The Fertile Field

The Fertile Field A History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Andean Nations of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador
[A graphic showing relative growth of the Church in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador from 1965-1999, prepared for the presentation of this paper, is available here.]

"Soon," declared Elder Harold B. Lee on November 1, 1959 during the creation of the new Andes mission, "the Pacific Coast of the Americas will become the most fertile proselyting field of the Church." ⁽¹⁾ Six months later, Elder Lee commented on his statement, "I said things that I knew not of. I truly felt the spirit of prophecy." ⁽²⁾ After forty years, it appears in retrospect that this event marked a sort of crossroads in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South America. It culminated 107 years of efforts to establish a foothold there and preceded four decades (thus far) of phenomenal growth on the continent. During the last two decades, Elder Lee's prophecy has been realized as Ecuador, Peru and Chile, all bordering on the Pacific Ocean, have alternately held the position of "the leading baptizing mission in the world." ⁽³⁾

On March 13, 1852, Elder Parley P. Pratt wrote a letter to President Brigham Young from the Ship "'Dracut'" concerning his thoughts on the potential for missionary work in South America. ⁽⁴⁾Of Peru, he wrote:

Should Peru sustain her liberties, a field is opened in the heart of Spanish America, and in the largest, best informed and most influential city and nation of South America for the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the fullness of the gospel to be introduced. . . .I had much desire to go to Peru at this time: but an empty purse and imperfect tongue, which has only barely begun to stammer in that language, together with the want of books or the means to print them, with other circumstances, all combined to cause me to wait a little. . ." ⁽⁵⁾

Parley P. Pratt was unable to return to Latin America. He was assassinated in Van Buren, Arkansas on May 13, 1857. ⁽⁶⁾ Although it would be many years before the Church would gain an official presence in the region, some of Elder Pratt's descendants were instrumental in laying the groundwork. His son Helaman, for example, was a member of the original party of seven missionaries to Mexico that departed from Salt Lake City on September 1, 1875. ⁽⁷⁾ Mexican mission president Rey Lucero Pratt, Helaman's son ⁽⁸⁾ and Parley's grandson, traveled to Buenos Aires with Elders Melvin J. Ballard and Rulon S. Wells to dedicate South America for the preaching of the gospel. ⁽⁹⁾ Several months later, on July 4, 1926, Elder Ballard declared:

The work will go forth slowly for a time just as the oak grows slowly from an acorn It will not shoot up in a day as does the sunflower that grows quickly and thus dies. Thousands will join here. It will be divided into more than one mission and will be one of the strongest in the Church. The work here is the smallest that it will ever be. The day will come when the Lamanites here in South America will get their chance. The South American Mission will become a power in the Church. ⁽¹⁰⁾

Elders Ballard and Pratt passed through Bolivia and Peru en route to Salt Lake City in 1926. They met with government officials who assured them that there would be no objection to the presence of missionaries in those nations. ⁽¹¹⁾ It would be thirty more years, however, before those missionaries would arrive.

Pioneering in Peru

Several American LDS families lived in Peru in the early twentieth century. The first known LDS resident in Peru was the Alfred W. McCune family, who arrived sometime before 1903. McCune was a Utah millionaire who chose to develop Peruvian mines into the Cerro de Pasco Corporation. ⁽¹²⁾ While he hired several LDS young men from the states to work for him, the Church didn't really begin to develop in Peru until Frederick S. Williams, former president of the Argentine and Uruguayan missions, arrived with his family on January 1, 1956. ⁽¹³⁾ In April, he petitioned the First Presidency of the Church, asking that Elder Henry D. Moyle might organize them as a branch when he visited the South American missions. ⁽¹⁴⁾ Thirty people attended this meeting on July 8, 1956. ⁽¹⁵⁾ Missionaries started arriving the next month, and in August 1956, J. Vernon Sharp began serving as mission president. ⁽¹⁶⁾ Finally, on November 1, 1959, Elder Harold B. Lee officially organized the Andean Mission. By then, seven hundred members of the Church in Peru were organized in three branches. ⁽¹⁷⁾

One of these early members of the church in Peru was Roberto Vidal. He and his wife Elizabeth were introduced to the gospel in 1957. ⁽¹⁸⁾ On February 22, 1970, when Elders Gordon B. Hinckley and A. Theodore Tuttle organized the Lima Stake, this prominent banker was sustained as the first stake president in Peru. He had previously served as a bishop, a district president, and a counselor to four mission presidents. ⁽¹⁹⁾ He would later serve as a regional representative, as a mission president in Quito, Ecuador, and as the Lima Peru Temple recorder, a position he held until his death in 1989. ⁽²⁰⁾

Another early member and leader of the Church in Peru is G. Mario Perotti. He was baptized in 1964 at the age of 24. Two weeks later, he was called to teach Sunday School. After his first lesson, he felt confident in his performance. Then Marina Ruiz Luque, an inservice leader who was introduced to the church in 1961, approached him, suggesting a few things that he could improve. His pride hurt, Mario decided to get even. Eventually, this encounter led to their marriage. ⁽²¹⁾

Both Mario and Marina had attended the temple in the United States prior to their marriage, Marina having the distinction of being the first single Peruvian to attend the temple. Living only a few blocks from the Lima Peru temple, they have been able to return frequently and serve in the temple since its completion. Both have had many callings in the Church. Mario Perotti has served as a stake president and regional representative and Marina Perotti has served actively in the Relief Society. ⁽²²⁾

Another Peruvian leader, former Area Authority Seventy Oscar H. Aguayo was baptized with his wife on September 10, 1971. They had begun investigating the church a few years earlier, but Oscar was concerned about joining a little-known religion. ⁽²³⁾ Five years later, he had traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah where he and his wife were sealed, and was serving as the first president of the Lima Peru Central Stake, the third stake in Peru. ⁽²⁴⁾ Later, serving as a regional representative, mission president in Trujillo, Peru, and as an area authority seventy until his death, ⁽²⁵⁾ he, along with the Vidals, Perottis, and others, have been instrumental in bringing the Church out of obscurity in Peru. ⁽²⁶⁾

Beginnings in Bolivia

Because of a ban forbidding non-Catholic religions, the Church did not enter Bolivia for many years. In 1963, Duane Wilcox, Dube Thomas, and Norval Jesperson, LDS Americans living with their families in Bolivia, worked successfully with government officials to gain legal recognition. Missionaries began entering La Paz and Cochabamba from the Andes South Mission on November 24, 1964. The first baptisms occurred a month later. ⁽²⁷⁾ Missionaries were assigned to Santa Cruz and Oruro in February 1966, according to Joe E. Hubbs, Jr., one of the first missionaries to enter Oruro. ⁽²⁸⁾ Shortly after, missionaries began arriving from the North Argentine Mission under the direction of President Richard G. Scott. They were sent to Quiriza, a small community in southern Bolivia. ⁽²⁹⁾

Two early Bolivian converts who later became leaders of the Church were Carlos Pedraja ⁽³⁰⁾ of Cochabamba, baptized May 30, 1965, and Jorge Leaño ⁽³¹⁾ of La Paz, baptized September 19, 1965. In 1968, Carlos Pedraja became the first Bolivian called from Bolivia to serve a mission. He served in the Andes South mission in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. In 1979, both he and Jorge Leaño were called to lead the first stakes organized in their respective cities of Cochabamba and La Paz. Both have been called as Regional Representatives, and both have served as mission presidents-Jorge Leaño in the Colombia Cali mission from 1987 to 1990, and Carlos Pedraja in the Argentina Salta mission from 1996 to 1999. From 1995 until 1998, President Leaño and his wife served as president and matron of the Lima Peru Temple.

In 1967, Elder Spencer W. Kimball dedicated Bolivia for the preaching of the gospel. While there, he also dedicated the first chapel in Bolivia, in Quiriza. According to Hernán Sainz, former President of the La Paz Bolivia Central District, while the chapel was under construction, it was discovered that the center beam was two feet too short. Obtaining a new beam would take more time than they had before Elder Kimball would arrive for the dedication, so the members fasted and prayed for help. However, no alternative to ordering the new beam presented itself, so they decided to take measurements again with the beam they had. When they lifted it up, they discovered that it fit perfectly. The local members deemed the occurrence a miracle. ⁽³²⁾

Embarking in Ecuador

In 1965, Elder Spencer W. Kimball was authorized by President David O. McKay to begin missionary work in Ecuador. ⁽³³⁾ Elder Kimball then wrote ⁽³⁴⁾ and/or called ⁽³⁵⁾ President J. Avril Jesperson of the Andes Mission on September 22 telling him of his arrival.

On October 8, Elder Kimball arrived in Quito, a day described as "a glorious time." ⁽³⁶⁾ The next day, he stood on Panecillo hill in Quito, and dedicated Ecuador for the preaching of the gospel. The first baptisms, including the taxi drivers that had taken Elder Kimball to Panecillo, ⁽³⁷⁾ occurred just over three weeks later.

Proselyting began in Guayaquil and Otavalo, an Indian community, in 1966, and in 1967 Elder Kimball returned to Ecuador. While there, he held a meeting in Peguchi, a small village a few miles outside Otavalo. ⁽³⁸⁾ While Elder Kimball spoke about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his visit to the Americas, a group of more than one hundred Indians gathered around him. ⁽³⁹⁾ President Kimball commented that, "of all the meetings I have ever held or attended, I think this was the most inspired and stimulating and promising." ⁽⁴⁰⁾

The Otavalan Indians reside in Northern Ecuador. They live much as their ancestors did, wearing traditional dress and eating locally grown crops. They are mostly agrarians and artisans. Josè Picuasi, President of the Otavalo Ecuador Stake from 1988 to 1997, said "Our purpose is to bring forth the gospel by sharing. Our attitude should be simple so the rest of our people will notice who and what we are." ⁽⁴¹⁾ During General Conference, on April 5, 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley recognized the Otavalans in attendance, saying "I have. . .seen. . . a group of Otavalo Indians from the highlands of Ecuador, and I want to express my appreciation to these wonderful people. . .who have come so very, very far to participate with us in this conference. Thank you very much, brothers and sisters." ⁽⁴²⁾

One early Otavaleño convert was Rafael Tabango. Although illiterate, he nevertheless became convinced of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon, and later became the first branch president of the Otavalo Indians. ⁽⁴³⁾ At great personal expense, he traveled with his family in 1978 to the dedication of the Sao Paulo Brazil Temple. While there, he was warmly greeted by President Spencer W. Kimball. ⁽⁴⁴⁾ He was called as the first patriarch to his people in 1981. ⁽⁴⁵⁾

Moving Forward

Many programs of the Church have greatly helped Andean and Latin American Saints and others over the world improve the quality of their lives. These have included a literacy program, begun in Bolivia by 1974, ⁽⁴⁶⁾ and later extended to other countries. Another program is the Benson Institute at Brigham Young University which has helped people in developing nations enhance their lives in nutrition and agriculture since 1975. ⁽⁴⁷⁾ The welfare program and welfare missionaries have also helped members to develop important skills. These and other measures are examples of the Church practicing its teachings in deed as well as word.

A very significant visit occurred in 1977 when President Spencer W. Kimball conducted eight area conferences in Latin America; including meetings in Lima, Peru, La Paz, Bolivia, and Bogotá, Colombia (which was also for members living in Ecuador and Venezuela). In Lima, President Kimball stated in a press conference that "we believe we're in a position to plant the seed that eventually will transform the world from bad to good." ⁽⁴⁸⁾ A group of Otavalan Saints traveled 56 hours to attend the conference in Colombia. ⁽⁴⁹⁾ While President Kimball was in La Paz, several members of his entourage got altitude sickness, including Dell Van Orden, editor of the Church News. As he lay in bed, half-thinking he was dying, President Kimball knocked on the door, asking if he was alright. He continued from room to room, despite whatever illness he might have felt, "checking on the welfare of others." ⁽⁵⁰⁾ A common rumor in Bolivia indicates that he also visited the famous ruins of Tiahunaco at this time and provided a very interesting interpretation regarding its relevance to the peoples of the Book of Mormon. ⁽⁵¹⁾ By the time of these visits, Church membership had reached 23,136 in Peru, 14,010 in Bolivia, and 19, 022 in Ecuador. ⁽⁵²⁾

Church membership continued to grow in the 1980s, and on April 1, 1981, a temple was announced to be constructed in Lima Peru. ⁽⁵³⁾ This was followed by an announcement for a temple in Guayaquil, Ecuador on March 31, 1982. While the completion of the Ecuador Temple was delayed for more than seventeen years, ground was broken for the Lima Peru Temple the next year on September 11, 1982. It was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley on January 10, 1986. ⁽⁵⁴⁾ Growth continued at such a pace that just two years later, Elder M. Russell Ballard created seven stakes in Peru in six meetings in twenty-eight hours. ⁽⁵⁵⁾ By then, Church membership had topped 125,000 in Peru, 40,000 in Bolivia, and 52,000 in Ecuador. ⁽⁵⁶⁾

Progression did not advance unimpeded, however. Natural disasters, including earthquakes in Ecuador, avalanches in Peru, and floods in Bolivia, took their toll as many members lost homes or land. ⁽⁵⁷⁾ In early 1986, Lake Titicaca in Bolivia rose ten to twelve feet, flooding 27,000 acres of land. However, after M. Russell Ballard prayed that the rains would cease in April 1986, the water level suddenly dropped sixteen inches in only six weeks, despite expert predictions that it would take four to eight years to recede. ⁽⁵⁸⁾

Tragedy struck repeatedly between 1989 and 1991 as five missionaries, two Americans and three Peruvians, were slain in Bolivia and Peru. On May 24, 1989, Elders Todd Ray Wilson and Jeffrey Brent Ball had left their apartment around 9:30 p.m. to eat dinner. ⁽⁵⁹⁾ At about 10:20 p.m., as they were returning to their apartment in La Paz, they were gunned down by terrorists, ⁽⁶⁰⁾ members of the Zarate Willka Armed Liberation Forces. ⁽⁶¹⁾ Elder Ball died immediately; Elder Wilson passed away in an ambulance. ⁽⁶²⁾ A great outpouring of support and love followed; the slayings dominated the Bolivian press, the First Presidency of the Church spoke at their funerals in Utah, and the Church News devoted their June 3, 1989 issue to covering the event. ⁽⁶³⁾ The FBI was sent to investigate the homicides, and several suspects were captured and tried ⁽⁶⁴⁾. As a result of the homicides, The Church of Jesus Christ redeployed some missionaries in Bolivia, and the ratio of North American missionaries to their Latin American counterparts was reduced to 30-70. ⁽⁶⁵⁾

Despite these precautions, just over a year later Elders Manuel Antonio Hidalgo and Christian Andreani Ugarte, both of Peru, were shot and killed in Huancayo, Peru. ⁽⁶⁶⁾ Their attackers left a sign by their bodies accusing them of being imperialist supporters. ⁽⁶⁷⁾ Coverage in the Church News was much less extensive, comprising only two articles. ⁽⁶⁸⁾ Then, on March 6, 1991, Oscar Zapata of Piura, Peru was shot in the remote town of Tarma, Peru. ⁽⁶⁹⁾ In this case, the Church News contained no mention of the incident. Along with a missionary murder in Ireland in 1990 ⁽⁷⁰⁾, these killings raised the total number of missionaries martyred from fifteen to twenty-one in less than two years. ⁽⁷¹⁾

As a result of these martyrdoms, all North American missionaries were temporarily removed from the seven missions in Peru and the two missions in Bolivia. For example, in one of these missions, the Bolivia Cochabamba Mission, North American missionaries did not return until September 1994. ⁽⁷²⁾ For the first year, almost all arriving North Americans were Elders-sister missionaries did not begin arriving until October 1995. ⁽⁷³⁾ By March 1996, the mission had once again reached about a 30-70 U.S./Latin America ratio. During the next six months, however, only a handful of new North American missionaries arrived. ⁽⁷⁴⁾ Since then the number of American missionaries has once again reached its previous levels. Yet perhaps some good resulted from this period of reduction in North American missionaries. During this period, greater numbers of missionaries from Bolivia, Peru, and other nations served missions, resulting in more church experience for members in those nations.

On January 21, 1995 a third temple was announced to be constructed in Cochabamba, Bolivia. At this time, about 630,000 members from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia were all assigned to the Lima Peru Temple district. Construction on the Guayaquil Ecuador Temple did not begin until August 10, 1996, more than fourteen years after it was announced. ⁽⁷⁵⁾ Ground was broken for the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple three months later during a drought-ending rainstorm by President Gordon B. Hinckley on November 10, 1996 as part of his first visit to South America as President of the Church. ⁽⁷⁶⁾ President Hinckley returned to South America in August 1997 becoming the first President of the Church to visit Ecuador. ⁽⁷⁷⁾ The Guayaquil Ecuador Temple was dedicated by President Hinckley on August 1-2, 1999. ⁽⁷⁸⁾ Finally, when President Hinckley dedicated the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple on April 30, 2000, ⁽⁷⁹⁾ an operating temple existed in all three Andean nations of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

Currently, Church membership in these three countries exceeds 112,000 in Bolivia, 146,000 in Ecuador, and 334,000 in Peru. ⁽⁸⁰⁾ This reflects a growth rate of 273 percent in only twelve years. During the same period, Church membership increased from 6, 440,000 ⁽⁸¹⁾ to 10,752,986 ⁽⁸²⁾-an increase of 167 percent. There are currently 133 stakes and thirteen missions in the region. There have been some obstacles in growth. In addition to what has been discussed, retention has been a challenge as many new converts have fallen away from the Church soon after baptism. Friction has been created with the merging of different cultures. Growth has sometimes resulted in overcrowded or inadequate facilities. But by and large, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is strong in the Andes, and is growing stronger. Currently, about one in seventy-two inhabitants of these nations is a member of the Church. As Elder Harold B. Lee prophesied when he organized the first Andes mission some forty years ago, "the Pacific Coast of the Americas will become the most fertile proselyting field of the Church." ⁽⁸³⁾

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______, "Three Myths About Mormons in Latin America," Dialogue 7:1 (Spring 1972): 79-87.

Van Orden, Bruce A. et. al., Pioneers in Every Land, (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1997).

1. Frederick G. Williams, From Acorn to Oak Tree: A Personal History of the Establishment and First Quarter Development of the South American Missions (Fullerton, CA: Et Cetera Et Cetera Graphics, 1987), 303.

2. Ibid., 303.

3. David Daines "History of the Ecuador-Guayaquil Mission" > (December 7, 1999).

4. Parley P. Pratt, The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt (Chicago, IL: Law, King & Law for Pratt Bros., 1888), 442-449.

5. Ibid., 447-448.

6. Deseret News 1999-2000 Church Almanac (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News, 1998), 176.

7. Daniel Webster Jones,Forty Years Among the Indians: A True yet Thrilling Account of the Author's Experiences among the Natives (Salt Lake City, Utah: Juvenile Instructor Press, 1890), 233.

8. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch, 22 March 1999, <http://www.familysearch.org/> (7 December 1999).

9. Williams, 22-25.

10. Ibid., 30., quoted from "James Vernon Sharp interview, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Oral History Program," p. 10, Church Historical Department.

11. Melvin J. Ballard, Conference Report of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3-5 October 1926: 39.

12. Victor and Lovisa Hurtado "The Saints in Peru" Ensign 4:3 (March 1974): 30.

13. Williams, 289.

14. Ibid., 292.

15. Ibid., 293.

16. Ibid., 294-298.

17. Ibid., 300-301.

18. Allen Litster "Pioneering in the Andes" Ensign 27:1 (January 1997): 16-18.

19. "Peru Stake Created, Idaho Stake Reorganized," Church News, 14March 1970, 6.

20. ibid.

21. John L. Hart "Temple Comes to Backyard," Church News, 1 March 1997, 7.

22. ibid.

23. John L Hart "Quarter of Century of Service, Devotion to Church in Peru," Church News, 24 May 1997, 7.

24. "Five New Stakes Reflect Church Growth," Church News, 18 December 1976, 12.

25. F. Michael Watson "Statistical Report, 1997," Conference Report of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4-5 April 1998, 26.

26. John L. Hart, "Quarter."

27. Church Almanac 1999-2000, 278; "Bolivia," Ensign 7:2 (February 1977), 40.

28. Joe E. Hubbs, Jr., "Missionary Alumni Database: Elder Hubbs (Joe E. Hubbs, Jr.): Other Comments" 14 December 1997, < action="viewentry&.entrynum="419"> (9 December 1999).

29. Andrew W. Peterson, "Easter Reflections," Conference Report of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2 April 1995: 107; Timothy L. Parker, former mission president of Bolivia Cochabamba Mission and missionary in Argentina North Mission, August 1996, conversation with the author, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

30. John L. Har, "Pioneer Member of the Church has been great strength in Bolivia," Church News, 15 June 1996, 7.

31. Litster, "Pioneering," 21.

32. "Bolivia," Ensign 7:2 (February 1977), 40.

33. Edward L. Kimball and Andrew E. Kimball, Jr., Spencer W. Kimball: Twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1977), 361.

34. "Ecuador," Ensign 7:2 (February 1977),34; David R. Crockett "History of the Church in Ecuador, 1," LDSWorld-Gems, <http://www.ldsworld.com/> (10 December 1999).

35. John L. Hart, "Burst of zeal opens work in Ecuador," Church News, 6 November 1999, 8.

36. "Ecuador," 34.

37. Daines, "History."

38. Mapquest, 1999, <http://www.mapquest.com/> (10 December 1999).

39. Kimball, 362.

40. Ibid.

41. Elayne Wells, "A Land of Prophecy: In the Andes, Lehi's Children Grow Strong in Gospel," Church News, 17 February 1990, 8.

42. Gordon B. Hinckley, Conference Report of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4-5 April 1998, 115.

43. Litster, "Pioneering," 19-21.

44. Dell Van Orden, "Temple dedication brings blessings to many members," Church News, 11 November 1978, 5.

45. Litster, "Pioneering," 19-21.

46. "The Scriptures Mean More When You Can Read Them: Bolivian Saints See the Gospel in Action as they Learn to Read," Ensign, 4:4 (April 1974), 76-77.

47. Greg Hill, "Benson Institute Program Enhances Lives of Struggling People," Church News, 3 June 1995, 8.

48. Dell Van Orden, "Love, Respect, and Emotion end Area Conference Series," Church News, 12 March 1977, 3.

49. Ibid., 12.

50. Dell Van Orden and J. Melan Heslop, with Lance E. Larsen, "A Prophet for All the World: Glimpses into the Life of President Spencer W. Kimball," BYU Studies 25:4 (Fall, 1985): 51.

51. Untitled paper obtained in Bolivia. A copy of this article is in the author's possession and may be consulted by contacting the author at rbr2@email.byu.edu.

See also Martin Peck, "b o l i v i a" < http://www.hydrophilus.com/bolivia/index.html> (February 21, 2001).

52. Deseret News Church Almanac, 1980, (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News, 1980), 250.

53. "Plans Announced for Nine New Temples," Church News, 4 April 1981, 3.

54. "Saints of Peru, Bolivia Eager for Temple Blessings," Ensign, 16:1 (January 1986): 79; "Lima Temple Dedication Brings Blessings to Saints in Peru, Bolivia," Ensign, 16:3 (March 1986): 83-84.

55. Lee Warnick, "18 Stakes Created From 11: 28-Hour Marathon in Lima Multiplies by Dividing," Church News, 6 February 1988, 3.

56. Deseret News Church Almanac, 1989-1990. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News, 1988), 113.

57. "LDS Scene," Ensign 17:5 (May 1987): 112; "One Member Killed During Ecuador Earthquakes," Church News, 29 August 1998, 7; "LDS Scene" Ensign 17:7 (July 1987): 76; "Church, Members Aid Flood Victims," Ensign 16:8 (August 1986): 77.

58. "Flood Victims," 77.

59. Omar Mandaco, resident of Cochabamba, Bolivia and former missionary in La Paz, Bolivia at the time of the assassinations, 11 February 1996, conversation with the author, Cochabamba, Bolivia.

60. "Two Missionaries Serving in Bolivia Are Assassinated by Terrorists," Church News, 24 May 1989, 4.

61. "Two Suspects Arrested in Missionary Killings," Church News, 8 July 1989, 4.

62. Omar Mandaco.

63. "Companions to the End," Church News, 3 June 1989, 1; "Sadness Marks Missionaries' 'Homecoming,'" Church News, 3 June 1989, 3; "Greater Love Hath No Man," Church News, 3 June 1989, 16; "Bolivians Express Love for Missionaries," Church News, 3 June 1989, 4; "Church Leaders Eulogize Slain Elders," Church News, 3 June 1989, 3; "Elder Wilson 'Worthy of God's Best,'" Church News, 3 June 1989, 3; "Families Honor Slain Sons' Memories: Elder Ball Touched Lives for Good," Church News, 3 June 1989, 4.

64. Lee Davidson, "FBI Sent to Bolivia to Probe Slayings," Deseret News, 30 May 1989, A1.

65. "Some Missionaries in Bolivia, Peru are 'Redeployed,'" Church News, 15 July 1989, 3; "Precautions Taken Against Terrorism," Church News, 15 July 1989, 10.

66. "Gunmen Shoot, Kill, Two Peruvian Missionaries," Church News, 25 August 1990, 4.

67. "Shooting Claims Peruvian LDS Missionary," Deseret News, 14 June 1991, sec. B., p. 2.

68. "Gunmen"; "Peru Missionaries 'Eager to Continue,'" Church News, 15 September 1990, 3.

69. "Shooting."

70. "Payson Missionary, 20, Stabbed to Death in Ireland," Deseret News, May 28, 1990, B1.

71. "Elder Wilson."

72. The first ones were Elders Douglas Dent, Paul Reeb, and Matthew Scott.

73. The exceptions to this were Sisters Baker and Balderee, who arrived in November, 1994. Sisters Bybee and Champion arrived in October, 1995.

74. Elders Mickelsen, Petersen, Nordick, Robertson, and Clausen.

75. "Amid Tears, Ecuador Temple Ground Broken," Church News, 17 August 1996, 3.

76. "Prophet Breaks Ground for New Temples," Church News, 23 November 1996, 3; and personal experience.

77. "Ecuador receives first visit from a president of Church," Church News, 23 August 1997, 3.

78. "'Thou hast Given Every Blessing of the Restored Gospel,'" Church News, 7 August 1999, 7; "Guayaquil Ecuador Temple Dedication: 'A Wondrous day' for Members, "Church News, 7 August 1999, 3; "'This is a Day of History,'" Church News, 7 August 1999, 10.

79. "Four More Temples Dedicated," Ensign, 30:7 (July 2000): 74; Jerry Johnston, "Worthy of the Heart of a People," Church News, 13 May 2000, 3.

80. Deseret News Church Almanac 2001-2002, (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News, 2000), 282, 318, 380.

81. F. Michael Watson "Statistical Report, 1987," Conference Report of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2-3 April 1998, 22.

82. Deseret News Church Almanac 2001-2002, (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News, 2000), 585.

F. Michael Watson "Statistical Report, 2000," Conference Report of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1-2 April 2000, 22.

83. Williams, 303.

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