The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France - History

History

The first Mormon missionary to preach in France was William Howells, who entered the country in 1849. Soon afterwards, he was joined in his preaching by his daughter, and later by William C. Dunbar. In April 1850, the first congregation was composed of six members in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Louis A. Bertrand presided over the first mission which was gradually installed in Paris. In 1853, there were only 337 members for the mission of France. In 1863, Bertrand wrote to Brigham Young that France was not a good field mission for the church. The mission was closed between 1864 and 1912 and between 1914 and 1923. The first place of worship was erected in 1962 in Nantes. There were only 77 people baptized in 1933 and 116 in 1951, but the number of baptisms increased from 1960.

The first edition of the Book of Momon in French-language was printed in 28 January 1852. A second edition was made in 1907 in Zurich by Serge Ballif, then a third in 1952 in Lyon, then a fourth in 1962 by Marcel Kahne, a young missionary and editor of L'Etoile, who also revised Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, and a sixth one in 1977. From 29 May 1851 to April 1852, L'Etoile du Deseret periodical was printed. In 1861, Jules Rémy published a book entitled Journey to the land of Mormons. As response to this book, Louis Bertrand published several articles in La Revue contemporaine, and the next year, gathered his articles under the title Memoirs of a Mormon.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed in the Palais de Chaillot in Paris in 1955, in Strasbourg in 1991, and in Marseille in 1998.

Several presidents of the church visited the France, including Lorenzo Snow in February 1851, then member of the Quorum of Twelve, David O. McKay in July 1952, Gordon B. Hinckley on 4 June 1998.