Lds Members In Austria: A Small But Devoted Community

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has a presence in Austria, with a self-reported worldwide membership of 17,255,394 as of December 31, 2023. In Austria, the LDS Church has a history dating back to the 1920s, when it enjoyed religious freedom following World War I. While the majority of Austrians are Catholic, with the religion making up 65% of the population, there are still a significant number of LDS members in the country.

In 2022, there were 4,677 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Austria

Austria officially recognised the LDS Church in 1955, and the Vienna Austria Stake was organised in 1980. Another stake was organised in Salzburg in 1997. As of 2023, Austria is part of the church's Alpine German-Speaking Mission.

The LDS Church in Austria has experienced growth and decline over the years. Most of its growth occurred during the 1960s, and it has since slowed down. Nationwide active membership is likely between 1,600 and 1,800, or 35-38% of total membership.

The people of Austria are proud of their Catholic heritage, with Catholics composing roughly 65% of the population in recent years. However, members of the LDS Church have found ways to use their heritage and their faith to create a new culture.

The LDS Church in Austria enjoyed religious freedom following World War I

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Austria enjoyed religious freedom following World War I. The first district in Austria was formed in 1920, with the district leadership centred in Vienna and encompassing other cities such as Linz and Salzburg. This freedom came after a period of difficulty for the LDS Church in Austria, with existing laws making it hard for the church to establish itself in the country prior to World War I.

During the 1950s, close to 90% of the Austrian population was Catholic, and the country is still proud of its Catholic heritage. However, members of the LDS Church have found ways to use their heritage and their faith to create a new culture. The LDS Church provided humanitarian aid programs in Austria and other European countries after World War II, under the direction of Ezra Taft Benson.

On 27 September 1955, Austria granted official recognition of the LDS Church. The Vienna Austria Stake was organised on 20 April 1980, and another stake in Salzburg was organised on 19 January 1997. As of February 2023, Austria is currently part of the church's Alpine German-Speaking Mission.

The LDS Church in Austria has experienced growth, particularly during the 1960s, although this has since slowed. In 2009, there were 4,203 members in 17 congregations (12 wards and 5 branches). In 2022, there were 4,677 members in 17 congregations (14 wards and 3 branches). Nationwide active membership is likely between 1,600 and 1,800, or 35-38% of total membership. The self-reported membership of the LDS Church as of 31 December 2023 was 17,255,394 worldwide.

The first district in Austria was formed in 1920, with the district leadership centred in Vienna

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Austria has a long and fascinating history. The first district in Austria was formed in 1920, with the district leadership centred in Vienna. This district also encompassed other cities, including Linz and Salzburg. The LDS Church enjoyed religious freedom following World War I, which allowed it to establish a foothold in the country. However, prior to World War I, the LDS Church had faced difficulties establishing itself in Austria due to existing laws.

During World War II, missionaries and some local members left Austria, but the church remained active. After the war, the church provided humanitarian aid programs in Austria and other European countries under the direction of Ezra Taft Benson. This period saw a significant growth in membership, with most of the growth occurring during the 1960s. In 2009, there were 4,203 members in 17 congregations, and by 2022, this number had grown to 4,677 members. Nationwide active membership is likely between 1,600 and 1,800, or 35-38% of the total membership.

The LDS Church in Austria has had to navigate a predominantly Catholic population, with close to 90 percent of the population identifying as Catholic in the 1950s. However, members of the LDS Church have found ways to integrate their heritage and faith, creating a unique culture. As of December 31, 2023, the self-reported membership of the LDS Church worldwide was 17,255,394.

The LDS Church in Austria continues to be a part of the church's Alpine German-Speaking Mission, with stakes in Vienna and Salzburg. The dedication of its members is evident in their integration of the country's musical heritage into their religious practices, singing sacrament hymns that harmonise with the melodies of the Alps.

In the 1950s, close to 90% of the Austrian population was Catholic

The LDS Church in Austria refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in the country. Most of the growth of the church in Austria occurred during the 1960s, and this growth has since slowed. In 2009, there were 4,203 members in 17 congregations (12 wards and 5 branches). In 2022, there were 4,677 members in 17 congregations (14 wards and 3 branches). Nationwide active membership is likely between 1,600 and 1,800, or 35-38% of total membership.

Austria has historically been a strongly Catholic country, having been the centre of the Habsburg monarchy (1273–1918) which championed Roman Catholicism. Although in the 16th century many Austrians converted to Protestantism, Lutheranism in particular, the Habsburgs enacted measures of Counter-Reformation as early as 1527 and harshly repressed Austrian Protestantism. A few decades after the fall of the Habsburg monarchy at the end of World War I, and the transformation of Austria into a federal republic, there has been a decline of Christianity (with the exception of Orthodox churches) and a proliferation of other religions, particularly in the capital state of Vienna.

Today, some Austrians continue to practise Catholic traditions that mark seminal life events such as baptism, confirmation, marriage and funerals. Many will baptise their babies even if they do not regularly attend church services. However, most Austrians who identify as Catholic do not necessarily hold Catholic beliefs on central social and moral issues. In the 20th and 21st centuries, Austria has seen a radical change in the religious composition of the country, largely due to historical events (such as WWII) and immigration. Two particular religious communities that have seen significant changes during this time are Islam and Judaism. The Muslim community in Austria has been present for over a century.

The self-reported membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as of 31 December 2023 was 17,255,394

The self-reported membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) as of 31 December 2023 was 17,255,394. This figure includes those who have been baptised and confirmed, those under the age of nine who have been blessed but not baptised, and those born to members but who are not accountable due to intellectual disabilities.

The LDS Church has a presence in Austria, where it is known as the Alpine German-Speaking Mission. The first district in Austria was formed in 1920, with its leadership based in Vienna. The church enjoyed religious freedom following World War I, but during World War II, missionaries and some local members left the country. After the war, the church provided humanitarian aid programmes in Austria and other European countries.

In recent years, the growth of the LDS Church in Austria has slowed. In 2009, there were 4,203 members in 17 congregations (12 wards and 5 branches). By 2022, this number had increased to 4,677 members in 17 congregations (14 wards and 3 branches). Nationwide active membership is likely between 1,600 and 1,800, or 35-38% of total membership.

Austria has a strong Catholic heritage, with close to 90% of the population identifying as Catholic in the 1950s. Today, Catholics make up roughly 65% of the Austrian population. Despite this, members of the LDS Church in Austria have found ways to integrate their heritage and faith, creating a new culture.

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