The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Dakota

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Dakota refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in South Dakota. The official church membership as a percentage of general population was 1.27% in 2014. According to the 2014 Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey, less than 1% of South Dakotans self-identify themselves most closely with the LDS Church.[3] The LDS Church is the 8th largest denomination in South Dakota.[4]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Dakota
AreaNA Central
Members11,494 (2022)[1]
Stakes2
Wards14
Branches17
Total Congregations31
Family History Centers13[2]

History

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Membership in South Dakota
YearMembers
19835,276
1989*7,400
19998,077
20099,525
201910,610
202211,494
*Membership was published as a rounded number.
Source: Windall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac State Information: South Dakota[1]

The first Anglo-Saxons to settle in what is now South Dakota affiliated themselves with the LDS Church and settled at Fort Vermillion in 1845 to 1846. These settlers, among others, were sent to explore locations that would be suitable for a new home for the LDS Church as they experienced persecutions in Nauvoo, Missouri, and other areas further east.[5]

The number of missionaries from the church sent to the Dakotas doubled during the pandemic.[6]

Stakes

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As of January 2024, the following stakes had congregations located in South Dakota:[7]

Stake Organized Mission Temple District
Bismarck North Dakota 22 Sep 1996 North Dakota Bismarck Bismarck North Dakota
Fargo North Dakota 7 Aug 1977 North Dakota Bismarck Bismarck North Dakota
Rapid City South Dakota 10 Dec 1972 North Dakota Bismarck Bismarck North Dakota
Sioux Falls South Dakota 18 Nov 1979 Nebraska Omaha Winter Quarters Nebraska
Sioux City Iowa 21 Jan 1996 Nebraska Omaha Winter Quarters Nebraska

Missions

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The former South Dakota Rapid City Mission was renamed the North Dakota Bismarck Mission in 2015.[8]

Temples

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As of May 2021, congregations in the Sioux Falls South Dakota and the Sioux City Iowa stakes are in the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple district.[9] Congregations in the Rapid City South Dakota and the two North Dakota stakes shown above are in the Bismarck North Dakota Temple district.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by State:South Dakota", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 29 May 2023
  2. ^ Category:South Dakota Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved April 11, 2022
  3. ^ "Adults in South Dakota: Religious composition of adults in South Dakota". Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Research Center. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
  4. ^ "The Association of Religion Data Archives | State Membership Report". Thearda.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021. Note:While it's the eight largest denomination in South Dakota, it's the ninth largest denomination when "nondenominational" is considered as a denomination.
  5. ^ Jones, Gerald E., "An Early Mormon Settlement in South Dakota" (PDF), South Dakota State Historical Society, vol. 01, no. 2, retrieved May 25, 2021
  6. ^ Griffith, Michelle (October 11, 2020), "Number of Latter-day Saints missionaries in Dakotas double amid COVID-19 pandemic", Grand Forks Herald, retrieved May 25, 2021
  7. ^ "CDOL", cdol.churchofjesuschrist.org, retrieved February 7, 2023
  8. ^ "Church Announces 2015 Mission Presidents by Area", Newsroom, LDS Church, January 13, 2015
  9. ^ "Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple District". Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  10. ^ "Bismarck North Dakota Temple Temple District". Retrieved May 25, 2021.
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