New Stakes Created in the DR Congo (3), Mozambique (2), Zimbabwe (2), Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Florida, Honduras, Idaho, Madagascar, México, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Zambia; New Districts Created in Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo; Stakes Discontinued in Utah (5) and the United Kingdom; Districts Discontinued in Argentina and Zambia

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)

Three new stakes have been created in the DR Congo.

The Lubumbashi DR Congo Bel-Air Stake was organized on March 8th from the Lubumbashi DR Congo Stake (organized in 1997) and the Ruashi DR Congo Stake (organized in 2017). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Bel-Air, Bongonga, Kilobelobe, Kiwele, Neflier, and Nyashi 2nd Wards. There are now seven stakes in Lubumbashi. Rapid growth has occurred in the city in the past couple decades, with the number of stakes increasing from one in 1997 to two in 2009, three in 2013, four in 2017, five in 2024, six in 2025, and seven in 2026.

The Kinshasa DR Congo Mont Amba Stake was organized on May 9th from a division of the Kinshasa DR Congo Ngaba Stake (organized in 2016). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Kisenso, Lemba 1st, Livulu, Mont Amba, and Plateau Wards. There are now 19 stakes in Kinshasa - more than any other metropolitan area on the Afro-Eurasian landmass.

The Kisangani DR Congo Stake was organized from the Kisangani DR Congo District (organized in 2023) on May 9th. Information on which of the nine branches in the district have become wards remains unavailable. The new stake is the Church's first stake in the northern DR Congo. The first branch in Kisangani was organized in 2015. 

There are now 49 stakes and 10 districts in the DR Congo. 

Mozambique

Two new stakes and one new district were created in Mozambique. It is important to note that some new wards and branches being created in Mozambique are not being readily updated on the Church's meetinghouse locator website, including branches becoming wards. As a result, some of the information contained below may not include some newly organized units or current information.

Beira Mozambique Chamba Stake was organized on March 15th from the Beira Mozambique Inhamízua Stake (organized in 2024) and the Beira Mozambique Manga Stake (organized in 2017). The new stake includes the following four wards and one branch: the Campo do Povo, Chamba, Chingussura, and Zona Verde Wards and the Matadouro Branch. There are now six stakes in Beira. Rapid growth has occurred in the city where the first stake was organized in 2015. The number of stakes in Beira increased from one in 2015 to two in 2017, three in 2023, four in 2024, five in 2025, and six in 2026.

The Nampula Mozambique Mutauanha Stake was organized on March 15th from a division of the Nampula Mozambique Stake (organized in 2021). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Muatala, Murrapaniua, Mutauanha, Namaita, and Substação Wards and the Luaha Branch. The Church's third mission in Mozambique, the Mozambique Nampula Mission, is scheduled to open this summer from a division of the Mozambique Beira Mission.

The Quelimane Mozambique District was organized on April 12th from mission branches in the Mozambique Beira Mission. The new district includes the following three branches: the Coalane, Quelimane, and the Samugue Branch. The Church in Quelimane has experienced numerous setbacks since the first branch was organized in 2005, including the apostasy of leaders and members in the late 2000s and early 2010s. It is unclear whether any of these former members have rejoined the Church or if recent growth in the city (the two other branches were created in 2023 and in 2026) has been due to new converts joining the Church.

There are now 12 stakes and four districts in Mozambique. 

Zimbabwe

Two new stakes were created in Zimbabwe.

The Mkoba Zimbabwe Stake was organized on March 22nd from a division of the Gweru Zimbabwe Stake (organized in 2011). The new stake includes the following four wards: the Mkoba 1st, Mkoba 2nd, Mkoba 3rd, and Mkoba 5th Wards. There are now two stakes in the city of Gweru.

The Harare Zimbabwe Kuwadzana Stake was organized on May 3rd from a division of the Harare Zimbabwe Stake (organized in 1999) and the Harare Zimbabwe Marimba Park Stake (organized in 2008). The new stake includes the following four wards and four branches: the Kuwadzana 1st, Kuwadzana 2nd, Kuwadzana 3rd, and Mufakose 2nd Wards and the Kuwadzana 4th, Norton, Warren Park, and Whitecliff Branches. There are now seven stakes in Harare. The number of stakes in the city increased from one in 1999 to two in 2008, three in 2014, four in 2016, five in 2024, six in 2025, and seven in 2026.

There are now 15 stakes and two districts in Zimbabwe. 

Argentina

One new stake was created in Argentina. The Tartagal Argentina Stake was organized on April 19th from the Tartagal Argentina District (organized in 1996) and the Oran Argentina District (organized in 1992). The new stake includes the following five wards and five branches: the Orán, Pizarro, Salvador Mazza, Tartagal, and Villa Saavedra Wards, and the Aguaray, Colonia Santa Rosa, Embarcación, Mosconi, and Pichanal Branches. The Oran Argentina District was also discontinued when the new stake was organized.

There are now 81 stakes and 23 districts in Argentina. 

Benin

A new stake was created in Benin. The Cotonou Benin Akpakpa Stake was organized on March 8th from a division of the Cococodji Benin Stake (organized in 2021) and the Cotonou Benin Stake (organized in 2016). The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Akpakpa, Avotrou, Finagnon, Jericho 1st, Jericho 2nd, and Porto Novo Wards and the Dowa and Gbegame Branches. There are now three stakes in Cotonou.

There are now three stakes and one district in Benin. 

Brazil

A new stake was created and a district was discontinued in Brazil. Bauru Brazil Jardim Santana Stake was created on March 8th from a division of the Bauru Brazil Stake (organized in 1992) and the Botucatu Brazil District becoming a stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Bela Vista, Jardim Santana, Jaú, Marechal Rondon, and Pederneiras Wards and the São Manuel Branch. There are now two stakes in Bauru.

There are now 290 stakes and 31 districts in Brazil. 

Florida

A new stake was created in Florida. The St Augustine Florida Stake was created on March 29th from a division of the Jacksonville Florida South Stake (organized in 2009). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Mill Creek, Palatka, Silverleaf, St Augustine 1st, and St Augustine Shores Wards and the Green Cove Springs and St Augustine 2nd (Deaf) Branches.

There are now 34 stakes in Florida. 

Honduras

A new stake was created in Honduras. The Santa Rosa de Copan Honduras Stake was organized on April 19th from the Santa Rosa de Copan Honduras District (organized in 1995). The new stake includes the following five wards and five branches: the Dolores, La Entrada, El Dorado, Miraflores, and Santa Rosa Wards, and the Copan Ruinas, Florida, Gracias, Nueva Ocotepeque, and San Marcos de Ocotepeque Branches. 

There are now 32 stakes and four districts in Honduras. 

Idaho

A new stake was created in Idaho. The Lewiston Idaho South Stake was organized on March 15th from the Lewiston Idaho Stake (organized in 1958). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: Grangeville 1st, Grangeville 2nd, Kamiah, Orchards 1st, and Orchards 2nd Wards and the Lewis-Clark YSA Branch.

There are now 149 stakes in Idaho. 

Madagascar

A new stake was created in Madagascar. The Antananarivo Madagascar Ampitatafika Stake was organized on March 1st from a division of the Antananarivo Madagascar Ampefiloha Stake (organized in 2023), the Antananarivo Madagascar Ivandry Stake (organized in 2011), and the Antananarivo Madagascar Manakambahiny Stake (organized in 2000). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Ambohidrapeto, Ambohimanarina, Ampitatafika, Itaosy, and Tanjombato Wards. There are now four stakes in Antananarivo.

There are now six stakes and one district in Madagascar. 

México

A new stake was created in Mexico. The León México Aeropuerto Stake was organized on March 8th from a division of the León México Stake (organized in 1996) and the Guanajuato México District (which became the new stake). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Guanajuato, Las Torres, Olímpica, Parque del Sur, and Silao Wards. There are now two stakes in León.

There are now 232 stakes and 41 districts in México. 

North Carolina

A new stake was created in North Carolina. The Mebane North Carolina Stake was organized on April 26th from the Durham North Carolina Stake (organized in 1987) and the Greensboro North Carolina Stake (organized in 1961). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Caswell, Elon, Hillsborough, Lake Mackintosh, and Mebane Wards and the Roxboro and Burlington (Spanish) Branches. 

There are now 22 stakes in North Carolina. 

Tennessee

A new stake was created in Tennessee. The Columbia Tennessee Stake was organized on March 22nd from the Franklin Tennessee Stake (organized in 1979) and the Murfreesboro Tennessee Stake (organized in 2012). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Columbia, Lawrenceburg, Linden, Spring Hill 1st, and Spring Hill 3rd Wards and the Lewisburg Branch. 

There are now 15 stakes in Tennessee. 

Utah

A new stake was created and four stakes were discontinued in Utah.

The Saratoga Springs Utah Mountain View Stake was organized on March 22nd from a division of the Saratoga Springs Utah North Stake (organized in 2004). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Harvest Hills 4th, Harvest Hills 5th, Harvest Hills 6th, Harvest Hills 7th, Wildflower 1st, and Wildflower 2nd Wards. 

Additionally, five stakes were recently discontinued in Utah, bringing the total number of discontinued stakes in Utah in 2026 to nine. Stakes discontinued included the Price Utah North Stake (organized in 1945), Price Utah YSA (organized in 1996), Sandy Utah Alta View Stake (organized in 1984), Taylorsville Utah North Stake (organized in 1973), and Wellington Utah Stake (organized in 1980). Like other recently discontinued stakes, stakes discontinued in the Salt Lake area have been in areas with a steady decline in active membership. The three stakes discontinued in the Price area have appeared to be attributed to essentially stagnant growth or decline for many years coupled with probable efforts to free up members in leadership positions to staff the new temple once it is completed.

There are now 639 stakes and seven districts in Utah. 

Zambia

A new stake was created in Zambia. The Copperbelt Zambia Stake was organized on April 26th from the Kitwe Zambia District (organized in 2005) and the Ndola Zambia District (organized in 2015 and discontinued when the new stake was organized). Information on which of the 11 branches in the two combined districts became wards remains unavailable.

There are now two stakes in Zambia and no districts. 

Kenya

A new district was created in Kenya. The Bomet Kenya District was organized on March 8th. The new district was organized from three branches in the Kenya Nairobi West Mission, including the Bomet, Kapkesosio, and Kyongong Branches. The first branch in Bomet was organized in 2023.

There are now four stakes and 11 districts in Kenya.

Nigeria

A new district was created in Nigeria. The Mangu Nigeria District was organized on March 8th from a division of the Jos Nigeria Stake (organized in 2024). The new district includes the following seven branches: the Chapkwai, Dadin Kowa, Gerkawa, Gindiri, Mabudi, Mangu, and Pankshin Branches. These branches have been primarily organized in villages and small towns in rural areas southeast of Jos. Rapid growth has occurred here, where all branches in the new district have been organized since 2024.

There are now 81 stakes and 14 districts in Nigeria. 

Republic of the Congo

A new district was created in the Republic of the Congo. The Nkayi Republic of the Congo District was organized on April 19th from five mission branches in cities between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. The new district includes the following branches: the Bouansa, Dolisie, Madingou, Mindouli, and Nkayi Branches. The first branch in this area of the country was organized in 2019 in Dolisie.

There are now five stakes and one district in the Republic of the Congo. 

United Kingdom

Two stakes were discontinued in the United Kingdom. The Poole England Stake (organized in 1982) and the Ashton England Stake (organized in 1982) were recently discontinued and retained congregations were reassigned to neighboring stakes. The discontinuation of these two stakes has continued a recent trend of consolidating stakes in England in the past few years, as there were three stakes discontinued in 2023 in the London area and one stake discontinued in 2022 in Lichfield. It is probable that additional stakes may be discontinued in the United Kingdom in the coming months and years, as the Church in the United Kingdom has historically had small numbers of active members per ward or branch and few convert baptisms.

There are now 40 stakes in the United Kingdom.

**Please note that there are some recently organized stakes and districts that I have not yet reported in this post due to the large volume of recent stake and district creations. These will be reported in a future blog post**

New Stakes Created in the Philippines (3), Arkansas, Canada, Idaho, Kiribati, Madagascar, South Carolina, and Texas; New Districts Created in Brazil, Mozambique, and Utah; Stakes Discontinued in California and New Zealand; District Discontinued in Guatemala

Philippines

Three new stakes were created in the Philippines.

The Aparri Philippines Stake was organized from the Aparri Philippines District (organized in 1988) on August 10th. The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Aparri 1st, Aparri 2nd, Camalaniugan 1st, Gattaran, and Lal-Lo Wards and the Camalaniugan 2nd and Magapit Branches. The Aparri Philippines District was one of the oldest districts that had not yet become a stake in the Philippines.

The Muñoz Philippines Stake was organized on August 10th from the Guimba Philippines District (organized in 1992). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Guimba 1st, Guimba 2nd, Muñoz 1st, Muñoz 2nd, and San Antonio Wards and the Guimba 3rd Branch. 

The Tarlac Philippines South Stake was organized on August 24th from the Tarlac Philippines Stake (organized in 1981). The new stake includes the following four wards and one branch: the Capas, Concepcion, Lapaz, and Tarlac 5th Wards and the Dap-Dap Branch.

There are now 137 stakes and 51 districts in the Philippines. 

Arkansas

A new stake was created in Arkansas on September 14th. The Centerton Arkansas Stake was organized from a division of the Bentonville Arkansas Stake (organized in 2014) and includes the following seven wards: the Centerton 1st, Centerton 2nd, Centerton 3rd, Gravette, Grove, Highlands, and Morningside Wards. The Rogers Arkansas Stake was also realigned with the Bentonville Arkansas Stake as part of the new stake creation.

There are now four stakes in northwestern Arkansas. There are now eight stakes in Arkansas. 

Canada

A new stake was created on September 21st in Alberta, Canada. The Beaumont Alberta Stake was organized from a division of the Edmonton Alberta Gateway Stake (organized in 1983) and includes the following seven wards: the Beaumont, Blackmud Creek, Ellerslie, Meadowlark (Tagalog), Rio Vista (Spanish), Wetaskiwin, and Wildrose (Tagalog) Wards. The new stake is the Church's seventh stake in Edmonton and the third new stake organized during the past decade. 

There are now 54 stakes and three districts in Canada. 

Idaho

A new stake was created in Idaho on August 24th. The Pocatello Idaho Highland South Stake was organized from a division of the Pocatello Highland Stake (organized in 1963). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Highland 1st, Highland 2nd, Highland 6th, Highland 7th, Highland 8th, Highland 10th, and Highland 14th Wards. This is the first new stake in Pocatello since the late 1990s. There are now 11 stakes in Pocatello.

There are now 146 stakes in Idaho.

Kiribati

A new stake was created in Kiribati on September 14th. The Tarawa Kiribati Betio Stake was organized from the Tarawa Kiribati West Stake (organized in 2007). The new stake includes the following four wards and two branches: the Betio 1st, Betio 2nd, Betio 3rd, and Temakin Wards and the Borotiam and Tabontebike-Abaiang Branches. Reports also suggest that the Tarawa Kiribati North District may become a stake in October, although this has not yet been confirmed.

There are now three stakes and three districts in Kiribati.

Madagascar

A new stake was created in Madagascar on August 3rd. The Antsirabe Madagascar Stake was organized from the Antsirabe Madagascar District (organized in 2010). The new stake includes the following four wards and three branches: the Ambohimena, Antsirabe, Mahazoarivo, and Tomboarivo Wards and the Andranomanelatra, Manandona, and Saradroa Branches. Antsirabe is now the third city in Madagascar to have a stake following Antananarivo and Toamasina. 

There are now five stakes and one district in Madagascar. 

South Carolina

A new stake was created in South Carolina on August 24th. The Spartanburg South Carolina Stake was organized from the Greenville South Carolina East Stake (organized in 2003). The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Boiling Springs, Gaffney, Inman, Roebuck, Spartanburg, and Tyger River Wards and the Union Branch. There are now three stakes in the greater Greenville area and 11 stakes statewide. 

Texas 

A new stake was created in Texas on September 14th. The Temple Texas Stake was organized from the Waco Texas Stake (organized in 2010). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Belton, Morgans Point, Salado Creek, Temple 1st, and Temple 2nd Wards.

There are now 83 stakes in Texas. 

Brazil

A new district was created in Brazil on September 14th. The Tubarão Brazil District was organized from a division of what was previously known as the Tubarão Brazil Stake (organized in 1993; now renamed the Criciúma Brazil Stake). The new district includes the following four branches: the Bairro São João, Imbituba, Laguna, and Oficinas Branches. There are now 11 stakes and one district in Santa Catarina State.

There are now 288 stakes and 36 districts in Brazil.

Mozambique

A new district was created in Mozambique on August 17th. The Tete Mozambique District was organized from four Mozambique Beira Mission branches in Tete where the first branch was organized in 2005. The new district includes the following four branches: the Matundo, Moatize, Tete, and Zambeze Branches.

There are now eight stakes and three districts in Mozambique. 

Utah 

A new correctional facility district was created in Utah on August 19th. The Wasatch Range Utah (Correctional Facility) District was organized with correctional facility branches in Salt Lake City, Utah. The new district includes the following six correctional facility branches: the Atherton, Bonneville, Fortitude, Geneva Fields, Glendale, and Orange Street Branches.

There are now six correctional facility districts in Utah.

There are now 644 stakes and seven districts in Utah.

California

A stake was discontinued in California. Organized in 1992, the San Fernando California (Spanish) Stake was discontinued and its units were reassigned to neighboring stakes. As recently as a few years ago, the stake had seven wards and one branch. The decision to consolidate the stake with overlapping stakes was likely rooted in efforts in most areas of the United States to discontinue language-specific stakes and rather have Spanish-speaking congregations assimilate with English-speaking units in the same stakes (a similar decision was made in Houston, Texas several years ago). English-speaking stakes in the area that once covered the San Fernando California (Spanish) Stake have experienced a steady decline in the number of English-speaking congregations for decades.

There are now 145 stakes in California. 

New Zealand 

A stake was discontinued in New Zealand. The Upper Hutt New Zealand Stake (organized in 1977) was discontinued and consolidated with the neighboring Wellington New Zealand Stake which was renamed the Wellington and Hutt New Zealand Stake. Stakes in the Wellington area have had few congregations for many years, and the decision to consolidate the stake was likely to help conserve limited leadership and prepare to support the future Wellington New Zealand Temple. There are now two stakes in the Wellington area. 

There are now 28 stakes and two districts in New Zealand. 

Guatemala 

A district was discontinued in Guatemala. The Chiquimula Guatemala South District (organized in 2024) was discontinued and three of the district’s four branches were reassigned to the Zacapa Guatemala Stake after the San Luis Branch was closed. The district had been organized approximately 18 months ago. The reasons for the district’s early discontinuation remain unclear

There are now 51 stakes and 10 districts in Guatemala. 

Unprecedented Growth in East Africa

Within the past 2-3 years, the Church has begun to experience unprecedented growth in East Africa where countries have historically ranked among the least reached in the world by Latter-day Saints (and among the slowest growth for the Church in Africa). In this post, I will briefly summarize historical growth trends in East Africa, describe current growth trends and significant developments, and offer predictions for the foreseeable future.

INTRODUCTION

East Africa is traditionally defined as containing countries that stretch from Eritrea, South Sudan, and Ethiopia in the north, to Zimbabwe and Mozambique in the south, to Zambia, Madagascar and Indian Ocean nations in the east, and Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda to the west. With a population of approximately half a billion people, East Africa is the most populous region of Africa and has presented many opportunities for growth which have not been taken advantage of by mission and area presidencies for decades. Consequently, extremely few mission and area resources have been allocated to East Africa notwithstanding political stability, religious freedom, and enormous populations that have often been receptive to the Latter-day Saint gospel message in the past 25 years. For example, in 2000 there were only three missions in all of East Africa that were headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya (organized in 1991); Harare, Zimbabwe (organized in 1987); and Antananarivo, Madagascar (organized in 1998). In fact, several of these nations did not have a Church presence established until relatively recently, such as Malawi (2000), Rwanda (2008), and Burundi (presence reestablished in 2010 after a brief period of an official presence in the early 1990s). Several nations today do not have any official branches, such as South Sudan (used to have one branch for a couple years in the late 2000s/early 2010s), Eritrea, Djibouti (used to have a military branch), Somalia (used to have a branch in Mogadishu primarily comprised of foreigners), Comoros, and Mayotte (officially part of France; very small branch used to operate until approximately 10-15 years ago). With only a few exceptions, most of the countries in East Africa have generally reported slow to moderate membership and congregational growth rates. Also, the Church has generally reported a presence in only a handful of cities in most East African countries. Rural communities in East Africa are almost entirely unreached by the Church. The only examples of branches functioning in rural communities in East Africa are in a few isolated locations in Kenya, Madagascar, and Uganda.

The creation of the Africa Central Area with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya in 2020 has been a major catalyst that has appeared primarily responsible for the recent surge in growth that has occurred in most of the countries in East Africa. Prior to the creation of the new area, there were only two administrative areas in Africa: the Africa West Area and the Africa Southeast Area (later renamed the Africa South Area). Although the Africa Central Area also includes Central Africa, the area's headquarters in East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya has appeared to favor greater focus and expansion into East Africa more than Central Africa due to closer geographic proximity. Furthermore, the number of missions in East Africa has increased significantly from 3 in 2000 to 5 in 2010 and 9 in 2020. By mid-2024, the Church will have 11 missions in the area. Another major catalyst for recent growth in some countries has been greater use of local languages rather than English, such as Swahili and Kinyarwanda.

SUMMARY OF RECENT GROWTH DEVELOPMENTS

See below for a summary of many of the recent developments in regard to rapid growth in East Africa. Click on the country name that is in bold to access the updated statistical profile on cumorah.com (most profiles have been updated with 2023 figures, and the ones that have not been updated yet will soon be updated).

• Burundi - The number of branches has doubled from four to eight since January 2024. The Church organized its first branches in four additional cities since January, including Cibitoke (location where a mission president visited hundreds who wanted to join the Church approximately 13-14 years ago but were told to wait until the Church is better established), Gitega, Muzinda, and Ngozi. Never in the Church's history in modern times has the Church in a country gone from official branches in only one city to five cities within so short a period of time. Church membership grew from 823 in 2021 to 1,541 in 2023. The Bujumbura Burundi District was created in 2021, and today there are four branches in the district. The population of Burundi is 13.2 million.
• Ethiopia - Three new branches were organized in Addis Ababa in 2022 and 2023. A new group was just organized on the outskirts of Addis Ababa in Burayu. The population of Ethiopia is 127 million.
  
• Kenya -  Annual membership growth rates have been sustained at 9-10% for 2022 and 2023. Membership grew in 2023 at the fastest rate reported since 2009. The number of wards and branches increased from 54 at year-end 2021 to 69 at present. The Church organized its first branches in six cities/towns/villages in 2023. A third stake was organized in Nairobi in 2023. The population of Kenya is 55.1 million.
  
• Madagascar - Church membership increased by 7.1% in 2023 - the highest annual percentage growth rate for membership since 2012. Two new stakes have been organized since 2022, and there are now four stakes and two districts. The population of Madagascar is 30.3 million.
  
• Malawi - Church membership increased by 23.4% in 2023 - the highest annual percentage growth rate for membership since 2011. There are now 4,776 Latter-day Saints in Malawi. The number of branches in Malawi increased from 8 to 13 between 2020 and 2023. The population of Malawi is 20.9 million.
  
• Mozambique - Church membership increased by more than 6,000 in 2023 to 24,733 by the end of the year - a 34.1% annual increase and one of the largest annual net increases in membership for the entire worldwide Church. Mozambique ranked as the country with the highest membership growth rate in 2023 among countries with publicly released membership totals. Mozambique is also the East African country with the second most Latter-day Saints. However, Church-reported membership comprises a mere 0.073% of the population (one Latter-day Saint per 1,371 people). The number of wards and branches in Mozambique increased by 23.2% in 2023, as there were 13 new wards/branches organized. There are 18 cities with an official ward or branches - 6 of which had their first ward or branch organized since 2022 (and all six of these cities are located in southern Mozambique). Two new stakes and one new district were organized in Mozambique in 2023. The population of Mozambique is 33.9 million.
  
• Rwanda - The number of branches has increased from four to nine since 2021, and the first branch outside of Kigali was created in Nyamata in 2022. The Rwanda Kigali Mission was organized in 2022 to service Rwanda, Burundi, and some eastern portions of the DR Congo. Church membership in Rwanda increased from 843 in 2021 to 1,537 in 2023. The population of Rwanda is 14.1 million.
  
• Tanzania - Church membership increased by nearly 1,000 in 2023 which was a 32.3% annual increase - the highest reported by the Church in Tanzania since 1998-1999 when there were less than 500 members. The Church reported 3,969 members as of year-end 2023. The number of branches has proliferated from 10 in 2020 to 27 today. Most of these new branches have been organized in Dar Es Salaam where there are now 18 branches. Three new districts have been organized since 2022 in Dar Es Salaam (Chang'ombe), Arusha, and Mwanza. The number of cities with an official branch has increased in the past three years from 3 to 5 with the creation of branches in Moshi (2021) and Dodoma (2023). The population of Tanzania is 67.4 million.
• Uganda - The Church organized its first branches in three previously unreached cities in 2023 and 2024 (Bukomero, Kalisizo, and Mbarara), thereby increasing the number of cities/towns/villages with at least one ward or branch to 18. The population of Uganda is 48.6 million.
  
• Zambia - Church membership increased by 11.2% in 2023 to 5,906 - the most rapid membership growth reported by the Church in Zambia since 2014. A third branch was created in Kitwe. The population of Zambia is 20.6 million.
  
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe became the first country in East Africa to reach 100 official congregations during 2023, as the number of wards/branches increased from 91 to 100 during the year. Church membership increased by 7.8% in 2023 - the highest annual membership growth rate seen in Zimbabwe since 2013. The Church organized its first branches in five cities between 2000 and 2023, raising the number of cities/towns/villages with a ward or branch to 26. Zimbabwe is the East African country with the highest percentage of Latter-day Saints in the population, at 0.25%, or one Latter-day Saint per 404 people. The population of Zimbabwe is 16.7 million.
  

PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE GROWTH

Growth conditions in East Africa remain highly favorable, and prospects appear good for continued rapid growth so long as reasonably high member activity and convert retention rates are sustained (and the amount of resources allocated to the area continue to increase). Here is a list of likely developments within the next 2-5 years that I believe are likely for East Africa given recent growth trends and future opportunities for growth:

• Continued National Outreach Expansion:
• Prospects appear most favorable in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar for the opening of many cities, towns, and villages to missionary work and creating branches.
  
• Area and mission leadership may begin to expand outreach in countries where there has been little to no expansion in the past decade, such as Malawi and Zambia.
• Ethiopia appears unlikely to have much outreach expansion until a solid center of strength is established in Addis Ababa and the district becomes a stake.
• The Reestablishment of the Church in South Sudan: I have received reports that the Juba Branch may be close to reinstatement. The Church recently obtained registration with the South Sudanese government. Conditions for growth appear highly favorable. South Sudanese have been uniquely receptive to the Latter-day Saint gospel message and often join the Church in other countries, including in East Africa such as Ethiopia and Uganda.
  
• The Creation of the First Stakes in Burundi, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Rwanda: All of these countries appear likely to have stakes organized in the next 2-5 years, as there are emerging center of strengths that are approaching the minimum requirements to become stakes. 
• Adoption of Kirundi as an Official Church Language in Burundi and Chichewa as an Official Language in Malawi: Based on the most recent information I have received, Church activities and services remain to be conducted in French and Swahili in Burundi. However, Kirundi is the primary language spoken in Burundi. With the establishment of branches outside of Bujumbura, it appears likely that we will see a transition to Kirundi similar to what was seen in the past few years in Rwanda when the official language of Church operations transitioned from English to Kinyarwanda. The Church in Malawi also seems likely to utilize Chichewa as its official language given this is the predominant language spoke in the country, including in both Church centers in Blantyre and Lilongwe.
  
• The Creation of More Missions: Locations that appear most likely to have new missions organized in East Africa during the next 2-5 years include:
• Bujumbura, Burundi to service Burundi (currently assigned to the Rwanda Kigali Mission)
• Eldoret, Kenya to service western Kenya (currently assigned to the Kenya Nairobi Mission. The Kenya Nairobi Mission will divide this summer to create a second mission based in Nairobi).
• Lilongwe, Malawi to service Malawi (currently assigned to the Zambia Lusaka Mission).
• A second mission in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania (currently one mission for the entire country). 
• A second mission in Kampala, Uganda (currently one mission for the entire country).
• Third mission in Zimbabwe (most likely scenario appears to be a second mission in Harare). 
• Additional Temple Announcements: The following locations appear most likely to have temples announced within the next five years (although many of these are likely in 4-5 years out and not in the immediate future). I have ordered these from most likely to least likely to be announced.
  
• Kampala, Uganda - Uganda is the country with the most Latter-day Saints without a temple announced or dedicated. Kampala appears one of the most likely locations in the world to have a temple announced in the immediate future.
  
• Maputo, Mozambique - There are now three stakes in Maputo, and long distance from Beira suggest that a separate temple in Maputo is highly likely. The Church in Mozambique has experienced some of the most rapid growth in the worldwide Church in the past decade. All seven stakes in Mozambique have been organized since 2015, and more stakes appear likely to be organized in the foreseeable future.
  
• Bulawayo, Zimbabwe - There have been two stakes in Bulawayo since 2023, and a third stake appears likely in the foreseeable future. Distance from Harare and a mission in Bulawayo both appear to make Bulawayo a good candidate for a future temple.
  
• Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania - Similar to the situation with the recent announcement of the Luanda Angola Temple, the Church in Tanzania has experienced rapid growth in both membership and the number of congregations. The creation of two stakes in Dar Es Salaam appears likely within the next 2-4 years. 
• Kigali, Rwanda - With sustained rapid growth, the creation of a stake appears likely in the next 1-3 years. A second stake may be a possibility by 2028 or 2029. A temple in Kigali appears more likely than in Burundi due to a highly concentrated membership in Kigali that has also been members of the Church longer (and with historically higher activity rates) than in Burundi.
  
• Lusaka, Zambia - This location may be a candidate for a temple, but this would be much more likely if there were two stakes in Lusaka. Unfortunately, the Church in Lusaka has experienced no increase in the number of wards since the stake was organized in 2015.
• Bujumbura, Burundi - A more remote possibility, Bujumbura may have a temple announced by 2029, especially given rapid growth in neighboring cities in the DR Congo, many of which have had branches just recently organized in the past year (i.e., Bakara, Bukavu, Goma, Kavumu, Kalemie) and where most speak Swahili (commonly spoken in the Bujumbura area). 
• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The most remote prospect, Addis Ababa may be a site for a temple announcement in 5 years, but this will depend on whether the Church can achieve sufficient growth and member activity to create a stake with prospects of a second stake in the foreseeable future. However, the Church in Ethiopia has struggled for decades with leadership development and low member activity rates which have been exacerbated by a lack of a mission in the country until 2020 and difficulties with full-time missionaries becoming proficient speakers of Amharic.

36 New Missions to be Created in 2024 Analysis: Africa

This post provides an analysis of new missions to be created in Africa in 2024, as announced by the Church on November 1st. 

Of the 36 new missions to be organized worldwide in 2024, nine (25%) will be organized in Africa - the most new missions ever organized in Africa in a single year. The total number of missions in Africa will increase from 45 to 54 as a result of the creation of these new missions (a 20% increase). The decision to create these new missions in Africa has been part of a broader trend in allocating larger amounts of missionary resources to Sub-Saharan Africa. For example, in 2023 the Church organized five new missions in Africa (a 12.5% increase from 2022), and all but one of the new missions organized in 2023 were in Africa (missions organized in Africa in 2023 included the Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan North Mission, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kananga Mission, the Nigeria Aba Mission, the Nigeria Abuja Mission, and the South Africa Pretoria Mission). Other recently organized missions in Africa have included the Rwanda Kigali Mission (2022), the Cameroon Yaounde Mission (2020), the Ethiopia Addis Ababa Mission (2020), the Mozambique Beira Mission (originally intended to be organized in 2020 but actually created in 2021), Tanzania Dar es Salaam Mission (2020), the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa East Mission (2019), the Cote d'Ivoire Yamoussoukro Mission (2018), the Nigeria Ibadan Mission (2018), and the Zimbabwe Bulawayo Mission (2018). The Church operated 34 missions in Africa as of year-end 2019. Thus, the number of missions in Africa will have increased by 20 just within a five-year time period. Once the new missions are created in Africa next year, the number of missions in Africa will have doubled within the past 10 years. The population of Africa is estimated to increase from 1.17 billion to 1.49 billion from 2014 to 2024. Therefore, the average African Latter-day Saint mission in 2024 will serve a smaller population (27.7 million) than in 2014 (45 million). The significant increase in new missions in Africa appears attributed to larger number of African Latter-day Saints serving full-time missions and also efforts to redistribute missionary resources from less productive areas to more productive areas of the world. 

See below for a mission-by-mission breakdown for new missions to be organized in 2024. All African nations with at least 100,000 Latter-day Saints will have two new missions organized in 2024.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO KINSHASA SOUTH

The DR Congo Kinshasa South Mission will be the Church's third mission in the massive urban agglomeration of Kinshasa which has a population of 15 million people. The new mission will be organized from the DR Congo Kinshasa West Mission (organized in 1987) and the DR Congo Kinshasa East Mission (organized in 2019). Currently, there are 11 stakes in Kinshasa - most of which have grown quite large and appear likely to divide in the near future. The new mission may indicate plans to create additional congregations and stakes in Kinshasa given there has appeared to be a pause in new unit creations in recent months despite rapid membership growth in the country. Reports I have received have noted plans by area leadership to create additional stakes, although these plans have not yet been announced or implemented. The creation of the new mission will also help to better administer fledgling areas with a relatively recent Church establishment outside of Kinshasa, such as in the far west (e.g, Matadi, Goma, Muanda, Kimpese), west central (Bandundu, Kikwit), and north (Kisangani) areas of the DR Congo. Moreover, there remain many large cities that are entirely unreached by the Church within the boundaries of the current two Kinshasa missions (e.g., Genema, Kisantu, Mbandaka, Mbanza-Ngungu), and a new mission may help to better establish the Church in additional locations. French and Lingala are the most commonly spoken languages in the Kinshasa area.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO KOLWEZI

The DR Congo Kolwezi Mission will be created from a division of the DR Congo Lubumbashi Mission (organized in 2010). The new mission will likely include three stakes (two in Likasi, one in Kolwezi). The creation of a second stake in Kolwezi appears imminent, as the stake has grown to 12 wards and 2 branches (the stake was organized in 2019 with seven wards from a member district). The realigned DR Congo Lubumbashi Mission will probably include four stakes (all in Lubumbashi) and one district in Kasumbalesa, although two stakes in Lubumbashi appear likely to divide to create two new stakes in the immediate future. The new mission may help the Church to expand into unreached or recently reached locations in the southern areas of the DR Congo (for example, a member group was recently established in Kamina, and perhaps hundreds of isolated Latter-day Saints and prospective members have self-organized in Kikondja for decades, but are extremely remote and difficult to reach). French and Swahili are commonly spoken in the Kolwezi area. 

There will be seven missions in the DR Congo once the two new missions are organized. 2023 marks the first year the Church has organized two missions in a single year in the DR Congo. The Church organized its first mission in the country in 1987, followed by additional missions in 2010, 2016, 2019, 2023. It is also important to note that some areas of the eastern DR Congo are administered by the Rwanda Kigali Mission (organized in 2022), such as missions branches in Uvira (2), Bukavu, and Goma. No other country in the world that had only one mission in 2009 has had so many new missions organized. As of year-end 2022, there were 102,862 Latter-day Saints in the DR Congo. The population of the DR Congo is projected to be 105.6 million in 2024. Thus, the average Congolese mission will have 15 million people within its boundaries (although this is a bit of an overestimate since this calculation does not include the Rwanda Kigali Mission). The Church has reported some of its highest membership growth rates in the world in the DR Congo in recent years. 

GHANA ACCRA NORTH

The Ghana Accra North Mission will be the Church's third mission in Accra that will likely be organized from the Ghana Accra Mission (organized in 1985) and the Ghana Accra West Mission (organized in 2013). There are 12 stakes in the greater Accra metropolitan area, and the two missions also currently include five more stakes in outlying cities (e.g., Abomosu, Asamankese, Koforidua, Swedru, and Winneba). Three districts are also within the boundaries of the two current missions (Dzodze, Ho, Kpong). The Church has experienced variable growth rates in the Accra area within the past 45 years. The new mission will likely help to better saturate urban areas in Accra with more congregations and full-time missionaries, as well as to help expand into unreached areas in areas surrounding Accra (especially in the Volta Region).

GHANA TAKORADI  

The Ghana Takoradi Mission will be organized from the Ghana Cape Coast Mission (organized in 2005). The new mission will likely include two stakes (one in Mpintsin, one in Takoradi) and two districts (Axim and Tarkwa), although a third stake in the greater Takoradi area appears likely to be organized soon (the Mpintsin Ghana Stake currently has 11 wards and two branches). The new mission will likely conform to the boundaries of the Western Region of Ghana with a population of a mere 2.1 million people, thereby making the Ghana Takoradi Mission the African mission with the smallest population within its geographical boundaries. The new mission may provide for greater mission resources to expand into northern and western areas of Western Region which are minimally reached by the Church, as well as to provide greater saturation of mission resources in Takoradi. The realigned Ghana Cape Coast Mission will also have a comparatively small target population for mission outreach, with perhaps as few as 2.5 million people (making this mission the African mission with the second fewest people within its boundaries). Steady growth has occurred in the current boundaries of the Ghana Cape Coast Mission, with the most significant growth occurring during the first few years of a Church presence in the late 1970s and early 1980s and within the past 10 years. Of the seven stakes in the current boundaries of the Ghana Cape Coast Mission, four stakes have been organized since 2016. 

The Church in Ghana will have six missions in 2024, resulting in the average mission in Ghana having 5.8 million people. However, 14.2 million of the 34.8 million people in Ghana live within the boundaries of the Ghana Kumasi Mission (41%). Excluding the Ghana Kumasi Mission, the remaining Ghanaian missions will have an average of 4.1 million people within their geographical boundaries. The Church previously created missions in Ghana in 1985, 2005, 2012, and 2013. Thus, 2024 will be the first year that two missions have been organized in Ghana in the same year. The Church reported 101,924 Latter-day Saints in Ghana as of year-end 2022.

NIGERIA CALABAR MISSION

The Nigeria Calabar Mission will likely be organized from a division of the Nigeria Uyo Mission (organized in 2002) and the Nigeria Enugu Mission (organized in 1992). The new mission will probably include four stakes (three in Calabar, one in Akamkpa) and one district in Ugep - all located in the Nigerian state of Cross Rivers (population 4.4 million). The Church announced a temple for Calabar last month. Rapid growth has occurred in Cross Rivers State where the first stake was organized in 2002 followed by additional stakes in 2015, 2017, and 2022. It appears likely that 1-2 new stakes may be created in Calabar in the near future due to the steady creation of new wards in the city. The Church previously headquartered a mission in Calabar which was first headquartered in Uyo, although this mission's headquarters later returned to Uyo in 2019. The new Nigeria Calabar Mission may have the smallest population of any Nigerian mission if the mission includes just the 4.4 million people in Cross Rivers State. To put this into contrast, the total population of Nigeria is 229 million, so the Nigeria Calabar Mission may have only 1.9% of the total country population.

NIGERIA PORT HARCOURT NORTH

The Nigeria Port Harcourt North Mission will likely be organized from a division of the Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission (organized in 1988). There are seven stakes in Port Harcourt, and the current Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission also includes three additional stakes (two in southern Akwa Ibom, one in Yenagoa) and two districts (both located near Port Harcourt in Rivers State). The current mission boundaries have approximately 10 million people within its geographical boundaries in the Nigerian states of Rivers and Bayelsa, and a very small portion of the Akwa Ibom State. Thus, each mission will likely have approximately five million people. Although initial growth was relatively slow in Port Harcourt in the 1980s and 1990s, the Church has experienced rapid growth for much of the past 10-15, as the number of stakes in the city increased from three in 2011 to seven in 2021. Several stakes appear likely to be organized in the foreseeable future in Port Harcourt due to large numbers of congregations in the city. Although it is within close proximity to Aba, it appears likely that a temple will be announced one day in Port Harcourt given the large concentration of Latter-day Saints in the city and transportation challenges in Nigeria for many members. The Port Harcourt Nigeria Stake was the Church's second stake in Nigeria when it was organized in 1990. Today, there are now 70 stakes in Nigeria. Port Harcourt will the only city in Nigeria with two missions headquartered within it (although this is not the first time two missions have been based in the same Nigerian city, as the Church briefly operated two missions in Lagos approximately 10-15 years ago).

With the creation of these two new missions, there will be 11 missions in Nigeria. Current Nigerian missions were organized in 1980, 1988, 1992, 2002 (2), 2013, 2016, and 2023 (2). Thus, the number of missions in Nigeria in 2024 will be nearly twice the number of missions in 2014. Never has any country on the Afro-Eurasian landmass had as many missions as Nigeria at present (9). Even more impressive, Nigerian missions do not include North American missionaries, and they are staffed primarily by African missionaries. The average mission in Nigeria will have approximately 21 million people in 2024, although this is not a very accurate ratio since the Nigeria Abuja Mission includes approximately 117 million people within its geographical boundaries (most of whom live in states where Sharia Law is practiced and where there is no Church presence). Excluding the Nigeria Abuja Mission, the 10 missions that will operate in the remainder of Nigeria in 2024 will service 11.2 million people per mission on average. The Church reported 221,172 Latter-day Saints in Nigeria as of year-end 2022. Nigeria appears likely to become its own church area given its large Church membership and significant opportunities for growth and expansion with such a large population.

KENYA NAIROBI EAST

The Kenya Nairobi East Mission will be created from a division of the Kenya Nairobi Mission (organized in 1991). Currently, the Kenya Nairobi Mission includes the entire country of Kenya (population: 56.2 million), although the mission historically serviced the entire region of East Africa prior to the creation of the Uganda Kampala Mission (organized in 2005) and then serviced Kenya and Tanzania until the creation of the Tanzania Dar Es Salaam Mission in 2020. Thus, until 2020, the Kenya Nairobi Mission has not been able to exclusively focus its missionary resources on Kenya despite his large population. Currently, there are three stakes and six districts in Kenya. Thus, the new Kenya Nairobi East Mission will probably include 1-2 stakes and three districts. The Church in Kenya has experienced modest growth since its initial establishment in 1979, and the first stake was organized in 2001. Additional stakes were organized in 2016 and 2023. The Church reported 17,438 Latter-day Saints as of year-end 2022. However, membership and congregational growth rates have accelerated in recent years, as membership increased by 9.6% in 2022 - the highest seen in over a decade. Furthermore, the Church has organized 11 new wards and branches in Kenya thus far in 2023, including the first branches in several previously unreached cities in western Kenya. The new mission will allow for greater numbers of missionaries to serve in Kenya to further expand outreach into additional areas unreached at present by the Church, further saturate the Nairobi metropolitan area (population: 6.6 million) with more congregations, and help strengthen districts to become stakes (such as in Eldoret and Kyulu). Many large cities remained unreached by the Church in Kenya. The Church created the Africa Central Area with headquarters in Nairobi in 2020. The Nairobi Kenya Temple is under construction.

MADAGASCAR ANTANANARIVO NORTH

The Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission will be organized from a division of the Madagascar Antananarivo Mission (organized in 1998). The Madagascar Antananarivo Mission currently services several countries in addition to Madagascar (31 million people), including Mauritius (1.3 million people), Reunion (part of France with approximately 1.0 million people), Comoros (868,000 people), and Mayotte (also part of France with approximately 346,000 people). Currently, there are four stakes and two districts in Madagascar. The Church reported 14,353 Latter-day Saints in Madagascar as of year-end 2022, whereas there were less than 1,000 Latter-day Saints each in Mauritius and Reunion. There is no Church presence in Comoros or Mayotte at present. Seychelles remains unassigned to a mission, and it is possible that Seychelles may be assigned to a mission once the new mission is organized. Thus, the new mission will likely have 1-2 stakes assigned, as well as 1-2 mission branches, although it is unclear which missions may be assigned the two districts in Reunion and Mauritius. The new mission may help to expand outreach into the virtually untouched north of Madagascar where there is only one mission branch in Mahajanga. The Church in Madagascar has achieved variable growth rates since the first branch was organized in 1990. The first stake was organized in 1990 followed by additional stakes in 2011, 2022, and 2023. The Antananarivo Madagascar Temple was announced in 2021.

SIERRA LEONE BO

The Sierra Leone Bo Mission will be organized from a division of the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission (organized in 2007) which only services Sierra Leone at present. The new mission has appeared long awaited given the rapid growth of the Church in eastern Sierra Leone which went from zero stakes and four districts in 2016 to four stakes and one district today, with multiple stakes likely to divide in the near future. I have written previously about the remarkable growth of the Church in Bo where Latter-day Saints number among the largest Christian denominations in the city. The new mission will probably include four stakes and one district in eastern and southern Sierra Leone, as well as a two branches in Koidu which appears likely to become a district once 1-2 more branches are organized in the city. The first two stakes in Bo were organized in 2017 followed by a third stake in 2019, whereas the stake in Kenema was organized in 2019. Bo appears to be one of the most likely locations in Africa for a temple announcement in the near future given the growth and size of the Church in the area. The realigned Sierra Leone Freetown Mission will likely include five stakes (all located in Freetown and all organized since 2012) and one district (Makeni). Each mission will likely have 4.5 million people within its boundaries given the population of Sierra Leone is approximately nine million. All large and medium-sized cities have an official ward or branch in the prospective boundaries of the Sierra Leone Bo Mission, and the new mission may help establish the Church in many small cities throughout the region. Sierra Leone is one of the most well-reached countries of the Church in Africa in terms of the percentage of Latter-day Saints in the population (0.34%), and also considering that all cities with at least 30,000 people have at least one ward or branch (except Port Loko). Rapid growth has occurred for the Church in Sierra Leone since 2011, and the Church reported 28,867 Latter-day Saints as of year-end 2022. Currently, Sierra Leone is the country in Africa with the most Latter-day Saints with only one mission. The Freetown Sierra Leone Temple is under construction.

New Stakes Created in Utah (5), Chile (3), Cote d'Ivoire (2), California, Madagascar, Mexico, Missouri, Nigeria, South Carolina, and Zimbabwe; Stake Discontinued in Utah; Districts Discontinued in Australia (2), Chile, Cote d'Ivoire, Guatemala, Mexico, and Micronesia

Utah

Five new stakes were recently organized in Utah.

The South Jordan Utah Highland Park Stake was organized on August 20th from the South Jordan Utah Garden Park Stake (organized in 2017). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Highland Park 1st, Highland Park 2nd, Highland Park 3rd, Highland Park 8th, Highland Park 9th, and Highland Park 10th Wards. 

The American Fork Utah Harbor Stake was organized on September 10th from the American Fork Utah South Stake (organized in 2017). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Harbor 1st, Harbor 3rd, Harbor 5th, Harbor 6th, Harbor 7th, Harbor 8th, and Harbor 9th Wards.

The Lewiston Utah Stake was organized on September 24th from the Richmond Utah Stake (organized in 1901) and the Benson Utah Stake (organized in 1978). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Cornish, Cove, Lewiston 1st, Lewiston 2nd, Lewiston 3rd, Lewiston 4th, and Trenton Wards.

The Lehi Utah North Lake Stake was organized on October 29th from the Lehi Utah Jordan River Stake (organized in 2003) and the Lehi Utah South Stake (organized in 1996). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Loch Lomond, North Lake 1st, North Lake 2nd, North Lake 3rd, North Lake 4th, North Lake 5th, and Saddle Ridge Wards.

The Lehi Utah Snow Springs Stake was organized on October 29th from the Lehi Utah Jordan River Stake (organized in 2003) and the Lehi Utah Jordan Willows Stake (organized in 2013). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Jordan Willows 1st, Jordan Willows 2nd, Jordan Willows 7th, Lehi 25th, Pioneer Crossing, Snow Springs, and Sommerset Wards. 

A stake was discontinued in Utah.

The Salt Lake Hunter South Stake (organized in 1985) was discontinued, which had six wards prior to its discontinuation - three of which were closed and absorbed into neighboring wards (including one Spanish-speaking ward). Retained units were reassigned to the Salt Lake Hunter Stake (organized in 1964) and the Salt Lake Hunter East Stake (organized in 1977). 

There are now 633 stakes and 2 districts in Utah. There have been six stakes discontinued in Utah in 2023 - more than any other year in the history of the Church in Utah. However, there has been a net increase of four stakes in Utah in 2023 as 10 new stakes have been organized.

Chile

Three new stakes were organized in Chile, marking the first time a new stake was organized in Chile since 2015. 2023 is the year with the most new stakes organized in Chile since 1998. The creation of the new stakes indicates there has been measurable improvement with increasing the number of active members in congregations in many areas of the country, which has also been supported by the creation of new wards and branches in the past 1-2 years. This has been a welcomed development after decades of essentially stagnant growth.

The Buín Chile Stake was organized on October 8th from the Buín Chile District. All six branches became wards in the new stake, and there are a total of six wards in the stake, including the Buín, Hospital, Linderos, Los Jardines, Paine, and Viluco Wards. The Buín Chile Stake is technically a reinstatement of a previous stake that once operated in Buín from 1995 until 2002 when it was discontinued and reorganized as a district. The original stake in 1995 had five wards and three branches. The Buín Chile District was first organized in 1984.

The Arauco Chile Stake was organized on October 15th from the Coronel Chile District (organized in 2002), the Lebu Chile District (organized in 2002), and the San Pedro Chile Stake (organized in 1981). The new stake includes the following seven wards and two branches: the Arauco, Camilo Olavarria, Cañete, Curanilahue, Lagunillas, Lebú, and Lota Wards and the Coronel 1st and Los Alamos Branches. Both the Coronel Chile District and Lebu Chile District previously operated as districts prior to being organized into separate stakes from 1997 until 2002. The original Coronel Chile Stake had seven wards and three branches when it was organized in 1997, and the Coronel Chile District had four branches prior to when the new stake was organized in Arauco. The original Lebu Chile Stake had six wards and three branches when it was organized in 1997, and the Lebu Chile District had four branches prior to when the Arauco Chile Stake was recently organized (click here for more information on the original stakes created in 1997). It is important to note that many of the wards in Chile in the late 1990s had few active members, necessitating the consolidation of hundreds of congregations in the early 2000s.

The Linares Chile Stake was organized on October 29th from the Linares Chile District (first organized as a stake in 1988, reorganized as a district in 2002 when the stake was discontinued). The new stake includes the following five wards and three branches: the Cauquenes, Las Delicias, Linares, Parral, and Valentin Letelier Wards and the Colbún and Longavi Branches. The district had seven branches prior to the creation of the new stake. 

There are now 77 stakes and 12 districts in Chile.

Cote d'Ivoire

Two new stakes were created in Cote d'Ivoire.

The Bouake Cote d'Ivoire Stake was organized on August 20th from the Bouake Cote d'Ivoire District (organized in 2016), three wards formerly assigned to the Yamoussoukro Cote d'Ivoire Stake (organized in 2015), and one mission branch (the Tiebissou Branch). The new stake includes the following six wards and three branches: the Assabou, Bouake 1st, Bouake 2nd, Bouake 3rd, Habitat, and Morofe Wards and the Ahougnanssou, Bouake 4th, and Tiebissou Branches. 

The Man Cote d'Ivoire Stake was organized on October 15th, 2023 from the Man Cote d'Ivoire District (organized in 2017), the Danané Cote d'Ivoire District (organized in 2019), and the Duekoue Cote d'Ivoire District (organized in 2019). The new stake has a total of seven wards and two branches, including the Bangolo 1st, Bangolo 2nd, Danané 1st, Danané 2nd, Grand Gbapleu, Mahapleu, and Man Wards and the Doyaguine and Logouale Branches. The Danané Cote d'Ivoire District had three branches and was discontinued as part of the new stake creation, as all three branches became wards in the new stake. Two of the four branches in the Man Cote d'Ivoire District became wards, and the two units transferred from the Duekoue Cote d'Ivoire District (Bangolo 1st and Bangolo 2nd) both became wards. 

The recent creation of new stakes in Cote d'Ivoire outside of Abidjan has tended to take multiple districts to create new stakes rather than waiting for a single district to become a stake. The other stakes that operate in Cote d'Ivoire outside of Abidjan include Yamoussoukro (organized in 2015), Daloa (organized in 2017), and Gagnoa (organized in 2022). There are now five stakes that operate outside of the greater Abidjan metropolitan area.

There are now 20 stakes and 13 districts in Cote d'Ivoire. In contrast, there were only five stakes and one district in Cote d'Ivoire 10 years ago.

California

The Church organized a new stake in California on October 22nd. The Capistrano Valley California Stake was organized from the San Clemente California Stake (4 wards), the Laguna Niguel California Stake (2 wards), and the Mission Viejo California Stake (1 ward). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Capistrano Beach, Capistrano, Covenant Hills, Dana Hills, Liberty Park, Marina Hills, and Tierra Grande Wards.

There are now 147 stakes in California. So far in 2023, no stakes have been discontinued in California.

Madagascar

The Church organized fourth stake in Madagascar (and third stake in Antananarivo) on October 22nd. The Antananarivo Madagascar Ampefiloha Stake was organized from the Antananarivo Madagascar Manakambahiny Stake (organized in 2000) and the Antananarivo Madagascar Ivandry Stake (organized in 2011). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the 67 Hectares, Ambohidrapeto, Ampefiloha, Ampitatafika, Anjanahary, Antananarivo, and Itaosy Wards. All these congregations previously operated as wards except the Ambohidrapeto Ward which previously was a branch. The Church announced the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple in October 2021. 

There are now four stakes and two districts in Madagascar.

Mexico

A new stake was created in Mexico. The México City El Lago Stake was organized from the México City Chimalhuacan District (organized in 2018 from the Mexico City La Perla Stake) and the Texcoco México District (organized in 2018 from the Mexico City Los Reyes Stake). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Arboleda, Chiautla, Ciudad Alegre, Coatlinchan, Texcoco, and Xochitenco Wards. Three of the nine original branches in the two districts were discontinued when the new stake was organized.

There are now 228 stakes and 45 districts in Mexico.

Missouri 

A new stake was created in Missouri for the first time since 2017. The Chariton River Missouri Stake was organized on November 5th from the Columbia Missouri Stake (organized in 1970) and the Nauvoo Illinois Stake (organized in 1979). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Bear Creek, Kirksville 1st, Kirksville 2nd, Mexico, and Moberly Wards and the Hannibal and Macon Branches. 

There are now 19 stakes in Missouri. Several more new stakes appear likely to be organized in Missouri the immediate future due to years of steady increases in the number of wards. Stakes that appear likely to divide include stakes in Liberty (12 wards), Farr West (11 wards, 2 branches), Springfield South (11 wards, 1 branch), and Springfield (10 wards).

Nigeria

A new stake was organized in Nigeria. The Uyo Nigeria Central Stake was organized on August 20th from a division of the Uyo Nigeria Stake (organized in 2001) and the Uyo Nigeria Ibiono Stake (organized in 2016). The new stake includes the following 10 wards: the Akwa Ima Housing Estate, Ikot Ekpene Road, Ikot Mbon Ikono, Ikpa Road 1st, Itam 1st, Itam 2nd, Jonathan Boulevard, Nkemba,
Offot 1st, and Offot 2nd Wards. With perhaps only a couple previous exceptions, the number of wards in the new stake (10) appears the largest ever included in a newly organized stake in Church history. 

There are now 70 stakes and 15 districts in Nigeria. There are many more stakes that appear likely to be organized in the immediate future in Nigeria, including from the Ikot Ekpene Nigeria Stake (11 wards, 1 branch), the Lagos Nigeria Yaba Stake (11 wards), the Umuahia Nigeria Stake (10 wards, 5 branches), the Eket Nigeria Stake (10 wards, 4 branches), the Benin City Nigeria Ugbowo Stake (10 wards, 3 branches), the Port Harcourt Nigeria West Stake (10 wards, 3 branches), the Calabar Nigeria North Stake (10 wards), and the Jos Nigeria District (8 branches).

South Carolina

A new stake was organized in South Carolina on October 22nd. The Hartsville South Carolina Stake was organized from the Columbia South Carolina Stake (organized in 1947) and the Conway South Carolina Stake (organized in 1968 and originally known as the Florence South Carolina Stake). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Camden, Elgin, Florence, Hartsville, and the Sumter Wards and the Cheraw Branch. 

There are now 10 stakes in South Carolina. One more stake appears likely to be organized in South Carolina within the foreseeable future from a division of the Charleston South Carolina Stake (10 wards, 3 branches).

Zimbabwe 

A new stake was organized in Zimbabwe. The Mutare Zimbabwe Stake was organized from the Mutare Zimbabwe District (organized in 2000). Information on which of the nine branches in the former district have become wards remains unavailable. Mutare is the fifth city in Zimbabwe to have had a stake organized.

There are now nine stakes and one district in Zimbabwe. Reports from Zimbabwean members indicate there are plans to organize two more stakes in Zimbabwe before the end of the year, with one new stake each in Harare and Bulawayo.

Australia

Two districts were discontinued in Queensland, Australia. 

The  Townsville Australia District (organized in 1964) was discontinued and consolidated with the Cairns Australia District (organized in 1974 and renamed North Queensland Australia District). No branches were discontinued as part of this consolidation, and there are now nine branches in the North Queensland Australia District. It is probable that this decision was made with the ambition to create a stake in north Queensland in the foreseeable future. 

The Rockhampton Australia District (organized in 1981) was discontinued and consolidated with the Sunshine Coast Australia Stake (organized in 1996). None of the four branches in the former Rockhampton Australia District were discontinued as part of these changes, and one of the branches (Rockhampton) was reorganized into a ward. No congregations were discontinued in the Sunshine Coast Australia Stake as part of these changes.

There are now 41 stakes and four districts in Australia.

Guatemala

The Serchil Guatemala District (1994) was discontinued and the three branches in the former district were all reassigned to the neighboring San Marcos Guatemala Stake (organized in 1984). No congregations were closed in either the former Serchil Guatemal District or in the realigned San Marcos Guatemala Stake. The decision to discontinue the district was probably due to stagnant growth for many decades, reasonably close proximity to be incorporated into a stake, and/or prospects for stake leaders to administer to local members in the area instead of mission leadership.

There are now 52 stakes and 12 districts in Guatemala.

Federated States of Micronesia

A district was discontinued in Micronesia. The Kosrae District (created in 1990) was discontinued, and the two branches in the district now are mission branches in the Micronesia Guam Mission. The decision to discontinue the district was probably to free up leadership to serve on a branch level and no reasonable prospects for the district to become a stake in the foreseeable future. The Church published its Kosraean translation of the Book of Mormon in 2015.

36 New Missions to be Created in 2024

Today, the Church announced plans to organize 36 new missions in 2024 due to a significant increase in the number of Latter-day Saints serving full-time missions. New missions that are scheduled to open in on July 1st, 2024, include:

• Argentina Tucumán
• Bolivia Cochabamba South
• Brazil Manaus South
• California Modesto
• Cambodia Phnom Penh East
• Chile La Serena
• Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa South
• Democratic Republic of the Congo Kolwezi
• Dominican Republic Santo Domingo North
• Ecuador Quito West
• Florida Tallahassee
• Germany Hamburg
• Ghana Accra North
• Ghana Takoradi
• Japan Sendai
• Kenya Nairobi East
• Madagascar Antananarivo North
• México Mexicali
• México Puebla East
• Montana Missoula
• Nevada Henderson
• Nigeria Calabar
• Nigeria Port Harcourt North
• Perú Lima Northeast
• Philippines Dumaguete
• Philippines General Santos
• Philippines Tuguegarao
• Portugal Porto
• Sierra Leone Bo
• South Carolina Charleston
• Texas Dallas South
• Texas El Paso
• Thailand Bangkok East
• Utah Salt Lake City East
• Utah Saratoga Springs
• Utah Spanish Fork

This is a major announcement that indicates confidence that the Church has placed on these increased numbers of members serving full-time missions being sustained for years to come. I will provide analysis on these new missions in the coming days. With these changes, there will be 450 missions in the Church - the most ever in the history of the Church. Also, the Church reported that there are now more than 72,000 full-time missionaries serving (of whom nearly 5,300 are senior missionaries).