Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Over 50 New Stakes Organized in 2016

With the creation of at least five new stakes last Sunday, the Church has surpassed 50 new stakes organized in 2016. I have confirmed the organization of at least 51 new stakes as of June 12th, 2016. I have received reports of at least eight additional stakes to be organized in the coming months. Based on growth trends during the first six months of 2016, it appears likely that the Church will organize at least 100 new stakes during 2016 - the largest number of new stakes organized in a single year since 1997. The rate that the Church has discontinued stakes has appeared to remain steady for the past decade. The Church has, on average, discontinued one stake for every 10 stakes it creates. Thus far in 2016, there have been six stakes discontinued.

Here is a list of new stakes organized thus far in 2016:

1. San Antonio Texas Cibolo Valley - Jan. 10th, 2016
2. Vero Beach Florida - January 10th, 2016
3. Barranca Peru - January 17th, 2016
4. El Paso Texas Chamizal - January 17th, 2016
5. Maceió Brazil Colina - January 24th, 2016
6. Palermo Honduras - January 24th, 2016
7. Ridgefield Washington - January 24th, 2016
8. San Antonio Texas La Cantera - January 24, 2016
9. Rio Verde Brazil - January 31st, 2016
10. Irving Texas - February 7th, 2016
11. Linda Vista Guatemala - February 21st, 2016
12. Managua Nicaragua Las Américas - 2/21/2016
13. Chandler Arizona South - February 28th, 2016
14. Mesa Arizona Red Mountain - March 6th, 2016
15. Enumclaw Washington - March 13th, 2016
16. Ipswich Australia West - March 20th, 2016
17. Maracanaú Brazil North - March 20th, 2016
18. Mpintsin Ghana - March 20th, 2016
19. Nairobi Kenya West - March 20th, 2016
20. Palmer Alaska - March 20th, 2016
21. Sherman Texas - March 20th, 2016
22. Queen Creek Arizona Central - April 10th, 2016
23. Reno Nevada Mount Rose - April 10th, 2016
24. Dunedin New Zealand - April 17th, 2016
25. Gilbert Arizona Gateway - April 17th, 2016
26. Tacoma Washington South - April 17th, 2016
27. Cotonou Benin - April 24th, 2016
28. Mbuji-Mayi DR Congo - April 24th, 2016
29. Cookeville Tennessee - May 1st, 2016
30. Ikot Eyo Nigeria - May 1st, 2016
31. Mesa Arizona Flatiron - May 1st, 2016
32. Sydney Australia Prairiewood - May 1st, 2016
33. Bell Ville Argentina - May 8th, 2016
34. Ikot Ekpene Nigeria - May 15th, 2016
35. Prague Czech Republic - May 15th, 2016
36. Saratoga Springs Utah Mount Saratoga - 5/15/2016
37. Tarija Bolivia Tabladita - May 15th, 2016
38. Yamoransa Ghana - May 22nd, 2016
39. Abuja Nigeria North - May 29th, 2016
40. Kinshasa DR Congo Ngaba - May 29th, 2016
41. Ulaanbaatar Mongolia East - May 29th, 2016
42. Cedar Park Texas - June 5th, 2016
43. Guatemala City San Cristóbal - June 5th, 2016
44. Hong Kong China Lion Rock - June 5th, 2016
45. Hong Kong China Kowloon East - June 5th, 2016
46. Provo Utah Freedom - June 5th, 2016
47. Grand-Bassam Cote d'Ivoire - June 12th, 2016
48 Juazeiro do Norte Brazil - June 12th, 2016
49. Mapleton Utah West - June 12th, 2016
50. New London Connecticut - June 12th, 2016
51. Sparks Nevada West - June 12th, 2016

Below is a list of stakes discontinued in 2016:

1. Salt Lake Sugar House
2. Magna Utah Central
3. Moscow Idaho University
4. Yerevan Armenia
5. Salt Lake Monument Park North
6. San Diego California Sweetwater

46 comments:

Tom said...

Thanks Matt, a few questions:
1). Is the 1997 total the highest ever number of stakes created in one year?
2). What was the exact number that year?
3). What is the highest ever number of net stakes created in a year?

Eduardo said...

No news on a new stake in northern Virginia? Man, we could make one new one from 4 existing stakes: Fredericksburg, Oakton, Centreville, and Ashburn. Plenty of units, but maybe the logistics is too unwieldy for now. The Shenendoah YSA ward in the Ashburn stake center is pretty weak, in my opinion. Should be stronger.

Then again, with all the dynamic growth in Loudoun County, I am pretty sure that we do not find or baptize a lot of converts as a stake...

Although the article about church growth at 1.7 percent a few months ago may be the general trend, especially in relatively wealthy places, even much of Latin America being considered wealthy compared to developing parts of Africa. Even India is doing well economically, more people are getting water and basic services.

Sugar House has a few non-members that I know, the Salt Lake valley is spreading out in its population, further into suburban valleys and canyons. There are now over a million non-members in Utah, which means the missionaries will always find people to approach who are not in the fold. And of course a few belligerents, many of whom troll the Salt Lake Tribune. That's where I go for my monthly vitriol.

John Pack Lambert said...

Very exciting news.

On another front, here is an article on Coach Kalani Sitake's vision to more agresively recruit BYU football players on a world-wide basis. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865656199/BYU-football-program-scouring-world-for-top-LDS-recruits.html?pg=all

Right now it seems though this is "outside the US, we just recruit in the South Pacific." With the success of Ezekiel Ansah, it seems maybe trips to Ghana, Nigeria and Ivory Coast could be added to the roaster of coaches.

John Pack Lambert said...

It appears that Utah has now broken even for stakes this year. Hopefully we can see it move into the next increase column soon. It seems like another stake in Lehi is likely soon.

Christopher said...

These growth trends are incredible, especially in the face of recent mounting opposition to church teachings, political and social unpopularity in the US, and recent attacks on church history on the internet. And there is not just growth in numbers, but I get the feeling that there is deeper spiritual conversion and commitment among members too, perhaps even because of that opposition. Opposition propelled the Church forward in its early days, and perhaps it propels it forward now. It is getting harder and harder to be half-in the church these days; you have to have great faith today to stay, yet the church is growing faster than ever before. It really cannot be overstated just how incredible that is. Challenges continue, however. All is not well in Zion yet...

Ohhappydane33 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dave said...

The church certainly isn't growing as rapidly as it has in most of its history in terms of percentage increase. But it's definitely growing as fast as it can; as fast as it has resources to grow. It's amazing that the leadership is managing the very real growth that's occurring as well as it is.

There are places where the church isn't growing, and places where it is retrogressing. Just this week we've had 4 wards discontinued in California, and that's not particularly unusual. But this retrogression is way more than compensated for by growth elsewhere. Even in The United States we've had a net creation of 18 new stakes this year, and that's with Utah not contributing and with 5 stakes discontinued.

If we EVER have even a week of negative growth I'll be worried.

Anonymous said...

Ohhappydane,

The Church is seeing an enormous uptick is REAL growth. Aside from its banner year in 1997, it is indeed growing "faster than it ever has before." The numbers cited on the Wikipedia site deal with total growth, which to any economist or organizational specialist means nothing. In other words, who cares about new baptisms if many of those do not remain active long term? new baptsims also do not take into consideration reactivation.

The only number you should be concerned about is how many "active" congregants the Church has. Due to the reliance on lay clergy and lay leadership, the only number you really should be concerned with is "net new congregations" and "net new stakes." In which case, the Church is indeed growing much faster in 2016 than it ever has -- aside from 1997 of course.

Bryansb1984 said...

This is only the first half of the year, if things keep going at this pace I estimate about 100+ stakes at the end of 2016. Though I am curious to what year had the most stakes organized.

Christopher said...

Oh Hi Happydane. I see you are back. Like has been mentioned, your definition of growth is in terms of numbers of members. We are talking about growth in terms of congregations and stakes. And as has been discussed extensively, the growth of stakes indicates stability because it requires high activity rates, temple recommend holders, full tithe payers, etc. This is not like the Chile phenomenon where there was baptismal and great statistical growth that burnt out. That would look impressive in a Wikipedia article, but it is not telling the whole story. There are indications that this is impressive, solid growth, greater than has been seen before. Increased temple attendance and availability, to those who believe, also indicates greater spiritual power and commitment. You can poo-poo that if you like, but it just means we see the Church differently. Some of us with faith, some with doubt.

Eduardo said...

Dane: Not sure what you are happy about but I hope you pay tithing, do family history, and live as positively as possible. That would contribute to better Church growth. Now if you are simply kicking against the pricks as your messages imply, jump on the bandwagon with Cain and Judas and that forgotten Ford guy from Illinois. Prophecies of the scriptures (the Lord's, not mine) are being fulfilled whether you accept them or not. You decide. And karma means you reap what you sew, if you believe in that. I do.
Many fall away from the faith, but ultimately 144 thousand high priests and their families will be counted for good; it would be great to see you there.
It can be hard to believe.

John Pack Lambert said...

Does anyone have an idea which country in Africa has the highest percentage of Latter-day Saints?

Eduardo said...

In 2012 Ghana was at .12, or 12 out of 1,000. Sierra Leone was at .13 (13:1,000; Liberia was at .15 (15:1,000) I will keep researching from 4 years ago but I can't imagine an African country doing better, maybe in 2016 some may have surged ahead.

Eduardo said...

Zimbabwe was also at .15 (15:1,000) in 2012. Can we check on the LDS Growth Site which is best now? I bet it is between Liberia and Zimbabwe.

Michael Worley said...

Can people not accuse Dane of apostasy? He is our brother and we want him among us. His priesthood leaders, not us, are the ones to judge him.

He may be factually wrong, but he need not be belittled.

The Opinion said...

From cumorah.com the largest all-time net annual increase in the number of stakes occurred in 1996 when the Church reported a net increase of 146 stakes.

http://cumorah.com/index.php?target=view_case_studies&story_id=409&cat_id=8

Eduardo said...

Yeah, I apologize for lumping Dane with the likes of evil or misguided historical figures. I invite his or anyone's constructive criticism, and I truly wish he and all of us can do our parts to help grow towards Zion. I admit that LDS Church growth can stumble and regress, but the sweeping conclusions that he suggests come across as rather pugnacious and I wish we could all share more facts and opinions based on real hopes, at the same time not avoiding negative trends and critiques, but the perceived attitude strikes me as an attacker of the faith rather than a mere observer or at best maladjusted proponent; I do not think or accuse anyone on this site of being apostate, but people who accuse actual Church leaders of deception and guile paint themselves in a dark corner that is typical of anti-Mormons but is frustrating on such a forum as this for regular contributers. I guess we belittle ourselves in our acts and words, which I realize I myself may have done and may do again. Sorry.
I liked it when Peter struck the Roman. I thought it was better when the Saviour took the higher ground, healed the injury, and submitted to the civilian authority. He's much bigger than me. However, I hold the Quorum of the 12 in nearly the same regard.
I would gladly die to defend their honor, which again, ironically, they would probably sternly tell me to stand down.
Glorious! I love it.
We all stand in need of repentence, thanks.

mrcuff said...

This is slightly off topic but worthy of sharing. I read somewhere that the activity rate in the US is somewhere between 40-50%. I decided to see how my ward stacks up. I went to our ward roster in LDS Tools and made an Excel spreadsheet. I listed all the households in one Column with the total family members in each household in the second column. In the third column I entered the number of active members. I don't profess to know everybody. But I could see the ones with callings and made certain assumptions. Incidentally, we split our ward in Southern Nevada about 8 months ago. I counted 123 households with 304 total members. I was amazed to count 227 active members. That comes out to a little more than 74 percent. If that figure is skewed, it is probably skewed down. There were a few families that I don't know who just moved into the ward and don't have callings yet. I thought this was mighty impressive.

TempleRick said...

Add the Mesa Arizona Clearview Stake to the list of new stakes created on June 12. :)

Scott said...

Just guessing here, but I think the addition of many of the new stakes in the US could lead to some changes in church areas, in particular the North America Southwest Area. The NASWA takes in most of Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. It also includes parts of Colorado, Louisana, Arkansas and Missouri that have significant population. I think a change could be made on the AZ and NM border splitting this area. I know that the Las Vegas valley was split into two regions overseen by two different area authorities, which had been one area until this last April conference. When you look at it, there have been a lot of new stakes created in Texas, Arizona and Nevada in the last year. The NASWA could remain with NM, TX, OK and the other portions of states out east and NV and AZ could remain together, or AZ could become its own area and Nevada could combine with Northern CA or in the Northwest area. I do not think NV has enough members to become its own area. When you look at the numbers, the NASWA is the largest "church area" of membership in the world and is one of the fastest growing areas for members. Much of the growth is from members moving to AZ and TX which tend to be young families that are still having children. Splitting the area may be needed in order to properly administer to the needs of the church's members in that area.

Unknown said...

If mrcuff is right that the activity rate in the U.S is between 40-50℅ I would thank that it is great news because I remember back befor the age change my stack prisdent said something like the activit rate in the U.S was at 33℅ so if the rate has truly goin up by 7-17℅ in the last 4 years or so that would be great news. Is they any way to see or the what the activity rate is though out Church history is?

Unknown said...

If mrcuff is right that the activity rate in the U.S is between 40-50℅ I would thank that it is great news because I remember back befor the age change my stack prisdent said something like the activit rate in the U.S was at 33℅ so if the rate has truly goin up by 7-17℅ in the last 4 years or so that would be great news. Is they any way to see or the what the activity rate is though out Church history is?

John Pack Lambert said...

I doubt they will split the Nort-America Southwest Area. With the presidents of the 70 overseeing the North America areas there is little gainable from such a reorganization while there is no limit on the number of Area Seventy in an area.

I am surprised Las Vegas was all part of one coordinating council. We have two in Michigan, each having 4 stakes. Although I think Elder Dunnigan who is from the west suburbs of Detoit is over besides the Detroit Coordinating council over at least one in Ohio and Pennsylvania or maybe one in each stake. With the Las Vegas valley having over 20 stakes this sounds to me enough for 5 or more coirdinating councils.

At some level if the were to change area boundaries in the US and Canada I would guess they would consolidate down to 6 with the senior president assisting in all areas. I think this could ne achieved by merging the Northwest and Idaho Areas. Then the Southwest Area could be split with the Nevada Arizona and New Mexico plus probably some of West Texas going to the West Area and the sputh East Area taking Arkansas, Missouri and east Texas as well as Oklahoma. The three Utah areas would be merged. Although maybe the NW Arkansas or the Oklahoma City Missions would go better in the Central Area.

John Pack Lambert said...

I doubt they will split the Nort-America Southwest Area. With the presidents of the 70 overseeing the North America areas there is little gainable from such a reorganization while there is no limit on the number of Area Seventy in an area.

I am surprised Las Vegas was all part of one coordinating council. We have two in Michigan, each having 4 stakes. Although I think Elder Dunnigan who is from the west suburbs of Detoit is over besides the Detroit Coordinating council over at least one in Ohio and Pennsylvania or maybe one in each stake. With the Las Vegas valley having over 20 stakes this sounds to me enough for 5 or more coirdinating councils.

At some level if the were to change area boundaries in the US and Canada I would guess they would consolidate down to 6 with the senior president assisting in all areas. I think this could ne achieved by merging the Northwest and Idaho Areas. Then the Southwest Area could be split with the Nevada Arizona and New Mexico plus probably some of West Texas going to the West Area and the sputh East Area taking Arkansas, Missouri and east Texas as well as Oklahoma. The three Utah areas would be merged. Although maybe the NW Arkansas or the Oklahoma City Missions would go better in the Central Area.

Mike Johnson said...


Despite growth in the numbers of stakes and missions, the Church has been consolidating areas since 2007.

In 2004, Presidency of the Seventy becomes the presidency for the then 11 North America areas. This eliminated 11 area presidencies. But, the area positions remained for other callings/positions, particularly in Presiding Bishopric's organization (construction and maintenance of buildings, welfare services, etc.)

In 2006, the Caribbean Area created by division of the North America Southeast Area.

In 2007, the Mexico South and Mexico North were merged into a new Mexico Area.
That same year, the Brazil South and Brazil North were merged into a new Brazil Area.

In 2008, the Europe Central and Europe West were merged into a new Europe Area.
That same year, the Australia and New Zealand/Pacific Islands Areas were merged into a new Pacific Area.
That same year, the North America East Area was split with portions merged into each of the North America Northeast and North America Southeast Areas.
However, that year the Middle East/North Africa Area was created.

In 2009, a new South America Northwest Area was created by the merger of the South America North and South America West Areas.

In 2012, the Chile Area was discontinued and merged into the South America South Area.

This is where we are today with with 14 Areas with Area Presidencies outside of North America; 10 Areas in North America; and the Middle East/North Africa Area (no presidency, but 2 GAs in Salt Lake and an Area Seventy living in the Middle East, administering it.

The trend is clearly to consolidate areas and in so doing empowering the Area Seventies more.

Areas seem to largely exist to help the stakes and missions in the area. As leadership matures, fewer areas are needed.

The Opinion said...

Speaking of growth, today I believe will be known as a historic day in Church Education with the announcement of the Church Education Global Initiative. To summarize the church will make education,grade 7 thru Masters degrees,available to any member of the church wherever we are established. The tuition will be affordable like the pilot program called Pathway. Here is the video explaining it further.

https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/satellite-training-broadcast/2016/06?lang=eng&vid=4941655332001

When the pioneers settled in Utah they built hospitals, schools, banks, etc. Much of that has been sold. The exception is the handful of universities. Those universities will be the foundation for secular learning using online technology. While on the surface this online learning is becoming commonplace in America, I believe it will have a unimaginable impact in building the kingdom worldwide.

Think of how many in the America amass huge amounts of debt to attain a college education. In many other places in the world college is impossible due to finances as well as never going to school past 5th or 6th grade.

It appears the Lord is taking the church into uncharted waters in order to accomplish His purposes. It begins with educating His children in the kingdom all over the world through this initiative. Historically whenever the pioneers settled a community the first community building they built was usually a school for the glory of God is intelligence. It seems He is showing how to do that globally for His children again just like He did with a few thousand pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley 175 years ago.

Maybe I am the only one excited and marveling at this but I think this is unprecedented as He gathers all things as one.

Matt said...

Response to Tom's questions:

1 and 2). Is the 1997 total the highest ever number of stakes created in one year?

No, the highest number was in 1996 when there were 145 new stakes organized per the statistical stake and district table I created a year or two ago. The second highest was in 1995 when there were 144 new stakes organized. It is interesting to note that the Church in 1995 and 1996 had about 55 new stakes organized by mid-June - surprisingly similar to the number of stakes organized thus far in 2016.

3). What is the highest ever number of net stakes created in a year?

The highest net increase of new stakes was in 1996 when there were 146 new stakes organized. I believe there were some stakes reinstated in 1996 and that is why the net increase is higher than the number of new stakes created. Unfortunately I do not have the time right now to pinpoint this minor discrepancy.

Michael Worley said...

The Opinion--

Thanks for highlighting that piece of major news.

BYULAW said...

This comment is related to a conversation discussed in an earlier thread, but interesting with respect to the consolidation of the Salt Lake Monument Park North Stake. According to my calculations, which may or may not be accurate, there have been 22 mission presidents called from the Salt Lake Monument Park North Stake since 1992. At just under one mission president per year over the past ~25 years, this stake has one of the highest rates for providing mission presidents. The average age of the mission presidents from the Salt Lake Monument Park North Stake over the past 25 years is ~60, most were called to preside over English speaking missions, one Italian speaking, one French speaking, one Russian speaking, and two Spanish speaking. One of those called as mission president from this stake is the son of Elder Neal A. Maxwell. Fun facts.

James G. Stokes said...

Speaking of fun facts, for the benefit of all concerned with the subject (though I realize this comment doesn't relate to the current discussion), I have taken a look at LDS Church Growth as reported by Matt and the information about the size of temple districts for each temple, taken into account those district changes that will be made as already announced temples are completed, and made a list of 35-40 temples that are most likely to be announced soon. I have posted that list on my blog. Among that list are seven potential Utah temples, temples that have been publicly proposed by prophets and apostles, and 2nd temples for a few cities where that might be needed. With the announcement of the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple, it is a pretty safe bet that other major world cities that already have a temple will get another. In those limited cases where I have inside information, I have listed my rationale for choosing particular sites. You can check that out and comment on my choices at the following address: http://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com/2016/06/list-of-cities-that-may-soon-get-temple.html. Please comment there to respond to my list, as I don't usually check other people's blogs for a response to a post I did on my blog. Thanks, and hope you enjoy! I will look forward to the feedback.

John Pack Lambert said...

The current area situation also has placed more responsibility on areas. I know some things related to family history and Church history that used to all be sone from Salt Lake are now sone at the area level outside of the US. On another front the Church's efforts fir man/woman marriage in Mexico needed to be spearheaded by a Mexican citizen and this is much easier with just one area.

John Pack Lambert said...

Technically the Church did not sell its hospitals. It spun them off into non-profit entities gaining no fiscal benefits from doing so.

John Pack Lambert said...

Technically the Church did not sell its hospitals. It spun them off into non-profit entities gaining no fiscal benefits from doing so.

John Pack Lambert said...

The current area situation also has placed more responsibility on areas. I know some things related to family history and Church history that used to all be sone from Salt Lake are now sone at the area level outside of the US. On another front the Church's efforts fir man/woman marriage in Mexico needed to be spearheaded by a Mexican citizen and this is much easier with just one area.

BYULAW said...

I noticed a number of wards from the Salt Lake Monument Park North Stake were either consolidated or transferred to the Salt Lake Monument Park Stake. The Salt Lake Monument Park Stake has been the stake from which 33 mission presidents have been called since 1989. Now that the Salt Lake Monument Park Stake has been consolidated, that would make 55 mission presidents since 1989 from the geographic area that is now covered (from what I can tell) by the Salt Lake Monument Park Stake. While it is completely logical that many of these individuals have either passed on, or moved to a new geographic area, it appears that the area that now makes up the Salt Lake Monument Park Stake has, over the past ~27 years, had the highest concentration of LDS leaders in the world. I am still trying to determine what factors might influence such a high proportion of LDS leaders over such a small area.

Eduardo said...

Such a concentration can be explained by trust and simple geography. For example, Jesus trusted the 12 and the other seventies that he picked, who probably did not come from a large area of square miles. Similarly Joseph Smith and his counselors chose 12 and other leaders by trust and proximity, although quite a few of them proved disloyal with time.
It is interesting to me that modern prophets have originated from Idaho and Arizona, outside of Utah...
While that Salt Lake stake has produced an abnormal number of leadership, might I suggest that would more stakes have so many righteous men and women, there would consequently be more converts associated with them, more unit growth, and larger LDS growth in all aspects including more callings of higher leadership.
While some may see nepotism, favoritism, perhaps laziness guised as proximate convenience, I think I see a pattern of leadership that goes back millenia in its Godly foundations. Of course many mysteries abound since time immemorial.
One other point: I know people who believe they have have genealogical proof of the modern apostles having descendancy from the original 12 of Palestine. And most of them go through Sweden, apparently. Goteburg, I believe I was told. Figure that out, mysteries indeed.

Eduardo said...

Riddle me this: why has our church and missionaries not made inroads into Guinea? It does have a significant Muslim population but so does Sierra Leone, which has one of the highest rates of church membership in all Africa. As the sub-Saharan nations get closer to Muslim lands, it understandably gets more difficult for proselytization. Burkina Faso had a bad anti-Western attack and obviously we don't want that. I think I heard that the Guinean government has been intransigent, which is their perogative but any nation not allowing LDS presence must have problems of authority and freedom. Gambia seems to have similar issues, but at least there is a new group in Dakar to the north.

John Pack Lambert said...

Another issue with the high concentration of mission presidents from the Monument Park Stakes is that we do not know how long those called lived there before their calls. The Monument Park Stakes are close to the University of Utah and areas by colleges have become popular places for empty nesters to move which is also the demographic of many mission presidents.

John Pack Lambert said...

Another issue with the high concentration of mission presidents from the Monument Park Stakes is that we do not know how long those called lived there before their calls. The Monument Park Stakes are close to the University of Utah and areas by colleges have become popular places for empty nesters to move which is also the demographic of many mission presidents.

Anonymous said...

Elohim chose his oldest son to be Christ. I believe this was not Nepotism or due to geography. Jehovah was the best (and perhaps only-at least at that time) one prepared (at least out of the males-not sure how that works). I believe Jehovah prepared and was prepared. I sincerely thank God for that.

I believe Leadership callings in the church has to do with a person's willingness and worthiness, practical considerations, ability, God's own purposes, fit for the role, etc. Strong leaders tend to build strong leaders, so it is no surprise that pockets of strong leaders exist.

Eduardo said...

Recent news about the DC South Mission: apparently they are picking up two new stakes, Woodbridge and maybe Fredericksburg? I hope this means possibly a new stake in VA, possibly a new one for the Richmond Mission? How long ago was the last one formed in the Commonwealth?

Deivisas said...

Herw is an articale on the growth of the church in San Antonio Texas: http://www.expressnews.com/news/religion/article/Building-to-last-8308399.php?t=b8469fe079db9a0abc&cmpid=fb-premium

Mike Johnson said...

It was announced in the Woodbridge Stake Conference Saturday night that the Woodbridge Stake is moving back into the Washington DC South Mission on 1 July. It apparently was a surprise for the missionaries who then met with the Mission president right afterwards.

I have not heard anything about my own stake (the Fredericksburg Stake) moving back into the Washington DC South mission.

Eduardo said...

Yes, I am not sure about Fredericksburg either. Ideally a new stake created would be able to compensate by having a new one in both DC South and the Richmond Missions. Any new units to be created in other parts of the south of Virginia?

Bryansb1984 said...

There are also a few stakes that can be made in California: (of course the names could be anything)
Glendale California Stake
Beverly Hills California Stake
La Miranda California Stake
San Marcos California Stake
Brentwood California Stake

In Virginia:
Alexandria Virginia Stake
Leesburg Virginia Stake

In Pennsylvania
Bethelehem Pennsylvania Stake
State College Pennsylvania Stake (if some branches grow into wards)

In New York
New York New York Harlem Stake

In Connecticut
Torrington Connecticut Stake


Eduardo said...

A Leesburg Stake would be fantastic but I am not sure if the buildings and units match well...
Tall Cedars could take some Centreville wards for a new stake...
Not sure about Alexandria, either.