"I Denounce Them as Barbarians":
A Million Mexican Mormons Marching
by Davis Bitton

The year was 1947. One hundred years since the Pioneers entered the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, it was a centennial year. President of the Church was George Albert Smith. During that year a milestone was reached– Church membership reached the impressive total of one million.

After the Saints were forced to evacuate Nauvoo, simple survival was the major challenge, followed by the arduous task of making their way across the thousand miles and more to a new home in the West.

For a while not much missionary labor was accomplished. But there was always some preaching, and some organized proselytizing continued in the Eastern states and in England. As soon as possible, Church leaders called missionaries to other states, France, Italy, Gibralter, India, Hawaii, and, following up on the initial labors of Addison Pratt and Benjamin Grouard, other islands of the Pacific. Given scant resources and the importance of faithful men to their families and communities in the Great Basin, such far-reaching effort was evidence of determination and faith.

What about Mexico? America’s nearest neighbor to the south would seem a natural place to preach the gospel. As a Catholic country it appeared strongly resistant, but after the U.S. Civil War conditions were more favorable. The Catholic church lost its control over politics and civic matters. Encouraged by Mexican Liberals, Protestant denominations entered the country. These same Liberals also encouraged Americans and Europeans to settle unoccupied lands in northern Mexico.

Brigham Young recognized the opening and in 1875 called Daniel W. Jones and Philip Brizzee to improve their halting Spanish and prepare for a mission to Mexico. Before long, Brizzee was replaced by Meliton Gonzalez Trejo, from the Philippines, who traveled to Utah after being told in a dream that he would find answers there to the religious questions that had been troubling him. With authorization from President Young, depending on private donations, Jones and Trejo translated and printed selections from the Book of Mormon, the equivalent of about 100 pages.

When Daniel Jones, Ammon Tenney, and others headed south, they did not have an easy time of it. President Young asked them to travel overland and look for other settlement sites along the way. Mesa, Arizona, was one such site they selected.

As soon as they crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico, they encountered stiff opposition. A local priest warned his congregation: "Now of all the plagues that ever visited the earth to curse and destroy mankind we have the worst just come to us and there stand the representatives of this plague. Look at them. Their faces show what they are. . . . They have destroyed the morals of their own people, and have now come here to pollute the people of this place. . . . Yes, here in the presence of the image of the Virgin Mary, I denounce them as barbarians."

Without tracing all the twists and turns of the Mormon experience in Mexico, I think it fair to say that the Latter-day work proceeded on two fronts. First, there were the native Mexicans, including Indians from several different tribes. Second, Mormons from Utah established themselves in several settlements in northern Mexico. Neither group, the Mexican or the Anglo Mormons, had smooth sailing.

Mexican Saints needed what other countries have needed right up to the present--thorough instruction, supervision by experienced Church members from outside (now usually senior missionary couples), training of local leadership, who gradually assume more and more responsibility. Sadly but not surprisingly, perhaps, several interruptions occurred when efforts to gather Mexican Saints were abandoned and American missionaries returned home. But not giving up, Church representatives returned as soon as possible and tried to pick up the pieces. It is a long story, full of sacrifice and disappointment and courage and faith.

The settlements in the north, the "colonies" in Sonora and Chihuahua, have their own fascinating history. Hard work and tenacity were required to overcome natural, political, and human obstacles. Solid homes were constructed, well-operated farms established, and cultural activities promoted by these colonists. With the founding of the Juarez Academy an educational institution provided drama, music, sports, and good instruction in academic subjects. Although these were English-speaking Americans who settled there, they and their children learned Spanish, and a number of Mexicans were converted and shared the experience of the colonies.

The Mexican Revolution finally resulted in the out-migration of practically all the American settlers there, starting in 1912, but many of them returned after the dust had settled, and the settlements continue today. Over the years outstanding people, energetic, contributing members of the Church, have come from the Mexican colonies. One thinks of Marion G. Romney, George Romney, Henry Eyring, and Camilla Eyring Kimball.

In 1926, when foreign ministers were expelled from the country, missionary work was interrupted for a few years. In 1946, when President George Albert Smith visited Mexico, there were 5,300 Latter-day Saints.

The second half of the twentieth century has been a time of miracles throughout the world but nowhere more than in Mexico. Missionary work continued year after year with large numbers of convert baptisms. In 1972 membership reached 100,000. A generation of young people was raised in the Church, then another generation, and another. Schools were established, most prominently Benemerito in Mexico City.

Wards and stakes multiplied. Great women served in Primary and Relief Society presidencies. Great men served in bishoprics and stake presidencies and priesthood quorums. At one time or another almost every adult who is able serves as a home or visiting teacher. Dedicated Mexican leaders have served as mission presidents, temple presidents, and general authorities. By late 2002, 182 stakes dotted the land. Twelve temples were constructed, eleven of them during a three-year burst of activity spearheaded by President Gordon B. Hinckley. Zion was growing, bright as the sun and fair as the moon.

To be sure, there have been problems. Opposition never ceases. Back in the 1930s a schism threatened the Church in Mexico, but thanks to patience, love, and statesmanship it was healed and unity restored. As always, everywhere, there are less-than-active members. But the advance has been dramatic, and faith and hope remain strong.

As elders and sisters from North America often serve with companions from Mexico, national and ethnic barriers are broken down, lasting friendships formed. Elder Adam Morris, from Layton, Utah, for example, laboring in the Yucatan, had as companions, among others, Elders Monforte, Espinosa, Pacatte, and Garcia Ayestaran. A rock is tossed into a pool, but the ripples never cease.

Statistics don’t tell everything. The real measurement is in the hearts and souls and lives of people. In 1998 President Hinckley told about the family of David and Tomasa Casteneda, who lived in a little shack and owned 30 chickens, two pigs, and one horse. After being baptized, they moved into the nearest town and obtained an old worn-out truck. After fixing it up, they sold it. Then they bought other old wrecked cars, repaired them, and sold them.

As time went on, their situation improved. In the branch they served in different callings and obtained valuable experience. "The taint of ignorance and the blight of darkness have left them and light and understanding have come into their faces," said President Hinckley. "The sons have all served missions for the Church. The family has been instrumental in bringing more than 200 of their extended family and friends into the Church."

One million Mexican Mormons–as many members as the entire Church in 1947? That great milestone, doubling the half million members of 1987, is on the horizon and should be reached during 2004.

(Reference: F. LaMond Tullis, Mormons in Mexico: The Dynamics of Faith and Culture).

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Davis Bitton is a retired University of Utah history professor. After serving a mission in France, he graduated from BYU and then received M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Princeton University. For ten years he was assistant Church historian. His most recent books are "Images of the Prophet Joseph Smith" and "George Q. Cannon: A Biography." Davis had the good fortune and blessing to marry JoAn, a convert and former missionary in Chile. Daughter of an immigrant from Malta, JoAn edits a newsletter for Maltese Latter-day Saints and missionaries. Davis and JoAn served as guides on Temple Square for five years. They live on the lower avenues in Salt Lake City.