A History of the Church in
Nicaragua
Overview
In the 1950s, several Latter-day Saints moved to Managua, Nicaragua, and began holding meetings in their homes and inviting local people to attend. In 1954, José Guzmán and his daughter Nora Esperanza were baptized, and a branch was organized in Managua shortly after. Other converts soon followed. As the work progressed in Nicaragua, additional branches were organized, and a district was created in 1958.
On December 23, 1972, a massive earthquake struck in Managua, leaving many Saints without homes and many more without employment. Members helped distribute more than 20 tons of relief supplies sent by the Church and held meetings in their homes. In the months that followed, members worked together to rebuild their homes, provide food, and secure new employment.
In 1977, political conflicts in Nicaragua led to violence. North American missionaries, falsely accused of orchestrating anti-government plots, were evacuated. Church-owned meetinghouses were confiscated. While some Nicaraguan Saints fled the country, those who remained held meetings in their homes, finding “in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy” (2 Corinthian 8:2). Local members accepted calls as missionaries, and the Church continued to grow. In March 1981, a stake was organized in Managua.
In the late 1980s, relations between the Church and the government improved, and meetinghouses were returned to the Church. In the decades since, the Church and the government of Nicaragua have developed a strong working relationship and have worked on several joint humanitarian aid projects. In April 2018, the construction of a temple in Managua was announced during general conference.