Country Profile

Puerto Rico

Latter-day Saint military servicemen began holding Church meetings in Guajataca in 1947. In January 1964, the first missionaries arrived and the first convert, a serviceman, was baptized in February. The first Puerto Rican joined the Church the following month.

Spanish-speaking missionaries were sent to Puerto Rico, and a Spanish-speaking congregation was organized in 1970. That same year, the first meetinghouse opened and home seminary, a youth religious study program, began in Puerto Rico.

In 1979, membership was 1,900. Church President Spencer W. Kimball visited members in 1981.

By 1987, membership had increased to 12,000. Despite the move of several military Church members from Puerto Rico in 1993, membership had reached 19,700 in the area.

For Journalist Use Only

Herminio Gómez
National Director of Communication
Phone: (787) 432-1675
E-mail

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.