Missionary Work 4: Church Growth in Florida
Florida is rapidly growing in its population of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The growth is particularly noteworthy for its diversity in a church often viewed as largely white (caucasian).
The Miami Lakes Stake, which includes South Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, is approximately sixty percent Hispanic, according to estimates. Racial statistics are not kept by the Church of Jesus Christ. Congregations become more diverse as one travels south in Florida. There is one Spanish-speaking branch—a branch is smaller than a regular congregation (called a “ward”)—and most come from Central America.
In 1845, Phineas Young, a brother of Church President Brigham Young traveled to Florida and introduced the Church to Native American tribes. Church growth was slow but steady, and by 1897 Florida’s first official congregation of the Church was organized in Jefferson County. J. C. Neubeck was the first Latter-day Saint resident of record in Miami. He settled in the area in 1907. In 1909 the first missionaries were assigned to Miami, and for the next 16 years meetings of the small group were held in Neubeck’s home. Neubeck was called as the first Sunday School superintendent in 1920.[1]
The first chapel in Miami was subsequently dedicated in 1930 by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, and in 1947, Church leaders organized what would be the first stake in Florida, which covered most of the state. Approximately 15 years later, a second stake was organized in Miami, and in October 1970, then Church President Spencer W. Kimball traveled to Miami to organize the Fort Lauderdale Stake.[2]
As the Church grew, so did its diversity, and membership increased among Cuban, Latin American, and Caribbean immigrants.[3]
Latter-day Saints do not run their congregations differently based on the race or culture of the people. However, they do offer congregations that are conducted in a specific language, if there is a need. Interpreters are available to assist as many as possible who are in English-speaking congregations. Scriptures are also available in a variety of languages.
As of January 2024, Florida has two temples in operation in Orlando (dedicated in 1994) and Fort Lauderdale (dedicated in 2014), with three under construction or announced in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Tampa. Temples are a sign of growth of the Church in an area, since they are built only as needed to serve the local membership. Florida experienced an 18.3 percent increase in Church membership during the 10-year period from 2011 to 2021.[4]
