President Oaks dedicates Brazil temple as nation climbs to second-largest LDS membership

President Dallin H. Oaks arrived in Brazil on Sunday to dedicate the Belo Horizonte temple, the nation’s 12th Latter-day Saint house of worship. In an interview with SBT News, Oaks explained he chose Brazil because of its vibrant faith community, noting that official statistics now place Brazil just behind the United States with 1,573,360 members, edging out Mexico’s 1,572,287. He described the new temple as serving ten regional congregations and emphasized its significance for Brazilian believers.

Brazil, which has enjoyed religious freedom since the 1960s, now hosts more than 2,000 congregations, 37 missions, and a growing cadre of leaders such as Elder Ulisses Soares, the first Brazilian apostle, and eight General Authority Seventies. Church growth in Brazil added 47,924 members in 2025, accounting for 12.7% of worldwide increase, while Mexico also saw a rise of 38,229 members. Oaks urged Brazilian Latter-day Saints to keep the commandments, be good citizens, and foster strong families.