Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell shared several statistical insights into the growth of the Church during a BYU-Hawaii devotional on October 13th, 2026. Entitled Caring for Those in Need, Bishop Waddell shared the following during the first 12 minutes of the video:
- Currently over 90,000 full-time missionaries serving (previously announced by the Church on September 18th, 2026).
- More than half of missionaries currently training at the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC) are sister missionaries.
- Convert baptisms are up more than 20% for 2026 compared to 2025 (Bishop Waddell did not specify the periods being compared).
- He projected total convert baptisms for 2026 to likely range between 450,000 and 500,000.
- More than 400 temples in the worldwide Church "in the near future."
To my knowledge, this marks the first time in 2026 that a general Church leader has publicly shared a specific numerical projection for worldwide convert baptisms during the current year.
The year 2025 was a record year for convert baptisms. There were 385,490 converts baptized in 2025 (which represented an increase of 76,808 from 2024; a 24.9% annual increase). If there was an increase of exactly 20% in 2026 over 2025, there would be 462,588 converts baptized for the year. The ratio of convert baptisms to full-time missionaries would be approximately 5.1 in 2026 (assuming approximately 90,000 missionaries and 462,588 convert baptisms), the highest such ratio since 2010. Assuming that the increase in children of record for 2026 is comparable to recent years (approximately 91,000) and the combined number of deaths, membership record removals, and other adjustments is comparable to 2025 (approximately 100,000), then the Church may report a net increase of 440,000-490,000 members for 2026 which would rank among the largest annual net increases ever reported and could potentially be the second highest, exceeded only by 1989. Thus, the annual membership growth rate will likely range from 2.5-2.7% for 2026 - which would represent one of the highest annual membership growth rates since the early 2000s, potentially the highest since 2002. Church membership will likely range between 18.3-18.4 million at the end of the year.
Additionally, Bishop Waddell shared that the total number of temples will surpass 400 "in the near future." Currently, there are 385 temples worldwide, including dedicated, under-construction, and announced temples. Thus, his comment suggests that at least 16 additional temples may be announced in the relatively near future, which would bring the worldwide total to more than 400. There has been significant progress with temple dedications and groundbreakings in 2026 that I detailed in a recent blog post.
If these projections materialize, 2026 would represent a second consecutive year of exceptionally strong growth in convert baptisms and a significant acceleration in worldwide membership growth. Perhaps most notably, these trends suggest that the expansion of the full-time missionary force is being accompanied by increased convert baptisms per missionary, indicating that the recent growth in convert baptisms cannot be attributed solely to having more missionaries serving.
117 comments:
What is driving the increase in baptisms? I think it may be due to social media ads. Serving as a ward mission leader on the east coast last year, I would receive 10-20 emails per day of self-referrals from people submitting their contact info after watching an ad. Without exaggerating, our ward received over 1,000 social media referrals in the space of 6 months that led to about a dozen baptisms. Interestingly enough, every convert was a man 18+.
When I speak to investigators in my ward and neighboring wards, most say they found the church through an instagram ad.
22 wards and a branch in the two stakes in Enoch Utah…seems like a third stake should soon be organized there?
And 50 wards And one branch in the current six stakes Cedar City, Utah could hint at 1-2 new stakes there in the near future. Combining Enoch and Cedar City, could see 1-3 new stakes in that area in next 12-14 months?
We have speculated in the past that the Church may have had a goal of having 500 temples in any stage by the bicentennial date in 3 and a half years. I wonder if his comments suggest that maybe the goal is to have 400 temples announced by that mark, which would be a little more than one announcement every 3 months.
In 2025, I was closely involved in missionary work, both as a ward mission leader and as a counselor in the Bishopric.
We had 34 baptisms that year.
Let me tell you about some things I personally witnessed:
- People getting baptized on the very same day they attended church for the first time.
- Baptisms being announced less than 24 hours in advance.
- Baptisms and confirmations being rushed to meet monthly goals.
- A strong emphasis on the baptism itself, with comparatively little attention to the broader experience of becoming part of the Church.
- 9-year-old children getting baptized despite having inactive or nonmember parents who had no intention of bringing them back to church.
- People getting baptized while dealing with unresolved addiction issues.
Once, I was conducting a baptismal service on a Saturday and announced that the confirmation would take place during sacrament meeting the following day. The missionaries were upset enough to call the Mission President, who reprimanded me through our Stake President. I simply wanted the confirmation to be a meaningful experience shared with the ward. As I understand it, immediate confirmation was an option, not a requirement. I genuinely never understood the rush.
To nobody's surprise, our ward attendance percentage has remained essentially unchanged despite steady growth in convert baptisms.
Yes, I know, retention is a ward responsibility. But it would be a lot easier if converts had at least a basic understanding of what they were committing to and a meaningful connection to the ward members in the first place.
I'm sure experiences vary from ward to ward and country to country. Perhaps things work differently in yours, and if so, I'm glad.
We had 55 baptisms in a year a couple of years ago. We've had many problems along those lines - I could share details but it would take up a lot of space. Let's just say that we can never get many relatively new members to come out on Sunday, and that's with giving a lot of rides.
I hate few things. One of them is when leaders fail to read handbooks.
PMG Ch. 12 under The Baptismal Service
"Baptismal services for converts are planned under the bishopric’s guidance. The ward mission leader (if one is called) or the member of the elders quorum presidency who leads missionary work plans and conducts these services. He coordinates with the full-time missionaries....
Later under Confirmations
"Confirmations are under the direction of the bishop. However, he does not conduct a separate interview for confirmation.
Work closely with the bishop and the ward mission leader (if one is called) to make sure that new converts are confirmed. The confirmation should occur as soon as reasonable after baptism, preferably the next Sunday."
I would find the corresponding handbook sections but those are clear enough.
Your ward council can (should) have a discussion and set standard times for Baptisms and choose to confirm on Sundays. Their keys are to baptize, scheduling is held by your Bishop.
-I also had problems with this in the Pittsburgh PA mission. They had a very domineering president who had handbook questions. We gladly had many people baptized, but also worked with our missionaries to prepare them better (so they would show up on sunday after baptism to get confirmed etc.)
We need to become more handbook conversant to better be able to align on keys here.
^^our mission president's handbook questions were rather handbook problems (in that he didnt know it, didn't read it, and often failed to comply with it)
That's disappointing. This is a problem of not following or understanding the guidelines and policies in place though. Preach My Gospel addresses almost everything you brought up.
We in the East Coast baptized a high number (12ish) in the ward the last year. The best one, Mark (name changed) is on fire but will move to a southern state soon. Two others moved and will hopefully be active in the next door ward and in Texas. 8 or so are less active, in the wind from what I know.
I will text a few right now. Converts are our life blood, President Hinckley said. My parents were, that is why I am a lifetime member, with kids serving missions. The Church will grow but it is hard to retain those that we baptize, even with some care and proper ways and protocols.
This is exactly what is happening in my ward in Guayaquil Ecuador, we have had 29 baptisms so far this year, but most of them where rushed without any enough time to prepare trhe baptism service or the ward being involved. Now the situation has been controlled but I know it snot the same in other wards. I heard that the Manglaralto Branch created this year, has had about 200 converts so far, they ve got 8 missionaries.
The missionary work has become a mess, I was relieved from my calling as a mission leader because se I complained ( well, I was rude, but because noone was lsitening) I am glad that my ward has baptized more than the double of converts compared to 2025 , 13 converts in 2025 , 28 so far in 2026, with one baptism programmed for this sunday, but most of them were rushed, with people being baptized the same day they attended church for the first time. Everything is rushed and mechanic, with the missionaries working by themselves. If I would become inactive , noone else would know were theses converts live because no one else is interested in help the missionaries because there is not relationship with them. Actually my ward reporte 31 converts, but two of them were members whose records were lost and one 8 years old kidson of an inactive member, who was counted as a convert even with my complaining. I hope we can retain the new converts but none of them is attending.
We had 3 different people/families get baptized over the last year, complete opposite experience. Missionaries spent a lot of time teaching and preparing them to be able to go to the temple for baptisms shortly after their own baptism, connecting with ministering brothers/sisters and ward activities, opportunities to serve... Joint effort with ward and missionaries working together for helping them become converted and not just get baptized. Now of course its up to them whether they stay or not long term. But very different experience
I am genuinely shocked at all of these negative experiences. The narrative we are all supposed to believe is that things really are different this time with this recent uptick in baptisms. Turns out nothing has really changed, as each one of these accounts could have been written way back in 1992 during my own mission.
I have seen major increases in my branch in the integration of new converts into the congregation since we got a senior missionary couple.
At geheral conference we had 18 people watching at rhe church. There was me and my grandson, 8 missiomaries and 8 people not yet baptized.
On the temple from I strongly suspect Bishop Waddel's statement means at least 16 more temples will bw announced by bext general conference. I have misinterpreted many such announcwments before ao I could be wrong.
In my stake we have experienced solid growth in new members, very few children, mostly adults and about 60% adult males. 85% still active now. Missionaries have not rushed things, often postponed friends baptisms for a week or 2 when needed. I have been impressed. When I read comments above about 24 or 30 baptised in a year per ward I think ward missions are not set up to look after and retain them. There will have to be a shift in ward missions or we will see the 1980's and 1990's all over again.
In our ward in the Twin Cities we baptize about 12 people a year. I have little issue with having people come for more weeks, when so many of the people who are friends work every other Sunday. Additionally, I have received support the last year with my asking for French speaking missionaries to start teaching in our ward and two other wards, one adjacent to our ward and another 15 miles away in St. Paul. They came within six months of asking. They have been so successful the last eleven months, that all three wards will have French speaking companionships by December. The last year they have been the most successful missionaries in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission.
This year five of our ten baptisms have been in French. We are working on Foundation Class being taught half the sessions in French. We are also working on solution for English to French translation using technological solution from the pulpit. Of course the ultimate solution is to start with a French speaking group. The St. Paul started a group three weeks ago. We hope to do the same in our ward in a few months.
This is an added dimension of trying to retain 80% of our baptisms that are from West and East Africa. When I came 22 years ago to this ward they were baptizing most of the people from Africa, with some from Asia, and one or two from the Middle East. We have retained few of this people, but it is hard to know because on average 50% of the convert members move within 12 months of being baptized.
I suspect retention is very low because we receive from neighboring wards immigrant converts within a year of being baptized and most of them are inactive when we receive them.
Of course there a barriers of predominately white, native-born wards, who are often middle to upper income receiving these ofter poor immigrants from Africa and Asia. Luckily there is a Spanish speaking ward in our building most of whose membership comes from within our ward boundaries. There was a Hmong ward in our building when we arrived in 2004, but when I returned from China in 2015 it was disbanded.
Of course you can guess the demographic changes that are going on in our ward boundaries with 150,000 population. With our ward demographics changing and not able to retain lost or the people we are baptizing and fewer white people from out West are moving into our boundaries we have went from a membership of 450 to 260 in the last ten years.
Is this situation familiar to anyone else?
I agree. If leaders would read and follow the handbook, the real growth of the Church would be so much stronger.
I forgot to mention at we get immigrant members from Africa, especially West Africa. About half of them are active. The other half are found by missionaries tracting. They explained they didn't know where to go to church. They usually don't come to church after this contact.
My branch had 5 baptisms today. 3 abult males, 1 adult female and 1 male youth. At least one of the adult males was interbiewed by the branch president about receivimg the Aaronic priesthood. 1 if the adult males was the father of another of the adult males. The baptism was conducted by the member of the high council who is assigned to our branch who is African-American. 4 of the 5 people baptized were African-American.
A sister who was baptized about a year and a half ago just got married. The missionaries are working with her new husband.
We have 9 people svheduled for baptism next week.
This time of year the presiding bishopric is likely finalizing the 2027 budget and working on the 2028-2029+ preliminaries. Looking at the current announced pipeline, I’d rather see continued focus on the currently announced temples and missionary work, while transitioning from a backlog to a strong pipeline…which could still get us to >400 total by the end of 2028 or so.
Just to be clear on keys for Confirmation. The handbook of instructions clearly states in 18.8
"The mission president holds the keys for confirming converts"
Whilst they are to coordinate the arrangements of this ordinance with the ward leaders, the keys for the ordinance fall under the mission presidents.
Glenpool Ward in Tulsa Oklahoma Stake was created today.
At least two new stakes created today.
Royse City Texas Stake was created from a division of the Heath Texas Stake and the Richardson Texas Stake.
Mount Juliet Tennessee Stake was created from a division of the Cookeville Tennessee Stake and the Murfreesboro Tennessee Stake.
You would think, but there have been that number of wards in Enoch for at least 3-4 years now.
Thats awesome!
Its great to hear that after a slow start, we have some more African American brothers and sisters joining the church. With so many baptisms, what is keeping your branch from becoming a ward?
@poults
The keys to decide who gets confirmed, after age 8, is the mission president's. This is manifest in the baptismal interview. The scheduling of that ordinance belongs in the Bishopric. Bishops and ward councils decide when within the week a baptismal service is scheduled and if a person is confirmed font-side or at sacrament meeting. That plan is implemented by the ward mission.
Also from Handbook 18.8 "The full-time missionaries coordinate with ward leaders to plan the confirmation of converts as noted in 18.7.2. Converts may be confirmed at the baptismal service or in sacrament meeting in the ward where they live as soon as possible after their baptism."
More detail is provided in Preach My Gospel ch. 12:
"Confirmations are under the direction of the bishop. However, he does not conduct a separate interview for confirmation.
Work closely with the bishop and the ward mission leader (if one is called) to make sure that new converts are confirmed. The confirmation should occur as soon as reasonable after baptism, preferably the next Sunday."
So a couple of thoughts of my own...
I know a lot of us have been disappointed because we're not seeing the big temple announcements at conference anymore, but one thing I have noticed is that in the few weeks after conference like this recent week, there seemed to be a lot of the temples get passed certain hurdles from one phase to another. Like from site announced to groundbreaking, or from constructuin to dedication date, or past certain legal obstacles.
I believe the outpouring of the Spirit from General Conference has a lot to do with this.
On a personal note, my family and I got to visit the Missoula temple site and see the current state of construction there. Right now, they've finished the basic concrete platform and the inner lower tower frame and are making what looks like basic daily progress on it. But we're excited for when it'll get done in the next 2-3 years.
As far as converts, baptisms and retention goes, I know a lot of us don't have much control over what happens over in other countries like Africa or Europe, or what such-and-such Mission President is doing.
But as has been mentioned here, my own ward has seen its fair share of converts over the last few years. Some have fallen away and some have stayed active. Some are adults and some are children. Even one member of my family was baptized after the age of 9.
But I've seen the converts who stay active and stay the strongest are the ones who have people in the ward reach out to them. They stay stronger when we fellowship them and make friends with them - let them know they're welcome. Even if we're only able to reach out to one person at a time.
And while it may not be a surprise, he also mentioned that 120,000 of that was in Africa alone. So around a quarter of all convert baptisms. That's the first I've heard that number released.
Assume a 50% activity rate (could be lower) and not factoring in child of record. Go with two wards per chapel of 200 people attending, you are looking at needing 150 new chapels each year
And that lines up with the total wards and branches created in Africa this year. We are at a net increase of +242, and 20% of the year left, and that comes in at +290, right under the 300 count.
My branch got a new branch presidency at the start of Septrmber. They have a vision of us becoming a ward. Getting brothers who are baptized to the point of bring ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood is a struggle. There are others.
The Roxas Philippines Isabela District became a stake this past weekend.
The First Presidency has confirmed the site location of the El Paso Texas Temple:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/location-announced-for-the-el-paso-texas-temple
In view of this announcement, there are now only 41 temples that are awaiting the confirmation of their site location, although a few of those 41 have prospective candidate sites identified.
There are now 27 stakes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and 32 in the Dallas Temple district. Fort Worth Temple coming onboard soon
John, Your concern about keeping adult males active till they can get them as a priesthood and really understand what the priesthood is all about, is very valid and I think everybody on here is wondering how we do better or what is it gonna take to keep more of the baptisms. It sounds on here like a lot of people think that a lot of baptisms are rushed too quickly just so we have numbers to show. Without going into any more detail in the brief, that’s gonna happen here, and it’s why I posted anonymous because I am no better than anyone else, but I had a dream on Easter Sunday of this year that absolutely shook made to the core. In the dream, I was surrounded by my siblings and their spouses and behind me, I could tell her were many of our friends and other family members. And across this little 4 foot wide circle or some other friends and their spouses. But behind all of us, there were so many people that we couldn’t see the end of them. Yet we were right smack in the middle of it all. Behind my friends who were across the circle from me to this humongous rock that we could not see what was on the other side of that rock. But while we were casually conversing, the savior appeared, and he looked right at me in the first words out of his mouth were “I need your help“. Of course it shook me that the savior would ask for my help because I am a nobody just like everybody else, but he did and then he proceeded to explain to all of us around that little circle the great detail of the Plano salvation, and that he in the father knew that to become like the father was we had to, and I repeat, had to live by faith. He explained that they knew both he and the father knew that would be very difficult for us and the only way to survive it was for all of us to be actively involved in each other’s lives and helping each other get through this the best we could. He explained many things and all of a sudden the father appeared and reiterated the same things that Jesus had said. Once while Jesus spoke, and once swallow, the father spoke. They said something to me that’s so blew me away that I was totally caught off guard and yet each one of them lovingly said don’t worry about this when you wake up you won’t remember this. So I knew that I was asleep, but I was very much somewhere else very much so. Anyway, after the father came and confirmed that Jehovah was his beloved son and repeated the great plan of salvation and their need for our help, the father left. After he left, Jehovah looked at all of us and he said you can feel migrate love for my father. He said I love him so much that I don’t wanna let him down. Then again he begged and pleaded and said, “I need your help” I don’t want To return to the father having Ben a failure.” And then he left. Of course, I immediately woke up, even though I’ve been somewhere else and wrote down the details of that marvelous dream, and it has changed my life. Again, I’m on here as an anonymous person because I’m no different or better than anybody else, but when the savior came and begged of me and all of our friends that were there to help reach all of those people that were behind us that we couldn’t see the end of I know what he was begging for. And the big rock behind my friends? It was a representation of the love of the father and Jehovah has offered through the great plan of salvation, as brought to the world through the church that great rock that will roll for throughout the world and that no one can stop.
Please don’t comment back because this is too sacred, but take it for what it’s worth and figure out what you can do because that’s what the savior is plating for all of us to do
39 temples announced during President Nelson’s tenure have yet to have a site announcement. Seems like site announcements are tapering off now. Go weeks or months without site announcements.
Oct 22 is latest announced temple to be dedicated, several temples have construction nearing completion, A few with groundbreaking construction hadn’t started yet.
There are fewer temples with site announcements to announce now, Russia UAE and China lots of tape to get the work moving, but no unhallowed hand can keep the work from progressing.
Most temples announced before 2020 dedicated, a few scheduled for dedication or nearing completion. In the next few months could be 140 Nelson temple announcements yet to have dedication, number could dwindle.
When all temples scheduled for groundbreaking will have the ceremony there will be 84 Nelson temples announced with 45 with site announcements and 39 without site announcements. Hopefully that number dwindles significantly.
Royse City Texas Stake (2339048)
Organized on 18 October 2026
- Greenville 1st Ward
- Greenville 2nd Branch
- Greenville 3rd Ward
- Nevada Ward
- Royse City 1st Ward
- Royse City 2nd Ward
Mission: Texas Dallas East Mission
Temple: Dallas Texas Temple
Mount Juliet Tennessee Stake (2341921)
Organized on 18 October 2026
- Buena Vista Branch (Spanish)
- Hermitage Ward
- Lebanon 1st Ward
- Lebanon 2nd Branch
- Lebanon 3rd Ward
- Mount Juliet Ward
- Percy Priest Branch
- Smyrna Ward
Mission: Tennessee Nashville Mission
Temple: Nashville Tennessee Temple
Roxas Philippines Isabela Stake (473510) (technically a reinstatement of a previous discontinued stake from 25 years ago, the Burgos Philippines Stake.)
Organized from the Roxas Philippines Isabela District on 18 October 2026
- Aurora Ward
- Burgos Ward
- Caliguian Ward
- Catabban Branch
- Mabini Branch
- Mallig Branch
- Roxas 1st Ward
- Roxas 2nd Ward
- San Pedro Roxas Branch
Mission: Philippines Cauayan Mission
Temple: Urdaneta Philippines Temple
Our bishop is very good at having an interview with adult male converts within a week or two. As I have indicated before many of the converts work every other Sunday. This last year two of the interviews have had to occur with a French speaking sister missionary interpreting.
We have had some African Americans baptisms in our ward, but they are few in comparison with immigrants from Africa and Asia.
I am glad to hear that there are baptisms of African Americans. We have two in our ward; we have +80 Africans in our ward. Our ward is down to 250 members. There are +25 Asians and +15 Latin Americans. I almost forgot we have a German immigrant family and a Ukrainian refugee.
Even when I have questions about the way the Guayaquil West mission is working, I admit is exciting to know how succeful is the new created Manglaralto branch, It serves several towns in the coast of Santa Elena, missionaries reports tons of baptisms in that area, there are 4 couples of missionaries, and they have baptized around 200 converts since it was created this year. Now other parts of Santa Elena has been reached, there is now a new Branch in Chanduy. The town is served by 2 sets of missionaries. I read in a post of the mother of a missionary serving there ,that the branch was created from zero, the Manglaralto branch was created from a Member group in that area. The missionaries were assigned to create a Branch. And two areas were created for this new Branch; Zapotal and Rioverde, two towns close to Chanduy, they are both served by 2 sister missionaries in each town respectively. 8 missionaries in total in the Chanduy branch.
Not sure where you got your information from, but it may not be accurate. Two temples are scheduled for dedication on November 1, with another 2 to be dedicated on November 22. There is also one dedication scheduled to take place on December 13.
As for temple groundbreakings, 1 is set to occur on November 7, with two more on November 14, then one apiece on November 21 and 28, followed by two more groundbreakings on December 5. And it's entirely possible that other groundbreakings could be set to occur on December 12 or 19 to finish off 2026 temple events for the year. I have several documents tracking temple developments that I can share here if that would be helpful.
The stakes just to the north and south are larger than needed too, and could put a ward or two into the mix.
That is a powerful experience, and worthy of reflection. I felt the spirit while I was reading it. Thank you for sharing this.
It occurs to me that if indeed 120,000 of those baptisms were in Africa, that means the baptisms in the rest of the world still exceed previous decades' highwater marks for baptisms!
Retention is certainly an issue everywhere, but two new branches, one created from no member group base, in just a year is genuinely good growth. I know in my Latin American mission, there are member groups that have been languishing for years, baptizing a decent amount of new members, but unable to become branches due to lack of priesthood/poor retention/members moving out to the big cities. Hopefully these branches continue to be successful, and branches can further be established that meet in Zapotal and Rioverde. The Chanduy Branch appeared on the meetinghouse locator today, I believe.
As of right now of the two hundred temples announced during President Nelson’s tenure when all are dedicated there will be 147 left to dedicate, seven have constructing nearing completion. When those dedication dates announced will be down to 140 left to dedicate.
At present when every temple with groundbreaking has construction commenced will be 84 announced with no groundbreaking announced. Nine have full scale production pending. Hopefully that number will dwindle.
So there are 84 temples announced with no groundbreakings announced during President Nelson’s tenure. Groundbreakings announcements are announced not every week but frequently so that number will go down.
At present of the 84 temples announced with no groundbreaking, hopefully that number will frequently dwindle. 45 have site announcements, that’s one number that would be nice to frequently increase.
As of now 39 have no site announcements. Bishop Waddell at a byu Hawaii devotional walked on the Honolulu temple grounds, site not announced yet, he said he knew weee it was. Presiding bishopric has inside scoop on that matter I would guess long before the general church membership knows.
If someone emailed them I doubt they would give you any info and it’s probably not appropriate to email General Authorities questions like that. I’m sure letters of appreciation are fine, but we are repeatedly asked not to ask them doctrinal questions or help with personal problems. Wouldn’t get anything done if they answered every inquiry.
Could be a few weeks before a dedication is announced it seems as several are nearing completion, but dedication announcements and site announcements every week or most weeks should continuously happen. Until every temple announced during President Nelson’s tenure will have the work going. Including Russia, China and UAE.
Bishop Waddell said we will have 400 temples soon, he has inside scoop. Temples announced during his tenure one has site announcing and two have yet to. When and were will the temples Bishop Waddell talked about be announced?
The Francistown Botswana District was (finally!) organized this past weekend.
Does that put Botswana to 1 stake and 2 districts? Things are moving forward in the Africa South Area. Although I believe Afeica Central and Africa West are still seeimg more total growth. Africa West has a larger church membership, so the percentage growth might not be as high, or maybe about the same.
The Church News just published a list of all 506 missions. I had not realized Dallas had 4 missions. Those are just ones named after Dallas so not including Fort Worth Mission.
With the creation of the Francistown district, there is one stake and two districts and in Botswana.
Today on the meetinghouse site and the fullerconsideration site Unit Tracker,
the new Osogbo Nigeria Stake (2336944) has appeared.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2336944
52 Oct 21, 2026 Osogbo Nigeria Stake
Osogbo Nigeria Stake (2336944)
Organized on 18 October 2026
- Adams Estate Ward
- Fagbewesa Ward
- Ilaje Ward
- Ipetumodu Ward
- Okesa Ward
- Okinni Branch
Mission: Nigeria Ibadan Mission
Temple: Aba Nigeria Temple
@SteveW
Glad to hear your ward is a bit of a melting pot.
Which state is your ward in, if you don't mind me asking?
Other Matt here.
Has anyone else read the new section in the Church Handbook on groups having an unit number and being in the directory like a branch?
I think this is a great way for people to better realize these groups exist.
It's about time.
Good idea. That will help people know about them, and the different directions the church is growing. We have one French speaking group just formed in St. Paul. We should have another formed on the Minneapolis side in the Anoka Stake in the next few months. There are almost all African immigrants, with a few Haitians.
Minnesota. The Twin Cities are not a great area of growth for the church, but the exception are the wards with many immigrants and refugees. This has resulted in the past of 3 Hmong wards, 1 Chinese branch, presently 4 Spanish Wards, 1 Karin branch, and one French group. I have lived here off and on for 22 years and there has been three new English wards established, going from 28 to 31 English speaking wards. In many wards in the outer ring of suburbs there are very few convert baptism; we have such a ward in our building---1 convert baptism a year on average. It is the same for many of the suburban wards. There are five wards of the total 31 English speaking wards in the metro area that provide 80-90% of the convert baptism.
I have talked to other friends who live in wards similar to mine in the Twin Cities and we discuss our similar problems of many converts in small wards, with most converts not having cars, many needing assistance, as most immigrants and refugees need, and living in small wards, that are often shrinking. I have talked with friends in Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Baltimore who tell a similar story of convert baptism growth in the cities and not much in the suburbs; small wards trying to retain large convert numbers. Large wards with near nil convert baptism.
You are right; we are a melting pot.We are a small ward with 250 members and 90-100 at Sacrament Meeting, but we have people from 22 countries, including myself who immigrated as an 11 year old from Israel.
Matt, I support the church, but why are you risking your credibility by repeating the 90,000 missionaries thing? The church newsroom article about the 90,000 showed on a powerpoint that the first presidency is combining young service missionaries with the teaching missionaries to come up with that number FOR THE FIRST TIME.
The teaching missionaries were in the 80,000's on that screen. Unless they plan on changing it, they always separate the YSM's from the Teaching ones on the statistical report. I'm fine with calling YSM's real missionaries, but they don't proselyte. They do an internship outside of the church most likely to increase their self-reliance (NOTICE, they are not called church-service missionaries, that's for 26+, an interesting change), but are not allowed to build up the church through baptisms, they occasionally go on splits, but just as observers. That's why they were kept separate. I don't know the motivation for combining them. People excused from missions was 3% via Ensign article about 20 years ago, that number is now 5% based on the powerpoint. It's possible that sisters are disproportiantly being turned down from teaching missions and the church didn't want the controversy, or it may be that the numbers of sisters is much lower than expected--I honestly thought it would be closer to 95,000 at least without adding in YSMs, maybe they were combined to avoid press issues.
I'm not accusing the church of dishonesty, but I don't think people realize that when they are assigned to service missions they rarely are allowed to engage in conversations about the church, often don't serve the church directly, and sometimes don't even show their face to the public. A sister may be sacrificing a potential engagement and baby because she values converts more just to scrub floors in a no-kill animal shelter trying to pawn off dangerous breeds to unsuspecting owners (like the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary who's wikipedia page said the organization used to be the church of Satan--so like literally working for the devil), and then told this is what she wanted when she put in her application, and to turn it down, unlike a calling, would be unthinkable (even though the church admitted that this is not actually assigned by the apostles, but the mission department--and even a large bulk of teaching missions are assigned by them to reduce their workload). I REALLY HOPE that they keep the things separate on the statistical report, women need to know what their chances are of being reassigned to unpaid labor outside of the church--because it really looks like it's higher than 5% for women.
What even is this comment
Yeah this comment ain't it
That may have been a personal goal. There may also still be a need for the church and its members to support 500 temples, but we can apparently only build so much. We may have announced at a higher rate under Nelson, but we're building at a higher rate under Oaks. Oaks' position is that we need to clear the backlog of existing announcements first.
Retention has always been an issue with convert baptisms as they've been normally the group that least retains. Those willing to change their beliefs to come to the gospel can also do so going the other way. On my mission in 1999-2001, converts only had to attend church once before being baptized. Now, at least locally, they have to attend 3 times. I don't know what the answer is other than what has already been preached decades ago. We live in a digital age and I'm not sure if that's having any impact. It's much easier for leadership to handle and access mondain tasks such as LCR, etc.
I'm not sure what the answer is. Growing up, we had monthly ward activities that kept the ward together. There wasn't much cost for these activities. Now it's not as frequent.
One other thought is going back to the three-fold mission of the church.
- Proclaiming the gospel
- Perfecting the saints
- Redeeming the dead
They shouldn't have to counter each other, but there's been much more effort and focus on Redeeming the dead that I wonder if it pulled effort from the other two.
30 years ago, there was no Tools app that told you where the nearest LDS congregation is. If you left Utah and if it wasn't in the phone book, some just went less active. New-move ins was considered a high finding method as people were "church shopping". I think the digital age has reduced the impact of moving - not just within our faith but with others as well. The main thing is to ensure there's a high connectivity for members when they move so they don't fall away during this transition.
The church announced at a higher rate under Nelson. It's building at a higher rate under Oaks.
I concur with the others who are wondering about what this comment is supposed to mean. I've tried reading it several times and it frankly doesn't make sense at all.
Even as someone critical of the church snd its missionary program, I appreciate the greater spectrum of opportunities to serve for those who want to, regardless of their age. When I got severely ill on my mission about 12 years ago, the Church first denied me access to medical care and then "dumped" me out into the real world after my early release without any way to finish my service in a dignified way after getting healthy again. That was a massive mental and social burden that missionaries in my situation could nowadays largely avoid through service mission opportunities. I think it's amazing and overdue.
Pascal, I love you brother and appreciate your missionary service, and your comments on here. I haven’t been to church in over 6 years due to ex-wife’s health and me having to work two jobs to get her and me through this. I think we all question “the church” from time to time; however, many of us have to live by faith because we cannot let go of our testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel, the restoration, and the church…in spite of what leaders or members may do or say to us. Oascal, you don’t have to answer, but if you would like to, I would like to know what it is that keeps you hanging on to the church, in spite of the trials you have been through. If you’re willing to share, that may help all of us know how to better treat each other in the church.
My branch was split today; the Tubarão Brasil District now has 5 branches, and soon we will also have a group. The Revoredo Branch was created.
I have noticed though on the meeting locator that it is not updated to include groups or branches. For example the only branches in three cities in Angola are missing.
For those that follow the Mission updates, sometime between July 1st, 2026 and today. The old Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission (2013517), originally organized July 1st, 1988, has now been renamed the Bolivia Santa Cruz South Mission.
Not to be confused with the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission (2011441) organized on 07/01/1977, and renamed Bolivia Cochabamba Mission (2011441) on 01/31/1982. And, since renamed Bolivia Cochabamba North Mission (2011441).
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/missions/2013517
https://missioncall.app/worldmap.html?destination=details&missionId=bolivia-santa-cruz
And the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission Dispersed Members Unit (568821), still retains the old name.
Last year my stake had 40 convert baptisms, so far this year 118.
Huge increase, but unfortunately the retention rate as dropped significantly.
The struggle we are working desperately on is getting the new members involved and to the temple within 90 days. Since our current temple is over 3.5 hrs away, one way, that can be difficult at times.
We have a plan and will be working hard to implement it and see if it creates the change needed.
Is this an issue others are also seeing?
As temples get closer, the struggle of getting new members to the temple will decrease, but we don't want to wait and keep losing these new friends. What have others seen that helps?
1. We have a new temple and family history leader who is starting to get then involved with that.
2. New members are getting ordained and temple recommends quickly.
The Butuan Philippines West Stake was organized today.
Another new stake creation in the Philippines - The Balingasag Philippines District will become a stake on November 29th, 2026.
Another new stake creation in the Philippines - The Bongabon Philippines District will become the Palayan Philippines Stake on November 1st, 2026.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1107335778947715&set=a.1107335805614379
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1407697314874566&set=pb.100069029336754.-2207520000
On November 22nd, the Lincoln California Stake, the Rocklin California Stake, and the Roseville California Stake will have a special conference to create a fourth stake.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1138715805477693&set=pb.100080178523878.-2207520000
https://www.facebook.com/ChurchOfJesusChristRoseville/
@SteveW
Sorry about the struggles in your area, but I appreciate the insights into it. Sounds like a fascinating place to live.
Reminds me of my mission in the inner city in Louisville & Lexington Kentucky. I was Spanish speaking, so we were usually assigned in the very diverse neighborhoods. I loved it. Loved meeting people from different places.
Today in my branch we had several families of people learning about the Church there. We seem to have made more progress in gettimg whole familirs.
In the 1990s I specifically remember a time when we in the suburbs were asked to fast that missionaries would be able to find adult males in Detroit. At that point almost all baptisms were eomen and children.
Over the last five years we have baptized several adult men. Most did not have family living with them. In the last few months we have turned a corner on the family front.
Thank you for this Chris. Is there any update on the Angola Luanda North Mission? Has it been added to the meetinghouse locator?
Also on one of your previous comments about the missions, you gave 2 sets of duplicate numbers for mission IDs. The Nevada Henderson Mission and the Oklahoma Oklahoma City Mission have the same number, and the Florida Orlando Mission and Florida Jacksonville Mission have the same number. Which is correct and what is the number for the other mission?
Melbourne Melton Stake to be created. Would seem to be at a combined conference 7-8 November between Wyndham and Deer Park Stakes. Interesting a new stake being created given there were many Covid refugees fleeing Melbourne for Queensland (members and non-members alike).
I don’t know your situation there, but… Just as none of us would ignore any of our siblings that lived close to us and would be in pretty much account contact with them several times a week or a month, we all could do better at recognizing all the new converses, both spiritual brothers and sisters, and as brothers and sisters, who share DNA from our four fathers. I believe that if we extended our thinking to be a lot more inclusive of all of our family members, no matter how far distant that DNA relationship might be, and to recognize through the spirit, the spiritual connection of spiritual brothers and sisters, I think we can break down a lot of barriers that might be there because new concerts are going to feel out of place. I’m also a strong believer that I wish every word and branch would let the missionaries know at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance, what the songs are gonna be about and what the topic of every sacrament meeting is gonna be so the missionaries can prepare their investigators for what they’re gonna hear, and so they can teach the songs that will be song to the investigator so the investigators cannot only be “observers” When they come to church, but can be full-fledged “participants” In worship in Christ as a body and is individuals. And if the elders are able to teach the songs of Zion to the Investigators, the chances are almost 100% that those songs that are really filled with the spirit are gonna stick with those investigators throughout the work week and are gonna become part of their thought process several times at least during the week, and not just a one time thing on Sunday
Preston S., Sorry about the confusion.
Nevada Henderson Mission (2245892)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/missions/2245892
Oklahoma Oklahoma City Mission (2012634)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/missions/2012634
Florida Orlando Mission (2013649)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/missions/2013649
Florida Jacksonville Mission (2012197)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/missions/2012197
As someone with physical disabilities whose health prevented me from serving a full-time mission away from home, I enjoyed two great part-time opportunities: I serving two days a week with Welfare Services (the humanitarian program of the Church) and two other days per week as a Temple worker. If it weren't for that latter opportunity (in which I was allowed to continue long after my "formal service term" ended), I would likely have never met the woman who became my wife. I was never made to feel "less than" because my service didn't follow the "usual trajectory" in comparison to those of my same-aged peers who served full-time around the world. With my background in mind, I, too, am having a hard time understanding what the above comment is supposed to mean. I mean no offense, and I hope none is taken.
December groundbreaking announced for the Lehi Utah Temple:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreaking-date-announced-for-the-lehi-utah-temple
Of the 200 temples announced during President Nelson’s tenure 45 are dedicated eight scheduled for dedication. Six have construction nearing completion. Might be a few weeks before a dedication is announced.
Occasionally temples nearing completion have dedications announced, but usually construction is complete. Of the temples with groundbreakings nine have full scale construction pending.
When the temples announced have dedication dates announced 83 will be announced still. Of those 44 have sites announced and 39 don’t.
Most Mondays a temple groundbreakings one or more is announced, not every
Monday. Site announcements might get one or two weeks apart or weeks or months without one than get two or three a week.
Will we have groundbreaking announcements weekly for the next several weeks. Could be by this time next year at least three fourths of the temples announced during President Nelson’s administration will be dedicated or in construction.
Could we have less than 30 temples without a site location by the end of November, this year, April Conference? Be in the teens or single digits any time soon in that regard? Maybe by end of next year we could have less than 50 temples of President Nelson announced and most if not all with site announcements.
When will over half he announced be dedicated. Maybe a couple years. All next few years if work gets moving were religious freedom is restricted.
There is a Ward in my temple district that is having baptisms just about weekly. They have a monthly temple trip for new members. Despite this they are having a hard time holding on to the new members for more than a few months despite efforts from the bishopric and a senior missionary couple. It really feels as though there has been a change in focus and most local leaders are very concerned.
We had a general authority at our Stake Conference 6 months ago and they said that we were doing really well with everything except convert retention, which isn't really in our control.
Meagan, I sense your frustration. Let me give you a different perspective that may give you something to reflect on.
My daughter was called to California, speaking Spanish (she was already fluent). She spent six months throwing up in bushes and finally had to come home. She learned she had developed an allergy to rice, corn, and beans.
She was able to finish her mission as a service missionary here in St George (we moved here from Ne England several years ago). She gave tours at church history sites and had many opportunities to bear her testimony and teach church doctrines. All service missionaries have these opportunities.
Some time after she finished her mission the church began assigning service missionaries directly to the mission president. Hypothetically, my youngest son (who has special needs) can now be called to the St. George mission.
With that last change I think it is totally appropriate to count service missionaries in the totals. I hope the church comes to allow these faithful young men and women to teach some, perhaps on splits with full-time teaching missionaries.
I LOVE the inclusion of service missionaries, I LOVE the expanding opportunities for service missionaries around the world, and I HOPE that we continue to innovate and improve this program as time goes on.
Best wishes to you!
That is wonderful! I hope the meetinghouse directory adapts to show these as well!
Butuan Philippines West Stake (2340895)
Organized on 25 October 2026
- Buenavista Ward
- Butuan 1st Ward
- Butuan 2nd Ward
- Nasipit Ward
- Tungao Ward
Mission: Philippines Butuan Mission
Temple: Davao Philippines Temple
Piura Perú Primavera Stake (2333481)
Organized on 25 October 2026
-
Mission: Perú Piura Mission
Temple: Trujillo Peru Temple
Pirua Perú Central Stake reorganized as the Piura Perú Miguel Grau Stake on 25 October 2026
@John Pack Lambert
Great to hear about the progress with new families investigating your branch! Hope good things come out of it. :)
Other Matt here...
It's interesting the new stake (more than likely Loomis Stake) gets created, while last year the Antelope Stake next to Roseville was merged with Citrus Heights Stake.
In other words, instead of dissolving and creating a stake, they could have just rearranged Stake boundaries for the same net affect.
@Kenny
I'm sorry to hear about the retention problems in your stake.
I like what Anonymous said about recognizing the new converts.
I had been thinking recently about a couple who was baptized recently (who I helped teach) and I felt inspired - I felt a prompting from the spirit to not worry so much about where they're going or where they're at in the path and just talk to them about how they're doing that day or that week. Just be a friend to them and check in with them every once in a while, and that the rest would just take care of itself.
We baptize a fair amount in our ward too, and I've gotten to know some of the converts, not everybody.
While, I haven't made a connection with everybody, the Lord has inspired me to reach out to a few of them - just notice them on Sunday, say, hi, ask how they've been, talk to them for a little bit, listen to them, and I feel like even if it's one or a few of them that I'm doing my part to help out (since I know I don't have energy to help out with everybody).
I feel more and more as I get older that that's more what the Lord would like us to do. Just do what little we can (focus on the few or the one) and He'll take care of the rest.
How many stakes does Peru have now?
Scooter, according to my database there are now the following 118 Stakes in Perú.
Arequipa Perú Central Stake (520756)
Arequipa Perú Hunter Stake (526541)
Arequipa Perú Manuel Prado Stake (517496)
Arequipa Perú Paucarpata Stake (1646176)
Arequipa Perú Selva Alegre Stake (522856)
Arequipa Perú Umacollo Stake (512885)
Arequipa Perú Zamácola Stake (526886)
Ayacucho Perú Stake (525154)
Barranca Perú Stake (608092)
Cajamarca Perú Stake (525650)
Casa Grande Perú Stake (611255)
Cañete Perú Stake (617741)
Cerro de Pasco Perú Stake (524557)
Chiclayo Perú Central Stake (517941)
Chiclayo Perú El Dorado Stake (520888)
Chiclayo Perú Federico Villarreal Stake (2145332)
Chiclayo Perú La Victoria Stake (526053)
Chiclayo Perú Latina Stake (524433)
Chiclayo Perú Stake (513261)
Chimbote Perú Buenos Aires Stake (1023470)
Chimbote Perú South Stake (520454)
Chimbote Perú Stake (512990)
Chincha Perú Stake (521035)
Cusco Perú Inti Raymi Stake (521663)
Cusco Perú Stake (517305)
Huacho Perú Stake (519588)
Huancayo Perú El Valle Stake (2113007)
Huancayo Perú Stake (516880)
Huaraz Perú Stake (612499)
Huánuco Perú Amarilis Stake (524662)
Huánuco Perú Stake (520179)
Huánuco Perú Viña del Río Stake (2298589)
Ica Perú Stake (519944)
Ilo Perú Stake (523631)
Iquitos Perú Nueve de Octubre Stake (524654)
Iquitos Perú Punchana Stake (521027)
Iquitos Perú San Juan Stake (2227312)
Iquitos Perú Stake (513369)
Jaén Perú Stake (545155)
Juliaca Perú Stake (523178)
La Merced Perú Stake (537101)
Lima Perú Begonias Stake (2134187)
Lima Perú Callao Stake (512419)
Lima Perú Campoy Stake (527025)
Lima Perú Canto Grande Stake (519952)
Lima Perú Carabayllo Stake (524972)
Lima Perú Central Stake (509027)
Lima Perú Chaclacayo Stake (1634771)
Lima Perú Chorrillos Stake (519189)
Lima Perú Chosica Stake (520543)
Lima Perú Comas Stake (519146)
Lima Perú Condevilla Stake (1024876)
Lima Perú El Olivar Stake (519162)
Lima Perú El Trébol Stake (415863)
Lima Perú Independencia Stake (509035)
Lima Perú La Campiña Stake (2130521)
Lima Perú La Libertad Stake (1037676)
Lima Perú La Molina Stake (526460)
Lima Perú Las Flores Stake (519170)
Lima Perú Las Palmeras Stake (519138)
Lima Perú Limatambo Stake (505544)
Lima Perú Los Olivos Stake (1033468)
Lima Perú Magnolias Stake (1089145)
Lima Perú Maranga Stake (519154)
Lima Perú Mayorazgo Stake (2124319)
Lima Perú Miramar Stake (2143275)
Lima Perú Naranjal Stake (2138786)
Lima Perú Pachacamac Stake (1993674)
Lima Perú Palao Stake (517003)
Lima Perú Prolima Stake (1033085)
Lima Perú Pueblo Libre Stake (507369)
Lima Perú Puente Piedra Stake (415871)
Lima Perú Rímac Stake (525138)
Lima Perú San Felipe Stake (516430)
Lima Perú San Gabriel Stake (524980)
Lima Perú San Juan Stake (512052)
Lima Perú San Luis Stake (516422)
Lima Perú San Martín Stake (512125)
Lima Perú Santa Anita Stake (524549)
Lima Perú Santa Clara Stake (2144646)
Lima Perú Santa Isabel Stake (526916)
Lima Perú Santa Patricia Stake (1993593)
Lima Perú Surco Stake (525111)
Lima Perú Tahuantinsuyo Stake (520632)
Lima Perú Torre Blanca Stake (2120615)
Lima Perú Villa María Stake (517526)
Lima Perú Villa Salvador Stake (521264)
Lima Perú Vitarte Stake (519111)
Lima Perú Wiesse Stake (522090)
Mantaro Perú Stake (519790)
Moquegua Perú Stake (523208)
Paita Perú Stake (616737)
Pisco Perú Stake (522112)
Piura Perú Castilla Stake (520004)
Piura Perú Miguel Grau Stake (516155)
Piura Perú Miraflores Stake (524670)
Piura Perú Primavera Stake (2333481)
Pomalca Perú Stake (545937)
Pucallpa Perú Centenario Stake (2216965)
Pucallpa Perú Stake (522414)
Puno Perú Bellavista Stake (524344)
Puno Perú Central Stake (520993)
Sicuani Perú Stake (495115)
Sullana Perú Stake (545953)
Tacna Perú Alameda Stake (525790)
Tacna Perú Arias Aragüez Stake (521833)
Tacna Perú Stake (515949)
Tarapoto Perú Stake (613010)
Trujillo Perú Central Stake (522899)
Trujillo Perú East Stake (520519)
Trujillo Perú Esperanza Stake (527696)
Trujillo Perú Jerusalén Stake (2225964)
Trujillo Perú Laureles Stake (527718)
Trujillo Perú Palermo Stake (517054)
Trujillo Perú Porvenir Stake (527688)
Trujillo Perú Primavera Stake (510300)
Tumbes Perú Stake (545090)
Ventanilla Perú Stake (525715)
And these 17 Mission Districts,
614246 Abancay Perú Apurimac
568511 Andahuaylas Perú
614890 Camaná Perú
1710788 Casma Perú
611239 Guadalupe Perú La Libertad
2249170 Huaral Perú
1861387 Lambayeque Perú
2071347 Majes Perú
613282 Mollendo Perú
615889 Moyobamba Perú
610453 Nazca Perú
614351 Puerto Maldonado Perú
614254 Quillabamba Perú Cuzco
611638 Talara Perú
610798 Tarma Perú
617687 Valle Sagrado Perú
617474 Virú Perú
Another new missionary record has been announced:
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/10/27/apostle-announces-new-latter-day-saint-missionary-record-during-byu-devotional/
I don’t agree with the comment that a general authority said that convert retention is beyond the church’s control. Why isn’t baptism numbers also beyond the church’s control? Both require individual choice. If we can’t control retention then maybe setting numerical baptism goals is inappropriate
Kiwaya,
In short, people have their agency. Under the church's belief, there were two plans given in the preexistence. The church and holy ghost may try to influence, but ultimately it's up to the individual. Taking away agency (ie. mandating like a state-run religion) would be against church doctrine.
Kiwaya, I should have worded that differently, I didn't realize that what I wrote was ambiguous. Essentially, our Stake President was gently chastised about our retention rate. My view was that it isn't really the Stake's fault. I have shared in other threads that our mission is currently employing quick baptism tactics that are leading to many baptisms but few are staying around long. As an example, most of the men are not passing their Aaronic Priesthood interviews because they are not living the Word of Wisdom at the time of baptism. Our leaders are working with them to qualify but it takes a long time and many fall away before they get there.
Thanks. I’m not disagreeing. I’m rather making a point that perhaps the missionary work philosophy needs adjustment. I do not like to see the fast baptism approach and then have more and more inactives who never really committed. I hear a chorus of how records are being set in new conversions but no mention how in the western world 2 members are leaving the church for every new baptism. The third and second world are growing in conversions but not the US, Canada or Western Europe. I feel like the news from Salt Lake is somewhat selective.
To add, from my personal experience in my about 21 months in the Mission between 1989-1991, yes, aging myself. The convert retention issue, is not a relatively new phenomenon, but decades long or even, century plus.
Of the 40 Baptisms, i had with my companions in those 2 years (about 2 a month). I only know of 1 of the 40 who remained in the Church, until she died of old age. The rest may have stayed active or not. We were encouraged to let the local members assist in the retention after. And lost contact with them. So i consider myself, as a missionary fairly successful. Where others may be lucky to have 1 baptism in the 2 years. But in the Retention of the same, my Stats are very low. I wish I could have done more to assist the otther 39 to remain in the church after. So i can't place the blame on the Missionaries or the Local Members. But maybe we need to work more closely together, both Proselyting Missionaries and Local Members, in what was called a Fellowship Program to assist these new Members to fully be accepted in the fold of Christ.
No criticism meant here. Just my own experience in the Missionary Field.
@Kiwaya57 for every new baptism in the western world two people leave the church?? Where did you get that number? Do you have a source? I definitely see some poor retention and less retention among millennials specifically, but the idea that the church is shrinking in the western world in large part or in whole seems empirically unverified.
95,000!
You do not take into consideration the reactivation efforts made by the ward all over the world and the many people who return to the church after many years of inactivity. You say for every one, two leave, etc. People left the church at the time of Christ; Judas betrayed Him, and Peter denied Him three times. It is a struggle for fallen human beings to follow Christ, but God's purposes will be accomplished. Many of us treat the gospel and the church as if it were a statistical competition, a sport, or a numbers game. Those assumptions are human and short-sighted. Christ is the true shepherd, and He is trying and working in every possible way to bring each one of His children back to Him. He never gives up. In the spirit world, millions and billions are receiving the gospel. Many of those converts will return, and the more we as local members or good friends work with the less active, the nicer we are, and the more helpful we are, the more people will stay in the church.
A favorite podcast/YouTube channel of mine is the "Comeback podcast." People tell their stories of leaving or being excommunicated and coming back to the church. We get to hear about people's journies of sin or doubt, to repentance and returning to full fellowship in the church.
One of the most spiritual experiences in my life was witnessing the rebaptism of a man who had been excommunicated for ten years. I did not know that person. But now, almost 30 years late, I still remeber how stong I felt the spirit that day of a repentant person being rebaptised. That feeling pentrated every sq inch of tust room. No dry eyes. The atonement is real. People will return to the church. We see it happening all the time.
No temple news was announced today, dedications, groundbreakings, site renderings or site announcements. Of the temples announced before 2020 eight are under construction and one announced. The Russia temple is announced. There will be seven under construction when the American Samoa temple is dedicated. The temple in the Philippines announced during President Nelson’s first conference construction is going along.
If construction starts moving forward on the India temple it could come along. Remaining five temples announced before 2020 are in various stages of construction moving along.
If three site announcements a week are announced of temples announced during President Nelson’s tenure will be in 20’s by end of month, or year even, I am sure Dec 21 is the last day of temple announcements for the year.
By the time conference rolls around could we be in the teens or single digits, maybe every temple he announced with a site location a couple years after President Nelson’s death.
No temples construction is completed without a dedication date, though several are nearing completion. Three temples are scheduled to be dedicated in 2027, if that number increases to 20 or 25 could 130 left to dedicate during President Nelson’s tenure.
83 announced temples without a groundbreaking during President Nelson’s tenure. How far will that number decrease in coming weeks and months, if there are less than 50 temples announced then three fourths of the temples announced during President Nelson’s administration will be dedicated or under construction.
When will we know we’re all the announced temples will be announced during President Nelson’s tenure? A few years before they are all dedicated.
Weekly Stake Updates (11/01/2026) :
Piura Perú Primavera Stake (2333481)
Organized on 25 October 2026
- Chulucanas Branch (303860)
- Jorge Chávez Ward (138924)
- Miguel Grau (208744) - > renamed Las Palmeras Ward (208744)
- Miraflores Ward (126322)
- Ramón Castilla Ward (214957)
- San Pedro Ward (214949)
- Tacalá Ward (303275)
- Tambogrande Branch (1995367)
Mission: Perú Piura Mission
Temple: Trujillo Peru Temple
Piura Perú Miraflores Stake reorganized as the Piura Perú Casuarinas Stake on 25 October 2026
Pirua Perú Central Stake reorganized as the Piura Perú Miguel Grau Stake on 25 October 2026
The Facebook Page of the Papua Guinea Daru mission posted a Baptismal service of more than 100 people in the Sogere District. The last weeked, they posted a bapstimal service of more than 40 people in the Daru Stake. This mission was created this last june. I see regularly posts of baptismal services of 10 or 20 people every week in that page
@DONOVAN SAND DRAWING
That's really cool news to hear about PNG.
I wonder if, along with watching out for these high volume baptismal services, we might keep an eye out for postings about ward temple trips too (as kind of an indicator of active membership, & the spiritual blessings of growing membership on the other side)?
So, Doe sanyone know how is missionary work in countries who experienced unexpected growth in memebership in 2025? For Example: Germany, Japan, Georgia, Croatia etc, I find amazing the growth in those countries. What has changed?
@Donovan, I can only speak for Germany, but also for my Country Switzerland. There were a lot more convert baptisms in 2025 than usual. My stake had around 80 convert baptisms copared to the usual 10-20. About half of my stakes units are in Germany. Similar things happend in many stakes in Europe in 2025. Most of the baptisms are imigrants or refugees. But I really don't know what changed. There were youst a lot mor people intrested in the church and more joined than in the past years. In my area ist slowed down again in 2026, but receptivity is still a lot higher than in the past. We still have a lot (around 10) nonmembers at chruch most weeks.
Thank you ! That's incredible! Is there a pattern in this converts besides they're refugees? What countries are they from? How old are they? Are most of them male or female? Beside refugees , are germans or swiss people interested in the church? How often is that?
@Donovan Many comr from North Africa (Algeria, Moroco, Tunisa), Turkey, Middle East (Syria, Libanon, Iran), Afganistan. Often they are male. Converts from South Amrica are mostly female. But we also had more native converts than in the past. But I do not know exact numbers, I only remeber that 1 native Swiss and 1 navive German convert shared there conversion story and testomony during a stake conference in 2025.
Thank you, I always wonder how was the church growth in Europe, as a South American (Ecuador) I always had the perception that the church is shrinking there, and the few articles about that give that perception, because I don't find any information of the church of those countries, just a glimpse in a video of Church News of Elder Caussé's visit to Paris. It s amazin to know that the churhc is still growing there.
To be fair we are probably not having ward temple trips feom New Guinea yet. That will change when the Port Moresby Temple is dedicated. Which hopefully will be in 2027.
I think I have talked my grandson into going to FSY.
The changes in the youth program seem to be refocuing more on Jesus Christ and helping youth more fully engage in the Church.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Gw38v5FNm/
The Ambato Stake posted about the remodelation of the Latacunga Ward Chapel that will serve as the center of the future Latacunga Stake.
That's amazing! There will be a future stake in Latacunga! It will be the first Stake in Cotopaxi Province. Currently the Latacunga ward and the branches created not long ago in Pujilí, Salcedo and Saquisilí belongs to the Ambato Stake. Beside the church units in Cotopaxi, there are 4 wards and 1 branch in Ambato and 1 branch in Baños and 1 ward in Pelileo in this stake. My guess is that all branches in Cotopaxi will became wards and the Latacunga ward is going to split in 2. That's significant growth, because this province was unreached not long ago, with the only unit in Latacunga, the capital of the province. I thinks all the branches in that province were created after 2020.
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