The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Samoan Islands
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Samoan Islands refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members on the Samoan Islands. In 1890, there were 30 members in the Samoan islands. As of 2025, there were 108,352 members in 214 congregations. The Samoan Islands has the second most LDS Church members per capita in the world, behind Tonga.[7]
As of 2025, the LDS Church reported 90,706 members in 165 congregations in the country of Samoa, making it the largest body of LDS Church members in Oceania outside of Australia and New Zealand.[7]
History
In 2019, church president Russell M. Nelson met with head of state Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II of Samoa.[9]
Schools
In addition to seminaries and institutes, there are a few primary schools and secondary schools operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Stakes
American Samoa
| Stake | Organized | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Pago Pago Samoa Stake | 15 Jun 1969 | Samoa Apia East |
| Pago Pago Samoa Central Stake | 6 Feb 1994 | Samoa Apia East |
| Pago Pago Samoa Malaeimi Stake | 26 Aug 2012 | Samoa Apia East |
| Pago Pago Samoa Mapusaga Stake | 9 Mar 1997 | Samoa Apia East |
| Pago Pago Samoa West Stake | 24 Aug 1980 | Samoa Apia East |
Samoa
| Stake | Organized | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Apia Samoa Central Stake | 8 Dec 2013 | Samoa Apia East |
| Apia Samoa Stake | 18 Mar 1962 | Samoa Apia East |
| Apia Samoa West Stake | 26 Apr 1970 | Samoa Apia West |
| Pesega Samoa Stake | 22 Jan 1995 | Samoa Apia East |
| Savaii Samoa Fagamalo Stake | 4 Dec 1995 | Samoa Apia West |
| Savaii Samoa Pu'apu'a Stake | 18 Mar 2012 | Samoa Apia West |
| Savaii Samoa Sagone Stake | 10 Sep 1995 | Samoa Apia West |
| Savaii Samoa South Stake | 17 Oct 1982 | Samoa Apia West |
| Savaii Samoa Stake | 8 Jan 1971 | Samoa Apia West |
| Savaii Samoa West Stake | 3 Jun 1973 | Samoa Apia West |
| Upolu Samoa Aleisa Stake | 5 Aug 1979 | Samoa Apia West |
| Upolu Samoa East Stake | 23 Oct 1977 | Samoa Apia East |
| Upolu Samoa Faleasi'u Stake | 24 Feb 1996 | Samoa Apia West |
| Upolu Samoa Malie Stake | 5 Aug 2012 | Samoa Apia West |
| Upolu Samoa North Stake | 25 Oct 1992 | Samoa Apia East |
| Upolu Samoa Nu'umau Stake | 3 Dec 1995 | Samoa Apia East |
| Upolu Samoa Saleilua Stake | 5 Dec 1995 | Samoa Apia East |
| Upolu Samoa South Stake | 1 Jun 1974 | Samoa Apia West |
| Upolu Samoa Tafuaupolu Stake | 26 Jan 2014 | Samoa Apia West |
| Upolu Samoa West Stake | 29 Apr 1971 | Samoa Apia West |
Missions
The Samoa Apia Mission was formed June 17, 1888 and serves as the only mission for the Samoan Islands.
| Mission | Organized |
|---|---|
| Apia Samoa East Mission | 17 June 1888 |
| Apia Samoa West Mission | 1 July 2026 |
Temples
On August 5, 1983 the Apia Samoa Temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley. The Pago Pago American Samoa Temple was announced by Russell M. Nelson on April 7, 2019.
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| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Dedicated: Size: Style: Notes: |
Apia, Samoa July 2, 1980 February 19, 1981 by Spencer W. Kimball August 5, 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley 14,560 sq ft (1,353 m2) on a 2-acre (0.81 ha) site Classic Modern, single spire - designed by Emil B. Fetzer Destroyed by fire during renovations on July 9, 2003. Rebuilt temple was dedicated September 4, 2005 (see 22).[13] | ||
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| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Dedicated: Rededicated: Size: Notes: |
Apia, Samoa 15 October 1977 by Spencer W. Kimball 19 October 1981 by Dennis E. Simmons 5 August 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley 4 September 2005 by Gordon B. Hinckley 18,691 sq ft (1,736.5 m2) on a 2-acre (0.81 ha) site - designed by Naylor, Wentworth, Lund The original Samoa temple was dedicated in 1983 and destroyed by fire while the temple was closed for renovations in 2003. This new temple of a similar design was built on the same site although it is substantially larger.[14] The LDS Church continues to list this as the 22nd operating temple, in accordance to its original dedication date.[15] | ||
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| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Size: Notes: |
Tafuna, American Samoa 7 April 2019 by Russell M. Nelson[16] 30 October 2021 by K. Brett Nattress 17,000 sq ft (1,600 m2) on a 1.71-acre (0.69 ha) site In conjunction with the site announcement, the exterior rendering for this temple was simultaneously released, on the same day the site of the Neiafu Tonga Temple was confirmed and its rendering was released.[17] The groundbreaking for this temple was originally set to occur on Saturday October 9, but a subsequent update on the arrangements provided the information about the presiding leader and the adjusted date.[18] | ||
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| Location: Announced: Size: |
Salelologa, Samoa 1 October 2023 by Russell M. Nelson[19][20] 29,630 sq ft (2,753 m2) on a 4.6-acre (1.9 ha) site | ||
