Third LDS Mission in the DR Congo to be Organized in July 2016

Missionaries serving in the DR Congo report that the Church will organize the Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi Mission in July 2016 - the third mission to operate in the DR Congo. The new mission will be created from a division of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo Lubumbashi Missions. Some of the most rapid growth in the international church during the past decade has occurred in the central DR Congo. The Church reported only one district in the region in 2005, whereas the Church currently reports three stakes and two districts in the region.

At Least 66 New Stakes in 2015 - Highest Number Since 1998; At Least 32 New Districts in 2015 - Highest Number since 1994

With the announcement of three new stakes created on December 13th, the Church in 2015 has organized the largest number of new stakes since 1998. Accelerated stake growth in recent years has resulted from the organization of new stakes by dividing previously operating stakes and the advancement of districts into stakes. Slight accelerations in congregational growth rates have also prompted larger numbers of new stakes. Of the 66 stakes organized in 2015, 22 were created from member districts. In 2014, 20 of the 64 stakes organized were created from districts. The net increase of stakes in 2015 was lower than 2014 as the Church has discontinued seven stakes in 2015, whereas only one stake was discontinued in 2014.

District growth has also significantly accelerated in 2015. The Church has reported at least 32 new districts organized in 2015 - the largest number reported by the Church since 1994 when there was a net increase of 62 districts (and as many as 74 districts may have been organized in 1994). However, the Church has thus far reported a net decrease of three districts in 2015 as 13 districts were discontinued and 22 districts advanced into stakes.

These developments signal a modest improvement in "real growth" trends for the Church. It is important to note that the Church experienced its greatest numerical increases in stakes and districts during the late 1970s and in the 1990s notwithstanding fewer missionaries serving and fewer members of the Church. In the past couple years, stake and district growth has accelerated in Sub-Saharan Africa,  Asia, and Oceania, but has slowed or has stagnated in Latin America and Europe.

Final, official numbers for the number of stakes and districts at year-end 2015 will be available in April 2016 when the Church presents its annual statistical report.

New Stakes Created in Arizona, the DR Congo, New Mexico, Nigeria, and Taiwan

Arizona
The Church organized a new stake in the Tuscon area on December 6th. The Tuscon Arizona South Stake was created from a division of the Sahuarita Arizona, Tuscon Arizona, and Tuscon Arizona Rincon Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Cienega, Corona, Los Reales (Spanish), Midvale, Vail, and Valencia Wards and the Tucson Wilmot Branch (Correctional Facility). The Church recently organized another new stake in the Tucson area in October 2015 (Marana). Local members report the creation of these two new stakes has been to help focus on reactivation efforts in the Tuscon area.

There are now 100 stakes in Arizona.

DR Congo
The Church organized a new stake in the central DR Congo on December 13th. The Katoka Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake was organized from a division of the Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Katoka 1st, Katoka 2nd, Katoka 3rd, Malandji, Ndesha 1st, and Ndesha 2nd Wards. The Church organized its first stake in Kananga in 2011.

There are now 13 stakes and four districts in the DR Congo. The Church also recently announced the groundbreaking for the Kinshasa DR Congo Temple in February 2016. With no Angel Moroni and an apparently smaller building size than most temples, these accommodations appear attributed to the limitations the Church has with low levels of economic development and limited skilled labor in the country.

New Mexico
The Church organized a new stake in the Albuquerque area on December 6th. The Albuquerque New Mexico North Stake was organized from the Albuquerque New Mexico, Albuquerque New Mexico West, and Rio Ranch New Mexio Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Academy Heights, Bernalillo, Cibola, Enchanted Hills, La Cueva, and North Valley Wards.

There are now 14 stakes in New Mexico.

Nigeria
The Church organized a new stake in Abia State on December 6th. The Aba Nigeria South Stake was organized from a division of the Aba Nigeria Stake (renamed Aba Nigeria North Stake). The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Aba Central, Eziama, Ohabiam, Osusu Aba, Umungasi, and Umuocham Wards and the Asa Amator Branch.

There are now 33 stakes and 19 districts in Nigeria.

Taiwan 
The Church organized a new stake in Taipei, Taiwan on December 13th. The Taipei Taiwan North Stake was organized from a division of the Taipei Taiwan East and Taipei Taiwan Central Stakes. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Peitou, Shihlin, Taipei (English), Tanshui, and Tienmu Wards.

There are now 15 stakes and one district in Taiwan.

30,000 Congregation Milestone Reached

The Church reached 30,000 official congregations this month for the first time in its history. This milestone has taken a significant amount of time to reach due to decelerating congregational growth rates in the 2000s and early 2010s. The number of official congregations reached the 10,000 milestone in 1979 and the 20,000 milestone in 1992. Congregational growth has slightly accelerated in the mid-2010s although both numerical increases and percentage growth rates remain significantly less than in the 1980s and 1990s. In additional to official congregations, hundreds, if not thousands, of semi-official member groups also operate throughout the world.

For more information on LDS congregational growth rates, please refer to this article on cumorah.com.

New Stake Created in Canada; New Districts Created in Brazil and Cote d'Ivoire; Stake Discontinued in Idaho

Canada
Last Sunday, the Church organized a new stake in Alberta, Canada for the first time since 2001. The Calgary Alberta Bow River Stake was organized from a division of the Calgary Alberta East and Calgary Alberta South Stakes. The new stake includes the following eight wards: the Auburn Bay, Elliston Park, Mahogany, McKenzie, New Brighton, Sunridge, Valley View, and Willow Park Wards.

There are now seven stakes in the Calgary metropolitan area, 23 stakes in Alberta, and 48 stakes and three districts in Canada.

Brazil
The Church organized a new district in Para State, Brazil on November 29th, 2015. The Carajás Brazil District was organized from three mission branches in the Brazil Belem Mission, namely the Canaã dos Carajás, Marabá, and Parauapebas Branches. There are now seven stakes and two districts in Para State and 256 stakes and 39 districts in Brazil.

Cote d'Ivoire
The Church has recently organized two new districts from member branches in southwestern Cote d'Ivoire.

The Divo Cote d'Ivoire District was organized on November 22nd from the following four mission branches in the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission: the Divo, Konankro, Lakota, and Plateau Branches. The Church organized its first branch in Divo during the mid-2000s. Two additional branches were organized in Divo in 2013, whereas the first LDS branch in Lakota was organized in 2015.

The Soubre Cote d'Ivoire District was organized November 29th from the following four mission branches in the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission: the Meagui 1st, Meagui 2nd, Soubre 1st, and Soubre 2nd Branches. The first branch in Meagui was organized in late 2012, whereas the first branch in Soubre was organized in 2014. There are now nine stakes and five districts in Cote d'Ivoire.

Some of the most rapid growth witnessed in the global Church during the past 15 years has occurred in Cote d'Ivoire within the past three or four years. Prospects appear favorable for the organization of a third Ivorian mission in 2016, possibly with headquarters in Yamoussoukro or a city in central or southwestern Cote d'Ivoire. Several stakes in Abidjan appear likely to divide in the near future. Several additional districts appear likely to be organized in Abengourou, Adzope, and Bouake. See below for LDS units in Cote d'Ivoire.
Idaho
The Church discontinued a stake in Boise, Idaho. The Boise Idaho South Stake was discontinued and retained congregations were reassigned to neighboring stakes. This marks the first time that the Church has discontinued a stake in Idaho due to congregational decline. Congregational decline has occurred for several years in multiple stakes in the central and eastern areas of the Boise metropolitan area. This decline appears primarily attributed to active members moving out of the area, few convert baptisms, moderate member activity rates, and a lack of active members into these urban areas.

There are now 127 stakes in Idaho.

First LDS Branches Created in Benue State, Nigeria

The Church organized its first official congregations in the Nigerian state of Benue in November 2015. Branches were organized in the major cities of Makurdi and Otukpo. Located northeast of Enugu, Benue State is inhabited by approximately 4.3 million people and comprises the homelands of the Tiv people. The Tiv were previously the most populous, predominantly Christian people native to Nigeria that did not receive LDS outreach within their homelands. The establishment of an official LDS presence in Benue State is a significant development for the Church in Nigeria. The last time the Church organized its first branch in a previously unreached state was in Bayelsa State in 2009.

There remain four Nigerian States - Adamawa, Ekiti, Kogi, and Taraba - where Christians appear to constitute at least half the population yet no LDS congregations operate. Nine additional Nigerian states, all located in northern Nigeria, do not have an LDS presence but have predominantly Muslim populations.

See below for a map of LDS outreach in the Nigeria Enugu Mission - the mission that services Benue State.

Details on the Church in Pakistan

The Church has released statistical information on the Church in Pakistan for the first time since 2001. In a recent LDS Church News article, the Church reported it had 2,000 members and seven branches in 2007 and that it currently has 4,000 members, 13 branches, and three districts. The Church also reported the year Pakistan was dedicated for missionary work (2007 by Elder Dallin H. Oaks).

For more information about the Church in Pakistan, please refer to a recent case study I wrote for cumorah.com.

November Newsletter

Click here to access the November edition of our newsletter for cumorah.com.

New Stakes Created in India, Nevada, Nigeria, Russia, and Utah; New Districts Created in Mexico and South Africa; Stake Discontinued in Mexico

India
The Church organized its second stake in India on November 15th. The Bengaluru India District was organized from the Bangalore India District. All five branches within the city of Bengaluru appeared to become wards, whereas the Kolar Gold Fields Branch did not appear to become a ward. The Church created its first stake in India in 2012 in Hyderabad.

There are now two stakes and five districts in India.

Nevada
The Church created a new stake in Henderson, Nevada on November 15th. The Henderson Nevada McCullough Hills Stake was created from a division of the Henderson Nevada Black Mountain and Henderson Nevada Eldorado Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Dutchman Pass, Eldorado Pass, Highland Hills, Laurel Hills, McCullough Hills, Palm Canyon, and Paradise Hills Wards.

There are now 35 stakes in Nevada. Local members also report another new stake will be created in northwestern Las Vegas on December 13th.

Nigeria
The Church created two new stakes in Lagos from a division of the three previously operating stakes in the city.

The Lagos Nigeria Egbeda Stake was organized from a division of the Lagos Nigeria West Stake (renamed the Lagos Nigeria Agege Stake). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Akowonjo, Ayobo, Egbeda, Ejigbo, Igando, and Ikotun Wards. The Lagos Nigeria Festac Stake was organized from a division of the Lagos Nigeria South Stake (renamed the Lagos Nigeria Yaba Stake). The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Apapa, Festac, Okokomaiko, Olodi-Apapa, and Satellite Wards, and the Ajangbadi, Badagry, Mosafejor, and Snake Island Branches. The number of stakes in Lagos increased from one in 1997 to two in 2005, three in 2011, and five in 2015. Rapid congregational growth has occurred in Lagos since the late 2000s. For more information, click here to access a case study analyzing LDS growth in Lagos dated August 2014.

There are now 32 stakes and 19 districts in Nigeria.

Russia
The Church created a new stake in Russia. The Saratov Russia Stake was organized from the Saratov Russia District. The new stake includes the following five wards and three branches: the Dachny, Penza, Solnichny, Volzhski, and Zavodskoy Wards, and the Balakovo, Engels, and Marks Branches. The Church organized its first two stakes in Russia in 2011 and 2012.

There are now three stakes and seven districts in Russia.

Utah
The Church created a new stake in St George. The St George Utah Southgate Stake was organized from the Bloomington Utah Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Bloomington 3rd, Bloomington 7th, Bloomington 9th (Samoan), Southgate 1st, Southgate 2nd, and Southgate 3rd Wards.

There are now 580 stakes and one district in Utah.

Mexico
The Church discontinued the San Cristóbal México Stake on November 1st and divided the stake into two districts, namely the Comitán México and San Cristóbal México Districts. The decision to discontinue the stake appeared rooted in stagnant real growth within the stake boundaries, long distances between congregations, and the operation of multiple member groups within the stake boundaries in recent years. A lack of local leadership may have also prompted the closure of the stake. The creation of the Comitán México District may provide greater inroads to the lesser-reached Tojolabal people - a Mayan people who resides in rural areas east of Comitán.

There are now 230 stakes and 40 districts in Mexico.

South Africa
The Church created a new district in the southern Johannesburg metropolitan area. The Vaal South Africa District was organized from a division of the Bedfordview South Africa Stake. The new district includes the following five branches: the Ennerdale, Orange Farm, Sebokeng, Sharpeville, and Vereeniging Branches.

There are now 15 stakes and four districts in South Africa.

Stakes Likely to Split Outside the United States and Canada - November 2015 Edition

Below is an updated list of stakes likely to split within the near future. Previous lists are available for December 2012, January 2014, and December 2014.

AFRICA

• Aba Nigeria (13 wards, 3 branches)
• Aba Nigeria Ogbor Hill (10 wards, 5 branches)
• Abobo Cote d'Ivoire East (12 wards)
• Abuja Nigeria (13 wards, 2 branches)
• Cape Coast Ghana (12 wards, 2 branches)
• Cocody Cote d'Ivoire (10 wards) 
• East London South Africa (11 wards, 1 branch)
• Eket Nigeria (11 wards, 3 branches) 
• Etinan Nigeria (10 wards, 3 branches)
• Kananga Democratic Republic of Congo (12 wards)
• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Binza (10 wards)
• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Kimbanseke (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Masina (10 wards)
• Kumasi Ghana Bantama (11 wards, 5 branches)
• Lagos Nigeria West (12 wards, 1 branch)
• Lomé Togo (9 wards, 7 branches)
• Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of Congo (10 wards)
• Nairobi Kenya (12 wards, 3 branches)
• Nsit Ubium Nigeria (10 wards, 4 branches)
• Owerri Nigeria (5 wards, 10 branches) - likely to split to form a new district
• Port-Bouet Cote d'Ivoire (11 wards, 1 branch)
• Port Harcourt Nigeria East (10 wards, 4 branches)
• Port Harcourt Nigeria West (10 wards, 2 branches)
• Praia Cape Verde (12 wards, 4 branches)
• Takoradi Ghana (11 wards, 5 branches)

ASIA

• Jakarta Indonesia (9 wards, 1 branch)
• Butuan Philippines (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Hong Kong China (9 wards) 
• Iloilo Philippines North (9 wards, 2 branches)
• Lipa Philippines (10 wards, 2 branches)
• Mandaue Philippines (9 wards, 1 branch)
• Singapore (10 wards)
• Kaohsiung Taiwan West and Kaohsiung Taiwan East (16 wards, 1 branch combined)
• Tao Yuan Taiwan (9 wards)

EUROPE

• Verona Italy (8 wards, 5 branches)

CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

• Amatitlán Guatemala (10 wards)
• Guatemala City Stake (9 wards, 2 branches)
• La Ceiba Honduras (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Managua Nicaragua (9 wards, 1 branch)
• Mazatenango Guatemala (10 wards, 2 branches)
• San Pedro Honduras El Progreso (10 wards, 2 branches)
• San Pedro Sula Honduras (10 wards)
• San Salvador El Salvador La Libertad (10 wards, 3 branches)
• Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Ozama (10 wards)

MEXICO

• Amecameca Mexico (11 wards)
• Celaya Mexico (11 wards)
• Chalco Mexico (10 wards)
• Chilpancingo Mexico (10 wards, 4 branches)
• Coatzacoalcos Mexico Puerto (13 wards, 1 branch)
• Culiacan Mexico (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Juchitan Mexico (10 wards, 3 branches) 
• Mexico City Anahuac (11 wards)
• Mexico City Chapultepec (10 wards)
• Mexico City Cuautitlan (11 wards)
• Mexico City Culturas (11 wards)
• Mexico City Iztapalapa (10 wards)
• Mexico City La Perla (10 wards, 2 branches)
• Mexico City Tecamac (11 wards)
• Mexico City Tepalcapa (11 wards)
• Oaxaca Mexico Monte Alban (10 wards, 3 branches)
• Puebla México La Libertad (10 wards) 
• Puebla México Mayorazgo (10 wards)
• Toluca México (10 wards, 2 branches)
• Veracruz Mexico Villa Rica (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Villahermosa Mexico Gaviotas (10 wards, 1 branch)

OCEANIA

• Ha'apai Tonga (9 wards, 5 branches) 
• Ipswich Australia and Brisbane Australia Centenary (16 wards, 3 branches combined)
• Macarthur Australia (9 wards, 1 branch) 
• Paea Tahiti and Papeari Tahiti (18 wards combined)
• Punaauia Tahiti (11 wards)
• Upolu Samoa East (9 wards, 1 branch)

SOUTH AMERICA

• Belém Brazil Icoaraci (9 wards)
• Buenos Aires Argentina Castelar (10 wards)
• Joao Pessoa Brazil Rangel (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Lima Peru Canto Grande (10 wards)
• Luque Paraguay (10 wards, 1 branch) 
• Maceió Brazil  (11 wards)
• Maracanaú Brazil (10 wards, 1 branch) 
• Passo Fundo Brazil (11 wards)
• Rio Branco Brazil (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Santa Maria Brazil (10 wards, 1 branch)
• São José Brazil (9 wards, 1 branch)
• São José dos Campos Brazil (10 wards)
• São Luis Brazil (10 wards) 
• São Paulo Brazil Casa Grande (9 wards)
• São Paulo Brazil Guarapiranga (10 wards)
• São Paulo Brazil Penha (10 wards)
• Tarija Bolivia Stake (10 wards)

New Stakes Created in Ghana, Guatemala, North Carolina, and the Philippines; New Districts Created in Kenya and Russia; Stake Discontinued in California; District Discontinued in Chile

Ghana
Two new stakes have been created in Ghana.

The Accra Ghana Lartebiokorshie Stake was organized on October 25th from a division of the Accra Ghana Kaneshie Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Dansoman, Korle-Bu, Lartebiokorshie, Mamponse, and Mataheko Wards. The Accra Ghana Kaneshie Stake was also realigned with the Accra Ghana Kasoa Stake. Covering an area of less than 17 square miles, the new Accra Ghana Lartebiokorshie Stake covers the smallest geographical area of any stake in Ghana, indicating progress with greater saturation of the Church in urban areas.

The Accra Ghana Ofankor Stake was organized on November 8th from a division of the Accra Ghana Adenta and Accra Ghana Tesano Stakes. The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Achimota, Amasaman, Chantan, Kwabenya, and Ofankor Wards, and the Adoagyiri and Nsawam Branches.

There are now 15 stakes and 11 districts in Ghana.

Guatemala
The Church organized its first stake in northern Guatemala on November 1st. The San Benito Guatemala Stake was organized from the San Benito Guatemala District. Mission leadership has spent many years preparing the district to become a stake one day. Information on which branches have advanced into wards is currently unavailable.

There are now 44 stakes and 16 districts in Guatemala.

North Carolina
The Church organized its 17th stake in North Carolina on November 8th. The Raleigh North Carolina South Stake was organized from a division of the Apex North Carolina and Raleigh North Carolina Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Harris Lake, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Swift Creek, and Zebulon Wards.

Philippines
The Church organized a new stake on November 8th. The Mangaldan Philippines Stake was organized from the Mangaldan Philippines District. The Mangaldan Philippines District previously operated as a stake from 1991 until 2003 when the district returned to district status. The Church consolidated the Mapandan Philippines District with the Mangaldan Philippines District in 2014 to prepare for the reestablishment of a stake.

There are now 96 stakes and 77 districts in the Philippines.

Kenya
The Church organized a new district on October 25th. The Mombasa Kenya District was organized from three mission branches in the Mombasa area, namely the Bamburi, Changamwe, and Mombasa Branches. All areas of the country with clusters of three or more mission branches now have had districts organized.

There are now four districts and one stake in Kenya.

Russia
The Church reinstated a district on November 8th. The Volgograd Russia District was organized from mission branches in the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission. The following five branches are assigned to the district: the Astrakhan, Volgograd Krasniarmesky, Volgograd Russia District, Volgograd Tsentralny, and Volzhsky Branch. The reinstated district is the Church's fifth district created this year. This surge in new districts appears attributed to a new policy or vision by the area presidency to reestablish districts in locations where there are clusters of branches. Most of the Church's districts in Russia were discontinued during the early 2010s.

There are now two stakes and seven districts (eight districts if counting the newly organized district in Crimea) in Russia

California
The Church discontinued a Spanish-speaking stake in California. The Covina California Stake (Spanish) was discontinued. Wards and branches previously assigned to the Spanish-speaking stake were redistributed to English-speaking stakes in the area. The decision to discontinue the stake does not appear attributed to leadership problems or inactivity. Rather, this decision appears attributed to a focus in the United States to consolidate Spanish-speaking stakes into ordinary stakes. Similar administrative changes have recently occurred in other stakes in the Los Angeles area and in Houston, Texas.

There are now 156 stakes in California.

Chile
The Church recently discontinued the La Unión Chile District. None of the seven branches previously assigned to the district were discontinued. Five of these branches were reassigned to the Osorno Chile Stake, whereas two of these branches were assigned to the Chile Osorno Mission. The decision to discontinue the district was likely due to some of the branches likely meeting the criteria to become wards, but no realistic opportunities for the district to become a stake within the foreseeable future.

There are now 77 stakes and 18 districts in Chile.

Senior Missionaries to Begin Service in Senegal

The Church has appeared to approve the assignment of a humanitarian senior missionary couple to the West African nation of Senegal. The Church recently announced the future opening of an assignment in Dakar, Senegal in its weekly Senior Missionary Opportunities Bulletin. Senior missionaries serving in the Africa West Area headquarters noted earlier this year of an investigatory trip to Dakar, Senegal. These missionaries also reported that a member group now operates in Dakar to provide worship services to foreigners residing in the city. It is likely that a senior missionary couple assigned to Dakar would not only engage in humanitarian work, but explore opportunities for the ultimate assignment of young, proselytizing missionaries. The Senegalese population is 94% Muslim and 5% Christian, with most Christians concentrated in the Dakar area. There are no restrictions on religious freedom. Other missionary-focused Christian groups such as Seventh-Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses have maintained a presence in Senegal for many years.

How Will Handbook Policy Changes Surrounding Children in Same-Sex Marriages Affect LDS Growth?

I noticed speculation in some news articles and social media posts surrounding whether recent changes announced by the Church regarding children in same-sex marriages would result in a "mass exodus" of members from the Church. Although it is difficult to say at this time how this policy change will affect member activity rates, convert retention rates, and the receptivity of populations around the world to LDS proselytism, past experience from similar announcements regarding changes in church policy suggest little or no change will likely occur. For example, no noticeable correlation occurred in regards to past policy changes and LDS growth surrounding issues such as the Equal Rights Amendment in the late 1970s/early 1980 or Proposition 8 in California during the late 2000s. Worldwide growth measured by several LDS statistical measurements (e.g. increases in total membership, the number stakes, the number of congregations) accelerated during the late 1970s/early 1980s. There was little to no change in worldwide LDS growth trends during the late 2000s. LDS growth rates in the United States within the past 10 years have also appeared stable. Annual membership growth rates have fluctuated from 1.1-1.7%, annual congregational growth rates have averaged around 1%, and steady increases in the number of stakes have occurred every year.

So what affects LDS growth rates? I have found the following factors to be the strongest predictors of LDS growth - whether local, regional, or international: the maintenance of consistently high convert baptismal standards, member-missionary participation, the regular opening of congregations in previously unreached locations, church-planting tactics, self-sufficiency in church administration, cultural conditions (e.g. secularism, nominalism, double-affiliation, ethnoreligious ties), and increasing numbers of full-time missionaries serving.

My prediction is that there will be little to no change in LDS growth rates in the United States or internationally due to the Church's recent policy change surrounding the children of same-sex marriages. Although there will likely be many who disaffiliate themselves from the Church due to this announcement, there will likely be many who return to activity in the Church or join the Church due to media exposure or personal association with active members. Similar findings have been noted in regards to the influence of the internet on LDS growth. LDS growth rates in the United States will likely remain stable or slightly decline in the coming years as a result of the continued secularization of American society and culture, declining birth rates in the Church, persistent problems with member-missionary participation, and full-time missionary over-saturation of some areas.

Monthly Newsletter

Click here to access our October 2015 edition of our monthly newsletter for cumorah.com.

Potential New Mission Districts

I have provided an updated list of mission districts which I think are likely to be organized in the next couple years. Mission districts are analogous to stakes as they administer multiple branches (usually three to ten), but they have less independence in church administration and leadership than stakes. The creation of mission districts signals progress in church growth as it is an important step for the Church to establish a "center of strength" in a new location from a handful of mission branches into a more organized entity which has potential to become a stake. The creation of a district from mission branches suggests maturation in local leadership to provide sufficient manpower and quality leaders in staffing both branch and district callings.

Potential new districts listed below were identified based on recent congregational growth trends, missionary reports on the number of convert baptisms and activity rates, and distance and location from other nearby stakes and districts. Previous lists are available for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Locations where there are fewer than three branches are included if there is a high likelihood that additional branches will be organized within the near future in order for a district to be organized.

Like other administrative and congregational units, the creation of districts is approved by the First Presidency.  Information used to compile this list does not contain any unauthorized information and I take full responsibility for this work.

AFRICA (27)

• Abengourou Cote d'Ivoire (3) [Abengourou 1st, Abengourou 2nd, Abengourou 3rd Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission]
• Aboisso Cote d'Ivoire (2) [Aboisso and Rive Gauche Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission]
• Adzope Cote d'Ivoire (3) [Adzope 1st, Adzope 2nd, Adzope 3rd Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission]
• Akoupé Cote d'Ivoire (2) [Affery and Akoupé Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission]
• Akure Nigeria (2) [Akure 1st and Akure 2nd Branches - all assigned to the Nigeria Benin City Mission]
• Atta Nigeria (6) [Atta, Amaimo, Amakohia, Ogwa, Orlu, and Umundugba Branches - all currently administered by the Owerri Nigeria Stake]
• Axim Ghana (3) [Agona Nkwanta, Axim, and Nkroful Branches - all currently administered by the Ghana Cape Coast Mission]
• Bouake Cote d'Ivoire (3) [Bouake 1st, Bouake 2nd, and Bouake 3rd Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission]
• Bujumbura Burundi (5) [Bujumbura 1st, Bujumbura 2nd, Bujumbura 3rd, Kalundu, and Uvira Branches - all currently administered by the DR Congo Lubumbashi Mission]
• Divo Cote d'Ivoire (4) [Divo, Konankro, Lakota, and Plateau Branches - all currently assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission]
• Douala Cameron (4) [Bonaberri, Douala, New Bell, and Village Branches - all currently assigned to the Republic of Congo Brazzaville Mission]
• Fort Dauphin Madagascar (2) [Fort Dauphin and Tanambao Branches - both currently administered by the Madagascar Antananarivo Mission]
• Francistown Botswana (3) [Francistown, Gerald, and Monarch Branches- all currently administered by the Botswana/Namibia Mission]
• Gulu Uganda (2) [Bar Dege and Gulu Branches and the Kitgum Group - all currently administered by the Uganda Kampala Mission] 
• Kadoma Zimbabwe (3) [Chegutu, Kadoma 1st, and Kadoma 2nd Branches - all currently assigned to the Zimbabwe Harare Mission]
• Kitale Kenya (5) [Kitale, Mautuma, Misikhu, Naitiri, and Sikhendu Branches - all currently administered by the Eldoret Kenya District] 
• Klerksdorp South Africa (3) [Jouberton, Klerksdorp, and Potchefstroom Branches - all currently assigned to the South Africa Johannesburg Mission]
• Lira Uganda (2) [Adyel and Lira Branches - both administered by the Uganda Kampala Mission]
• Marondera Zimbabawe (2) [Dombotombo and Marondera Branches - both administered by the Zimbabwe Harare Mission]
• Makeni Sierra Leone (3) [Makama Rogbaneh, and Teko Road Branches - all administered by the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission] 
• Maseru Lesotho (3) [Leribe, Maseru, and Masianokeng Branches - all assigned to the Bloemfontein South Africa Stake]
• Meagui Cote d'Ivoire (4) [Meagui 1st, Meagui 2nd, Soubre 1st, and Soubre 2nd Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission]
• Nelspruit South Africa (2) [KaNyamazane and Nelspruit Branches - both currently assigned to the South Africa Johannesburg Misson]
• Ngandajika DR Congo (2) [Ngandajika and Tshioji Branches - both currently administered by the Luputa DR Congo Stake]
• Nsukka Nigeria (2) [Nsukka and Obollo-Afor Branches - both administered by the Nigeria Enugu Mission]
• Rwanda Kigali (3) [Kigali 1st, Kigali 2nd, and Kigali 3rd Branches - all currently administered by the Uganda Kampala Mission]
• Techiman Ghana (4) [Dwumoh, Kenten, Krobo, and Vatican Branches - all currently assigned to the Ghana Kumasi Mission]

ASIA (2)

• Tagudin Philippines (4) [Balaoan, Bangar, Luna, and Tagudin Branches - branches currently assigned to either the Candon Phillipines or San Fernando Philippines Stakes] 
• Vladivostok Russia (4) [Artyom, Nakhodka, Ussuriysk, and Vladivostok Branches - all assigned to the Russia Vladivostok Mission]

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (3)

• Cruzeiro do Sul Brazil (3) [Cruzeiro do Sul, Formoso, and Remanso Branches - all branches currently assigned to the Brazil Manaus Mission]
• Marabá Brazil (3) [Canaã dos Carajás, Marabá, and Parauapebas Branches - all currently assigned to the Brazil Belem Mission]
• Tefé Brazil (3) [Coari, Jutaí, and Tefé Branches - all currently assigned to the Brazil Manaus Mission]

OCEANIA

• Aoba Vanuatu (6) [Apopo, Lobori, Lolotinge, Lovutialao, Navuti, and Redcliff Branches - all currently assigned to the Luganville Vanuatu District]

New Stakes Created in Arizona, Missouri, and Utah

Arizona
A new stake was created yesterday in the Tuscon area. The Marana Arizona Stake was organized from a division of the Tuscon Arizona West and Tuscon Arizona North Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: Avra Valley, Continental Ranch, Cortaro, Picture Rocks, Red Rock, and Tucson YSA 1st Wards and the El Rio Branch (Spanish). The organization of the new stake came as a surprise to local members and church leaders. One local member reported that the vising general authority and area seventy were not apprised of the plans to create the new stake until October 23rd. Local members indicate that the creation of the new stake was primarily motivated by a desire for the Church to focus on reactivation efforts in the area.

There are now 98 stakes in Arizona

Missouri
The Church organized a new stake in Missouri on October 18th. The Far West Missouri Stake was organized from a division of the Liberty Missouri and Platte City Missouri Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and four branches: the Cameron 1st, Far West, Gallatin, Kearney 1st, Kearney 3rd, and Maryville Wards, and the Albany, Chillicothe, Trenton, and Wood Heights Branches. The Church once briefly operated a stake in Far West during the early days of the Church.

There are now 17 stakes in Missouri

Utah
Two new stakes were recently organized in Utah.

The Lehi Utah Thanksgiving Stake was organized on October 11th from a division of the Lehi Utah Gateway Stake. The new stake includes the following nine wards: the Cranberry Farms 1st, Pilgrims Landing 1st, Pilgrims Landing 2nd, Pilgrims Landing 3rd, Pilgrims Landing 4th, Sunset Hollow, Thanksgiving Meadows 1st, Thanksgiving Meadows 2nd, and Thanksgiving Village Wards.

The Eagle Mountain Utah Silver Lake Stake was organized on October 25th from a division of the Eagle Mountain Utah East Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Cedar Crest, Foxwood, Silver Creek, Silver Lake, and Woodhaven Wards

There are now 578 stakes and one district in Utah.

New Stakes Created in Brazil, Nigeria, and Utah; New Districts Created in Argentina, Brazil, and Ukraine; Districts Discontinued in Malaysia and New Jersey

Brazil
A new stake was created on September 20th. The Sete Lagoas Brazil East was organized from the Sete Lagoas Brazil Stake and includes the following five wards: the Belo Vale, Curvelo, Interlagos, Nova Cidade, and Sete Lagoas 2nd Wards. The new stake is the second to be organized in the city of Sete Lagoas and is the 13th stake to be organized in Minas Gerais State.

A new district was organized from three mission branches in the Brazil Salvador Mission. The Barreiras Brazil District was organized on September 27th and includes the Barreiras 1st, Barreiras 2nd, and the Luis Eduardo Magalhaes Branches. The new district becomes the first new district in Brazil organized from mission branches since xxx.

There are now 256 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.

Nigeria
The Church organized its sixth stake in Benin City on September 20th. The Benin City Nigeria Oregbeni Stake was organized from a division of the Benin City Nigeria New Benin Stake and the Benin City Nigeria Ikpokpan Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Esigie, Igun 1st, Igun 2nd, Ogbeson, Oregbeni, Sokponba, and Ugbekun Wards.

There are now 30 stakes and 19 districts in Nigeria.

Utah
A new stake was organized last Sunday in South Jordan, Utah. The South Jordan Utah Midas Creek Stake was organized from a division of the South Jordan Utah Country Crossing Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Country Crossing 1st, Country Crossing 3rd, Country Crossing 5th, Country Crossing 6th, Country Crossing 9th, and Country Crossing 10th Wards.

There are now 577 stakes and one district in Utah

Argentina
A new district was organized on September 27th. The Punilla Argentina District was organized from mission branches in the Argentina Cordoba Mission and a division of the Córdoba Argentina Sierras Stake. The following four branches are included in the new district: the Cosquin, Cruz del Eje, Dean Funes, and La Falda Branches.

There are now 74 stakes and 30 districts in Argentina.

Ukraine
The Church organized a new district in the Crimean Peninsula on September 20th. The Simferopol Russia District was organized from the four mission branches in the Crimean Peninsula, namely the Bahate, Sevastopol, Simferopol's'ka, and Yevpatoriis'ka Branches. The Church previously operated a district that included these four branches from 2004 until 2007 that was called the Sevastopol Ukraine District. The Church reassigned these four branches to the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission several months ago due to the Russian occupation of the Crimean Peninsula. It is interesting to note that the Church has named the district the Simferopol Russia District instead of the Simferopol Ukraine District due to this recent political change.

There are now three districts and one stake in Ukraine (including the Simferopol Russia District) and two stakes and seven districts in Ukraine (including the Simferopol Russia District).

Malaysia
The Church recently discontinued the Johor Bahru Malaysia District. Organized in 2011, the district was previously organized from a division of the Singapore Stake. Only two branches have operated in the district since its organization. The two branches (Johor Bahru and Masai [Malay]) now directly report to the Singapore Mission.

There are now six districts in Malaysia.

New Jersey
I have confirmed that the Paterson New Jersey District was discontinued as part of the organization of the new Liberty Park New Jersey Stake. All three branches that previously pertained to the district are now part of the Soldier Hill New Jersey Stake.

There are now six stakes in New Jersey.

Potential New Missions in 2016

Below is a list of potential new missions that may be created in 2016. Criteria for identifying potential new missions include recent LDS membership, congregational, and organizational (stakes and districts) growth trends, trends in new mission creations within the past decade, population size, and the boundaries of current missions. It is unclear whether any new missions will be organized next year as the number of members serving full-time missions has appeared to hold steady around 80,000-83,000 within the past nine months. However, the average number of missionaries per missions continues to be higher than historically averages. This suggests that dozens of new missions could theoretically be created in the immediate future.

• Australia Brisbane (2nd mission)
• Brazil Aracatuba
• Brazil Jaboatao
• Brazil Manaus (2nd mission)
• Brazil Porto Velho
• Brazil Sao Luis
• Brazil Sorocaba
• Burundi/Rwanda
• Cambodia Phnom Penh (2nd mission - Vietnamese speaking to also include Vietnam) OR Vietnam Hanoi
• Cameroon Yaounde
• Colorado Grand Junction
• Cote d'Ivoire Yamoussoukro
• Democratic Republic of Congo Kananga
• Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa (2nd mission)
• Ethiopia Addis Ababa
• Ghana Kumasi (2nd mission)
• Idaho Falls Idaho
• Malawi Lilongwe
• Mexico Chilpancingo
• Mexico Juchitan
• Mexico Toluca
• Nigeria Aba
• Nigeria Ibadan
• Nigeria Uyo
• Philippines Bacolod (2nd mission)
• Philippines Cabanatuan
• Philippines Davao (2nd mission)
• Philippines Dumaguete
• Philippines Lucena
• Philippines Ormoc
• Philippines Santiago
• Samoa Apia (2nd mission)
• Slovakia Bratislava
• Solomon Islands Honiara
• Spain Alicante
• Taiwan Kaohsiung
• Tanzania Dar Es Salaam
• Texas Austin
• Texas El Paso
• Texas Plano
• Thailand Bangkok (2nd mission)
• Tonga Nuku'alofa (2nd mission)
• Zimbabwe Bulawayo

Additions to Temple Prediction Map

After further contemplation, I have added the following cities as likely locations for temple announcements in the near future:

• Querétaro, Mexico
• Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

I added Querétaro because of distance to the nearest temples in Mexico City and Guadalajara and recent growth. The Church has been experiencing steady congregational growth (unlike most major cities in Mexico over the past five years) and there are three stakes in the metropolitan area. Additionally, the Church organized a separate mission headquartered in Querétaro in 2013.

I added Ulaanbaatar because the Asia Area has appeared to make some good progress towards preparing for the organization of additional stakes in Mongolia. The Asia Area has made some great progress in other nations such as Taiwan and Thailand in recent years. Mongolian members have also been faithful at attending the Hong Kong China Temple for many years.

Monthly Newsletter - September 2015

Click here to access the September 2015 edition of our newsletter for cumorah.com.

New Stakes Created in Cote d'Ivoire, El Salvador, Florida, New Jersey, Nigeria, and the Philippines; Districts Discontinued in Costa Rica and Peru

Cote d'Ivoire
The Church organized its eighth stake in the Abidjan metropolitan area on September 6th. The Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Yopougon Attie Stake was organized from a division of the Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Toit Rouge Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Andokoi, Foncier, Koute, Nankoko, Selmer, Toit Rouge 2nd, and Toit Rouge 3rd Wards. Explosive LDS growth has occurred within the Yopougon sector of Abidjan as the number of stakes has mushroomed from one in 2009 to four at present.

There are now nine stakes and three districts in Cote d'Ivoire.

El Salvador
The Church organized a new stake in El Salvador on August 30th. The Usulután El Salvador Stake was organized from the Usulután El Salvador District and a portion of the San Miguel El Salvador Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and three branches: the Jucuapa, Occidental, Oriental, Roosevelt, Usulután 1st, and Usulután 2nd Wards and the Berlín, Jiquilisco, and Santiago de María Branches.

There are now 19 stakes and one district in El Salvador.

Florida
The Church organized a new stake in Miami, Florida last Sunday. The Miami Florida Stake appears to have been organized from the Miami Lakes Florida Stake. No information is currently available on which congregations have been assigned to the new stake. The Church in South Florida has undergone a surprising reversal to stagnant/declining growth over the past decade. The Church discontinued the Miami Florida (Spanish) Stake in 2008 due to problems with member activity, leadership development, and stagnant "real growth" in the area. The realignment of LDS units in the Miami metropolitan area, combined with accelerated growth in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission, has culminated in the organization of two new stakes since 2014. The Church also dedicated its Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple in 2014. The Church has continued to regularly organize new units in the area to service several demographics including specialized units for Spanish and Portuguese speakers and additional young single adult (YSA) congregations. English-speaking wards have also been organized within the past couple years.

There are now 29 stakes in Florida

New Jersey
The Church organized a new stake in New Jersey last Sunday called the Liberty Park New Jersey Stake. Details on congregations assigned to the new stake are not currently available. The new stake appeared to be primarily organized from the Caldwell New Jersey Stake. The Paterson New Jersey District may have also been consolidated as part of the new stake creation.

There are now six stakes and one district in New Jersey.

Nigeria
The Church organized a new stake in Nigeria on September 13th. The Okpuala Ngwa Nigeria Stake was organized from the Okpuala Ngwa Nigeria District and includes the following six wards and two branches: the Amapu, Nbawsi, Okpuala Ngwa, Ovungwu, Umuapu, and Umuchima Wards and the Ndiolumbe and Ntigha Branches.

There are now 29 stakes and 19 districts in Nigeria

Philippines
The Church organized a new stake in the Philippines on August 30th. The Mabalacat Philippines Stake was organized from a division of the Angeles Philippines Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Balibago, Dau, Mabalacat 1st, Mabalacat 2nd, and Pandan Wards and the Santa Lucia Branch.

There are now 95 stakes and 78 districts in the Philippines

Costa Rica
The Church discontinued the Limón Costa Rica District in July. Two of the three branches in the former district were discontinued and the sole remaining branch became a ward in the newly organized Guapiles Costa Rica Stake.

There are now nine stakes and two districts in Costa Rica.

Peru
The Church recently discontinued the Ayaviri Perú District. Only two branches pertained to the former district - both of which have been reassigned to the Perú Cusco Mission.

There are now 100 stakes and 20 districts in Peru.

First LDS Stake by Country - Updated List

Last year I provided a list of countries around the world with LDS stakes and the year the first LDS stake was organized in each nation. Several additional countries have had the first LDS stake organized since this list was last updated. 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 (the 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 (4)

United States: 1834, 1834 (1,541 - 8)
Mexico: 1895, 1961 (231 - 38)
Canada: 1895, 1903 (47 - 3)
New Zealand: 1958, 1960 (29 - 3)

1960-1969 (12)

United Kingdom: 1960, 1961 (45 - 0)
Australia: 1960, 1960 (38- 8)
Germany: 1961, 1961 (15 - 2)
Netherlands: 1961, 1978 (3 - 0)
Switzerland: 1961, 1981 (5 - 0)
Samoa: 1962, 1970 (20 - 0)
Brazil: 1966, 1968 (255 - 37)
Argentina: 1966, 1972 (74 - 29)
Guatemala: 1967, 1975 (43 - 17)
Uruguay: 1967, 1974 (18 - 3)
Tonga: 1968, 1970 (19 - 2)
American Samoa: 1969, 1980 (5 - 0)

1970-1979 (24)

Peru: 1970, 1974 (100 - 21)
Japan: 1970, 1972 (28 - 13)
South Africa: 1970, 1978 (15 - 3)
Chile: 1972, 1974 (77 - 19)
French Polynesia: 1972, 1983 (8 - 4)
Philippines: 1973, 1977 (95 - 78)
El Salvador: 1973, 1976 (19 - 1)
South Korea: 1973, 1977 (15 - 6)
Denmark: 1974, 1978 (2 - 0)
France: 1975, 1980 (10 - 0)
Sweden: 1975, 1977 (4 - 1)
Taiwan: 1976, 1981 (14 - 1)
China-Hong Kong: 1976, 1984 (4 - 1)
Colombia: 1977, 1978 (29 - 11)
Venezuela: 1977, 1979 (34 - 6)
Honduras: 1977, 1978 (23 - 7)
Costa Rica: 1977, 1978 (9 - 2)
Belgium: 1977, 1994 (2 - 0)
Finland: 1977, 1983 (2 - 2)
Norway: 1977, 2012 (2 - 0)
Ecuador: 1978, 1979 (36 - 9)
Bolivia: 1979, 1979 (27 - 10)
Paraguay: 1979, 1980 (10 - 10)
Panama: 1979, 1986 (7 - 4)

1980-1989 (10)

Puerto Rico: 1980, 1982 (5 - 0)
Austria: 1980, 1997 (2 - 0)

Nicaragua: 1981, 2000 (9 - 6) 
Portugal: 1981, 1986 (6 - 4)
Italy: 1981, 1985 (10 - 1)
Spain: 1982, 1982 (14- 4)
Fiji: 1983, 1995 (4 - 1)
United Arab Emirates: 1983, N/A (1 - 0)
Dominican Republic: 1986, 1988 (20 - 9)
Nigeria: 1988, 1990 (28 - 20)

1990-1999 (10)

Ghana: 1991, 1991 (13 - 11)
Papua New Guinea: 1995, 2011 (2 - 11)
Thailand: 1995, 2014 (3 - 3)
Singapore: 1995, N/A (1 - 0)
Ireland: 1995, N/A (1 - 1)
Democratic Republic of Congo: 1996, 1997 (12 - 4)
Kiribati: 1996, 2007 (2 - 0)
Haiti: 1997, 2003 (4 - 3)
Cote d'Ivoire: 1997, 2000 (8 - 3)
Zimbabwe: 1999, 2003 (6 - 2)

2000-2009 (8)

Madagascar: 2000, 2011 (2 - 2)
Kenya: 2001, N/A (1 - 3)
Republic of Congo: 2003, 2014 (2 - 1)
Ukraine: 2004, N/A (1 - 2)
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 (19)

Uganda: 2010, N/A (1 - 1)

Guam: 2010, N/A (1 - 0)

Indonesia: 2011, 2012 (2 - 1)

Russia: 2011, 2012 (2 - 6)
Cape Verde: 2012, 2013 (3 - 2)
India: 2012, N/A (1 - 6)
New Caledonia: 2012, N/A (1 - 0)
Botswana: 2012, N/A (1 - 0)
Sierra Leone: 2012, N/A (1 - 5)
Armenia: 2013, N/A (1 - 0)
Togo: 2013, N/A (1 - 0)
Albania: 2014, N/A (1 - 0)
Federated States of Micronesia: 2014, N/A (1 - 3) 

Cambodia: 2014, 2014 (2 - 5)

Jamaica: 2014, N/A (1 - 1)

Bahrain: 2014, N/A (1 - 0)

Mozambique: 2015, 2015 (2 - 0)

Zambia: 2015, N/A (1 - 2)

Vanuatu: 2015, N/A (1 - 3)

New Temple Prediction Map - September 2015 Edition

I have updated my temple prediction map in preparation for General Conference in early October. One potential new temple location was added to the map: Tooele, Utah. I believe we will likely see three to five new temples announced during the upcoming conference for the following reasons:

• President Monson's announcement during the April 2015 conference that temple announcements will resume during future General Conferences. A hiatus on temple announcements occurred from April 2013 to April 2015.
• Four temples have been dedicated since April, namely the Córdoba Argentina Temple, Payson Utah Temple, Trujillo Peru Temple, and the Indianapolis Indiana Temple.
• Groundbreakings for two temples have occurred since last April (Star Valley Wyoming Temple and Cedar City Utah Temple)
• Two additional groundbreakings have been scheduled (Concepción Chile Temple and Tuscon Arizona Temple)

My top 10 picks for the most likely temple announcements during the October General Conference are as follows:

• Belém, Brazil
• Belo Horizonte, Brazil 
• Brasília, Brazil
• Davao, Philippines
• Guam OR Tarawa, Kiribati
• Harare, Zimbabwe
• Layton, Utah
• Managua, Nicaragua
• Puebla, Mexico
• Rogers, Arkansas

Timor-Leste (East Timor) Dedicated for Missionary Work

In an LDS Church News article published yesterday, the Church announced that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland dedicated Timor-Leste (East Timor) for missionary work last month. Timor-Leste has a homogeneously Christian population and no LDS presence. Investigatory trips from senior missionaries assigned to the Asia Area headquarters occurred several month ago in preparation for opening the country to missionary work. The first senior missionary couple was assigned on August 8th and has been primarily commissioned to begin LDS Charities activities in the country. There are no restrictions on religious freedom in Timor-Leste. Missionary work will commence in the Portuguese language under the Indonesia Jakarta Mission. Timor-Leste became independent from Indonesia in 2002 and currently has a population of 1.3 million.

A cumorah.com case study written in December 2014 entitled "Prospective LDS Outreach in Timor-Leste" can be found here.

August 2015 Newsletter

Click here to access our August 2015 newsletter for cumorah.com.

Research Assistant

I am looking for an LDS-growth savvy research assistant to help out with my work for The Cumorah Foundation. This would be a paid, part-time contractor position that you can do from home. Please email me at Matt.Martinich@gmail.com if you are interested.

New Stakes in Colorado and Utah

Colorado
A new stake was created in Colorado last Sunday. The Windsor Colorado Stake was organized from a division of the Greeley Colorado and Loveland Colorado Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Bison Ridge, Carlson Farm, Johnstown, Milliken, Peak View, Severance, and Windsor Wards. There are now 34 stakes in Colorado

Utah
A new stake was created in Tooele, Utah two Sundays ago. The Tooele Utah West Stake was organized from a division of the Tooele Utah North Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Overlake 1st, Overlake 4th, Overlake 5th, Tooele 7th, Tooele 18th, and Tooele 26th Wards. There are now 11 stakes and 1 district in Tooele County. There are now 577 stakes and 1 district in Utah.

Second Stake in India to be Organized in November

I just received word that the Church has approved the organization of a second stake in India. The new stake will be organized from the Bangalore India District on November 15th. Missionaries report that the Rajahmundry India District has almost reached the minimum criteria to become a stake. With multiple stakes in the country, prospects appear more likely for the Church to announce a temple for India within the foreseeable future as the closest operating temple is located in Hong Kong.

Three New Stakes Created in Costa Rica; New Stake Created in the Philippines; Districts Created in Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, and Russia; District Discontinued in Ukraine

Costa Rica
The Church in Costa Rica organized three new stakes in July.

The Liberia Costa Rica Stake was organized from the Liberia Costa Rica District. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Cañas, La Victoria, Liberia, San Roque, and Santa Cruz Wards and the Nicoya Branch.

The Cartago Costa Rica Stake was organized from a division of the San Jose Costa Rica La Paz and San Jose Costa Rica Los Yoses Stakes and the Costa Rica San Jose East Mission. The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Cartago, Paraíso, San Diego, Tres Ríos, and Turrialba Wards and the Los Santos and San Isidro del General Branches.

The Guapiles Costa Rica Stake appeared to be organized from a division of the San Jose Costa Rica Los Yoses Stake. No information is currently available on which wards and branches have been assigned to the new stake.

There are now nine stakes and three districts in Costa Rica.

Philippines
The Church organized its first stake on Bohol Island on July 26th. The Tagbilaran Philippines Stake was organized from the Tagbilaran Philippines District. The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Cortes, Dauis, Tagbilaran 1st, Tagbilaran 2nd, and Valencia Bohol Wards and the Baclayon, Duero, Jagna, and Pilar Branches.

There are now 94 stakes and 78 districts in the Philippines. 

Nigeria
The Church organized a new district in Ondo State, Nigeria on July 26th. The new district includes three branches that previously pertained to the Nigeria Benin City Mission, namely the Adeyemi College Road, Ondo, and Yaba Branches. The Church organized two of these three branches in September 2014. The organization of the new district signals a significant milestone in establishing the Church in many of the minimally-reached administrative states native to the Yoruba people. The Church previously operated a district in the nearby city of Akure that administered two branches in Ondo (one of which was later discontinued in the 2000s). The reassignment of Ondo State from the Nigeria Lagos Mission to the Nigeria Benin City Mission in 2013 appears to have been a significant catalyst in recent progress reversing stagnant or declining LDS growth in the area. A second branch was also reestablished in the city in Akure.

The Republic of the Congo
The Church organized a new district in Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo. The Pointe-Noire Republic of the Congo District includes four branches that previously reported directly to the Republic of Congo Brazzaville Mission, namely the Aeroport, Loandjili, Mpaka, and Pointe-Noire Branches. The new district is the first district to operate outside the capital city of Brazzaville.

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

Russia
The Church organized a new district in the Moscow area on July 19th. The Moscow Russia South District was organized from five mission branches in the Russia Moscow Mission, namely the Kaluga, Lipetsk, Smolensk, Tula, and Voronezh Branches.

There are now two stakes and six districts in Russia

Ukraine
The Church discontinued the Odessa Ukraine Tsentralny within the past month or two. None of the branches appeared to be discontinued and all now directly report to the Ukraine Kyiv Mission. The decision to discontinue the district in unclear, but is likely due to no foreseeable prospects for the district to become a stake within the foreseeable future.

There is now one stake and two districts in Ukraine

July Monthly Newsletter

Please click here to access our July issue of the monthly newsletter for cumorah.com.

Updated List of Countries of the World and Year Opened to LDS Missionary Work

The opening of several additional countries to full-time missionaries within the past few years has prompted me to update the list of countries that have had LDS missionaries assigned. Any corrections or feedback would be appreciated. Countries that no longer have an LDS presence are listed in red and provided with the last year of an LDS presence. Notes are provided clarifying when an LDS presence was first established, any previous attempts to begin missionary activity earlier on, and setbacks requiring the removal of all missionaries.

1. United States - 1830
2. Canada - 1830
3. United Kingdom - 1837
4. Australia - 1840
5. French Polynesia - 1844
6. Denmark - 1849
7. France - 1849 (missionaries served inconsistently in France until 1946)
8. Switzerland - 1850
9. Germany - 1851 (first branch created in 1843)
10. Norway - 1851
11. Sweden - early 1850s
12. Ireland - 1850s (missionary work began in late 1830s but closed due to famine and emigration)
13. New Zealand - 1854
14. Netherlands - 1861
15. Finland - 1870s (more permanent, consistent missionary activity began in 1947)
16. Mexico - 1875
17. Austria - 1883 (year first Austria baptized in Austria; missionaries periodically visited years earlier)
18. American Samoa - 1888 (previous attempt to establish church in 1862 but unsuccessful)
19. Belgium - 1888
20. Samoa - 1888 (previous attempt to establish church in 1862 but unsuccessful)
21. Tonga - 1891 (missionaries removed from 1897 to 1907)
22. Syria - late 1890s-1951 (closed due to political conditions and emigration of Armenian converts)
23. Japan - 1901 (mission closed in 1924 and reopened in 1946)
24. South Africa - 1903 (missionaries also served from 1853-1865)
25. Argentina - 1925
26. Brazil - 1928
27. Czech Republic - 1929 (missionaries removed in 1950; reintroduced in 1990)
28. Israel (Palestine) - 1933-1939, 1946-1951, 1970s-mid-1980s (closed due to BYU-Jerusalem agreement with government)
29. Cook Islands - 1946 (previous attempt to established church in 1899 unsuccessful)
30. Costa Rica - 1946
31. Guatemala - 1947
32. Uruguay - 1947
33. El Salvador - 1949
34. Hong Kong - 1949 (previous attempt to establish church in 1853 unsuccessful)
35. Paraguay - 1950
36. Zimbabwe - 1950 (missionary visits began as early as 1930)
37. Honduras - 1952
38. Niue - 1952
39. Nicaragua - 1953 (missionaries withdrawn for most of the 1980s)
40. Fiji - 1954
41. South Korea - 1954
42. Chile - 1956 (previous attempt to establish church in early 1850s unsuccessful)
43. Taiwan - 1956
44. Peru - late 1950s (first branch created in 1956)
45. Philippines - 1961
46. Luxembourg - 1963 (no missionaries appeared to be assigned in the 1970s)
47. Bolivia - 1964
48. Macau - 1964
49. India - 1960s (exact year missionaries assigned unknown; some missionary activity in 19th century)
50. Ecuador - 1965
51. Lebanon - 1965-1975 (LDS presence remains, but no proselytism missionary at present)
52. Panama - 1965 (first LDS presence established in 1940s among military)
53. Bermuda - 1966
54. Colombia - 1966
55. Italy - 1966 (some missionary activity occurred in the mid-19th century)
56. Venezuela - 1966
57. New Caledonia - 1968 (first branch created in 1961)
58. Singapore - 1968 (missionaries removed for much of the 1970s)
59. Thailand - 1968 (missionaries briefly assigned in 1854, LDS presence established in 1950s)
60. Spain - 1968-1969
61. Indonesia - 1970
62. Malaysia - 1972
63. Puerto Rico - early 1970s (time when Puerto Rico assigned to a mission; missionaries visited in 1940)
64. Portugal - 1974
65. Iceland - 1975 (LDS presence and missionaries assigned from 1851-1914; reintroduced in 1975)
66. Iran - 1975-1979 (missionary work closed due to Iranian Revolution)
67. Kiribati - 1975
68. Northern Mariana Islands - 1975 (LDS presence among military first established in 1940s)
69. Vanuatu - 1975 (first branch organized in 1973)
70. Federated States of Micronesia - 1976
71. Guam - 1977 (year first native baptized; LDS presence since 1944 but among military)
72. Marshall Islands - 1977
73. Trinidad and Tobago - 1977
74. Croatia - late 1970s (at the time part of Yugoslavia; dedicated for missionary work in 1985)
75. Serbia - late 1970s (first missionary visited in 1899)
76. Curacao - 1978 (missionaries removed same year, reassigned in 1982; first branch created in 1979)
77. Ghana - 1978
78. Jamaica - 1978 (previous attempt to establish church in 1840s and 1850s unsuccessful)
79. Namibia - 1978
80. Nigeria - 1978
81. Palau - 1978
82. US Virgin Islands - 1978 (first convert baptisms occurred in 1976)
83. Bahamas - 1979
84. Barbados - 1979
85. Dominican Republic - 1979 (country dedicated, first branch organized in 1978)
86. Mauritius - 1979 (one missionary was assigned for two months in 1856)
87. Papua New Guinea - 1979 (year first branch was organized; first converts baptized in 1980)
88. Reunion - 1979
89. Belize - 1980
90. Haiti - 1980 (first convert baptisms occurred in 1978)
91. Kenya - 1980 (first convert baptisms occurred in 1979)
92. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - 1980
93. Saint Martin/Sint Maarten - 1983
94. Antigua and Barbuda - 1984
95. Guadeloupe - 1984 (first branch created in 1982)
96. Martinique - 1984
97. Saint Kitts and Nevis - 1984
98. Grenada - 1985
99. Tuvalu - 1985 (year first branch and convert baptisms occurred; missionaries removed 2005-2010)
100. Cayman Islands - 1985 (church services began in 1982)
101. Greece - 1986 (first branch created in the 1960s;  (some limited missionary activity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries)
102. Aruba - 1987 (first branch created in 1986)
103. Democratic Republic of the Congo - 1987
104. Liberia - 1987 (missionaries removed in 2014 due to Ebola and anticipated to return in 2015)
105. Swaziland - 1987 (first branch created in 1986)
106. Cote d'Ivoire - 1988
107. Guyana - 1988
108. Malta - 1988 (previous attempts to establish church occurred in the 1850s and 1979)
109. Poland - 1988 (sporadic missionary efforts occurred for nearly 100 years before this time)
110. Sierra Leone - 1988 (missionaries removed in 2014 due to Ebola and anticipated to return in 2015)
111. Suriname - 1988
112. Cape Verde - 1988-1989
113. Hungary - 1988-1989 (sporadic missionary presence around 1900, first convert baptisms in 1988)
114. French Guiana - 1989
115. Lesotho - 1989
116. Botswana - 1990
117. Bulgaria - 1990
118. Estonia - 1990
119. Romania - 1990 (missionaries were assigned periodically from 1903-1933)
120. Russia - 1990
121. Slovakia - 1990 (some missionary activity occurred in the 1930s and 1940s).
122. Slovenia - 1990
123. Uganda - 1990
124. Ukraine - 1990
125. Armenia - 1991 (year country dedicated for missionary work; first branch organized in 1994)
126. Madagascar - 1991 (first convert baptisms occurred in 1988)
127. Republic of the Congo - 1991-1992
128. Albania - 1992
129. Andorra - 1992 (first convert baptism; unclear exact year first missionaries were assigned)
130. Cameroon - 1992 (young missionaries not assigned until mid-2000s)
131. Latvia - 1992 (some missionary activity briefly occurred in 1903)
132. Lithuania - 1992
133. Mongolia - 1992
134. Tanzania - 1992
135. Zambia - 1992 (missionaries briefly assigned in 1960s)
136. Belarus - 1993
137. Cyprus - 1993 (year country dedicated for missionary work; unclear when first missionaries assigned)
138. Ethiopia - 1993
139. Pakistan - 1993 (first LDS presence established in 1970s)
140. Cambodia - 1994
141. Solomon Islands - 1995 (year first senior missionaries assigned; missionaries withdrawn for much of the 2000s
142. Moldova - 1997 (missionaries withdrawn from 2004 to 2007)
143. Sri Lanka - late 1990s (time when first proselytizing missionaries from Singapore Mission assigned, no young, full-time missionaries assigned from 2008 to 2014)
144. Benin - 1998 (year senior missionaries first assigned and first baptism; first branch organized in 2003)
145. Malawi - 1999 (first convert baptisms occurred in 1992)
146. Mozambique - 1999 (first branch created in 1996)
147. Togo - 1999
148. Saint Lucia - 2003 (year branch was reestablished; brief missionary presence from 1983-1986)
149. Kazakhstan - mid-2000s (exact year unknown; country dedicated in 2003)
150. Vietnam - mid-2000s 
151. Dominica - 2006
152. Georgia - 2006
153. Laos - 2006 (young missionaries removed same year; young missionaries returned in 2013)
154. Angola - 2008 (first branch created in 1996)
155. Turks and Caicos Islands - 2008-2009
156. Burundi - 2010 (young missionaries briefly served in 1993)
157. Kosovo - 2011
158. Bosnia and Herzegovina - 2012 (first branch created in 2011)
159. Macedonia - 2012
160. Montenegro - 2012
161. Turkey - 2012 (some limited missionary activity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries)
162. Rwanda - 2012 (some limited missionary activity from 2008-2012)
163. Burma (Myanmar) - 2014 (very brief missionary activity occurred in the mid-nineteenth century)
164. Gabon - 2014

Trib Talk Discussion

For those of you who may be interested, I am about to participate in an online forum to discuss prospects for the LDS Church to diversify its international church leadership. Access the discussion here.

New Stakes in Argentina, Chile, Idaho, South Africa, and Taiwan; New Districts in Aruba, Mexico, and Russia; Stake Discontinued in Oregon; Districts Discontinued in Malaysia

Argentina
The Church organized a new stake from the Olavarría Argentina District on June 21st. The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Independencia, Mariano Moreno, Tandil 1st, Tandil 2nd, and Urquiza Wards and the Azul, Bolívar, Rauch, and Villa Aguirre Branches. The Church consolidated the Olavarría Argentina and Tandil Argentina Districts in 2014 in preparation to create the new stake. There are now 74 stakes and 29 districts in Argentina.

Chile
The Church organized a new stake from the Valparaíso Chile West District and the Valparaíso Chile Stake. The new stake appears to include just four wards: the Edwards, Levarte, O'Higgins, and Quebrada Verde Wards. Problems with an inadequate number of Melchizedek Priesthood holders appeared to delay the reestablishment of a stake from the Valparaíso Chile West District since 2002 when the original stake was discontinued. There are now 77 stakes and 19 districts in Chile.

Idaho
The Church organized a new YSA stake in the Rexburg area. The Rexburg Idaho YSA 10th Stake was organized from various YSA stakes in the area and includes the following 12 wards: the Rexburg YSA 6th, Rexburg YSA 9th, Rexburg YSA 26th, Rexburg YSA 30th, Rexburg YSA 34th, Rexburg YSA 42nd, Rexburg YSA 46th, Rexburg YSA 68th, Rexburg YSA 74th, Rexburg YSA 107th, Rexburg YSA 108th, and Rexburg YSA 109th Wards. There are now 128 stakes in Idaho.

South Africa
The Church organized a new stake in the Johannesburg metropolitan area on June 28th. The Mabopane South Africa Stake was organized from the Pretoria South Africa Stake and includes the following five wards: the Atteridgeville, Mabopane, Montana, Saulsville, and Soshanguve Wards. Senior missionaries note that the new stake leadership is solely comprised of black African members. There are now 15 stakes and three districts in South Africa.

Taiwan
The Church organized a new stake in Taiwan on June 21st. The Hualien Taiwan Stake was organized from the Hua Lien Taiwan District. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Hualien 1st, Hualien 2nd, Taitung 1st, Taitung 2nd, and Taitung 3rd Wards and the Yu Li Branch. The new stake had the minimum required members (1,900) needed to be organized into a stake, suggesting moderate member activity rates in the area. There are now 14 stakes and one district in Taiwan.

Aruba
The Church reinstated a member district in Aruba. The ABC Islands District was organized from mission branches in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao and includes the following four branches: the Bonaire, Curaçao, Oranjestad, and San Nicolás Branches. The Church previously operated a district in Aruba from 2004 to 2009 and a separate district in Curaçao from 2005 to 2009. The district was also transferred from the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission to the realigned Trinidad Port of Spain Mission.

Mexico
The Church organized a new district in Mexico on July 12th. The Nochixtlan México District was organized from the Mexico Oaxaca Mission and the Oaxaca Mexico Monte Alban Stake. The new district includes the following four branches: the Anona, Nochixtlan, Santiago Tenango, and Tlaxiaco Branches. The new district presents church leaders with exciting opportunities to extend specialized outreach among the large Mixtec Amerindian population in the region. There are now 231 stakes and 38 districts in Mexico.

Russia
The Church organized two new districts in Russia in June.

The Samara Russia District was organized from mission branches in the Russia Samara Mission. The new district includes the following seven branches: the Avrory, Bezymyansky, Kazan', Novokuybishevsk, Samara Russia District, Toliatti, and Ulianovsk Branches. The Church previously operated a district in Samara from 1996 until 2013. The decision to reestablish a district in the city and its large geographical size suggest that mission and area leaders foresee realistic opportunities to establish a stake in the medium term.

The Moscow Russia North District was organized from mission branches in the Russia Moscow Mission. The new district includes the following seven branches: the Gor’kovsky, Lotoshino, Moscow Russia North District, Ryazan, Tverskoy, Yaroslavsky, and Zarechny Branches. The decision to organize the district indicates that there may be plans to create a second stake in Moscow in the coming five years.

There are now two stakes and five districts in Russia.

Oregon
The Church recently discontinued a stake in Oregon for the first time in the history of the Church in the state. The Portland Oregon East Stake was discontinued and its five wards were reassigned to neighboring stakes. The stake was originally organized in 1951 and included inner city areas in northern Portland. There are now 35 stakes in Oregon.

Malaysia
The Church recently discontinued a stake in East Malaysia. The Bintulu Malaysia District was discontinued and its three branches were reassigned to the Miri Malaysia District. Missionaries serving in the area noted that this decision was prompted by slow growth in the area over the past few years and plans from mission leaders to prepare the area for the establishment of a stake in the near future. Branches in Miri appear to currently meet qualifications to operate as wards. However, missionaries note that branches in Bintulu fall vastly short of these qualifications at this time. There are now seven districts in Malaysia.