Originating around 1789 as a small trading community near the eponymous Buffalo Creek, Buffalo grew quickly after the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, with the city as its western terminus. By 1900, Buffalo was the 8th largest city in the United States, and went on to become a major railroad hub, and the largest grain-milling center in the country. Today, the region’s largest economic sectors are financial services, technology, health care and education. In 2010, Forbes rated Buffalo the 10th best place to raise a family in America.

LDS Population

LDS Members make up 0.26% of the population of Buffalo. The state of New York has 78,031 members in 14 stakes, 3 districts, 83 wards, 69 branches, 4 missions, and 2 temples.

LDS History

The Latter Day Saint movement arose in the Palmyra/Manchester area of western New York, where Joseph Smith, Jr., was raised during a period of religious revival in the early 19th century. The Prophet Joseph Smith received the First Vision in a grove of trees in Palmyra and Manchester Townships, New York, near his home. Joseph Smith was visited by angel Moroni and told of the Book of Mormon record. Joseph viewed the gold plates buried in nearby Hill Cumorah. On April 6, 1830 the Church was organized in Fayette Township, New York. The first edition of the Book of Mormon was printed at Egbert B. Grandin’s printing office in Palmyra in 1830.