New Member Profile: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a service-oriented, globally-connected Christian church. To welcome them as new members of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, we recently spoke with their Springfield Stake Communications Director, David Willis, to find out more about them and the organization.
Tell us a little about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Church is a worldwide faith of over 17 million members, centered on the belief that everyone on earth is a son or daughter of a loving God. We believe that His son, Jesus Christ, saved the world from sin and death and provided a plan of happiness. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also provides opportunities for individuals and families to follow the commandments to love God and one’s neighbor. The Church has over 30,000 congregations in more than 160 countries and territories including 21 wards (congregations) in the Eugene/Springfield/Santa Clara area.
History of the Church in this area and Oregon
The first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in Oregon in 1857. In the Springfield/Eugene area, a small congregation formed in 1909, and by 1939 they began meeting in a newly constructed chapel. Currently, there are approximately 153,540 Church members in Oregon along with 76 FamilySearch Centers and two temples in Portland and Medford, as well as one under construction in Springfield.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Springfield area receive training from the City of Springfield on how to measure and catalogue 20,000 trees under the city’s care.
Church Humanitarian efforts to those in Springfield
As part of knowing and loving our neighbors, we extend a hand of service to a wide variety of faith-based and nonprofit organizations, thus developing a deeper appreciation of the diversity and strengths in local communities. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with other nonprofits in the area to develop interfaith relationships, food security, and refugee services; assist teens and other individuals without homes; and beautify the community. In 2023, two 40-foot semi loads of food commodities were donated by the Church to Food for Lane County and an additional cash donation was provided to purchase beds for the nonprofit “Sleep in Heavenly Peace.”
Artist’s rendition of the Willamette Valley Temple in Springfield, currently under construction on International Blvd. and Corporate Way.
Tell us more about the new Temple in Springfield.
The new temple in Springfield will be called the Willamette Valley Temple. It will be a beautiful building with landscaping in keeping with the location and site. There will be an open house prior to the dedication of the building. The public will have an opportunity to tour the building, walk through the various rooms, and feel the peace that accompanies a temple. For Latter-day Saints, a temple is unique from other Church buildings. Following the dedication, the temple becomes a place where members of the Church go to make promises with God. This edifice will be a place of learning.
Latter-day Saints attend the temple to increase in appreciation of God and Jesus Christ, to make promises to follow Christian principles of integrity, charity, fidelity, sacrifice, serving, and to gain strength to overcome trials and adversities. Because we believe families are forever, temples are a place to strengthen family bonds. Marriages in the temple are performed to last eternally, not just “until death do you part.”
What are some impacts and opportunities this new Temple may bring?
The area around a temple often experiences an increase in restaurants, retail stores, and overnight lodging facilities, as people will travel from out of town to attend the new Willamette Valley Temple in Springfield. Local community members will also enjoy coming to the grounds of the temple to appreciate the beauty and serenity found there.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a service-oriented, globally-connected Christian church. For more information, here are links in English and Spanish to the Church website: English and Spanish. If you have any questions, please contact David Willis HERE.
