This week in Mormon Church history
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50 years ago
Organization of the Andes Mission as among the accomplishments of Elder Harold B. Lee, then of the Quorum of the Twelve, during a tour of South America in October-November 1959, according to the Nov. 21, 1959, edition of the Church News.
The article recorded: "New history was made Sunday, Nov. 1, when the Andes Mission, composed of Chile, Peru and Bolivia, officially came into being during ceremonies in Lima, Peru, presided over by Elder Harold B. Lee."
It was the 50th mission of the Church and the fifth in South America, according to the article.
Because the mission covers such vast distances, the article stated that a ceremony was also held in Santiago, Chile, on Oct. 29, with Elder Lee presiding.
While the headquarters of the new Mormon mission were in Peru, there were also administrative offices in Santiago, Chile.
Another article stated: "The new Andes Mission consists of 12 organized branches and a total of 800 members."
Seven of the branches were in Chile, four in Santiago and one each in Concepcion, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. The five branches in Peru were in Lima (2), Arequipa, Tacna and Toquepala.
