Dreams of a temple in Rio de Janeiro became reality. This is the story of A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias. It stands as a beacon of faith. Its history in Brazil is rich and spans nearly a century.
The story begins with German immigrants. Max and Amalie Zapf were the first known members in Brazil. They joined the church in Germany. Then they moved to Brazil in 1913. They searched for other members. Ten years passed before they found any. The Zapfs eventually met Augusta Kuhlmann Lippelt. She and her family were also members from Germany. This small group formed the first permanent church presence.
In 1926 Reinhold Stoof sent missionaries to Brazil. He was president of the South American Mission. He saw potential in the German colonies of Southern Brazil. William Fred Heinz and Emil A. J. Schindler were the first missionaries. They arrived in 1928. Their initial focus was on German speakers.
The first baptism happened in 1929. Berta Sell and her children joined A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias. The first meeting place was acquired in 1929. The first branch was created in Joinville in 1930. The first meetinghouse was dedicated in 1931.
The Brazil Mission was established in 1935. Rulon S. Howells became the mission president. The mission covered a vast area. It included modern Brazil. It also included Bolivia, Ecuador, and other countries. Initially the mission targeted German speakers.
A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias faced a language shift. In 1938 Brazil banned non-Portuguese languages in public meetings. The mission transitioned to Portuguese. Missionaries began learning Portuguese.
John Alden Bowers became mission president in 1938. He oversaw the translation of materials. The Book of Mormon was translated into Portuguese. The first edition was published in 1939.
During World War II many missionaries returned home. Normal missionary work resumed in 1946. In 1954 David O. McKay visited Brazil.
In 1966 Spencer W. Kimball organized Brazil’s first stake. It was in São Paulo. This was the first stake in South America.
In 1978 the São Paulo Brazil Temple was completed. It became the first temple in South America. Some believe this influenced the church’s decision to allow male members of any race to hold the priesthood.
Brazil has seen significant growth. In 1985 there were 206000 members. By 2018 the church reported 1383799 members.
A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias in Brazil has expanded. As of 2018 there were six functioning temples. More temples have been dedicated since then including the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple.
The Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple was announced in 2013. Ground was broken in 2017. It was dedicated in May 2022. The temple stands as a testament. It highlights the faith’s growth and importance in Brazil.