The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Alaska
Encyclopedia
As of year-end 2007, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 29,460 members in 7 stakes, 1 district, 83 Congregations (54 wards and 27 branches), 1 mission
, and 1 temple
in Alaska
. (A branch in Whitehorse, Yukon is part of the Juneau Alaska Stake)
The Anchorage Alaska Bush District is the only district in Alaska.
Alaska has been part of several missions. Alaska was part of the Northwestern States until 1941, when the Western Canadian was organized. In 1960, the Alaska-Canadian Mission mission was organized. It was renamed the Alaska-British Columbia Mission in 1970. On October 15, 1974, the Alaska Anchorage Mission was organized - being the first mission to be based in the state.
. After remodeling, President Hinckley rededicated the temple on February 8, 2004.
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Mission (LDS Church)
A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. Almost all areas of the world are within the boundaries of an LDS Church mission, whether or not Mormon missionaries live or proselytize in the area...
, and 1 temple
Temple (LDS Church)
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and they are considered by Church members to be the most sacred structures on earth. Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time...
in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. (A branch in Whitehorse, Yukon is part of the Juneau Alaska Stake)
History
A brief history can be found at LDS Newsroom (Alaska)Membership History
| Year | LDS Membership |
|---|---|
| 1941 | 300 |
| 1961 | 3,051 |
| 1970 | 6,744 |
| 1980 | 14,414 |
| 1990 | 21,410 |
| 1999 | 25,340 |
| 2008 | 33,968 |
Stakes
There are 7 stakes and 1 district in Alaska.| Stake | Organized |
|---|---|
| Anchorage Alaska | August 13, 1961 |
| Anchorage Alaska Chugach | November 24, 2002 |
| Anchorage Alaska North | September 17, 1978 |
| Fairbanks Alaska | May 27, 1979 |
| Juneau Alaska | October 8 1995 |
| Soldotna Alaska | December 9, 1984 |
| Wasilla Alaska | November 13, 1983 |
The Anchorage Alaska Bush District is the only district in Alaska.
Missions
The first two missionaries arrived in Juneau in 1913 where they worked for a few weeks. The next missionaries, Elders Heber J. Meeks, Alvin Englestead, James Judd, and Lowell T. Plowman arrived in Alaska in 1928, under the direction of President William R. Sloan of the Northwestern States Mission. From then on, there have been missionaries in Alaska.Alaska has been part of several missions. Alaska was part of the Northwestern States until 1941, when the Western Canadian was organized. In 1960, the Alaska-Canadian Mission mission was organized. It was renamed the Alaska-British Columbia Mission in 1970. On October 15, 1974, the Alaska Anchorage Mission was organized - being the first mission to be based in the state.
| Mission Serving Alaska | Effective Date |
|---|---|
| Northwestern States | 1913 |
| Western Canadian | September 15, 1941 |
| Alaska-Canadian Mission | November 21, 1960 |
| Alaska-British Columbia Mission | June 10, 1970 |
| Alaska Anchorage Mission | October 15, 1974 |
Temples
On January 9, 1999 the Anchorage Alaska Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. HinckleyGordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
. After remodeling, President Hinckley rededicated the temple on February 8, 2004.
|}
External links
- LDS Newsroom (Alaska)
- The story of Alaska Cultural presentation depicts LDS pioneers, Native Alaskans. LDS Church News. Feb. 14, 2004
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Official Site
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Visitors Site