Whispers of faith echo around the Iglesia de los santos de los ultimos dias. This church has a rich story. It began in Argentina in 1925. Melvin J. Ballard arrived in Buenos Aires. He opened the church’s South American Mission.
K.B. Reinhold Stoof became the mission’s first president in 1926. Early efforts focused on German immigrants. The South American Mission split in 1935. It became the Brazilian and Argentine Missions. Missionaries left during World War II. They returned in 1947. The first stake in Argentina was established in Buenos Aires in 1966.
Let’s talk about growth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown significantly in Argentina. By 2021 there were 474399 members. Argentina ranks fourth in South America for church membership. It is seventh worldwide.
Heber J. Grant sent Andrew Jenson to Argentina in 1923. Jenson was to find locations for successful missions. Church leaders wanted to be cautious. They wanted the mission to last. They didn’t want a repeat of Japan. The Japanese Mission closed in 1924.
German members immigrated to Argentina in 1925. Wilhelm Friedrichs and Emil Hoppe escaped post-World War I Germany. They published religious messages. In 1924 they asked for missionaries. Friedrichs said it was hard to meet people. He also lacked the priesthood to baptize.
Melvin J. Ballard, Rulon S. Wells, and Rey Pratt arrived in Buenos Aires. This was in the fall of 1925. They were to establish missionary work. Wells spoke German fluently. Pratt knew Spanish and Latin culture. They arrived on December 6 1925. Anna Kullick and Ernst Biebersdorf were among the first baptized. They were German immigrants. The baptisms occurred on December 12 1925. It took place in the Rio de la Plata. Language was a challenge. Talks needed translation from English to Spanish to German.
The LDS Church was officially established on December 25 1925. It was called the South American Mission. Ballard dedicated it in Tres de Febrero Park. Ballard, Wells, and Pratt served for six months. They presented lectures and slideshows. They spoke about Ancient American ruins. They also discussed Latter-day Saint history and Salt Lake City. They had little success in Buenos Aires. They then tried Liniers. Herta Klara Kullick quickly learned Spanish. She brought over 100 friends to listen. Sunday school began in May 1926. Baptisms followed in June. Pratt believed they should focus on the Spanish-speaking population.
K.B. Reinhold Stoof became president in July 1926. Ballard, Wells, and Pratt stayed for a month. Initially missionaries had little success. Stoof brought J. Vernon Clark. Clark helped maintain work with Spanish speakers. Stoof focused on German immigrants. He later realized they were too scattered. He then focused on Spanish and Italian speakers. Branches were created in Buenos Aires. These also focused on German immigrants.
The South American Mission divided in 1935. It became the Brazilian and Argentine Missions. There were 192 members in Argentina. W. Ernest Young became the first president. He oversaw 14 missionaries and 255 members. Missionary work and meetings were in Spanish. Missionaries shifted from German immigrants to Spanish speakers. The first chapel was built in Liniers. It was dedicated on April 9 1939. It was the first in South America.
After World War II missionaries returned. In 1949 membership reached 1000 in 27 branches. Harold Brown developed local leadership. Missionary work expanded.
The first stake opened in Buenos Aires in 1966. Ángel Abrea was named stake president. Argentina hosted area conferences in 1975 and 1978. A missionary training center opened in 1985. The Buenos Aires Argentina Temple was dedicated on January 17 1986. In 1998 there were 265000 members and 62 stakes.
In October 2022 another temple was announced for Buenos Aires. It will be located on Avenida Córdoba. The Iglesia de los santos de los ultimos dias continues to be a beacon. It stands as a testament to faith.