Bronco has been told - by friends who have served there - he can expect "the weather to be hot and humid, with great seafood and lots of Catholics!"
The
first Spanish member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was
Melitón Trejo (in about 1870) who emigrated to Utah, where he aided in the
first translation into Spanish of portions of the Book of Mormon; and, later
accompanied the first Church missionary expedition to Mexico.
The
next known conversions in Spain did not occur until 1966, in association with
two American congregations meeting for Sunday worship. The Spain
Religious Liberty Law, passed in 1967, paved the way for the organization of
the Madrid Branch in February 1968. Some 40 people attended, including Spanish
wives of American servicemen, other Spanish-speaking members, and
investigators. Official recognition for the Church in Spain was formalized in
October 1968, and the first mission was organized in July 1970. During this
period, many Spanish-speaking members from other nations were transferred by
their businesses to Spain and helped to strengthen new congregations. By 1974,
620 members met in 17 wards and branches.
President
Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency, visited King Juan
Carlos I and Queen Sofia in March 1992 and gave them a copy of the Book of
Mormon.
Today there are nearly 53,000 members of the Church in Spain, the Church's 56th temple in Madrid, and three missions headquartered in Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga.
Today there are nearly 53,000 members of the Church in Spain, the Church's 56th temple in Madrid, and three missions headquartered in Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga.
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