The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wyoming refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Wyoming. The church's first congregation in Wyoming was organized in 1877. It has since grown to 67,797 members in 172 congregations.
Official church membership as a percentage of general population was 11.5% in 2014 which is the third highest in the United States, behind Utah and Idaho. According to the 2014 Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey, 9% of Wyomingites self-identify themselves most closely with the LDS Church. The LDS Church is the largest denomination in Wyoming.
Stakes are located in Afton, Casper (2), Cheyenne (2), Cody, Evanston (2), Gillette, Green River, Kemmerer, Laramie, Lovell, Lyman, Riverton, Rock Springs, Sheridan, Thayne, and Worland.
The Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission was created in 2015 to cover church historical sites in the area, but the mission was discontinued in 2021.
History
The Willie and Martin handcart companies of 1857 became trapped in the winter snows and approximately 200 of the 1,075 in the companies died, but others were saved by Utah rescue parties.
In 1877, members settled the Star Valley area, and in 1878, Brigham Young Jr. dedicated the spot as a gathering place for the members.
County Statistics
List of LDS Church adherents in each county as of 2010 according to the Association of Religion Data Archives:
Stakes
As of February 2023, Wyoming was home to the following stakes:
Missions
As of 2023, no missions were headquartered in Wyoming. However, Wyoming is served by four missions headquartered outside the state.
Temples
On October 1, 2011, the Star Valley Wyoming Temple was announced by church president Thomas S. Monson. A second temple to be built in Casper was announced on April 4, 2021, by Russell M. Nelson. Nelson announced a third temple, to be built in Cody, on October 3, 2021.
Communities
Latter-day Saints had a significant role in establishing and settling several communities within the "Mormon Corridor", including the following in Wyoming:
Afton
Auburn
Bridger Valley (Particularly Lyman and Fort Supply) Rock Springs Star Valley
See also
Wyoming: Religion
Bear River
Devil's Gate
Fort Bridger
Fort Laramie
Green River
Independence Rock
Lincoln County, Wyoming
Martin's Cove
Mormon Row Historic District
Mormon Trail
Pacific Creek
Rock Church (Auburn, Wyoming) South Pass Sweetwater River
References
Further reading
.
External links
Newsroom (Wyoming) ComeUntoChrist.org Latter-day Saints Visitor site The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Official site