Earlier today LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson announced plans for the Church to construct its first temple in France in the capital city of Paris. The first proposal for an LDS temple in France was made by President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1998 when he visited with French members and stated that membership in France had reached the needed numbers and maturity to merit the construction of a temple but that the Church was unable to allocate land (see Ensign article). Rumors have been ongoing for over a decade regarding potential land purchases and speculation as to where a temple would be constructed. Prior to today's announcement, France was the country with the second most Latter-day Saints without an LDS temple after Nicaragua.
At the end of 2010 there were 35,960 Latter-day Saints on church records in France. Currently there are nine stakes, one district, and 110 congregations. LDS Church growth trends in France have been relatively stagnant over the past decade as the number of LDS congregations declined in France from 125 to 110 and annual membership growth rates generally ranged from 1% to 1.5%. France is better reached by the LDS Church than most Western European countries as 47% of the French population resides in cities with LDS congregations (compared to 41.5% for the region). The LDS Church in France ties with Spain for the country in Western Europe with the third lowest estimated member activity rate (24%). For more information on church growth trends, LDS Church history in France, and the outlook for future growth visit the France country profile written by me and David Stewart.
Currently there are 161 LDS temples announced, operating, or under construction. With the announcement of the Paris France Temple, there are now 15 temples in Europe announced, operating, or under construction. The official statement by the Church can be found here.
The LDS church provides a lot for the needs of people throughout the world through its humanitarian efforts. Temple construction will also provide jobs and the temple will continue to have jobs for maintenance and landscaping.
ReplyDeleteWe also believe that the temple will provide for the eternal needs of both the living and the dead.
without a true knowledge of the LDS Church relief and welfare efforts is impossible to have an educated opinion, in the Atlanta,GA area, several trucks & containers full of food,medicine and clothes were sent to New Orleans and Haiti, the world will never knew about it because publicity was never sought, but the construction of a another Temple is always the most beautiful news, for the dead and alive!
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