Peru
Today a new stake was organized in Peru. The Casa Grande Peru Stake was organized from the Casa Grande Peru District which had seven branches in several small cities and towns northwest of Trujillo. It is unclear how many branches became wards in the new stake. There are now 95 stakes and 23 districts in Peru.
Utah
A new stake was organized in Utah a week ago. The Enoch Utah West Stake was organized from the Enoch Utah and the Cedar City Utah Canyon View Stakes. There are now 557 stakes in Utah
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
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).
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).
Sunday, June 12, 2011
New Stakes Organized in Utah and Venezuela; New Districts Organized in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea
Utah
A new young single adult (YSA) stake has been organized in Utah. The Alpine Utah YSA Stake was created for YSA units in the Alpine area and became Utah's 55th YSA stake. There are now 556 stakes in Utah.
Venezuela
A new stake has been created in Venezuela. The San Cristobal Venezuela Pirineos Stake was created from a division of the San Cristobal Venezuela Stake and includes five wards and one branch. The San Cristobal Venezuela Stake at present also has five wards and one branch. Congregational growth and the maturation of branches into wards has occurred rapidly in San Cristobal as a year ago there were only five wards and five branches in the stake. Since the departure of North American missionaries in 2005 membership and congregational growth rates have plummeted in Venezuela but several new stakes have been organized recently as branches have become wards and a few new wards have been organized. There are now 32 stakes and 8 branches in Venezuela.
Malaysia
A new district was organized in East Malaysia. The Bintulu East Malaysia District was created from a division of the Miri East Malaysia District and includes three branches in Bintulu. The district in Miri currently includes two branches and two groups. It is unusual for a new district to be organized from a preexisting district and the original district retaining only two branches. This may indicate that additional branches will be organized in Miri in the near future. The growth of the number of LDS districts in East Malaysia has been rapid since 2000 as districts were organized in Kuching (2003), Miri (2008), and Sibu (2009). There are no seven districts in East Malaysia and none appear close to becoming stakes within the near future.
Papua New Guinea
A new district has been organized in Suki, Papua New Guinea from a single branch that once pertained to the Daru Papua New Guinea District (which became a stake a couple Sundays ago). Four additional branches were organized from the Suki Branch: The Kiru, Eniawa, Pukaduka, and Sapuka Branches. Phenomenal, unprecedented congregational growth has occurred in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea since late 2010 when the Sogere Papua New Guinea District was organized from a single branch that has divided into nine branches at present. There are now two stakes and nine districts in Papua New Guinea.
A new young single adult (YSA) stake has been organized in Utah. The Alpine Utah YSA Stake was created for YSA units in the Alpine area and became Utah's 55th YSA stake. There are now 556 stakes in Utah.
Venezuela
A new stake has been created in Venezuela. The San Cristobal Venezuela Pirineos Stake was created from a division of the San Cristobal Venezuela Stake and includes five wards and one branch. The San Cristobal Venezuela Stake at present also has five wards and one branch. Congregational growth and the maturation of branches into wards has occurred rapidly in San Cristobal as a year ago there were only five wards and five branches in the stake. Since the departure of North American missionaries in 2005 membership and congregational growth rates have plummeted in Venezuela but several new stakes have been organized recently as branches have become wards and a few new wards have been organized. There are now 32 stakes and 8 branches in Venezuela.
Malaysia
A new district was organized in East Malaysia. The Bintulu East Malaysia District was created from a division of the Miri East Malaysia District and includes three branches in Bintulu. The district in Miri currently includes two branches and two groups. It is unusual for a new district to be organized from a preexisting district and the original district retaining only two branches. This may indicate that additional branches will be organized in Miri in the near future. The growth of the number of LDS districts in East Malaysia has been rapid since 2000 as districts were organized in Kuching (2003), Miri (2008), and Sibu (2009). There are no seven districts in East Malaysia and none appear close to becoming stakes within the near future.
Papua New Guinea
A new district has been organized in Suki, Papua New Guinea from a single branch that once pertained to the Daru Papua New Guinea District (which became a stake a couple Sundays ago). Four additional branches were organized from the Suki Branch: The Kiru, Eniawa, Pukaduka, and Sapuka Branches. Phenomenal, unprecedented congregational growth has occurred in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea since late 2010 when the Sogere Papua New Guinea District was organized from a single branch that has divided into nine branches at present. There are now two stakes and nine districts in Papua New Guinea.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
List of Countries With LDS Stakes and Date of First LDS Stake Creation
Two years ago I provided a list of countries around the world with LDS stakes and the year the first LDS stake was organized in each nation. Since that time, four additional nations/territories have had their first LDS stakes organized so I wanted to update this list as well as provide some additional information. The year the second LDS stake was organized in each country is provided for countries with two or more LDS stakes and the number of stakes and districts is provided in parentheses (first number is the number of stakes and the second number is the number of districts at present). With countries with only one LDS stake, N/A is listed after the year the first stake was organized.
1847-1959
United States: 1834, 1834 (1,478 - 10)
Mexico: 1895, 1961 (222 - 49)
Canada: 1895, 1903 (47 - 4)
New Zealand: 1958, 1960 (25 - 3)
1960-1969
United Kingdom: 1960, 1961 (45 - 0)
Australia: 1960, 1960 (32 - 9)
Germany: 1961, 1961 (14 - 3)
Netherlands: 1961, 1978 (3 - 0)
Switzerland: 1961, 1981 (5 - 0)
Samoa: 1962, 1970 (16 - 0)
Brazil: 1966, 1968 (241 - 49)
Argentina: 1966, 1972 (70 - 37)
Guatemala: 1967, 1975 (39 - 19)
Uruguay: 1967, 1974 (16 - 4)
Tonga: 1968, 1970 (17 - 2)
American Samoa: 1969, 1980 (4 - 0)
1970-1979
Peru: 1970, 1974 (94 - 24)
Japan: 1970, 1972 (28 - 15)
South Africa: 1970, 1978 (12 - 4)
Chile: 1972, 1974 (70 - 23)
French Polynesia: 1972, 1983 (7 - 3)
Philippines: 1973, 1977 (81 - 85)
El Salvador: 1973, 1976 (17 - 2)
South Korea: 1973, 1977 (17 - 6)
Denmark: 1974, 1978 (2 - 0)
France: 1975, 1980 (9 - 1)
Sweden: 1975, 1977 (4 - 1)
Taiwan: 1976, 1981 (11 - 1)
China-Hong Kong: 1976, 1984 (4 - 1)
Colombia: 1977, 1978 (28 - 12)
Venezuela: 1977, 1979 (31 - 8)
Honduras: 1977, 1978 (21 - 7)
Costa Rica: 1977, 1978 (5 - 5)
Belgium: 1977, 1994 (2 - 0)
Finland: 1977, 1983 (2 - 2)
Norway: 1977, N/A (1 - 1)
Ecuador: 1978, 1979 (34 - 9)
Bolivia: 1979, 1979 (24 - 10)
Paraguay: 1979, 1980 (10 - 11)
Panama: 1979, 1986 (8 - 5)
1980-1989
Puerto Rico: 1980, 1982 (5 - 0)
Austria: 1980, 1997 (2 - 0)
United States: 1834, 1834 (1,478 - 10)
Mexico: 1895, 1961 (222 - 49)
Canada: 1895, 1903 (47 - 4)
New Zealand: 1958, 1960 (25 - 3)
1960-1969
United Kingdom: 1960, 1961 (45 - 0)
Australia: 1960, 1960 (32 - 9)
Germany: 1961, 1961 (14 - 3)
Netherlands: 1961, 1978 (3 - 0)
Switzerland: 1961, 1981 (5 - 0)
Samoa: 1962, 1970 (16 - 0)
Brazil: 1966, 1968 (241 - 49)
Argentina: 1966, 1972 (70 - 37)
Guatemala: 1967, 1975 (39 - 19)
Uruguay: 1967, 1974 (16 - 4)
Tonga: 1968, 1970 (17 - 2)
American Samoa: 1969, 1980 (4 - 0)
1970-1979
Peru: 1970, 1974 (94 - 24)
Japan: 1970, 1972 (28 - 15)
South Africa: 1970, 1978 (12 - 4)
Chile: 1972, 1974 (70 - 23)
French Polynesia: 1972, 1983 (7 - 3)
Philippines: 1973, 1977 (81 - 85)
El Salvador: 1973, 1976 (17 - 2)
South Korea: 1973, 1977 (17 - 6)
Denmark: 1974, 1978 (2 - 0)
France: 1975, 1980 (9 - 1)
Sweden: 1975, 1977 (4 - 1)
Taiwan: 1976, 1981 (11 - 1)
China-Hong Kong: 1976, 1984 (4 - 1)
Colombia: 1977, 1978 (28 - 12)
Venezuela: 1977, 1979 (31 - 8)
Honduras: 1977, 1978 (21 - 7)
Costa Rica: 1977, 1978 (5 - 5)
Belgium: 1977, 1994 (2 - 0)
Finland: 1977, 1983 (2 - 2)
Norway: 1977, N/A (1 - 1)
Ecuador: 1978, 1979 (34 - 9)
Bolivia: 1979, 1979 (24 - 10)
Paraguay: 1979, 1980 (10 - 11)
Panama: 1979, 1986 (8 - 5)
1980-1989
Puerto Rico: 1980, 1982 (5 - 0)
Austria: 1980, 1997 (2 - 0)
Nicaragua: 1981, 2000 (9 - 6)Portugal: 1981, 1986 (6 - 4)
Italy: 1981, 1985 (7 - 5)
Spain: 1982, 1982 (10 - 5)
Fiji: 1983, 1995 (4 - 1)
Dominican Republic: 1986, 1988 (18 - 10)
Nigeria: 1988, 1990 (17 - 21)
1990-1999
Ghana: 1991, 1991 (8 - 5)
Papua New Guinea: 1995, 2011 (2 - 8)
Thailand: 1995, N/A (1 - 5)
Singapore: 1995, N/A (1 - 0)
Ireland: 1995, N/A (1 - 1)
Democratic Republic of Congo: 1996, 1997 (8 - 4)
Kiribati: 1996, 2007 (2 - 0)
Haiti: 1997, 2003 (2 - 2)
Ivory Coast: 1997, 2000 (4 - 1)
Zimbabwe: 1999, 2003 (4 - 1)
2000-2009
Madagascar: 2000, 2011 (2 - 2)
Kenya: 2001, N/A (1 - 2)
Republic of Congo: 2003, N/A (1 - 0)
Ukraine: 2004, N/A (1 - 1)
Hungary: 2006, N/A (1 - 2)
Mongolia: 2009, N/A (1 - 2)
Trinidad and Tobago: 2009, N/A (1 - 0)
Marshall Islands: 2009, N/A (1 - 1)
Italy: 1981, 1985 (7 - 5)
Spain: 1982, 1982 (10 - 5)
Fiji: 1983, 1995 (4 - 1)
Dominican Republic: 1986, 1988 (18 - 10)
Nigeria: 1988, 1990 (17 - 21)
1990-1999
Ghana: 1991, 1991 (8 - 5)
Papua New Guinea: 1995, 2011 (2 - 8)
Thailand: 1995, N/A (1 - 5)
Singapore: 1995, N/A (1 - 0)
Ireland: 1995, N/A (1 - 1)
Democratic Republic of Congo: 1996, 1997 (8 - 4)
Kiribati: 1996, 2007 (2 - 0)
Haiti: 1997, 2003 (2 - 2)
Ivory Coast: 1997, 2000 (4 - 1)
Zimbabwe: 1999, 2003 (4 - 1)
2000-2009
Madagascar: 2000, 2011 (2 - 2)
Kenya: 2001, N/A (1 - 2)
Republic of Congo: 2003, N/A (1 - 0)
Ukraine: 2004, N/A (1 - 1)
Hungary: 2006, N/A (1 - 2)
Mongolia: 2009, N/A (1 - 2)
Trinidad and Tobago: 2009, N/A (1 - 0)
Marshall Islands: 2009, N/A (1 - 1)
2010-present
Uganda: 2010, N/A (1 - 1)
Guam: 2010, N/A (1 - 0)
Indonesia: 2011, N/A (1 - 2)
Russia: 2011, N/A (1 - 12)
Districts Discontinued in France and Nicaragua
France
Formerly consisting of six branches, the Caen France District was discontinued and branches in the district were absorbed under the Paris France Stake (Caen, Le Havre, and Rouen Branches), Angers France Stake (Alencon Branch), and the France Paris Mission (Cherbourg and Coutances Branches). Missionaries report that there had been efforts for the district to become a stake one day, but inadequate numbers of members, activity rates, and distance between congregations were persistent obstalces. There are now nine stakes and one district in France.
Nicaragua
A district was discontinued in Nicaragua. Comprising of three branches, the Rivas Nicaragua District was discontinued, the Moyogalpa Branch was closed, and the two remaining branches in Rivas now report directly to the Nicaragua Managua South Mission. Currently no additional districts appear likely to be formed or closed in Nicaragua. There are now nine stakes and six districts.
Formerly consisting of six branches, the Caen France District was discontinued and branches in the district were absorbed under the Paris France Stake (Caen, Le Havre, and Rouen Branches), Angers France Stake (Alencon Branch), and the France Paris Mission (Cherbourg and Coutances Branches). Missionaries report that there had been efforts for the district to become a stake one day, but inadequate numbers of members, activity rates, and distance between congregations were persistent obstalces. There are now nine stakes and one district in France.
Nicaragua
A district was discontinued in Nicaragua. Comprising of three branches, the Rivas Nicaragua District was discontinued, the Moyogalpa Branch was closed, and the two remaining branches in Rivas now report directly to the Nicaragua Managua South Mission. Currently no additional districts appear likely to be formed or closed in Nicaragua. There are now nine stakes and six districts.
New Stakes Organized in Honduras, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Venezuela
Honduras
The LDS Church organized its first new stake in Honduras since 1997. The Tegucigalpa Honduras Loarque Stake was organized from the Tegucigalpa Honduras Toncontin Stake and includes the following five wards and two branches: The Jardines de Toncontin, Nuevo Loarque, Pedregal, Roble Oeste, and Tizatillo Wards and the Ojojona and Villeda Branches. Congregational growth rates have rebounded in the past year in Honduras although they are far below membership growth rates, indicating ongoing retention and leadership challenges. Progress has occurred in northern Honduras and several stakes appear close to splitting in the coming years as stakes in La Ceiba, Fesitrahn, and San Pedro El Progreso each have nine wards. There are now 21 stakes and seven districts in Honduras.
Papua New Guinea
The Church organized its second stake in Papua New Guinea. The Daru Papua New Guinea Stake includes the following six wards and one branch: The Daru 1st, Daru 2nd, Isumo, Tawoti, and Tawo'o Wards and the Suki Branch. Five of the six wards are located on Daru Island, which is a small island off the mainland of New Guinea Island with approximately 13,000 inhabitants. The recently organized Sogere Papua New Guinea District pertained to the Daru Papua New Guinea District prior its creation in late 2010 and church growth in the region has been steady and sustainable as indicated by increases in the number of congregations. A further indication of strength in the newly organized stake in Daru is that one of the branches which became a ward - the Tawoti Ward - was organized as a branch not even six months ago. At present no additional districts in Papua New Guinea appear close to becoming stakes as many districts have an inadequate number of total members and congregations, but additional districts appear likely to be organized in Kukipi and Angoram. There are now two stakes and eight districts in Papua New Guinea.
The Philippines
The Church created a new stake in the Philippines from a division of a preexisting stake for the first time in over a decade. The Makati Philippines East Stake was organized from the Makati Philippines Stake and includes six wards: The Bonifacio 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and Makati 1st Wards. A few stakes appear close to dividing in the near future in Butuan (10 wards, one branch), Cavite (10 wards and one branch), and Tuguegarao (9 wards, 4 branches). There are several districts throughout the Philippines which appear close to becoming stakes. There are now 81 stakes and 85 districts in the Philippines.
Venezuela
Another new stake was organized in Venezuela. The Cagua Venezuela Stake was organized from the Maracay Venezuela Stake and includes the following seven wards: The Cagua, La Mora, La Victoria, San Juan de los Morros, Sorocaima, Turmero, and Villa de Cura Wards. Of Venezuela's 31 LDS stakes, half have been organized since 2000. Only a couple stakes appear likely to divide to create new stakes in the foreseeable future, the Ciudad Ojeda Venezuela and the San Cristobal Venezuela Stakes. There are also eight districts functioning in the country, some of which appear close to becoming stakes.
The LDS Church organized its first new stake in Honduras since 1997. The Tegucigalpa Honduras Loarque Stake was organized from the Tegucigalpa Honduras Toncontin Stake and includes the following five wards and two branches: The Jardines de Toncontin, Nuevo Loarque, Pedregal, Roble Oeste, and Tizatillo Wards and the Ojojona and Villeda Branches. Congregational growth rates have rebounded in the past year in Honduras although they are far below membership growth rates, indicating ongoing retention and leadership challenges. Progress has occurred in northern Honduras and several stakes appear close to splitting in the coming years as stakes in La Ceiba, Fesitrahn, and San Pedro El Progreso each have nine wards. There are now 21 stakes and seven districts in Honduras.
Papua New Guinea
The Church organized its second stake in Papua New Guinea. The Daru Papua New Guinea Stake includes the following six wards and one branch: The Daru 1st, Daru 2nd, Isumo, Tawoti, and Tawo'o Wards and the Suki Branch. Five of the six wards are located on Daru Island, which is a small island off the mainland of New Guinea Island with approximately 13,000 inhabitants. The recently organized Sogere Papua New Guinea District pertained to the Daru Papua New Guinea District prior its creation in late 2010 and church growth in the region has been steady and sustainable as indicated by increases in the number of congregations. A further indication of strength in the newly organized stake in Daru is that one of the branches which became a ward - the Tawoti Ward - was organized as a branch not even six months ago. At present no additional districts in Papua New Guinea appear close to becoming stakes as many districts have an inadequate number of total members and congregations, but additional districts appear likely to be organized in Kukipi and Angoram. There are now two stakes and eight districts in Papua New Guinea.
The Philippines
The Church created a new stake in the Philippines from a division of a preexisting stake for the first time in over a decade. The Makati Philippines East Stake was organized from the Makati Philippines Stake and includes six wards: The Bonifacio 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and Makati 1st Wards. A few stakes appear close to dividing in the near future in Butuan (10 wards, one branch), Cavite (10 wards and one branch), and Tuguegarao (9 wards, 4 branches). There are several districts throughout the Philippines which appear close to becoming stakes. There are now 81 stakes and 85 districts in the Philippines.
Venezuela
Another new stake was organized in Venezuela. The Cagua Venezuela Stake was organized from the Maracay Venezuela Stake and includes the following seven wards: The Cagua, La Mora, La Victoria, San Juan de los Morros, Sorocaima, Turmero, and Villa de Cura Wards. Of Venezuela's 31 LDS stakes, half have been organized since 2000. Only a couple stakes appear likely to divide to create new stakes in the foreseeable future, the Ciudad Ojeda Venezuela and the San Cristobal Venezuela Stakes. There are also eight districts functioning in the country, some of which appear close to becoming stakes.