Area Conference in Southern South America

Fifty years ago, in 1925, South America was dedicated for missionary work. From a beginning handful of faithful Saints and devoted missionaries, the Church has established itself solidly and now readies itself for a double area conference: one in São Paulo for the Portuguese-speaking Brazilian Saints, February 28, March 1, and March 2; and the second one in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 7–9, for the Spanish-speaking Saints of Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

These five countries count among themselves 16 stakes and ten missions. The statistical report for 1973 shows a membership of 128,554; over 7,000 of these members have been baptized within the last year. The Church owns over 100 meetinghouses, with 72 sites selected for possible construction.

The Church also operates one school in Uruguay and five in Chile. Three Health Services missionaries serve in Brazil, with two others in Uruguay and six in Chile.

For these Saints, the area conferences will be a milestone. Like Saints around the world, they will have prepared themselves spiritually and made the necessary financial sacrifices to be in attendance at their conference, to be spiritually nourished by the words of their leaders and the General Authorities, many of whom, including President Spencer W. Kimball, share associations of long standing with South American members.

BRAZIL
66 chapels constructed by the Church
44,704 members

1 Campinas Brazil Stake

2 Curitiba Brazil Stake

3 Porto Alegre Brazil Stake

4 Rio de Janeiro Brazil Stake

5 Santos Brazil Stake

6 São Paulo Brazil Stake

7 São Paulo Brazil East Stake

8 São Paulo Brazil South Stake

9 São Paulo Brazil West Stake

10 São Paulo Printing and Distribution Center

11 Ipoméia Ranch Farm

ARGENTINA
42 chapels constructed by the Church
35,453 members

12 Buenos Aires Argentina East Stake

13 Cordoba Argentina Stake

14 Buenos Aires Argentina West Stake

15 Mendoza Argentina Stake

16 Rosario Argentina Stake

17 Buenos Aires Distribution Center

URUGUAY/PARAGUAY
32 chapels constructed by the Church in Paraguay
3 chapels constructed by the Church in Uruguay
24,665 members in Uruguay
1,141 members in Paraguay

18 Montevideo Uruguay East Stake

19 Montevideo Uruguay West Stake

20 Montevideo Administration Headquarters

21 Colegio Moroni (Asunción, Paraguay)

CHILE
16 chapels constructed by the Church
22,591 members

22 Santiago Chile Stake

23 Colegio Deseret (Santiago)

24 Colegio Brisas del Maipo (Santiago)

25 Colegio David O. McKay (Valparaiso)

26 Colegio David O. McKay (Quilpué)

27 Colegio Bio-Bio (Talcahuano)

28 Lo Herrera Church Schools Farm (San Bernardo, suburb of Santiago)

29 Colegio David O. McKay (Viña del Mar)

Membership statistics are based on figures as of 1973.

Our thanks go to photographers Lamar Berrett, Verden Bettilyon, Tim Boss, LeRoy A. Drechsel, Carl Gibson, Royden J. Glade, Craig Harward, Paul Hayes, Sherman H. Hibbert, Tim Huyck, Warren Luch, Jaime Mella, Bill Nelson, C. Emery Powell, Doug Smith, Manual A. Sueldo, and all the members and missionaries who assisted them.