallas East | Dallas Texas |
Prosper Texas[d] | May 4, 2014 | Texas Dallas West | Dallas Texas |
Richardson Texas | January 30, 1983 | Texas Dallas East | Dallas Texas |
Richmond Texas | May 7, 2006 | Texas Houston South | Houston Texas |
Round Rock Texas | June 6, 1999 | Texas Austin | San Antonio Texas |
Round Rock Texas East | November 24, 2013 | Texas Austin | San Antonio Texas |
San Antonio Texas | January 19, 1958 | Texas San Antonio | San Antonio Texas |
San Antonio Texas Cibolo Valley | January 10, 2016 | Texas San Antonio | San Antonio Texas |
San Antonio Texas East, | May 30, 1976 | Texas San Antonio | San Antonio Texas |
San Antonio Texas Hill Country | January 27, 2008 | Texas San Antonio | San Antonio Texas |
San Antonio Texas La Cantera | January 24, 2016 | Texas San Antonio | San Antonio Texas |
San Antonio Texas North | October 19, 1997 | Texas San Antonio | San Antonio Texas |
San Antonio Texas Pecan Valley | September 13, 2020 | Texas San Antonio | San Antonio Texas |
San Antonio Texas West | June 5, 1983 | Texas San Antonio | San Antonio Texas |
Sherman Texas | March 20, 2016 | Texas Dallas East | Dallas Texas |
Shreveport Louisiana[b] | 26 January 1958 | Texas Dallas South | Dallas Texas |
Spring Texas | November 8, 2009 | Texas Houston East | Houston Texas |
The Woodlands Texas | October 12, 2014 | Texas Houston | Houston Texas |
Tomball Texas | May 21, 2017 | Texas Houston | Houston Texas |
Tyler Texas | January 22, 2005 | Texas Dallas South | Dallas Texas |
Waco Texas | October 17, 2010 | Texas Austin | Dallas Texas |
Weatherford Texas | April 30, 2006 | Texas Fort Worth | Dallas Texas |
Weslaco Texas | 15 Sep 2024 | Texas McAllen | McAllen Texas |
- ^ Originally called Houston Texas Bear Creek Stake and renamed to Bridgeland Texas Stake August 22, 2021
- ^ a b Stake located outside Texas with congregation(s) meeting in Texas
- ^ Organized as Laredo Texas Stake December 2, 2018
- ^ Originally Frisco Texas Shawnee Trail, Renamed to Prosper Texas, August 25, 2019
A few congregations in Southern Texas are not part of a stake or district. These congregations are the Raymondville Branch, Rio Grande City Branch, Roma Branch, and Zapata Branch and are directly administered by the Texas McAllen Mission and part of the McAllen Texas Temple District.
Missions
Responsibility for Texas has been shared by several different missions. Originally in the Southern States Mission, it was transferred to the Indian Territory Mission, which later changed its name to the Southwestern States Mission and, in 1904, it became the Central States Mission. Texas remained in the Central States Mission until the Texas Mission was organized in 1931. Texas and Louisiana were combined to form the Texas-Louisiana Mission in 1945. Texas was part of the Gulf States Mission from 1955 to 1960.
In 1961, a new Texas Mission was organized. This became the Texas Dallas Mission in 1974. As the church grew, other missions in Texas were organized.
Mission | Organized |
---|---|
Texas Austin | 30 June 2020 |
Texas Dallas East | 28 June 2020 |
Texas Dallas South | June 2024 |
Texas Dallas West[a] | 16 February 1961 |
Texas El Paso | June 2024 |
Texas Fort Worth[b] | 1 July 1986 |
Texas Houston | 1 July 1976 |
Texas Houston East | 1 July 1990 |
Texas Houston South | 1 July 1997 |
Texas Lubbock | 1 July 2002 |
Texas McAllen[c] | 1 July 1989 |
Texas San Antonio[d] | 10 December 1967 |
- ^ The Texas Dallas West Mission was originally named the Texas Mission in 1961. It was renamed the Texas North Mission on June 10, 1970, the Texas Dallas Mission on June 20, 1974, and ultimately the Texas Dallas West Mission on July 1, 2020.
- ^ The Texas Fort Worth Mission was originally named the Texas Lubbock Mission in 1986. It was renamed the Texas Fort Worth Mission on January 20, 1988.
- ^ The Texas McAllen Mission was originally named the Texas Corpus Christi Mission in 1989. It was renamed the Texas McAllen Mission on February 24, 1994.
- ^ The Texas San Antonio Mission was originally named the Texas South Mission in 1967. It was renamed the Texas San Antonio Mission on June 20, 1974.
Temples
Temples in Texas and Oklahoma ( ) |
As of October 2024, Texas has 5 temples located in the state, with 2 under construction, and 3 more announced. The far western portion of the state is located in the Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple District. A few congregations in and around Wichita Falls, TX are in the Lawton Oklahoma Stake and are part of the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple District.
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Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Dedicated: Rededicated: Size: Style: Notes: |
Dallas, Texas, United States April 1, 1981 by Spencer W. Kimball January 22, 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley October 19, 1984 by Gordon B. Hinckley March 5, 1989 by Gordon B. Hinckley 44,207 sq ft (4,107.0 m2) on a 6-acre (2.4 ha) site Sloping roof, six spire - designed by Church A&E Services and West & Humphries The rededication in 1989 was for the addition only | |||||
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Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Dedicated: Rededicated: Size: Style: Notes: |
Spring, Texas, United States September 30, 1997 by Gordon B. Hinckley June 13, 1998 by Lynn A. Mickelsen August 26, 2000 by Gordon B. Hinckley April 22, 2018 by M. Russell Ballard 33,970 sq ft (3,156 m2) on a 11-acre (4.5 ha) site Classic modern, single-spire design - designed by Spencer Partnership Architects and Church A&E Services Rededicated after repairing damage from Hurricane Harvey | |||||
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Lubbock, Texas, U.S. April 2, 2000 by Gordon B. Hinckley November 4, 2000 by Rex D. Pinegar April 21, 2002 by Gordon B. Hinckley 16,498 sq ft (1,532.7 m2) on a 2.7-acre (1.1 ha) site Classic modern, single-spire design - designed by Tisdel Minckler and Associates. | |||||
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San Antonio, Texas, U.S. June 24, 2001 by Gordon B. Hinckley March 29, 2003 by H. Bruce Stucki May 22, 2005 by Gordon B. Hinckley 16,800 sq ft (1,560 m2) on a 5.5-acre (2.2 ha) site Classic modern, single-spire design - designed by Rehler, Vaughn & Koone | |||||
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McAllen, Texas, United States 5 October 2019 by Russell M. Nelson[11] 21 November 2020 by Art Rascon[12] 8 October 2023 by Dieter F. Uchtdorf 27,897 sq ft (2,591.7 m2) on a 10.61-acre (4.29 ha) site | |||||
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Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Size: |
Burleson, Texas, United States 3 October 2021 by Russell M. Nelson[13][14] 28 October 2023 by Jose L. Alonso 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m2) on a 9.37-acre (3.79 ha) site | |||||
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Cedar Park, Texas 3 April 2022 by Russell M. Nelson[15][16] 17 August 2024 by Michael A. Dunn[17][18] 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m2) on a 10.6-acre (4.3 ha) site | |||||
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Location: Announced: Size: Notes: |
Fairview, Texas 2 October 2022 by Russell M. Nelson[19][20] 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m2) on a 8.16-acre (3.30 ha) site Revised name and site announced on December 4, 2023.[21] | |||||
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Location: Announced: |
Houston, Texas, United States 7 April 2024 by Russell M. Nelson[22][23] | |||||
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Location: Announced: |
El Paso, Texas 6 October 2024 by Russell M. Nelson[24][25] |
Communities
Latter-day Saints have had a significant role in establishing and settling communities within the "Mormon Corridor" and other locations, including the following in Texas:
See also
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints membership statistics (United States)
- Religion in Texas
Notes
- ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by State:Texas", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 29 May 2023
- ^ Category:Texas Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved April 11, 2022
- ^ "Adults in Texas: Religious composition of adults in Texas". Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Research Center. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
- ^ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints membership statistics (United States)
- ^ "The Association of Religion Data Archives | State Membership Report". Thearda.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021. Note:While it's the sixth largest denomination in Texas, it's the seventh largest denomination when "nondenominational" is considered as a denomination.
- ^ Windall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac State Information: Texas
- ^ Van Wagenen, Michael Scott (5 July 2002), The Texas Republic and the Mormon Kingdom of God, Texas A&M University Press, ISBN 978-1-58544-184-6
- ^ Blythe, Christopher James, "With Full Authority to Build Up the Kingdom of God on Earth:Lyman Wight on the Council of Fifty", religious studies center, Brigham Young University, retrieved 23 June 2023
- ^ "Appendix 1: Letter, Lucien Woodworth to Sam Houston, 14 July 1844", The Joseph Smith Papers, retrieved 23 June 2023
- ^ "Hurricane Ike: Church sends relief to Texas, Haiti; LDS volunteers give service", Church News, September 20, 2008.
- ^ "President Nelson Announces Eight New Temples at October 2019 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church, 5 October 2019
- ^ "The Temple Coming to McAllen, Texas, Will Help People 'Look to the Heavens for Wisdom'", newsroom, LDS Church, 21 November 2020, retrieved 28 September 2023
- ^ "13 new temple locations announced by President Nelson as conference closes", Church News, Deseret News, October 3, 2021
- ^ "At the October 2021 General Conference, the Prophet Says the Church Will Build 13 More Temples", Newsroom, LDS Church, October 3, 2021
- ^ "7 new temple locations announced by President Nelson to close conference", Deseret News, Deseret News, April 3, 2022
- ^ "President Nelson Announces 17 New Temples", Newsroom, LDS Church, April 3, 2022
- ^ As verified here
- ^ See also this page for more information
- ^ "President Nelson announces 18 new temples, including 4 near Mexico City, as conference closes", Deseret News, Deseret News, 2 October 2022
- ^ "The Church of Jesus Christ Will Build 18 New Houses of the Lord", Newsroom, LDS Church, 2 October 2022
- ^ As verified here and here.
- ^ Full summary of Sunday’s LDS General Conference: Nelson names temples; Oaks reaffirms wearing of garments; Kearon points to a welcoming God, Salt Lake Tribune, 7 April 2024
- ^ "President Russell M. Nelson Announces 15 Temples", Newsroom, LDS Church, 7 April 2024
- ^ The 17 new LDS temples include firsts for two countries and two U.S. states, Salt Lake Tribune, 6 October 2024
- ^ "The Prophet Announces 17 New Temples at the October 2024 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church, 6 October 2024
References
- Michael Scott Van Wagenen, The Texas Republic and the Mormon Kingdom of God, 2002
- B.H. Roberts, Comprehensive History of the Church, v.2, 1912
- Melvin C. Johnsin, Polygamy on the Pedernales: Lyman Wight's Mormon Village in Antebellum Texas, 2006
External links
- [1] Church Newsroom (Texas)
- ComeUntoChrist.org Latter-day Saints Visitor site
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Official site