The Church in Haiti

After a group of 22 people joined the Church in Haiti in 1978, the Church grew quickly among Haitians, both in the country and in the diaspora. While foreign missionaries were sometimes withdrawn because of political instability, Haitian Saints led missionary efforts, and a stake was organized in 1997. A temple was dedicated in Port-au-Prince in 2019.

History of the Church in Haiti

In 1977, after reading a pamphlet containing the testimony of Joseph Smith, Alexandre Mourra arranged to be taught by missionaries and was baptized in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On his return to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he preached the gospel and organized regular meetings in Hatte-Marré. In July 1978, 22 Haitian converts were baptized, and a branch was organized with Mourra as president.

The gospel spread quickly in Haiti. By 1983, when Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated Haiti for the preaching of the gospel, a district with branches throughout the country had been organized. In the face of political discord, economic instability, and natural disasters, the Haitian Saints have proven resilient and faithful.

In 1991, when a coup forced foreign missionaries out of the country, Fritzner and Gina Joseph, the first Haitians to preside over the mission in Port-au-Prince, led an all-Haitian missionary force as they continued to preach the restored gospel. When a tropical storm destroyed Gonaïves in 2008, and later when an earthquake leveled cities throughout the country, Haitian Saints helped their neighbors by distributing Church-provided aid and helping rebuild.

In 2015 Haitian Saints across the globe rejoiced at the announcement of the construction of a temple in Port-au-Prince. The Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple was dedicated in 2019.

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