Statistics and Church Facts | Total Church Membership (original) (raw)

Nigeria Click here for the Nigeria Mormon Newsroom

232,654

Total Church Membership

9

Missions | 14 Districts

History

In response to letters from Nigerians who had read about the Church and organized unofficial congregations, Church leaders attempted to establish a mission in Nigeria in the early 1960s. Because the Church was unable to obtain missionary visas and at the time did not ordain men of African descent to the priesthood, plans were eventually put on hold. After the Nigerian Civil War, Ime Eduok, Anthony Obinna, and others ministered to those who still longed to join the Church, waiting in faith and patience to inherit the promises of the gospel (see Hebrews 6:12).

Following President Spencer W. Kimball’s 1978 revelation extending priesthood ordination and temple blessings to worthy Church members of African descent, the Church was finally established in Nigeria. People who had long looked forward to the day were finally able to be baptized and invite relatives and friends to join the Church. Ten years later, the first stake in Nigeria was organized.

Saints in Nigeria have served their communities in many ways, either through practicing integrity and goodwill in their own lives or through organized Church efforts. Relief Society sisters took the lead on a literacy effort, which aimed to help women become more self-reliant and gain personal testimonies of the Book of Mormon. Saints of all ages have participated in the Church’s annual All-Africa Mormon Helping Hands Day. In 2005 a temple was dedicated in Aba. By 2018, 40 years after the first baptisms there, more than 160,000 Saints lived in Nigeria.

For Journalist Use Only

Oyewole Oyedeji

Phone: +234 803 343 3240

Email

Africa

Total Church Membership

Missions

45Missions

FamilySearch Centers

Temples

6Temples

Asia

Total Church Membership

Missions

45Missions

FamilySearch Centers

Temples

10Temples

Europe

Total Church Membership

Missions

35Missions

FamilySearch Centers

Temples

14Temples

North America

Total Church Membership

Missions

175Missions

FamilySearch Centers

Temples

120Temples

Oceania (Pacific)

Total Church Membership

Missions

17Missions

FamilySearch Centers

Temples

11Temples

South America

Total Church Membership

Missions

97Missions

FamilySearch Centers

Temples

25Temples

Worldwide Statistics

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued the following report concerning the growth and status of the Church:

Growth of the Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized in a small log cabin in upstate New York in 1830. It took 117 years — until 1947 — for the Church to grow from the initial six members to one million. Learn More

17,225,394

Total Church Membership

Missionaries

67,871

Full-Time Teaching Missionaries

27,070

Senior Service Missionaries

2,736

Young Service Missionaries

The Church's missionary program is one of its most recognized characteristics. Latter-day Saint missionaries can be seen on the streets of hundreds of major cities in the world. Learn More

Temples

Temples are not regular places of Sunday worship for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Learn More

Humanitarian Services

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides relief and development projects for humanitarian purposes in countries all over the world.

157

Countries Receiving Humanitarian Aid (Since 1985)

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Education

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasizes the importance of continued secular and spiritual education.

4

Universities & Colleges

416,446

Youth Students Enrollment

348,045

Adult Students Enrollment

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Genealogy

Genealogy is more than learning about one’s family history for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Latter-day Saints believe families can be together after this life.

6,215

FamilySearch Centers

149

Countries with FamilySearch Centers

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