map of Dominican Republic

A History of the Church in

Dominican Republic

On June 8, 1978—the day the revelation extending the priesthood to all male members of the Church regardless of race was announced—Eddie and Mercedes Amparo, Dominicans who had been baptized while living in the United States, returned to the Dominican Republic. In the airport, the Amparos met John and Nancy Rappleye, Latter-day Saints from Utah who were moving to Santo Domingo for work. The two families began holding weekly meetings together, and soon Noemí and Rodolfo Bodden decided to accept baptism. Missionaries arrived soon after, and a branch was organized.

The Church grew rapidly. Over the next three years, branches were organized in several neighborhoods of Santo Domingo and in several other communities. In 1980, a mission was organized in Santo Domingo. Around that same time, José Ramón Baez, Ana Rodriguez, Sara Espinosa, and Mayra Bobea, the first full-time missionaries called from the Dominican Republic, began their service abroad.

Dominican Saints have magnified their offices and labored in their might to bring the gospel to their neighbors (see Jacob 1:19). By 1996, nearly half of all missionaries serving in the Dominican Republic were local members, and the missions were the most successful in the Caribbean Area. In 2000, the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple, the first temple in the Caribbean, was dedicated. That same year, a missionary training center opened nearby. In times of need, Dominican Saints have reached out to bear up those around them. In the aftermath of several tropical storms, Dominican Saints have worked to rebuild homes, distribute emergency supplies, and care for the suffering.

Quick Facts

Official Name: Dominican Republic/República Dominicana

Capital: Santo Domingo

Largest City: Santo Domingo

Official Languages: Spanish

Land Area: 48,670 km² (18,792 mi²)

Church Area: Caribbean

Missions: 3 (Santo Domingo [2] and Santiago)

Congregations: 201

Temples: 1 (Santo Domingo)