The first missionary of the Church came to Jamaica in 1841, but his stay was brief. In 1853, missionaries were again sent to Jamaica. They found a great deal of antagonism and stayed only six weeks.

Latter-day Saint families of John L. Whitefields and Jay P. Bills, came to Jamaica in the late 1960s and began holding meetings in Mandeville. The Mandeville Branch (a small congregation) was created 22 March 1970. The first Jamaican branch president was Joseph Hamilton.

Among the first converts was Victor Nugent and his family. Full-time missionaries began teaching again in Jamaica in November 1978. By 1983, membership had increased to 300.

Jamaica became part of the new West Indies Mission created in 1983. In November of that year ground was broken for a chapel in Kingston. In 1985, membership had increased to 520, and the first full-time Jamaican missionary left to serve in the United States.

For Journalist Use Only

Elder Duane Hiatt
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Dominican Republic
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