As of year-end 2007, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 129,238 members in 25 stakes,[1] 183 wards,[2] 57 branches,[2] 5 missions, and 1 temple in Florida.[3]
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In April 1843, Joseph Smith called William Brown and Daniel Cathcart to serve a mission to Pensacola, but no record exists of them fulfilling the calling. Between April and June 1854, Phineas Young visited the Indian chiefs in Florida and distributed copies of the Book of Mormon.
Missionaries began preaching in Pensacola in January 1895 and started a number of Sunday Schools soon afterwards. The first was in Coe Mills in May 1895.[4] The first branch, known as the Hassell Branch, was created in Jefferson County on May 9, 1897. In September 1897, the Sanderson branch was organized. George P. Canova, a well-to-do landowner an chairman of the Baker County Commission, became the Sanderson branch president in January 1898. Five months later, following threats of violence, Canova was killed as he returned home from a Church meeting.[5]
In 1906, Charles A. Callis became president of the Florida Conference. That same year, a meetinghouse was dedicated in Jacksonville. Another meetinghouse was completed in Oak Grove in 1907.[6]
In 1909, missionaries began working in Miami during the winter months. Five years later, Julius C. Neubeck of Miami was called on a seven-month mission by Charles A. Callis and became the first missionary from that city. He then became presiding elder of the Church in Miami following his mission.[7]
By 1925, branches or Sunday Schools existed in Jacksonville, Sanderson, Tampa, Miami and in other places throughout the state. In February and March 1925, President Heber J. Grant visited Jacksonville and held public meetings. Ten years later the Florida District had 22 branches, and the West Florida District had another 13 branches.[8]
The first stake in Florida and in the South was created in Jacksonville on January 19, 1947, by Charles A. Callis of the Quorum of the Twelve. Alvin C. Chace, a grandson of early leader George P. Canova was called as the first president.[6]
In 1950, more than 50,000 acres (200 km2) was purchased by the church which is now known as the Deseret Ranch. The initial purchase grew into a 300,000-acre (1,200 km2) ranch in Central Florida.[4] As of 2003, Deseret Ranch had the largest cow-calf operation in the United States with 44,000 head of cattle.[8] It also includes various cattle enterprises, orchards and other agribusiness projects.
Due to the influx of immigrants Florida received over the past few decades from the Caribbean and other countries, branches and wards were created to accommodate foreign speaking individuals in Florida. The first Spanish-speaking stake in the southeastern United States was organized in Miami. This was followed the creation of a second Spanish-speaking stake in Hialeah Gardens in 1998.[7]
On October 9, 1994, President Howard W. Hunter dedicated the Orlando Florida Temple. On January 19, 1997, President Gordon B. Hinckley addressed more than 5,000 members at a conference Jacksonville commemorating the stake’s 50th anniversary.[9]
The church has assisted in recovery from several natural disasters Florida’s received. The magnitude of the church’s involvement in recovery has increased over time. This is much due to the increase of the church’s presence and membership in Florida.[10]
| Year | LDS Membership |
|---|---|
| 1904 | 1,230 |
| 1930 | 3,164 |
| 1977 | 30,000 |
| 1980 | 54,674 |
| 1990 | 82,413 |
| 1999 | 108,955 |
| 2008 | 131,621 |
On March 1, 1894 Florida became part of the Southern States Mission. The Florida Mission was then organized from the Southern States Mission on November 1, 1960. From the Florida Mission the Florida Tallahassee Mission and the Florida South Mission were formed on July 1, 1971. On June 20, 1974 the Florida South Mission changed its name to the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission. Three additional missions has been created in Florida since then.
| Mission | Organized |
|---|---|
| Florida Orlando Mission | July 1, 1998 |
| Florida Jacksonville Mission | July 1, 1987 |
| Florida Tampa Mission | July 1, 1976 |
On October 9, 1994 the Orlando Florida Temple was dedicated by President Howard W. Hunter. On October 3, 2009 the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple was announced by President Thomas S. Monson.
| 46. Orlando Florida | |||
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Location: |
Windermere, Florida, US |
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| 146. Fort Lauderdale Florida (Under Construction) | |||
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Location: |
Davie, Florida, USA |
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