The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Panama

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Panama refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Panama. The first branch (small congregation) was formed in 1955. As of December 31, 2025, it had 63,936 members organized in 80 congregations, including 7 stakes, 1 mission, and 1 temple. The church traces its history to a Canal Zone Branch organized in 1941, with formal government recognition granted in 1965.

History

Early missionary efforts among the Guna people (formerly known as Cuna) of the San Blas Islands (now Guna Yala) began in the mid-1960s. On February 4, 1966, twelve young men were baptized on Carti Tupile.

A brief history can be found at LDS Newsroom (Panama) or Deseret News 2010 Church Almanac (Panama)

Authorization In 1940, the first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to come to Panama, included soldiers and families who came to settle in the military bases established by the United States. Following this, the small community created started holding Sunday meetings, giving rise to the need of a branch of an LDS church.

Otto Hunsaker was the person who wrote to the First Presidency in 1941 requesting them to authorize the creation of a branch. He put in the formal request twice. On May 18, 1941, Elder Antoine R. Ivins, a general authority of the Church, was authorized to organize the first branch.

Stakes and Districts As of July 2026, Panama had the following stakes and districts: Stake/DistrictOrganizedArraiján Panamá Stake12 Mar 2006Changuinola Panamá District23 Apr 1995Chitré Panamá District1 Oct 1980Colón Panamá Stake5 Nov 1995Concepción Panamá District7 Jun 1998David Panamá Stake19 Apr 1987Guna Yala Panamá District1 Jun 1979La Chorrera Panamá Stake23 Jul 1989Panamá City Stake11 Nov 1979San Miguelito Panamá Stake20 Apr 1986Tocumen Panamá Stake17 May 1998

Missions The Panamá Panamá City Mission was organized July 1, 1988 and is the only mission in Panama.

Temples

The Panama City Panama temple was announced by the LDS Church on August 23, 2002. Ground was broken by Spencer V. Jones, a General Authority Seventy of the LDS Church, on October 30, 2005, three years after its announcement. The open house for the temple was held from July 11 to July 26, 2008, with the temple being dedicated in four sessions by church president Thomas S. Monson on August 10, 2008.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Panama

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