The recent organization of the first LDS stakes in Guam, Indonesia, and Russia has necessitated an updated list of the countries around the world with the most Latter-day Saints without an LDS stake. For a stake to be organized, there must be at least 120 active, tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders and at least five congregations which have enough active members and leadership manpower to become wards. Local leaders and members also must exhibit a certain degree of self-sustainability without reliance on the mission president or mission and area leadership. Below is a list of the top 20 countries with the most members without a stake. The list from April 2009 can be found here.
1. Cambodia
10,530 members
5 districts
24 branches
2. China (mainland)
10,000 members (estimate)
3. India
9,188 members
7 districts
36 branches
4. Sierra Leone
8,907 members
2 districts
23 branches
5. Cape Verde
7,456 members
3 districts
18 branches
6. Malaysia
7,314 members
7 districts
28 branches
7. Jamaica
5,721 members
2 districts
20 branches
8. Liberia
5,447 members
2 districts
13 branches
9. Mozambique
5,392 members
2 districts
19 branches
10. Guyana
5,016 members
1 district
13 branches
11. Vanuatu
4,354 members
3 districts
26 branches
12. Micronesia
4,193 members
4 districts
20 branches
13. Belize
3,852 members
2 districts
11 branches
14. Romania
2,905 members
2 districts
17 branches
15. Armenia
2,888 members
2 districts
14 branches
16. Pakistan
2,600 members (estimate)
2 districts
10 branches
17. Zambia
2,587 members
2 districts
11 branches
18. Czech Republic
2,282 members
2 districts
14 branches
19. Bulgaria
2,206 members
2 districts
11 branches
20. Cook Islands
1,859 members
1 district
5 branches
Based on reports from full-time missionaries and members from around the world, the first stakes in Cambodia, India, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and Liberia appear likely to be organized in the near future as each of these nations have districts which are close to meeting the minimal standards for a stake to be organized. The organization of stakes is a possibility over the medium term in Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guyana, Belize, and Armenia as districts in each of these nations have enough congregations and total members to become stakes but lack the needed number of active members to warrant stake organizations. The first stakes in Malaysia, Vanuatu, Micronesia, Romania, Zambia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and the Cook Islands may be a possibility over the medium or long term as districts in these nations often have too few congregations to create a stake and not enough nominal members to become a stake as stakes generally require approximately 2,000 total members to operate. With approaching 2,000 Latter-day Saints, Botswana did not make the top 20 list but appears likely to become a stake in the near future due to strong local leadership in Gaborone, a potential stake including the entire country, and the recent opening of additional cities to missionary work and subsequent strong membership growth.
11 comments:
CHINA. Excluding Hong Kong and Macao, I think 10,000 sounds way high. I've heard of a couple of branches in Beijing and Shanghai, and maybe another dozen cities with one small branch. That would typically mean under 2,000 members, of which maybe 500 would be international. I can't imaging the Church membership in China would be anywhere near India's.
INDIA. Even though a stake can be formed with 5 units, usually it isn't for the first stake in a country. Often I've observed in my 45 years of looking that the brethren wait until there are more than one strong district nearby before the first stake is formed.
I think your other predictions look strong, especially Cambodia, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, and Liberia based on what I heard in nearby countries.
Thanks for the feedback. I would strongly contest that a stake will be organized soon in Hyderabad, India as each of the five branches are functioning like wards and have between 100 and 200 active members according to the most recent missionary accounts I have received. The potential for growth in Hyderabad is enormous and more than twice as many branches could likely function easily at present but additional branches have likely not been organized due to efforts to create wards in a potential stake. No other district in India appears close to become a stake.
As for China, it will be a while until we see stakes established due to membership distributed over large geographical areas.
I appreciate your comments about the Church in these nations but information regarding the Church in "sensitive nations" must be handled with care, such as in China and many nations in the Middle East.
Sorry Matt, i did not see the difference between your reporting of 10,000 members and what I reported? understand sensitivity though.
I know a Bishop from Brisbane in Queensland, an Indian heart surgen who recently returned back to india as the creation of the first stake was close and he wanted to be there for it. This was 2-4 months ago. India has such potential and according to your reports and others things are heating up there.
Paris France Temple announced today!!!
See abc4.com and ldschurchnews.com
The Monrovia Liberia Stake operated from 2000-2007. What was the reason for its reversion back to a district? I can guess it was a combination of political turmoil, member migration out of Monrovia, and lack of adequate members to continue to sustain a stake at that time. Any indication of when a stake might be recreated in Liberia?
According to accounts from full-time missionaries who served shortly after the stake was discontinued, there were major challenges with providing training for stake leadership. These issues appeared to be so severe that the stake was discontinued and the two districts which once operated in Monrovia were reestablished. The mass exodus of active members and disruption of the functioning of the Church during the Second Liberian Civil War also took a major toll on the active LDS population. At present, LDS congregations have stabilized, several are preparing to divide, and one of the districts appears very close to becoming a stake. However the organization of a stake will depend on the districts demonstrating sustainability over a period of at least a year before any possibility of a stake can become realized.
Thanks Matt for your information on the status of the Church in Monrovia. Interestingly, in Sacrament Meeting today, we had a talk that discussed at length the Church in Monrovia. No additional information to report about the status than what has already been mentioned on this blog, but it was interesting nonetheless.
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