History of the Dominican Republic Santiago Mission
The Gospel of Jesus Christ and missionaries of the Restored Church first arrived on the tropical island in the year 1978, following the dedication given by Elder M. Russell Ballard. The church grew rapidly, with the mission base being located in Santo Domingo.
So it stayed, until 1987, when the island was divided into two missions, and the Santiago mission was born. President Sterling was the first to preside over the mission, and did so for one year.
In 1988, with 120 missionaries, 4 districts, and a membership base of approximately 3,000, Marshall Romney took the lead. Under his leadership, the mission grew to more than 8,000 members, two stakes, and three districts. The mission was baptizing 35-40 people per month. In March of 1991, the mission baptized 230, setting a new record.
The first stake in the northern part of the island (commonly called the Cibao) was formed by Elder LeGrand Curtis of the Quorum of the Seventy on February 17, 1991. Called as the first stake president over Santiago was Ramón Lantigua. This was shortly followed by the formation of the San Francisco Stake on May 26, 1991, by Elder John R. Lasater (Area President and member of the Quorum of the Seventy). Eric Olivero was called as the stake president. With the formation of these two stakes, the total number stakes in the country rose to 5, with approximately 35,000 members.
Other prominent men to visit the country have been Elder Gardner Russell, Elder Alexander Morrison, and Elder Boyd K. Packer, of the Quorum of the Twelve, who came for a Regional Conference.
The Lord has greatly blessed this country and people. The progress has been such that the Santo Domingo Mission was divided in July of 1991. Now with three missions in the country, the progress is incredible!
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