Country Profiles
USA-District of Columbia
In 1839, Joseph Smith, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, visited the nation's capitol with Elias Higbee to seek redress of grievances suffered by Church members in Missouri. In response, United States President Martin Van Buren reportedly said, "Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you."Early Church members paid occasional visits to Washington, D.C., as they sought statehood for their newly-established communities in the Great Basin. Church leader Reed Smoot was elected to the United States Senate in 1903, and seated in 1907 after a series of hearings that brought publicity to the Church. In 1933, a large granite chapel was completed in the area. Future Church President Ezra Taft Benson worked in Washington, D.C. as Secretary of Agriculture in the Eisenhower administration, 1953-60. In 1974, a temple was completed in Kensington, Maryland. Ambassadors and diplomats visit the temple's annual lighting ceremonies during the Christmas holiday.
President Hinckley, along with 26 other religious leaders from across the nation, visited the Capitol after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and met with U.S. President George W. Bush.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For Journalist only
Lance Walker
Washington, DC,
United States
Phone:
800-377-3375
Membership | 2,357 |
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Congregations | 3 |