Sister Kimberly Gidney : About Portugal

Some interesting facts about Portugal, the Church there, and the Lisbon mission!

The Area:

The Portugal, Lisbon mission covers all of Portugal, as well as the Azores Islands.

Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, lying on the Iberian peninsula. It is bordered on the west and south by Atlantic Ocean and on the north and east by Spain.

Utah (pink) vs. Portugal (purple)

The land consists of highland forests in the north and rolling lowland in the south. It tends to be wetter and cooler in the north, and more warm and dry in the south. Most people live along the coast, with a third of the population living in the urban areas of Lisbon and Porto.

Comparative: Portugal is less than half the size of Utah. They are at the same approximate latitude, but Lisbon's elevation is about 700 feet... while Salt Lake's average is 4200 feet above sea level.

Church Stats:
Portugal has 6 stakes and 4 districts. There are currently 39,760 members who meet in 67 congregations*.

*Statistics based on the end of 2012

Country Stats and Info:
Population is 10,781,459 (July 2012 estimate).
Average life expectancy is about 79 years (male - 74; female - 82).
The "Sanitation Facility Access" is 100% for the whole country!
Portugal has the 19th highest quality-of-life in the whole world.
The actual name of the country is the "Portuguese Republic" or "Republica Portuguesa", but it is generally referred to as Portugal (like calling "The United States of America" just "The United States" or "The U.S.")
Portugal was established as a kingdom in 1139 A.D.
Government: Parliamentary democracy since 1976.

Elections: president elected by popular vote (anyone 18 years old or older can vote) for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 January 2011 (next to be held in January 2016); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president

Climate:
Ranges by area from Mediterranean to semi-arid.
Average annual temperature is 12 °C (53.6 °F) in the mountainous north to over 18 °C (64.4 °F) in the south.
The country has around 2500 to 3200 hours of sunshine a year, an average of 4–6 h in winter and 10–12 h in the summer, with higher values in the southeast and lower in the northwest.
In some areas, such as the Guadiana basin, annual average temperatures can be as high as 20 °C (68 °F), but summer highest temperatures may be over 45 °C (113 °F). The record high of 47.4 °C (117.3 °F) was recorded in Amareleja. Snowfalls occur regularly in the interior North and Center of the country in particular in the districts of Vila Real, Bragança, Viseu and Guarda. In winter temperatures may drop below −10 °C (14.0 °F) in particular in Serra da Estrela, Serra do Gerês and Serra de Montesinho. In these places snow can fall any time from October to May. In the south of the country snowfalls are rare but still occur in the highest elevations. The island of the Azores have been identified as having a Mediterranean climate and are typically more mild in temperature.

*Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal

Flag:

Two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the national coat of arms (armillary sphere and Portuguese shield) centered on the dividing line. The explanations for the color meanings are ambiguous, but a popular interpretation has green symbolizing hope and red the blood of those defending the nation.

History of the Church in Portugal:
The first Church meetings held in Portugal were among the United States Armed Forces stationed there in the early 1970s. Later in 1974, Church President Spencer W. Kimball visited Portugal and received confirmation that the Church would be recognized and that missionaries could begin work in the country.
In November 1974, Elder William Grant Bangerter of the Seventy arrived in Lisbon to preside over the newly created Portugal Lisbon Mission. Four missionaries were transferred from a mission in Brazil to begin the work. The earliest Church meetings were held in the home of a Canadian embassy member living in Portugal.
By July 1975, there were 100 Portuguese Latter-day Saints, and by July 1978, membership had reached 1,000.Today there are more than 39,000 members.

*Source: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/country/portugal

The Mission:
Opened in 1974 by Elder William Bangerter of the Seventy. First there was just one mission in Portugal, then it was divided into the Porto (North) and Lisbon (South) missions, and finally was recently re-combined into just the Lisbon mission, which covers the whole country.

In the fall of 1981 Elder Boyd K. Packer visited Portugal. During his stay he said to the mission President, Harold G. Hillam, "It is going to be in Portugal as it has been in South America, where there has been so much growth and advancement in the Church. The growth in Portugal will be slow at first, but then there will be an explosion."
During a visit by Elder Theodore Tuttle in February of 1983 he said, "Portugal will be the key that will open Europe, and will help the Church grow here in this part of the world."
In 1986, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "Portugal will be covered from north to south and from east to west with stakes of Zion. Chapels will be built in cities and towns throughout the whole land. And as a consequence of the growth of the kingdom of God, this nation will be exceedingly blessed and will become again a great nation as it was in times of old."
I couldn't find any statistics about the number of missionaries currently serving in Portugal, but I know there are more than a dozen sisters, and a couple elders, who report to the Provo MTC the same day as me - plus a new wave every six weeks following. The above prophecies are being fulfilled by the many missionaries and members that continue to serve the Lord in this beautiful country. The field is white!

Mission President:

The current MP is Stephen Fluckiger with his wife, Dorothy Fluckiger. President Fluckiger is a former Area Seventy in the North America Southwest Area. President and Sister Fluckinger both served as young adult missionaries in Brazil, as well in countless other capacities in the Church. I have heard they are the sweetest, kindest people in the world and I am very excited to meet them! (Plus aren't they just so cute together?)

National Emblems:

The Galo de Barcelos (Rooster of Barcelos) is one of the most common emblems of Portugal. These pieces of craftsmanship, made in painted clay in the city of Barcelos celebrate an old legend that tells the story of a dead rooster's miraculous intervention in proving the innocence of a man who had been falsely accused and sentenced to death.

A traditional codfish dish

The bacalhau (cod fish) is one of Portugal's most recognisable and traditional foods. There are said to be over 1000 recipes of bacalhau in Portugal. (Let's hope I like it...)

As with mostly every country besides the United States, football (soccer) is a pretty big deal. Portugal has produced some of the most talented players to grace the game of football such as Eusébio, Luís Figo, Ricardo Carvalho, Rui Costa, Pauleta, Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, they have yet to win a major trophy (such as the World Cup).

Religion:
Portugal is a secular state. According to the 2001 census, the predominate religion is Roman Catholic at 84.5%. Other Christians make up 2.2% of the population, and other religions (such as Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Bahai and Buddhist) are 0.3%. A large portion of the population- approximately 9%- are atheists (I'm personally hoping to see that number decrease significantly).

Temple:

The Madrid temple is about a 5.5 hr drive from Lisbon.

Currently Portuguese members attend the Madrid, Spain temple; however, the Lisbon temple was announced in General Conference of October 2010. The Lisbon Portugal temple is currently in the planning and approval phase. The land purchase has been finalized, but no groundbreaking date has been announced. It is anticipated to be the 156th operating temple.