Mu guess would be 1000 to 15000 at best ...
that enough for a temple?

http://www.cumorah.com/index.php?target=main&wid=107
Population: 58.06 million with 5,658 active mormons

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Italy
Official LDS Statistics
LDS Members: 22633
Missions: 3
Stakes: 4
Wards: 31
Branches: 71
Total Congregations: 102

Derived LDS Statistics
Approx. Active Members: 5658
Percentage of Members Attending Church Weekly: 25%
Average members per congregation: 221
Average active members per congregation: 55
LDS, as percent of population: 0.0389%
Active LDS, as percent of population: 0.0097%
LDS, as percentage of churchgoers: 0.021%
Current LDS Unit Growth Rate: -3.77%

I wonder if the WoW would be a sticking point
Italians make excellent wine, From their sweet, sparkling white, 'Asti' to the deep red fruity 'Chianti'.
I have several Italian friends. I never met an Italian who was not a wine drinker.

Hard to say. One thing I observed, living abroad, was the local leaders, the ones giving out the recommends, were far more lenient than those stateside, and certainly much more lenient than Utah-types.

So my guess would be, that probably all "active" members would qualify.

NB, a lot of those active members are under 20 years old, and would not prolly have a recommend in any case.

So, adults only. :)

But the youths can do baptisms, so the temple is really really needed, m'kay?

nlgigantor Wrote:
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> Hard to say. One thing I observed, living abroad,
> was the local leaders, the ones giving out the
> recommends, were far more lenient than those
> stateside, and certainly much more lenient than
> Utah-types.
>
> So my guess would be, that probably all "active"
> members would qualify.

I observed this too when I lived in Chile. Wine is a HUGE part of the culture there. As is coffee and tea. Active members typically were not restricted from a TR for breaking the WoW. At least in my ward.

This is how it should be anyway. WoW observance as a requirement for a TR is so stupid.

This isn't about the people of Italy, IMO. This is a trophy calling for regular Mormons who are "worthy" (ahem, lucky) enough to be called to serve in Rome.

It will strengthen the testimonkies of the people go go to work in the temple there - side by side with the Catholics. They will have the illusion they are world players.

Also, there are a lot of people who are not too happy with the Catholic Church right now. Maybe Mormons think they can find disgruntled Catholics or something. Mormons probably think more people see Catholics as corrupt (which is true). Maybe they think they can capitalize on that.

Here's another important reason for that location. Choice world real estate is another thing temples are really about. Building temples gives the churches a reason to buy and hold real estate- great investments while reaping tax breaks. It's a great way to diversify holdings and increase wealth. Now all the Mormons need to do is start collecting art (for the world, of course).

Maybe the temple will provide an excuse for Utah TBMs to have a romantic vacation in Rome?

dr5 Wrote:
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> Maybe the temple will provide an excuse for Utah
> TBMs to have a romantic vacation in Rome?

Well, when I went to California with my mom and sister, we had to go see the San Diego temple and I had to hear them go on about how much prettier it was than the old Spanish Missions. Whatever? I'm sure if I went to Rome with them, the new temple would be top of the list. Forget the Forum, Colosseum, St. Peter's , the Vatican Museums, Ostia Antica and the rest of those second rate things.We would only see them if we had time after seeing the temple.

Served a mission in Italy. I think building a temple in Rome is a psychological victory. BTW -- 20 years ago when I served, the Jehovah's Witnesses were the second largest denomination in Italy. After Vatican II when other religions were allowed into the country to openly proselytize, they rushed in. There's lots of disgruntled Catholic Italians looking for something other than the state run theology. It's anyone's game to steal "market share" from them.