Local Latter-day Saints form Spanish-speaking congregation Membership grows in Latin America By Anna Krejci News-Chronicle Geovany Rodriguez immigrated to the United States from Puerto Rico two years ago. Formerly a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, he converted to a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he came to the United States. Rodriguez is the leader of a new congregation of Spanish-speaking Mormons in Green Bay, called the Green Bay Third Branch of the Mormon church. Its membership now numbers 43 families whereas in the beginning of its formation almost a year ago its membership was three families. It is the Church's first Spanish-speaking congregation, and Rodriguez said it is unique because it is led by Hispanics. More than half of the congregation only speaks Spanish, and it is comprised of Spanish-speaking lay leaders who run men's and women's groups and educational programing. The Hispanic leadership is the reason for its rapid growth, he said. The similar experiences Rodriguez has as an immigrant to the United States helps him relate to the average member. "I'm Hispanic. I can understand very well his problem, his necessity, and the communication between us is a lot better," he said. While the experience of immigrating to the United States might form a bond between members, Rodriguez said it also means more to hear the Gospel in one's own language. The Church's first Spanish-speaking members attended worship services delivered in English and made use of a head-set translation system. As the number of Spanish-speaking members grew, the Church decided to assemble a Spanish-language worship service. The growing membership in the Green Bay Spanish-speaking Mormon congregation follows an increase in membership in Latin America. A July 13 report from MSNBC news said that of the 12 million Mormons in the world, 4.5 million live in Latin America. In 1980, Mormons in the region numbered 700,000. One of the texts used in the Mormon church outlines the descent of American Indians from an Israeli prophet who came to the Americas in 600 B.C. The Book of Mormon documents the peoples of America before A.D. 421 when one of the prophets finished the record and hid it until it was revealed to Joseph Smith, a prophet of the religion, in 1823. The book contains passages that refer to Nephites, light-skinned descendants of the Jews who were seen as righteous, and Lamanites, dark-skinned descendants of the Jews who were seen as cursed. Stake President Greg Krehbiel, the leader of the Green Bay Wisconsin Stake, said the Lamanites were cursed not based on their skin color, but because of their "lazy, idolatrous" way of life. "There are times in the Book of Mormon too, when the Lamanites became very righteous. . . They even became more righteous than the Nephites for a period of time," he said. "You kind of have to read the whole book to understand all that." Krehbiel referred to Samuel, saying he was a Lamanite who taught Nephites how to live according to church teachings. He said the Mormon church teaches that through one's choices, every one can strive to be a better Christian. "That's what equalizes the whole playing field, because everybody gets the same opportunities. We're all given the light of Christ when we're born into this world and that light of Christ will lead us to his truth and his light, if we choose to follow it," he said. "So that doesn't make any difference what color your skin is," he said. The LDS church has evolved over time. According to the Abingdon Dictionary of Living Religions, for a period of time ending in 1978, blacks could not achieve the priesthood like other male members. To this day, women cannot achieve the priesthood, but they participate in leadership roles such as music directors, educators, librarians and committee members. The LDS church reports that of the 12 million members worldwide, 6.4 million members live outside of the United States. "I think for that very reason there has had to be some changes in our attitudes," he said; however, he said in the broader picture, the Mormon church has always supported the belief that all of its members are equal children of God. Rodriguez said part of what attracts him to the LDS church is his ability to baptize his own children after being ordained to the priesthood. While Rodriguez said the faith is attractive to people whose ancient ancestors lived in Central and South America because it gives an account of their history and their ancestors who authored the Book, the faith calls to members of many cultures who want to start a new life in the United States. "We have people from different cultures, but everybody finds something here," he said. Some of the congregation's members are from Mexico, Guatemala, Equador, El Salvador, Puerto Rico and Honduras. The gospel, leadership and language combined makes the Church welcoming for the Spanish-speaking members. What unites the congregation is that they are newcomers to the country looking for a better life. "The first step to do that is here in the Church with this Gospel," Rodriguez said. Also included in the Green Bay Stake are the Church's First and Second Wards, two English-speaking congregations.