LDS Church in South America: Not the Largest Religion

The premise is incorrect: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is not the largest religion in South America.

Actual Religious Landscape

• Roman Catholicism: ~60–70% of population (historically dominant, declining)
• Protestantism (mostly Evangelical/Pentecostal): ~15–20% (rapidly growing, especially Brazil, Guatemala, Chile)
• Unaffiliated/Other: ~10–15%
• LDS Church: ~4M members in South America (~0.9% of continent's 440M); 3rd largest LDS region globally (after US, Mexico)

LDS Presence in South America

• Strong in Chile (~600K), Brazil (~1.4M), Peru (~600K), Argentina (~470K), Ecuador (~250K)
• 12 temples (operating/announced); high missionary activity
• Notable for member retention, lay leadership development

Why the Misconception?

• High visibility: clean-cut missionaries, temples, welfare programs
• Disproportionate growth rate (though slowing)
• Concentration in certain cities/regions creates local prominence

Catholicism remains the overwhelming majority; Evangelicalism is the primary growth dynamic. LDS is a significant but minority presence.