Though a few Filipinos joined the Church in the 1940s and 1950s, growth quickly accelerated in 1961, when the government granted legal recognition to the Church and missionaries began teaching in the country. The first stake in the Philippines was organized in 1973, and more than 100 stakes had been established by 2017. The Philippines now has multiple temples in use and many others under construction.
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History of the Church in the Philippines
A few Filipinos joined the Church in the 1940s and 1950s, but missionary work did not begin in earnest in the Philippines until 1961. After that point, it accelerated quickly. By the end of the decade, the Church had a presence on eight major islands. In 1973 the first stake in the Philippines was organized. Latter-day Saints’ faithful service led not only to the construction of the country’s first temple, dedicated in 1984, but also to the opening of a local missionary training center and to efforts to translate Church materials into multiple Philippine languages. In the 1990s Church membership grew to over a quarter of a million members.
Filipino Saints have worked to build their lives and congregations on “the rock of our Redeemer,” a firm foundation against the troubles of the world (Helaman 5:12). Working closely with each other and in concert with Church members from around the world, Filipino Latter-day Saints have provided shelter and given aid to their fellow Filipinos during natural disasters, developed additional skills to provide for their families and improve their communities, and tried to live as examples of Christlike righteousness and love. The Philippines has the fourth-largest population of Latter-day Saints of any country in the world: members worship in over 100 stakes and in two temples while they await the completion of five more.
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Haidi F. Fajardo
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Phone: 63-947-995-7114
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