The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Uruguay
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Uruguay refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Uruguay. The first small branch was established in 1947. Since then, the LDS Church in Uruguay has grown to more than 100,000 members in 132 congregations. Uruguay has more LDS Church members per capita than the United States, as well as more members per capita than any country outside of Oceania and Chile.[4]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Uruguay | |
|---|---|
 A meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pinamar–Pinepark, Canelones Department | |
| Area | South America South |
| Members | 112,449 (2025)[1] |
| Stakes | 18 |
| Districts | 2 |
| Wards | 100 |
| Branches | 32 |
| Total congregations[2] | 132 |
| Missions | 2 |
| Temples |
|
| FamilySearch Centers | 43[3] |
History
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 252 |
| 1960 | 2,555 |
| 1970 | 15,311 |
| 1979 | 25,892 |
| 1989* | 49,000 |
| 1999 | 73,194 |
| 2009 | 92,117 |
| 2019 | 107,103 |
| 2025 | 112,449 |
| *Membership was published as an estimate. Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Uruguay[1] | |
Montevideo was a stopping point for missionaries traveling to other areas as early as the 1920s. A branch was both formed then closed in 1944. The first permanent congregation was formed in Montevideo in late 1947. Uruguay's first stake was formed in 1967 in Montevideo.[1][5]
Stakes and Districts
As of July 2026, Uruguay had the following stakes and districts:
| Stake | Organized | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Artigas Uruguay Stake | 23 Mar 1980 | Uruguay Salto |
| Colonia Uruguay District | 10 Aug 1989 | Uruguay Montevideo West |
| De La Costa Uruguay Stake | 11 Mar 2012 | Uruguay Montevideo East |
| Durazno Uruguay Stake | 25 Jan 1980 | Uruguay Montevideo West |
| Florida Uruguay District | 20 Aug 1989 | Uruguay Montevideo West |
| Las Piedras Uruguay Stake | 2 Jul 1995 | Uruguay Montevideo West |
| Maldonado Uruguay Stake | 15 Sep 1996 | Uruguay Montevideo East |
| Melo Uruguay Stake | 2 Jun 1979 | Uruguay Montevideo East |
| Mercedes Uruguay Stake | 20 Jun 1993 | Uruguay Salto |
| Montevideo Uruguay Cerro Stake | 2 Sep 1979 | Uruguay Montevideo West |
| Montevideo Uruguay East Stake | 17 Feb 1974 | Uruguay Montevideo East |
| Montevideo Uruguay Flores Stake | 17 Nov 1996 | Uruguay Montevideo East |
| Montevideo Uruguay Maroñas Stake | 3 Jun 1979 | Uruguay Montevideo East |
| Montevideo Uruguay North Stake | 12 Feb 1978 | Uruguay Montevideo West |
| Montevideo Uruguay West Stake | 12 Nov 1967 | Uruguay Montevideo West |
| Paysandu Uruguay Stake | 21 May 1977 | Uruguay Salto |
| Rivera Uruguay Stake | 20 May 1977 | Uruguay Salto |
| Salto Uruguay Stake | 22 Apr 1979 | Uruguay Salto |
| Tacuarembó Uruguay Stake | 22 Jun 2003 | Uruguay Salto |
| Treinta y Tres Uruguay Stake | 4 Feb 1990 | Uruguay Montevideo East |
Missions
| Mission | Organized |
|---|---|
| Uruguay Montevideo | 31 Aug 1947 |
| Uruguay Montevideo West | 1 Jul 1997 |
| Uruguay Salto | 1 Jul 2026 |
Temples
Red = Operating
Blue = Under Construction
Yellow = announced
Black = Closed for Renovations
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| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Dedicated: Size: Style: |
Montevideo, Uruguay 2 November 1998 by Gordon B. Hinckley 27 April 1999 by Richard G. Scott 18 March 2001 by Gordon B. Hinckley 10,700 sq ft (990 m2) on a 1.59-acre (0.64 ha) site Classic modern, single-spire design - designed by Edvardo Signorelli | |||||
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| Location: Announced: |
Rivera, Uruguay 6 April 2025 by Russell M. Nelson[6][7] | |||||
