In the mid-1800s, Joseph Smith, the first President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and other Church leaders considered moving Church members to land in what was then the Republic of Texas to escape mounting persecution in Illinois. Negotiations to buy large tracts of land in Texas were abandoned when Smith was murdered in 1844.
In 1845, apostle Lyman Wight led a company of Latter-day Saints to central Texas. He and his settlement made favorable impressions on their neighbors. Missionaries preached in Texas in the 1850s, and nearly 1,000 converts immigrated to Utah from Texas when missionary work came to a halt there prior to the Civil War.
Proselytizing resumed in 1875, but membership grew slowly through the end of the century. In the early 20th century, settlements were established in several southern states as gathering places for Church members. Examples in Texas include Odom and Kelsey. Membership eventually spread to larger urban areas like Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. During the Mexican Revolution, members living in Ciudad Juarez relocated to Church branches in El Paso. The first stake in Texas was organized there in 1952. In October 1984, the Church dedicated the Dallas Texas Temple, the first in the Lone Star state. Since then, nine more have been dedicated or announced.
On October 14, 1993, astronaut Richard A. Searfoss of League City, Texas, became the first Latter-day Saint to pilot a space shuttle.
Church members in Texas regularly assist in humanitarian efforts and disaster cleanup. Examples of their efforts include responding to flooding in 1994 and to hurricanes Ike (2008) and Harvey (2017) and tropical storm Imelda (2019). The Church operates a 65,000-square-foot Deseret Industries thrift store and employment center in Houston. In June 2021, working in partnership with the National Association of Christian Churches, Catholic Charities, YMCA International Services, Texas Adventist Community Services and local food banks, the Church opened the Houston Family Transfer Center. It serves families who have been cleared at the border and need food, hygiene facilities and other assistance.
