When Church President Joseph Smith visited Washington, D.C. in 1838, Henry Clay, "the great compromiser," suggested that Joseph Smith take members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Oregon Territory. Joseph Smith did not take Clay seriously. Although the territory was claimed by both America and Great Britain, Church members from both countries were denied governmental support to settle there.

After Oregon obtained statehood, Church members found more favorable conditions. Latter-day Saint settlement largely began with the arrival of Latter-day Saint businessmen in 1887. They built a lumber mill on North Powder River and persuaded several hundred Latter-day Saint families to migrate to Oregon. Migration continued with the purchase of land for sugar beet farms. By June 1901, enough members had migrated that a stake (diocese) was created in Oregon. Two years later, the five original congregations had grown to twelve, "all in excellent working order." By 1930, Church membership in Oregon was 3,230. When the Portland Oregon Temple was dedicated in 1989, more than 300,000 visitors toured the edifice.

These groups are a great way to connect with other families who have missionaries in the same area, reconnect with other missionaries you served with in the past or simply learn more about the mission.  Robust membership activity can make these groups truly amazing resources!