The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Iceland

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Iceland refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Iceland. Missionary efforts of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began in 1851 with the baptisms of two native Icelanders visiting Denmark. They returned to Iceland to share the gospel. Missionary work has continued since then, although there were no permanent missionaries in Iceland from 1914 to 1974. As of December 31, 2022^[update], The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had 382 members in Iceland, divided into three congregations. There is also one Family History Center.^[1] On January 22, 2023, a Spanish language branch was created in Reykjavik bringing the number of congregation to four.

History

1850–55: Early missionary efforts

The first Mormons in Iceland were Thorarinn Thorason (or Hafliðason) and Guðmundur Guðmundsson, who were both baptized in 1851 under the direction of Erastus Snow.^[3] They were introduced to the gospel and baptized in Denmark while learning trades.^[1] They returned to Iceland expecting to share the gospel with their friends and family, only to find that they were mocked often. However, they were able to convert Benedikt Hansson and his wife. After their baptisms, however, Guðmundsson and Thorason were forbidden from preaching in Iceland. Thorason's wife was strongly opposed to his missionary efforts and threatened to drown herself if he continued.^[4] In response, Thorason stopped his missionary efforts, but remained a faithful church member until his accidental death (by drowning) in December 1851.^[4]

Guðmundsson persisted in missionary efforts, but lacked the authority to perform baptisms. After he wrote to the church leaders in

Early church members were encouraged to emigrate to the United States,[1] which contributed to the mass emigration of Icelanders the 1850s and later decades.^[5] A group of 16 mormons left Iceland in 1855 and immigrated to the Salt Lake Valley.^[6] Brigham Young sent them to settle in Spanish Fork, Utah, in the late 1850s.^[7]

1855–1914: Slow growth and opposition to the church

While many members of the church immigrated to Utah, between 1873 and 1914, 22 native Icelandic saints living in Utah were called on missions to Iceland. Missionaries sent in 1873 began preaching again in the Westman Islands, but faced strong opposition. These missionaries left the following year, but had organized a small branch there. Other pairs of missionaries continued to be sent to the islands, and in 1879 they began preaching on the mainland.^{[8]: 75–81}

A section of

An Icelandic Mission was established in 1894, but it was dissolved in 1900 largely due to persecution.[10] Missionary work during this time was largely unsuccessful, with few baptisms. Missionaries often reported hardships they faced from opposition and unfavorable weather. By 1906, there were only 36 reported church members in Iceland.^{[8]: 81–89} Missionary work ceased in Iceland in 1914, and did not resume until 1975,^[1]

1914–74: A time without missionaries

Because the Icelandic Mission was closed and there was much opposition to the church, there were no permanent missionaries assigned to Iceland between 1914 and 1974. Some missionaries were sent to Iceland in 1930, however, to check up on the status of the saints. Although they were assigned to the Danish Mission, they spent a few months in Iceland during the summer. In 1955

The Book of Mormon was translated into Icelandic and published by the church in 1981.[10] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became formally recognized by the government in November 1983.^[4] The Geslisons returned to Iceland on two more missions and saw the completion of a visitors center and the organization of a branch in Akureyri. Church members across the country were asked to participate in missionary work by serving three-month missions in 1988.^{[6]: 164–165} In 1994 the church translated the temple ceremony and recorded the voices of native Icelanders.^[10] In July 2000 the church dedicated the first meetinghouse in the country. That year, Gordon B. Hinckley, serving as president of the church, visited the saints in Iceland.^[1] Latter-day saints were recognized in a permanent museum exhibit at the Vestmannaeyjar Folk Museum.^[11]

Congregations

Reykjavik (FHC)

Selfoss

Akureyri

Mormon Pond

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Meetinghouses & Historic Monument in Iceland
Purple = Meetinghouse
Gold = Historic Monument
(FHC) = Family History Center

As of February 2023, the following congregations were located in Iceland:

• Akureyri Branch
• Reykjavik 1st Branch
• Reykjavik 2nd Branch (Spanish)
• Selfoss Branch

All congregations not in a stake are named branches, regardless of size.

Mission

Missionary efforts are conducted under the Denmark Copenhagen Mission, and there are eight young missionaries who are assigned to preach in Iceland, 8 Elders.^[4]

See also

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Denmark

References