Thursday, October 27, 2011
New District in Papua New Guinea
A new district was organized in Papua New Guinea. The Moveave Papua New Guinea District includes seven branches between Kukipi and Morovamu and becomes the country's tenth district. Two stakes also operate in Papua New Guinea (1995) and Daru (2011).
Monday, October 24, 2011
New District in Taiwan
A new district was organized in Taiwan. The Chia Yi Taiwan District was created from the Tainan Taiwan and Chung Hsing Taiwan Stakes and includes the following six branches: The Chia Yi 1st, Chia Yi 2nd, Hsin Ying, Hu Wei, Taipo, and Tou Liu Branches. Of these six branches, four were wards in their previously assigned stakes. The LDS Church has experienced stronger growth than most missionary-minded Christian denominations in Taiwan within the past few decades but continues to struggle with low member activity and convert retention rates. The new district appears unlikely to become a stake within the near future until additional congregations are organized and operating units increase in the number of active members. No stakes in Taiwan appear close to dividing within the near future. Taipei Taiwan West Stake is now the stake with the most congregations in the country with nine wards and one branch.
There are now 11 stakes and two districts in Taiwan.
There are now 11 stakes and two districts in Taiwan.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
New Stakes in Alabama, Peru, and the Philippines; New District in Peru
Alabama
The LDS Church's seventh stake in Alabama will be organized at the end of October according to members living in the Huntsville area. The Madison Alabama Stake will be organized from the Huntsville Alabama Stake and include seven congregations. The new stake will be the first new LDS stake organized in Alabama since the Dothan Alabama Stake in 1986.
Peru
Last Sunday a new stake was created in Arequipa and a new district was created in Casma. The Arequipa Perú Paucarpata Stake was organized from the Arequipa Perú Manuel Prado Stake includes six wards. The new stake becomes Peru's 98th stake and the seventh stake in the city of Arequipa. Prospects appear very favorable for a temple announcement for Arequipa within the near future. In northern Peru, the Casma Perú District was organized from the Chimbote Perú South Stake and appears to consist of five branches in the southern coastal areas of the Ancash Region. There are now 23 districts in Peru.
The Philippines
A new stake was created in northern Luzon in Santiago last Sunday. The Santiago Philippines North Stake was organized from the Santiago Philippines Stake and includes the following five wards: The Baluarte, Ramon, Rizal 1st, Rizal 2nd, and Santiago 3rd Wards. Congregational growth has increased throughout the Northern Luzon region within the past year as several new wards have been organized in the largest cities and several branches have matured into wards. There are now 82 stakes and 85 districts in the Philippines.
The LDS Church's seventh stake in Alabama will be organized at the end of October according to members living in the Huntsville area. The Madison Alabama Stake will be organized from the Huntsville Alabama Stake and include seven congregations. The new stake will be the first new LDS stake organized in Alabama since the Dothan Alabama Stake in 1986.
Peru
Last Sunday a new stake was created in Arequipa and a new district was created in Casma. The Arequipa Perú Paucarpata Stake was organized from the Arequipa Perú Manuel Prado Stake includes six wards. The new stake becomes Peru's 98th stake and the seventh stake in the city of Arequipa. Prospects appear very favorable for a temple announcement for Arequipa within the near future. In northern Peru, the Casma Perú District was organized from the Chimbote Perú South Stake and appears to consist of five branches in the southern coastal areas of the Ancash Region. There are now 23 districts in Peru.
The Philippines
A new stake was created in northern Luzon in Santiago last Sunday. The Santiago Philippines North Stake was organized from the Santiago Philippines Stake and includes the following five wards: The Baluarte, Ramon, Rizal 1st, Rizal 2nd, and Santiago 3rd Wards. Congregational growth has increased throughout the Northern Luzon region within the past year as several new wards have been organized in the largest cities and several branches have matured into wards. There are now 82 stakes and 85 districts in the Philippines.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Recent Church Growth News
First LDS branch organized in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
The first LDS branch was recently organized in Uvira, DR Congo. The Uvira Branch becomes the first LDS branch ever organized in the entire eastern or northern areas of the country. Beginning in 2008, the Church has begun to organize new branches in previously unreached cities such as Gandajika, Kakanda, Kasumbalesa, Kipushi, Matadi, and Mwene-Ditu but with the exception of Matadi all of these cities are located within a day's drive from a city that already had an LDS congregation. The organization of the new branch in Uvira was made possible by the opening of Burundi to missionary work one year ago and the diligence of local members in the Uvira area to cross the border and frequently attend church services in Bujumbura.
New branches in Malaysia; new ward in Singapore
Three new branches have recently been organized in Malaysia: The Cheras, Kota Kinabalu 2nd, and Masai Branches. The Cheras Branch was organized in Kuala Lampur and the Masai Branch was organized in the Johore Bahru area. A ninth ward in the Singapore Stake was also recently organized. With ongoing congregational growth in the region, Singapore appears to be a likely candidate for a future temple within the next decade especially when districts in Malaysia mature into stakes.
Rapid membership growth in Uganda
Full-time missionaries serving in the Uganda Kampala Mission report that the mission has so far in 2011 baptized over 1,600 converts, breaking previous records for the number of converts baptized in a single year since the mission was organized in 2005. Convert retention appears moderate but particularly high in cities which recently had branches organized (Gulu, Lira, Masaka, Mbale, and Njeru). Several senior missionary couples have recently been assigned to these cities and are providing valuable humanitarian and development work in addition to often working with church administrative affairs in these newly created branches. Some of these congregations have over 150 attending church services on Sundays.
Malawi to be dedicated for missionary work
On the heels of the organization of the new Zambia Lusaka Mission and the creation of several new branches and groups in Malawi, members report that Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve will visit Malawi and offer a formal dedicatory prayer for the nation. Malawi currently pertains to the Zambia Lusaka Mission and LDS congregations operate in Blantyre (4), Lilongwe (3), and Liwonde. With nearly 16 million inhabitants, Malawi appears a very favorable nation to have its first LDS mission organized in the near future.
The first LDS branch was recently organized in Uvira, DR Congo. The Uvira Branch becomes the first LDS branch ever organized in the entire eastern or northern areas of the country. Beginning in 2008, the Church has begun to organize new branches in previously unreached cities such as Gandajika, Kakanda, Kasumbalesa, Kipushi, Matadi, and Mwene-Ditu but with the exception of Matadi all of these cities are located within a day's drive from a city that already had an LDS congregation. The organization of the new branch in Uvira was made possible by the opening of Burundi to missionary work one year ago and the diligence of local members in the Uvira area to cross the border and frequently attend church services in Bujumbura.
New branches in Malaysia; new ward in Singapore
Three new branches have recently been organized in Malaysia: The Cheras, Kota Kinabalu 2nd, and Masai Branches. The Cheras Branch was organized in Kuala Lampur and the Masai Branch was organized in the Johore Bahru area. A ninth ward in the Singapore Stake was also recently organized. With ongoing congregational growth in the region, Singapore appears to be a likely candidate for a future temple within the next decade especially when districts in Malaysia mature into stakes.
Rapid membership growth in Uganda
Full-time missionaries serving in the Uganda Kampala Mission report that the mission has so far in 2011 baptized over 1,600 converts, breaking previous records for the number of converts baptized in a single year since the mission was organized in 2005. Convert retention appears moderate but particularly high in cities which recently had branches organized (Gulu, Lira, Masaka, Mbale, and Njeru). Several senior missionary couples have recently been assigned to these cities and are providing valuable humanitarian and development work in addition to often working with church administrative affairs in these newly created branches. Some of these congregations have over 150 attending church services on Sundays.
Malawi to be dedicated for missionary work
On the heels of the organization of the new Zambia Lusaka Mission and the creation of several new branches and groups in Malawi, members report that Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve will visit Malawi and offer a formal dedicatory prayer for the nation. Malawi currently pertains to the Zambia Lusaka Mission and LDS congregations operate in Blantyre (4), Lilongwe (3), and Liwonde. With nearly 16 million inhabitants, Malawi appears a very favorable nation to have its first LDS mission organized in the near future.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Translations of LDS Materials and the Book of Mormon Approved for the Kamba Language
Missionaries serving in Kenya report that the First Presidency has recently approved the translation of basic church materials and the Book of Mormon into Kamba. Spoken by over four million native speakers, Kamba is currently the language with the 48th most speakers without LDS materials. At present, the Church has not officially translated any materials into Kamba although senior missionaries reported that local members have made some unofficial translations of the sacrament prayers to facilitate comprehension among elderly members who have difficulty listening to the prayers in English. The Church has held a strict standard for baptizing new converts in Kenya and several other African nations over the years by requiring members to pass their baptismal interviews in their country's respective national languages. Within the past couple years, the Church has become more flexible in permitting converts to join the Church despite low levels of competency in English or their national language if it is determined that they will likely remain active. The decision to translate church materials the scriptures into Kamba is a major development which will likely increase growth and testimony development among many Kamba-speaking Latter-day Saints.
Currently, Kamba-speaking Latter-day Saints are concentrated in the Kilunga Hills which are located approximately 50 miles southeast of Nairobi. Four branches function in the Kilunga Hills and each have exhibited good convert retention and member activity rates. One of the most recently organized branches - the Matini Branch - has nearly 300 attend church services at present. The total number of Kamba-speaking Latter-day Saints may currently number over 1,000. Prospects appear very favorable for a district to be organized for the four branches in the area as they do not pertain to a stake or district at present.
It is unclear when translations of LDS materials and scriptures will be available in Kamba, but based on the time table for other languages translations of basic materials may be available within the next year and the Book of Mormon may be available by 2015.
Currently, Kamba-speaking Latter-day Saints are concentrated in the Kilunga Hills which are located approximately 50 miles southeast of Nairobi. Four branches function in the Kilunga Hills and each have exhibited good convert retention and member activity rates. One of the most recently organized branches - the Matini Branch - has nearly 300 attend church services at present. The total number of Kamba-speaking Latter-day Saints may currently number over 1,000. Prospects appear very favorable for a district to be organized for the four branches in the area as they do not pertain to a stake or district at present.
It is unclear when translations of LDS materials and scriptures will be available in Kamba, but based on the time table for other languages translations of basic materials may be available within the next year and the Book of Mormon may be available by 2015.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Five New Temples Announced
Barranquilla, Colombia
The Barranquilla Colombia Temple will become the LDS Church's second temple in Colombia following the dedication of the Bogotá Colombia Temple in 1999. Distance from the Bogotá Colombia Temple and the organization of several new stakes within the past decade in northern Colombia appear contributing factors influencing the decision to announce a second temple for Colombia notwithstanding the Bogotá Colombia Temple operating below capacity. Currently there are 28 stakes and 12 districts in Colombia.
Durban, South Africa
The Durban South Africa Temple will become the LDS Church's second temple in South Africa, making South Africa the only African nation with more than one LDS temple. Past mission presidents have shared the vision of a temple in Durban for several years notwithstanding only two stakes functioning in the city. The future temple will likely service Lesotho and Swaziland in addition to western South Africa, bringing the total of stakes and districts in the prospective temple district to as many as five and three, respectively. The new temple appears likely to be a small temple due to few stakes and districts in the surrounding region.
Kinshasa, DR Congo
The first temple in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo was announced. Prior to the temple announcement, the DR Congo was the country with the second most Latter-day Saints without a temple. LDS Church growth in the DR Congo has outpaced most nations in Africa and currently there are five stakes in Kinshasa and one across the Congo River in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Due to rapid congregational and membership growth combined with good retention and member activity, it is likely that as many as ten stakes may function in Kinshasa alone by 2015. Other stakes in the DR Congo are distant from Kinshasa, but the new temple will significantly reduce travel times and logistical issues. With the new temple announcement, prospects appear higher for the opening of a missionary training center in Kinshasa to train new missionaries in Central French-speaking Africa. The new temple will also likely service some additional Central African nations.
Provo, Utah
A second temple built from the shell of the fire-damaged Provo Tabernacle was announced this morning. The new temple will alleviate the busy Provo Utah Temple which services BYU and the MTC in addition to stakes from Provo to Payson. The new temple becomes Utah's 16th temple.
Star Valley, Wyoming
The first LDS temple in Wyoming was announced. Due to most of Wyoming's LDS membership residing within close proximity of the state border, no temple had been announced for many years notwithstanding 16 stakes functioning since 1984. The future temple will likely serve members in only in two stakes (Thayne and Afton) but may also serve stakes in central and southwestern Wyoming.
The Barranquilla Colombia Temple will become the LDS Church's second temple in Colombia following the dedication of the Bogotá Colombia Temple in 1999. Distance from the Bogotá Colombia Temple and the organization of several new stakes within the past decade in northern Colombia appear contributing factors influencing the decision to announce a second temple for Colombia notwithstanding the Bogotá Colombia Temple operating below capacity. Currently there are 28 stakes and 12 districts in Colombia.
Durban, South Africa
The Durban South Africa Temple will become the LDS Church's second temple in South Africa, making South Africa the only African nation with more than one LDS temple. Past mission presidents have shared the vision of a temple in Durban for several years notwithstanding only two stakes functioning in the city. The future temple will likely service Lesotho and Swaziland in addition to western South Africa, bringing the total of stakes and districts in the prospective temple district to as many as five and three, respectively. The new temple appears likely to be a small temple due to few stakes and districts in the surrounding region.
Kinshasa, DR Congo
The first temple in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo was announced. Prior to the temple announcement, the DR Congo was the country with the second most Latter-day Saints without a temple. LDS Church growth in the DR Congo has outpaced most nations in Africa and currently there are five stakes in Kinshasa and one across the Congo River in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Due to rapid congregational and membership growth combined with good retention and member activity, it is likely that as many as ten stakes may function in Kinshasa alone by 2015. Other stakes in the DR Congo are distant from Kinshasa, but the new temple will significantly reduce travel times and logistical issues. With the new temple announcement, prospects appear higher for the opening of a missionary training center in Kinshasa to train new missionaries in Central French-speaking Africa. The new temple will also likely service some additional Central African nations.
Provo, Utah
A second temple built from the shell of the fire-damaged Provo Tabernacle was announced this morning. The new temple will alleviate the busy Provo Utah Temple which services BYU and the MTC in addition to stakes from Provo to Payson. The new temple becomes Utah's 16th temple.
Star Valley, Wyoming
The first LDS temple in Wyoming was announced. Due to most of Wyoming's LDS membership residing within close proximity of the state border, no temple had been announced for many years notwithstanding 16 stakes functioning since 1984. The future temple will likely serve members in only in two stakes (Thayne and Afton) but may also serve stakes in central and southwestern Wyoming.
New Temples Announced
This morning President Monson announced five new temples in the following locations:
- Barranquilla, Colombia
- Durban, South Africa
- Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Provo, UT (second temple built from former Provo Tabernacle)
- Star Valley, Wyoming
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
New District in Mexico
A new district was recently created in southern Mexico. The Chojolhó México District was organized from the San Cristóbal México Stake (organized in 2007) and includes several branches in rural communities north of the city of San Cristóbal. Branches included in the new district were organized within the past few years and are located in areas populated primary by Tzotzil Amerindians who speak dialects of the Tzotzil and Tzeltal languages. Full-time missionaries reported a couple years ago that they began learning Tzotzil to teach locals about the Church. The organization of the district appears to signify that local leadership has been developed to meet the demands of both branch and district responsibilities. According to store.lds.org, there are three LDS materials available in Tzotzil: the Book of Mormon, Gospel Principles, and a family guidebook.
There are now 222 stakes and 36 districts in the LDS Church in Mexico.
There are now 222 stakes and 36 districts in the LDS Church in Mexico.
New Stake in Peru; Stakes Discontinued in Arizona and Utah
Peru
A new stake was created in Lima, Peru two Sundays ago. The Lima Perú Chaclacayo Stake was organized from the Lima Perú Chosica Stake and includes the following five wards and one branch: The Chaclacayo, Huaycan, Los Lomas, Moron, and Nana Wards and the Pariachi Branch. There are now 97 stakes and 22 districts in the LDS Church in Peru.
Arizona
Previously comprising six wards, the Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake was recently discontinued and consolidated with the neighboring Mesa Arizona South Stake. The Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake becomes the first LDS stake in the Mesa area to be discontinued. As is the case in many older areas of the largest cities in the Western United States, the decreasing number of active Latter-day Saints in these communities appears to be the primary influence on the closure of the Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake. Total LDS membership has likely declined for several years prompting the consolidation of the stake with the Mesa Arizona South Stake.
Utah
Previously comprising five wards and one branch, the West Valley Utah Stake was recently discontinued and consolidated with the neighboring Salt Lake Granger Stake. The West Valley Utah Stake became the fourth stake in Utah to be discontinued this year and the third in the Salt Lake City area. Causes for the discontinuance of the stake appear similar if not identical to the closure of the Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake namely declining numbers of active members as members move out of the former stake's boundaries and an already small number of congregations within the small geographic area of the stake. The West Valley Utah Stake appeared to have a geographic area of less than four square miles.
A new stake was created in Lima, Peru two Sundays ago. The Lima Perú Chaclacayo Stake was organized from the Lima Perú Chosica Stake and includes the following five wards and one branch: The Chaclacayo, Huaycan, Los Lomas, Moron, and Nana Wards and the Pariachi Branch. There are now 97 stakes and 22 districts in the LDS Church in Peru.
Arizona
Previously comprising six wards, the Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake was recently discontinued and consolidated with the neighboring Mesa Arizona South Stake. The Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake becomes the first LDS stake in the Mesa area to be discontinued. As is the case in many older areas of the largest cities in the Western United States, the decreasing number of active Latter-day Saints in these communities appears to be the primary influence on the closure of the Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake. Total LDS membership has likely declined for several years prompting the consolidation of the stake with the Mesa Arizona South Stake.
Utah
Previously comprising five wards and one branch, the West Valley Utah Stake was recently discontinued and consolidated with the neighboring Salt Lake Granger Stake. The West Valley Utah Stake became the fourth stake in Utah to be discontinued this year and the third in the Salt Lake City area. Causes for the discontinuance of the stake appear similar if not identical to the closure of the Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake namely declining numbers of active members as members move out of the former stake's boundaries and an already small number of congregations within the small geographic area of the stake. The West Valley Utah Stake appeared to have a geographic area of less than four square miles.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
LDS International Atlas Completed
In coordinating with David Stewart from cumorah.com, we have completed an up-to-date LDS International atlas that features the locations of congregations, stakes, districts, and missions worldwide using Google Maps. The atlas was in development for a period of 18 months can be access at the cumorah.com website at the bottom of the left-hand column under "LDS International Atlas - Google Maps." Use of the atlas is intended for educational purposes. For information regarding meeting locations and times, visit the Church's official website at lds.org/maps.
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