LDS Missionary Activity Begins in the Western Solomon Islands

Missionaries serving in the Solomon Islands report that missionary activity recently commenced in the western Solomon Islands for the first time.  Missionaries and church leaders visited Gizo, the third most populous urban location in the country, where they met 40 members and investigators and performed the first convert baptisms.  Mission leaders report that a group has been or will soon be organized in Gizo.

The establishment of an LDS presence in Gizo has occurred on the heels of the organization of a group and an independent branch on Malaita, which was the first location off the main island of Guadalcanal to receive LDS outreach.  Prospects appear highly favorable for continued outreach and, with the organization of the new Vanuatu Port Vila Mission this summer, more mission resources may be allocated to the Solomon Islands in the near future. 

At present, the Solomon Islands are one of the least reached nations in Oceania and also one of the most populous.  There were fewer than 500 Latter-day Saints nationwide at the end of 2011 but over 600,000 people living in the Solomon Islands.

New Stake Created in Uruguay

A new stake was recently created in Uruguay.  The Treinta y Tres Uruguay District became a stake and includes the following six wards and three branches: The Central, Chuy, Obelisco, Olimar, Plaza, and Yerbal Wards and the Jose Pedro Varela, Lascano, and Vergara Branches.  The new stake consists of seven of the original units in the former Treinta y Tres Uruguay District and two units from the Rocha Uruguay District: The Chuy Ward and the Lascano Branch.  The realigned Rocha Uruguay District now has four branches.

There are now 18 stakes and three districts in Uruguay.  Missionaries report that the Florida Uruguay District is close to becoming a stake in the near future.

New Stake in Venezuela

A new stake was created two weeks ago in Venezuela.  The Porlamar Venezuela Stake was created from the Porlamar Venezuela District and five of the six original branches became wards.  There are now 34 stakes and six districts in Venezuela.

New Stake in Mexico; Stakes Discontinued in Mexico

Last Sunday, missionaries report that a new stake was created Mexico.  Originally organized in 1987 as a district, the Ciudad del Carmen Mexico District became a stake.  It is unclear how many of the six branches in the former district became wards in the new stake and I will provide this information once it becomes available.

Members report that two stakes were discontinued in the Guadalajara area and a new district was formed.  I will provide more details on the reorganization of stakes in the area once it becomes available.

There are now 224 stakes and 36 districts in Mexico.

Five New YSA Stakes to be Created in Arizona

Members report that during the weekend of June 9th-10th the Church will create five new YSA stakes in the Phoenix metropolitan area.  Currently the Church operates one student university stake in Temple which will also be reorganized as a YSA stake.  The creation of the new stakes is a continuation of the recent trend to organize stakes for YSA units in locations with large LDS populations.  Within the past couple years the Church has created or reorganized university stakes into YSA stakes in many locations in Utah, Idaho, Hawaii, Virginia, and now Arizona.  Many other major cities appear likely to have YSA stakes organized in the coming months and years, including Los Angeles, California; San Francisco/Oakland, California; Seattle, Washington; Denver, Colorado; Houston, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts; and New York, New York.

I will provide more details on the new stakes once they become available.