New Stakes Created in Malawi, Mozambique, Vanuatu, and Utah; New Districts Created in Brazil and the Philippines

Before I got through the country-by-country updates, I wanted to point out that there have been at least 28 stakes created in 2024 thus far which was four more stakes than were created during the first half of 2023. This is a significant accomplishment considering the increased standards for the creation of new stakes that went into effect January 1st, 2024. Moreover, there have been at least 14 new districts organized thus far in 2024 - approximately twice the number of districts created for the entire year for 2023 (7) as well as during previous years spanning 2020-2022. This development suggests that efforts to expand the Church's operations into previously unreached or lesser reached areas has returned to levels seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (there were 21 new districts organized in 2019).

Malawi

A new stake was created today in Malawi. The Blantyre Malawi Stake was organized from the Blantyre Malawi District. With six branches in the district, it is likely that all branches became wards in the new stake with perhaps just one exception (as new stakes usually have at least five wards). Information on which branches have become wards remains unavailable at this time. The original Blantyre Malawi District was organized in 2011 and has experienced modest growth over the decades. The new stake is the second stake to be organized in Malawi, and the first stake, which is in Lilongwe, was organized on June 2nd. This marks the second shortest time in Church history between the creation of the first and second stakes in a country (the shortest time was in Cambodia where the first two stakes were organized on the same day in 2014). With no more districts in the country and only one mission branch that was recently opened on Mzuzu, there appear good prospects for the expansion of the Church into additional cities now that there are more mission resources that can be repurposed from supporting the districts to national outreach expansion.

Mozambique

A new stake was created in Mozambique on June 16th. The Beira Mozambique Inhamízua Stake was organized from a division of the Beira Mozambique Manga Stake (which was also partially divided to create the Beira Mozambique Munhava Stake in May of 2023). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Cerâmica, the Dondo, the Inhamízua, the Rocha, and the Zona Verde Wards and the Mafarinha Branch. There are now four stakes in Beira - the first three of which were organized in 2015, 2017, and 2023.

There are now eight stakes and two districts in Mozambique.

Vanuatu 

A new stake was created in Vanuatu on June 18th. The Tanna Vanuatu Stake was organized from the Tanna Vanuatu District. The meeting to create the new stake had 2,700 in attendance, suggesting that there may be enough active members in Tanna to create a second stake in the foreseeable future if there is sufficient leadership and sustained activity rates to merit one. Information on which of the eight branches in the district have become wards is unknown at this time. There also appear to be several member groups that function in Tanna. The new stake is the Church's second stake to be organized in Vanuatu following the Port Vila Vanuatu Stake which was created in 2015. Districts in Luganville and Malakula also appear close to becoming stakes in the near future - both have large numbers of branches and impressive district conference attendance.

There are now two stakes and two districts in Vanuatu.

Utah

The Lehi Utah 3rd Stake (Tongan) was created on June 9th from the Orem Utah 2nd Stake (Tongan) and . The new stake includes the following 10 wards: the American Fork 2nd (Tongan), the American Fork 46th (Samoan), the Eagle Mountain 13th (Tongan), the Eagle Mountain 14th (Samoan), the Lehi 31st (Tongan), the Lehi 32nd (Samoan), the Lehi 41st (Tongan), the Lehi 42nd (Samoan), the Saratoga Springs 9th (Tongan), and the Saratoga Springs 12th (Samoan) Wards. 

There are now nine Tongan stakes in Utah. There are now 640 stakes and four districts in Utah.

Brazil

A new district was created in Brazil on June 23rd. The Ji-Paraná Brazil District was organized from branches in the Brazil Manaus Mission. The new district includes the following four branches: the Ariquemes, the Cacoal, the Ji-Paraná, and the Vilhena Branches. The Cacoal Branch is a newly organized branch in the district, whereas there used to be two branches in Vilhena that were consolidated into one branch. At one time, there was a district in Vilhena may years ago with at least three branches in Vilhena. Many member groups have historically functioning in cities nearby Ji-Paraná, such as in Jaru, Pimenta Bueno, and Rolim de Moura, although it is unclear whether these member groups still operate.

There are now 285 stakes and 41 districts in Brazil.

The Philippines

A new district was organized in the Philippines on June 16th. The Argao Philippines District was created from three branches that were previously assigned to the Talisay Philippines Stake, namely the Argao (organized in 2014), the Moalboal (organized in 2020), and the Sibonga Branches (organized in 1992). The new district compasses the southern third of Cebu Island which is almost entirely unreached in regard to the operation of official branches. The creation of the new district may signal efforts to expand into many small cities and towns in southern Cebu, especially since the creation of the Toledo Philippines Stake from the Toledo Philippines District in 2023.

There are now 130 stakes and 54 districts in the Philippines.

Six New Temples - Analysis

Today's temple announcements fall into three general categories we have seen in regards to where temples have been typically announced. These categories include:

• Remote locations
• Major centers of strength for the Church
• Cities with a large number of stakes without a temple

Historically, the Church has generally announced new temples in the last category I listed above: cities with a large number of stakes without a temple. The number of stakes in a city has often served as one of the best predictors of where a new temple may be announced. However, more recent temple announcements have favored locations far distant from the nearest temple (sometimes where the Church experiences slow or stagnant growth like Okinawa, Japan) or major Church centers even if we have not seen significant increases in the number of stakes in recent years (like São Paulo, Brazil).

See below for an analysis of today's temple announcements:

Tarawa Kiribati Temple

The Tarawa Kiribati Temple is the Church's first temple to be built in the Micronesian nation of Kiribati (population: 112,000). Prior to today's announcement, Kiribati was the country with the most Latter-day Saints without a temple with 20,946 members. The Church in Kiribati has experienced significant growth since its establishment in the mid-1970s. At year-end 2019, Church-reported membership accounted for 18.9% of the country's population. The establishment of Moroni High School has been a major catalyst for the Church's growth in Kiribati. Despite this progress, the Church in Kiribati has historically experienced some of the lowest member activity rates in Oceania. For example, census data indicate that self-affiliated Latter-day Saints constitute 5.3% of the population compared to Church-reported membership for 2015 which constituted 16.5% of the population. Nevertheless, there has been significant progress with improving member activity rates in many areas of the country, and there have been many outlying islands in southern Kiribati that have opened to the Church within the past decade. Moderate to slow membership growth rates have occurred in recent years. Currently, the Church operates two stakes and three districts in Kiribati. The new temple will likely also serve the Church's two stakes in the nearby Marshall Islands. Given Tarawa's low elevation and concerns with sea-level rise, it is likely the Church may implement special building protocols to prevent flooding of the building.

Port Vila Vanuatu Temple

The Port Vila Vanuatu Temple is the Church's first temple to be built in Vanuatu (population: 298,000). Prior to today's announcement, Vanuatu was the country with the eighth most members without a temple with 10,210 members. One of the more recently reached countries by the Church in Oceania, the Church reported approximately 1,000 members two decades ago. Approximately 3.5% of the population are members on Church records. There is one stake and three districts in Vanuatu. Membership growth rates have been high in Vanuatu for many years. The new temple will also likely include the sole stake of the Church on New Caledonia. 

Lindon Utah Temple

This temple announcement completely surprised me as Lindon, Utah was not listed as a more likely or less likely candidate on my temple prediction map. The Church has operated a temple in American Fork, Utah (Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple) since 1996 and announced the Orem Utah Temple in 2019. Thus, it was a surprise that this area would have another temple announced given that additional temples in Utah County have been announced or built in recent years. The new temple will likely serve 15-20 stakes in Lindon, northern Orem, and Pleasant Grove. Utah is a major powerhouse for the Church's proxy temple ordinance work, and thus the Church has continued to announce temples to meet recent demand for patrons. The new temple is the Church's 25th temple in Utah.

Greater Guatemala City Temple

Guatemala City became the first city in Central America to have a second temple announced with today's announcement of a temple to be built in the greater Guatemala City area. I found this announcement quite surprising given that the Church operates a temple in Quetzaltenango (dedicated in 2011) and has announced a temple for Coban (announced in 2019). The Guatemala City metropolitan area includes 21 stakes. With five stakes in nearby cities, the new temple will likely service approximately 13 stakes. The new temple is the Church's fourth temple in Guatemala.

São Paulo East Brazil Temple

With today's announcement of a temple to be built in eastern São Paulo, São Paulo will become the first city in Brazil to have two temples. The new temple will likely service 12 stakes and one district within the eastern portion of the São Paulo metropolitan area. Altogether, the Church operates 41 stakes in the São Paulo metropolitan area albeit there have been few new stakes organized in the area within the past decade. Previously built or announced temples in Brazil include the São Paulo Brazil Temple (dedicated in 1978), the Recife Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Porto Alegre Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Campinas Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2002), the Curitiba Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2008), the Manaus Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2012), the Fortaleza Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2019), Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple (announced in 2013 and currently waiting to be dedicated), Belém Brazil Temple (announced in 2016 and under construction), the Brasília Brazil Temple (announced in 2017 and under construction), and the Salvador Brazil Temple (announced in 2018). The new temple is the Church's 12th temple in Brazil.

Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple

Santa Cruz, Bolivia was the city outside of the United States with the most stakes without a temple prior to today's announcement. With 10 stakes, the Church in Santa Cruz has experienced steady growth since the first stake was created in 1979, and it has been on my list of likely potential announcements for many years. Unlike other major cities in Bolivia, the Church in Santa Cruz has regularly organized new stakes, and today the Church in Santa Cruz has more stakes than any other city in the country. The Church dedicated its first temple, and only temple prior to today's announcement, in Cochabamba in 2000. Membership growth rates in Bolivia has slowly accelerated in recent years but remain low (2.22% in 2019). There are 33 stakes and 8 districts in Bolivia, and the new temple will likely service 12 stakes and 4 districts.

Six New Temples Announced

Today, President Russell M. Nelson announced six new temples in the following locations:

• Tarawa, Kiribati
  
• Port Vila, Vanuatu
  
• Lindon, Utah
• Greater Guatemala City, Guatemala
  
• São Paulo East, São Paulo, Brazil
  
• Santa Cruz, Bolivia

With today's announcement, there are now 231 temples, including 168 dedicated temples, 22 temples under construction, and 41 temples announced in the planning stages. I will provide an analysis of these new temple announcements in another blog post later today.

First LDS Stake to be Organized in Vanuatu in April; Applications for Stakes Awaiting Approval for Mozambique and Zambia

Vanuatu
Missionaries serving in the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission report that the Church will organize its first stake in Vanuatu this April from the Port Vila Vanuatu District. Vanuatu is the country with the fifth most members without a stake according to membership data from year-end 2013. The Port Vila Vanuatu District currently has seven branches.

The Church in Vanuatu reported 6,103 members at year-end 2013 and 31 branches at year-end 2014.

Mozambique and Zambia
Missionaries report that applications have been sent to Church Headquarters requesting the organization of the first stakes in Mozambique and Zambia. Plans call for the organization of three new stakes from the Beira Mozambique District, Maputo Mozambique District, and the Lusaka Zambia District. Mozambique is the country with the fourth most members without a stake whereas Zambia is the country with the tenth most members without a stake according to year-end 2013 membership data.

The Church in Mozambique reported 6,900 members at year-end 2013 and 26 branches at year-end 2014.

The Church in Zambia reported 2,758 members at year-end 2013 and 13 branches at year-end 2014.

New District Created in Vanuatu

Last Sunday, the Church organized a new district in Vanuatu.

The Tanna Vanuatu District was organized from a division of the Port Vila Vanuatu District and includes the following five branches: The Greenhill, Greenpoint, Saetsiwi, White Sands, and Whitegrass Branches. Three member groups also appear to operate within the district in Lapangtawa, Lemdewakel, and Port Resolution. The Church has experienced rapid growth on Tanna within the past decade and today some of the branches have as many as 300 members attending church.

There are now four districts on Vanuatu. One district (Port Vila) appears close to becoming a stake, whereas one district (Luganville) appears close to splitting to create a new district on Ambae Island.

New Mission in Oceania; Mission to be Closed in Russia

Oceania

Missionaries report that the Fiji Suva and Papua New Guinea Port Moresby Missions will split to create a third mission to service New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.  Steady membership and congregational growth have occurred in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in the past few years whereas stagnant growth has occurred in New Caledonia.  The organization of the new mission will allocate more mission resources in areas which have a favorable outlook for future growth that at present are under-serviced. The first stake may be organized in Vanuatu in the coming years.

Russia

Missionaries report that the Russia Moscow and Russia Moscow West Missions will consolidate into a single mission.  More information will be provided once available regarding the assignment of Belarus and Kazakhstan to other missions.

Recent Church Growth News

Missionaries serving on Gaua Island, Vanuatu

Missionaries have recently begun serving on the island of Gaua in northern Vanuatu.  With only a few thousand inhabitants, Gaua becomes one of the least populated islands in the country to have had an LDS presence established.  The number of missionaries assigned to Vanuatu has increased dramatically within the past couple months to as many as 30 at present.  A single group meets in Gaua which missionaries report has recently been approved to become an independent branch.

Growth in Sierra Leone

Several new branches and groups have been recently organized in Sierra Leone.  Missionaries report that in Kenema three congregations have begun meeting whereas a year ago there was only one branch.  Currently assigned to the Bo Sierra Leone District, Kenema is likely to become its own district in the near future.  A new branch was created less than a month ago in Freetown (Belliar Park Branch) and a couple new groups also begun meeting in the Freetown area.

Accelerated congregational growth in Venezuela

Over the past year congregational growth has accelerated in Venezuela with new wards and branches often being organized on a monthly basis.  Convert retention and member activity rates appear higher than most Latin American nations as membership growth rates remain moderately low notwithstanding increases in new wards and branches.

New Stakes Organized in Brazil, DR Congo, and El Salvador; New District Organized in Vanuatu

Brazil

A new stake was organized in Rio de Janeiro.  The Rio de Janeiro Brazil Engenho de Dentro Stake was organized from the Rio de Janeiro Brazil and Rio de Janeiro Brazil Andaraí Stakes.  Compared to other Brazilian cities, few new stakes have been organized in Rio de Janeiro over the past decade as only two new stakes were organized between 2000 and 2010 (Rio de Janeiro Brazil Itaguaí Stake in 2005 and the Arsenal Brazil Stake in 2009).  Rio de Janeiro is one of the cities with the most stakes without a temple currently.  There are now ten LDS stakes in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area and 242 stakes in Brazil.  Congregational growth rates have been very slow so far in 2011 for Brazil compared to previous years.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

A new stake will be created in the interior of the DR Congo in Luputa this month.  The Luputa DR Congo Stake will be organized from the Luputa DR Congo District and will become the most recently organized district to become a stake in the LDS Church at present as the district was initially organized in 2006 with four branches.  At present the district has ten branches and it is unclear how many of the branches will become wards.  Last month another district in the country in Kananga became a stake with six wards and two branches.  There are now nine stakes in the DR Congo and the likelihood of additional stake organizations appears highly likely in the coming months and years.

El Salvador

The second LDS stake to be organized in over a decade in El Salvador was created a week ago.  The Sonzacate El Salvador Stake was organized from the Sonsonate El Salvador Stake and includes the following six wards and one branch: The Armenia, El Angel, Izalco, La Ponderosa, Nahuilingo, and Sonzacate Wards and the San Julian Branch.  The Sonsonate El Salvador Stake now has six wards.  There are now 18 stakes and two districts in El Salvador.  Also this summer the El Salvador San Salvador West Mission will be relocated to Santa Ana.

Vanuatu

The third LDS district in Vanuatu was recently organized.  The Malakula Vanuatu District was organized from the Luganville Vanuatu District and includes the following six branches on the island of Malakula: The Litslits, Lowni, Pinalum, Tulewei, Uripiv, and Wala Branches.  Prospects for the organization of additional districts is highly likely, especially for the islands of Ambae (five branches) and Tanna (four branches).