New Stakes Created in the DR Congo, Nigeria, and Utah; New District Created in Gabon; Two Districts Discontinued in French Polynesia

DR Congo

Today, a new stake was created in the DR Congo. The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo UPN Stake was created from the Kinshasa DR Congo Mont Ngafula Stake (organized in 2006) which had 11 wards and one branch prior to the creation of the new stake. No information is available yet on which congregations were assigned to the new stake or whether congregations from additional stakes were taken to create the new stake. The new stake is the Church's 12th stake in Kinshasa and the first new stake to be organized in the city since 2019. Several additional stakes appear likely to be organized in Kinshasa in the near future, as most stakes in the city have enough congregations to divide. 

There are now 29 stakes and three districts in the DR Congo.

Nigeria

A new stake was created in Nigeria on August 18th. The Calabar Nigeria Etta Agbor Stake was created from the Calabar Nigeria Stake (created in 2002 and renamed the Calabar Nigeria Tinapa Stake) and the Calabar Nigeria South Stake (created in 2015). The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Atimbo, Etta Agbor, Mayne Avenue, Nyanghasang, Uwanse, and Yellow Duke Wards and the Akpabuyo Branch. The new stake is the Church's fourth stake in the city of Calabar where a temple was announced in October of 2023.

There are now 73 stakes and 13 districts in Nigeria.

Utah

A new stake was created in Utah on August 11th. The Provo Utah East Bay (Spanish) Stake was created from area stakes and includes the following nine wards: the Bonneville 7th (Spanish), East Bay 2nd (Spanish), Franklin Park (Spanish), Freedom 3rd (Spanish), Lakeside 5th (Spanish), Parkway 6th (Spanish), Slate Canyon 1st (Spanish), Slate Canyon 14th (Spanish), and the Sunset 2nd (Spanish) Wards. The new stake is the Church's second Spanish-speaking stake in Utah following the West Jordan Utah Wasatch Meadows (Spanish) Stake which was created in May of 2024.

There are now 641 stakes and four districts in Utah.

Gabon

The Church organized its first district in the Central African nation of Gabon on August 4th. The Libreville Gabon District was created with four branches that previously were administered directly by the Cameroon Yaounde Mission, namely the Libreville 1st, the Libreville 2nd, the PK12, and the Université Branches. The Church organized its first branch in Gabon in Libreville in 2012 followed by additional branches in 2016 (Libreville 2nd), 2022 ( Université), and 2024 (PK12). The Port-Gentil Branch is the only branch in Gabon outside of Libreville, and the branch remains under the direct supervision of the Cameroon Yaounde Mission.

French Polynesia 

The Church's last two districts in French Polynesia were recently discontinued, and the branches that were assigned to the districts have been reassigned to stakes based on Tahiti. The two branches in the Taiohae Marquesas Islands District (organized in 2012) were reassigned to the Papeete Tahiti Stake. In the former Makemo Tuamotu District, the Makemo and Taenga Branches were reassigned to the Punaauia Tahiti Stake, the Fakarava Branch was reassigned to the Faaa Tahiti Tuamotu Stake, the Hikueru and Marokau Branches were reassigned to the Taravao Tahiti Stake, and the Hao Branch was reassigned to the Paea Tahiti Stake. The Makemo Tuamotu District Branch was the only branch that was discontinued. These changes were similar to the discontinuation of the Tubuai Australes District in 2016 and permits some of the larger branches in former districts to become wards and also reduce the administrative burden on the mission president to serve members living in districts. Moreover, this decision was also likely made because there were no feasible prospects for the districts to become stakes within the foreseeable future due to remote distance and small populations spread over large geographical areas. 

There are now 11 stakes and zero districts in French Polynesia.

Young Proselytizing Missionaries Arrive in Gabon

Within the last week, missionaries serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Mission report that the first young, proselytizing missionaries have been assigned to the Central African country of Gabon.  The Church organized its first official branch in the country approximately a year ago and LDS apostle Elder David A. Bednar dedicated Gabon for missionary work just a few months ago.  There appear to be approximately 50 to 100 members on church records in Gabon although the Church has yet to release official membership statistics on the country.  Currently there are four young elders (two North American, two African) and one senior couple assigned to the capital city of Libreville.

Gabon Dedicated for Missionary Work

On November 5th, LDS apostle Elder David A. Bednar dedicated the Central African country of Gabon for missionary work.  Approximately 80 members, investigators, and visitors attended a special fireside held after the historic event.  The Church assigned its first senior missionary couple earlier this year to Gabon and missionaries report that the first young proselytizing missionaries will arrive any day to begin formal proselytism efforts.  The Church organized the Libreville Branch approximately a year ago.  Gabon is assigned to the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Mission and has a population of 1.6 million people.  Prospects appear highly favorable for the Church to divide the mission in 2014 and create a separate mission headquartered in Cameroon to service Cameroon and Gabon.

First LDS Branch Created in Gabon

Two Sundays ago, the Church created its first branch in the African country of Gabon.  The Libreville Branch was organized from the Libreville Group and had 15 local members in attendance.  The Church obtained government registration within the past couple months, paving the way for the organization of an official church congregation in the country.  Missionaries serving in the DR Congo Kinshasa Mission report plans are underway to assign a senior missionary couple and young proselytizing missionaries to Gabon as soon as possible.  Prior to assignment to the DR Congo Kinshasa Mission earlier this year, an administrative branch operated by the Africa Southeast Area serviced Gabon as a means of tracking any members residing in the country.

Government of Gabon Recognizes the LDS Church

Missionaries serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Mission report that the government of Gabon granted official recognition to the Church and that the Church may send full-time proselytizing missionaries and participate in any of its religious practices in the country.  The Church has attempted to establish an official presence for several years but was unable to receive the necessary government permissions to do so.  Mission leaders report that a small group of members in Libreville were just authorized to hold sacrament meeting services and invite others to join church services.  It is unclear when the Church will assign its first proselytizing missionaries, but based on the recent establishment of the Church in Burundi two years ago it appears feasible for the Church to assign missionaries for the first time sometime within the next six months. 

Church Growth News

New district in Mexico

A couple weeks ago a new district was organized in the Mexican state of Sonora.  The Puerto Penasco Mexico District was organized from the Caborca Mexico District and includes two branches in Puerto Penasco and the Sonoita Branch.  There are now 222 stakes and 35 districts in Mexico. 

Preparations underway for opening Gabon to missionary work

The mission president of the Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa Mission has begun making preparations for the opening of Gabon to missionary work.  Gabon has never had an LDS presence and is officially assigned to the Africa Southeast Area.  Recently an area branch was organized for Gabon and members meet in few numbers in Libreville for church meetings.  Missionaries report that some members from Cote d'Ivoire have immigrated to Gabon and are facilitating the establishment of an official church presence.  Gabon will likely  be officially assigned to the mission in Kinshasa and in the near future will likely be included in the creation of a prospective mission in Cameroon which could also administer the Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea.

Cities no longer to open for missionary work in Sierra Leone

Missionaries serving in the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission report that plans have been postponed for opening Makeni and Moyamba for missionary work due to an increased emphasis on districts in Freetown and Bo becoming stakes in the near future with the assistance of full-time missionaries. 

100 LDS congregations in the DR Congo

The DR Congo has become the fourth African country to have over 100 LDS congregations.  Congregational growth rates remain strong and new units are organized on nearly a monthly basis.

2010 LDS membership statistics not yet released

The Church has not yet released country-by-country membership statistics for 2010.  These statistics are often published within the first few weeks after General Conference in April and I will provide a thorough analysis once they become available. 

Church Growth News

New Stake in Honduras

Missionaries serving in Tegucigalpa, Honduras report that one of the stakes in the city will divide to create a new stake in early November. I will provide more specifics once they become a available. The creation of new stake in Honduras is a major development as there have been no new stakes created in Honduras since 1997. Unlike many Latin American nations, Honduras has never had a stake discontinued however. Once the new stake is organized, there will be 21 stakes. No additional stakes appear close to dividing, but several stakes have gained additional congregations in the past couple years and may divide in the foreseeable future, such as the Fesitranh Honduras and San Pedro Honduras El Progreso Stakes.

Cities Open for Missionary Work In Paraguay

Full-time missionaries serving in both Paraguay missions report that several cities have opened to missionary work and new LDS groups have been organized. Some of the cities recently opened for missionary work include Katuete, Curuguaty, and Tobati. Strong nominal membership growth continues, but little to no increase in the number of congregations year to year likely indicate major convert retention issues.

The Church in Gabon

In a recent Mormon Channel interview with the past mission president of the Democratic Republic of Congo Mission, specifics on the Church in Gabon were discussed. The Church is not officially recognized in the country, resulting in no reported LDS presence. There do not appear to be any legal restrictions preventing a Church establishment however. There are 10-12 members living in the country who meet in humble circumstances for LDS services in Libreville.

New District in Brazil

A Brazilian member reported that a new district was created in Porto Seguro Brazil. I will provide additional information on the new district once it becomes available.