The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nauru

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nauru
AreaPacific
Members133 (2022)[1]
Branches1

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nauru refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Nauru. A branch was organized in 1984 with 16 members. It now has 133 members.[1]

History

Membership in Nauru[2][1]
YearMembership
1984 16
1989 40
1999 96
2009 108
2019 126
2022 133

Church members began moving to Nauru in the early 1980s for employment. Church meetings were initially conducted in their homes. In April of 1984, Joseph B. Keeler, president of the MGM, visited Nauru, in which a branch was organized with 16 members. This branch became part of the Suva Fiji Mission on July 1, 1986.[3]

Church membership increases and declines with the demand of the phosphate rock, the island's chief export. Because of restrictions on proselytizing, church representatives are only allowed temporary visits to the island.[4] The first couple to make periodic visits was Raymond and Lorraine Schmedes beginning in 1998. They assisted in establishing a Relief Society, Primary, and a seminary program. In February of 1999, the branch became part of the Tarawa Gilbert Islands district.[3]

Congregations

Nauru has a single branch, the Nauru Branch. This branch is administered by the Marshall Islands/Kiribati Mission.

Missions

Nauru is located in the Marshall Islands/Kiribati Mission.

Temples

As of February 2023, Nauru was located within the Suva Fiji Temple district. Due to its location within the Marshall Islands/Kiribati Mission, it is anticipated it will be in the Tarawa Kiribati Temple district after it is dedicated.

See also

  • Religion in Nauru

References

  1. ^ a b c "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Nauru", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 10 June 2023
  2. ^ Windall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Nauru
  3. ^ a b Deseret News 2012 Church Almanac. Jim M. Wall. p. 536. ISBN 978-1-60907-002-1.
  4. ^ International Religious Freedom Report 2008: Nauru, US Department of State, retrieved 2021-01-22

External links

  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Official Site (English)
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Official Site (Pacific)
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Official Site (Kiribati)
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom - Pacific (Including Nauru)
  • ComeUntoChrist.org Latter-day Saints Visitor site