The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is the largest landowner in Florida, owning 690,000 acres of land in the state. The church has been quietly purchasing land in Florida since 1950 and operates under various entity names, making it difficult to determine the exact extent of its property holdings [0a3807d3]. The church's land in Florida includes the Deseret Ranch, which is nearly 10 times the size of Disney World, and an additional 382,000 acres in the Florida Panhandle [0a3807d3]. The church's investments in real estate are part of its long-term mission and preservation of assets [0a3807d3]. The church's land holdings in Florida have raised concerns among conservation groups, as plans to transform a portion of the Deseret Ranch into an urban landscape could impact wildlife corridors [0a3807d3]. The church's real estate empire extends beyond the United States, with large reserves of land in countries such as Britain, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia [0a3807d3]. Estimates of the church's nationwide real estate assets range from $44 billion to $121 billion, making it one of the largest private landowners in the country [0a3807d3]. The LDS church has a significant presence in Florida, with a population of over 150,000 members and two Mormon temples in the state [0a3807d3].