The Church in USA—Idaho

In 1855, Brigham Young asked 26 members to settle among the Native Americans on the Salmon River; they established Fort Lemhi in June 1855. Five years later more LDS settlers came to the Franklin area. They dug canals in the winter snows to be ready for summer irrigation. Church members taught agriculture, preached the gospel, and shared supplies with the Native Americans. A prominent chief, Shoshone Chief Washakie, was baptized during the early colonization efforts.

When Idaho was given statehood in 1890, Latter-day Saints comprised about one-fifth of the state’s population. Three Church Presidents have been natives of Idaho: Presidents Harold B. Lee, Ezra Taft Benson, and Howard W. Hunter.

Here are a few facts about the Church in Idaho today:

Membership	406,764
Missions	2
Temples	4
Wards & Branches	1,063
Family History Centers	64

Idaho Falls Temple, © Jon McNaughton