Lds Missionaries: Are They In Belize?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belize, also known as the LDS Church, has had a presence in the country since 1980. The first branch was established in Belize City, and as of 2022, there were approximately 5,500 members across 12 congregations in the country. The Belize District was formed in 1983, and meeting houses were constructed in Orange Walk and San Ignacio in 1987. Belize has been a part of various LDS missions over the years, including the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission, the Honduras San Pedro Sula Mission, and the El Salvador San Salvador West/Belize Mission. LDS missionaries have faced challenges and dangers in Belize, including drunk men making threats and rabid dogs chasing them. Despite this, they have persevered in their work, providing humanitarian aid and spreading their religious message.

Missionary work in Belize began in 1980

Missionary work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belize began on 5 May 1980, when President Samuel Flores of the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission and missionary Elder Robert Henke arrived in the country. They were joined by 10 additional missionaries the following day. On the day of their arrival, Elder Merlin Mikkelson was made president of a newly organized branch (a small congregation), and the first Sunday meeting was held on 11 May 1980. The first person to join the Church was Ernesto Alay, who was baptised on 1 June 1980.

The Church's first branch in Belize was organised in Belize City in 1980. The Belize District was organised in 1983, and meeting houses were completed in Orange Walk and San Ignacio in 1987. By this time, the Belize District comprised some 1,000 members in seven branches. The Cayo Belize District was organised in 1991, and Belize was dedicated for missionary work in 1992.

In 1990, the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission was divided, and Belize was placed in the Honduras San Pedro Sula Mission. It is now part of the El Salvador San Salvador West/Belize Mission.

There are no LDS temples in Belize

While there is a presence of LDS missionaries in Belize, there are no LDS temples in the country. LDS missionary work began in Belize on 5 May 1980, when President Samuel Flores of the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission and Elder Robert Henke arrived to prepare for 10 additional missionaries coming the following day. The first meeting was held on 11 May 1980, and the first convert in Belize, Ernesto Alay, was baptised on 1 June 1980.

LDS missionaries have had a long history in Belize, dating back to the 1500s. The earliest missionary venture resulted in one of the first churches being planted near Xunatunich. In 1684, three Franciscans and several Spaniards were martyred for sharing the Gospel, and a second church was planted near Tipu. The Society of Jesus, the headquarters of the Catholic Church, then focused on building churches throughout the Caribbean in the 1850s. This period is known as the Jesuit mission.

In more recent times, LDS missionaries in Belize have been involved in various humanitarian efforts. For example, in 2002, the Church donated wheelchairs to Belize. Latter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of the Church, has also provided hospitals, clinics, and disaster relief, among other supplies and services. In 2021, they donated $20 million to UNICEF to provide vaccines to Belize and other countries.

While there are no LDS temples in Belize, the country is currently located within the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple District.

LDS missionaries in Belize have bikes

LDS missionaries can be spotted on the streets of Belize, with their bicycles helping them navigate the country's diverse terrain. Belize offers a range of landscapes, from flat coastal areas to hilly regions, and bicycles provide a practical and sustainable way for missionaries to move between locations.

The use of bicycles by LDS missionaries in Belize is supported by organizations such as CTR Bikes, which specializes in providing bicycles for Latter-Day Saint Missionaries. CTR Bikes offers a selection of mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, and comfort bikes, ensuring that missionaries have the right type of bicycle for the terrain they will encounter. The bikes are assembled, adjusted, lubricated, and test-ridden before being shipped to the missionaries, ensuring they are ready to ride upon arrival.

LDS missionaries in Belize benefit from the convenience, flexibility, and health benefits that bicycles offer. Bikes provide a more affordable and environmentally friendly mode of transportation than motor vehicles. They also contribute to the physical well-being of the missionaries, promoting an active lifestyle and reducing the risk of health issues associated with inactivity.

The bicycles used by LDS missionaries in Belize are typically equipped with necessary accessories, such as lights for visibility during early morning or evening rides, fenders to protect clothing from dirt or mud, and baskets or panniers for carrying materials and supplies. These accessories further enhance the practicality and functionality of bicycles for missionary work.

Belize is part of the El Salvador San Salvador West/Belize Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has had a presence in Belize since 1980, when President Samuel Flores of the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission and missionary Elder Robert Henke arrived in the country to prepare for the arrival of 10 additional missionaries. The first branch was organised in Belize City, and the first meeting was held on 11 May 1980. The first person to join the church in Belize was Ernesto Alay, who was baptised on 1 June 1980.

The Belize District was organised in 1983, and meeting houses were completed in Orange Walk and San Ignacio in 1987. In 1990, the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission was divided, and Belize was placed in the Honduras San Pedro Sula Mission. In 1993, Belize was briefly assigned to the Guatemala Guatemala City North Mission before returning to the Honduras San Pedro Sula Mission.

As of February 2023, Belize had the following districts and congregations:

• Belize City District
• Cinderella Branch (Spanish)
• Cayo Belize District
• Bullet Tree Falls Branch

The first LDS convert in Belize was baptised in 1980

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the LDS Church, has had a presence in Belize since 1980. Missionary work began in the country on 5 May1980, when President Samuel Flores of the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission and Elder Robert Henke arrived in Belize. They were followed by 10 additional missionaries the next day. The first Sunday meeting was held on 11 May 1980, and the first convert, Ernesto Alay, was baptised on 1 June 1980.

The LDS Church has continued to grow in Belize since then. The Belize District was organised in 1983, and by 1987 there were some 1,000 members in seven branches. In the early 1980s, seminary and institute programmes were introduced, and in 1987, meeting houses were completed in Orange Walk and San Ignacio. In 1991, the Cayo Belize District was organised, and in 1992, Belize was dedicated for missionary work.

In 2022, there were 5,534 members of the LDS Church in Belize, across 12 congregations.

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