Abstract

This thesis outlines the international diffusion and growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon Church. A model of Mormon spatial diffusion in foreign countries is developed incorporating both a functional and spatial perspective. The functional perspective includes supply and demand variables which influence the rate of growth of the Mormon Church in a country. The functional perspective is not fully explored in the thesis. The spatial perspective which the study concentrates on seeks to show a general spatial pattern related to the spread of the Church within countries.

The original diffusion of the Church to other countries and the patterns of stake and mission formations in these nations since World War II are outlined. Stakes are used as Mormon population location indicators. Special emphasis is given to Latin America, because of the success that the Mormon Church has had there. The study finds that the Mormon Church has generally spread in a hierarchical manner within foreign countries.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Geography

Rights

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