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

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Virginia refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Virginia. In 1841, there were 80 members of the Church. It has since grown to 96,748 members in 216 congregations.

Official church membership as a percentage of general population was 1.13% in 2014. According to the 2014 Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey, roughly 2% of Virginians self-identified most closely with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.^[3] The Church is the 7th largest denomination in Virginia.^[4]

History

In 1841, there were some 80 members of the Church in Virginia.^[5]

In 1996, a group of Mormon businessmen acquired Southern Virginia College—a two-year private women's college—and turned it into Southern Virginia University, a four-year, coeducational school with a Brigham Young University-like honor code in Buena Vista.^[6]

In 2011, Time magazine profiled the large population of singles, or Young Single Adults, in the DC area—including the new 23rd Street Chapel.^[7]

In April 2018, church president Russell M. Nelson announced a new temple to be built in Virginia. The first temple of the church to be built in the state, the temple is located in Glen Allen.^[8]

Stakes

LDS stakes are groups of congregations. Wards are medium-sized congregations and branches are small congregations.

Stakes are led by a stake presidency (stake president and two counselors, supported by an executive secretary, a stake clerk, and typically four assistant clerks) and a high council of 12 councilors. Stakes also have presidencies for the Stake Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Primary, and Sunday School.

Winchester

Woodbridge

Washington D.C.