March Monthly Newsletter

Click here to view our March monthly newsletter for cumorah.com detailing recent LDS growth developments.

Rapid LDS Growth in Kumasi, Ghana

Unprecedented LDS growth is currently occurring in Kumasi, Ghana. Missionaries serving in the Ghana Kumasi Mission have reported in the past five years an aggressive church planting approach to establish many new congregations in the Kumasi metropolitan area in order to improve accessibility to the Church, expand the Church's missionary presence, and spur greater growth. These tactics have yielded significant growth. The Church in Kumasi reported 10 congregations in 2010 (7 wards, 3 branches), whereas today there are 29 congregations (17 wards, 12 branches). To contrast, the Church reported slow growth in Kumasi between 1998 and 2010 as only a couple new congregations were organized during this 12-year period. The Church organized a new mission headquartered in Kumasi in 2012, which has provided greater mission resources to this under-serviced area of Ghana. The Church established a second stake in Kumasi in late 2013 due to accelerated congregational growth. Today, both of the Kumasi stakes rank among the three stakes in the worldwide Church with the most congregations. Currently the Kumasi Ghana Bantama Stake administers 11 wards and 6 branches, whereas the Kumasi Ghana Dichemso Stake administers 9 wards and 8 branches. Some of the units in these stakes operate in nearby cities such as Konongo. Prospects appear favorable for the Church to organize two new stakes in the near future. A second mission in Kumasi also appears likely due to rapid growth in the metropolitan area and in other areas of central and northern Ghana.

See below for a map of LDS congregations in the Ghana Kumasi Mission.

Worldwide Stake Growth Accelerating in 2016

The Church organized at least six new stakes on March 20th - the largest number of new stakes organized on a single day since June 15th, 2014 when seven new stakes were organized. Thus far, the Church has organized 21 new stakes in 2016 - the largest number of new stakes created during the first three months of the year since 1998 when 24 new stakes were organized during the first quarter of the year. Accelerated stake growth in 2016 has thus far appeared attributed to steady growth in the United States and a few Latin American countries (e.g. Brazil, Guatemala). It is too early to tell whether this recent surge in new stake creations will continue. It is also unclear whether this increase is indicative of larger numbers of convert baptisms, more self-sufficient and better qualified local church leadership, and/or improved convert retention and member activity rates. However, reports I have received indicate that several new stakes will be organized in the next month or so, including two new stakes in Hong Kong, a new stake in Honduras, and the Church's first stake in Benin.

New Stakes Created in Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, and Texas; New District Created in Ukraine

Alaska
The Church organized a new stake in Alaska on March 20th. The Palmer Alaska Stake was organized from a division of the Wasilla Alaska Stake. Information on which wards are assigned to the new stake remains unavailable. Prior to the division of the stake, the Wasilla Alaska Stake had 15 wards - the largest number of wards of any stake in the world.

There are now eight stakes in Alaska. 

Australia
The Church organized a new stake in the Brisbane area on March 20th. The Ipswich Australia West Stake was organized from a division of the Ipswich Australia Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Brassall, Darling Heights, Karana Downs, Somerset, Toowoomba, and Warwick Wards. The Brisbane Australia Centenary Stake was also realigned with the Ipswich Australia Stake. There are now 11 stakes in the greater Brisbane metropolitan area.

There are now 39 stakes and eight districts in Australia.

Brazil
The Church organized a new stake in the Fortaleza metropolitan area on March 20th. The Maracanaú Brazil North Stake was organized from a division of the Maracanaú Brazil Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Jereissati 2nd, Maracanaú 1st, Novo Maracanaú, Novo Oriente 1st, and Novo Oriente 2nd Wards. There are now 15 stakes in the Fortaleza metropolitan area.

There are now 259 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.

Ghana
The Church organized a new stake in southwestern Ghana on March 20th. The Mpintsin Ghana Stake was organized from a division of the Takoradi Ghana Stake and the Ghana Cape Coast Mission. The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Kojokrom, Mpintsin 1st, Mpintsin 2nd, Nketsiakrom, and Sofokrom Wards, and the Daboase, Eshiem, Essipon, and Shama Branches. The Takoradi Ghana Stake numbered among the stakes in West Africa that has taken the longest to divide since the stake's organization in 1997.

There are now 16 stakes and 11 districts in Ghana.

Kenya
The Church organized a new stake in Nairobi on March 20th. The Nairobi Kenya East Stake was organized from a division of the Nairobi Kenya Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Kayole 1st, Kayole 2nd, Lucky Summer, Nairobi 1st, Nairobi 2nd, South B, and Zimmerman Wards. The organization of the new stake is a major milestone for the Church in Kenya and East Africa. Nairobi is the first city in East Africa to have had two LDS stakes organized. The new stake in Kenya is the Church's fourth stake to be created in the entire region of East Africa. With the organization of the new stake in Nairobi, prospects have improved for the announcement of a temple in Nairobi or Kampala within the foreseeable future.

There are now two stakes and four districts in Kenya.

Texas
The Church organized a new stake in the Dallas area on March 20th. The Sherman Texas Stake was organized from a division of the Allen Texas, Frisco Texas Shawnee Trail, and McKinney Texas Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Bonham, Celina, Durant, Melissa 1st, Melissa 2nd, Sherman 1st, and Sherman 2nd Wards. There are now 20 stakes in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area.

There are now 69 stakes and three districts in Texas.

Ukraine
The Church organized a new district in western Ukraine. The L'viv Ukraine District was organized from the L'viv Ukraine Mission. The new district includes the following seven branches: the Chernivets'ka, Ivano-Frankivs'ka, Khmel'nyts'ka, L'viv Ukraine District, L'vivs'ka, Luts'ka, and Rivnens'ka Branches. The new district is the Church's first district in western Ukraine ever organized, and is the first district to ever operate within the Ukraine L'viv Mission.

There is now one stake and three districts in Ukraine. 

New Stakes created in Arizona and Washington; New Districts Created in Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Russia

Arizona

The Church organized a new stake in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area on March 6th. The Mesa Arizona Red Mountain Stake was organized from a division of the Mesa Arizona Alta Mesa Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Adobe Villa, Granite Reef, Mountain Vista, Preston, Red Mountain, and Vista Peaks Wards.

There are now 102 stakes in Arizona.

Washington
The Church organized a new stake in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. The Enumclaw Washington Stake was organized on March 13th from a division of the Maple Valley Washington, Graham Washington, and Puyallup Washington Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards and one branch: the Buckley 1st, Buckley 2nd, Enumclaw 1st, Enumclaw 2nd, Enumclaw 3rd, Orting, and Victor Falls Wards and the Mount Peak Branch (Spanish).

There are now 59 stakes in Washington State.

Nigeria
The Church organized a new district in southeastern Nigeria on March 6th. The Etinan Nigeria North District was organized from a division of the Etinan Nigeria Stake. Although official information on congregations assigned to the district remains unavailable, it appears that five branches are assigned to the new district: Afaha Nsit, Ikot Ananga, Ikot Ebo 1st, Ikot Ebo 2nd, and Ikot Obio Asanga.

There are now 33 stakes and 20 districts in Nigeria.

Papua New Guinea
The Church reinstated the Isumo Papua New Guinea District on March 6th. The district was organized from a division of the Daru Papua New Guinea Stake. The Church had previously operated the Isumo Papua New Guinea District from 2002 until 2008. During this six-year period, the district included three branches: Isumo, Sogere, and Suki. In 2008, the district was consolidated with the Daru Papua New Guinea District in preparation to create the Daru Papua New Guinea Stake in 2011.

The reinstatement of the Isumo Papua New Guinea District has coincided with the downgrading of the Isumo Ward into a branch and the organization of two new branches: Gesowa and Sagero. The conference to reinstate the district had 400 members in attendance. There are 800 members in the new district. Reports indicate that members live throughout islands on the Fly River delta. Thus, several member groups may also operate in the new district.

The Church has achieved rapid growth in Papua New Guinea's Western Province within the past six or seven years. Today each of the three original branches in the former Isumo Papua New Guinea District (2002-2008) have become separate districts. The number of congregations (wards and branches) in the region increased from seven in the late 2000s to 27 at present.

For more information on the organization of the new district, refer to a recent article on the Papua New Guinea Mormon Newsroom website here.

Russia
The Church organized a new district in Siberia. The Irkutsk Russia District was organized from three mission branches in the Russia Vladivostok Mission on March 13th. The new district includes the following four branches: the Angarsk, Irkutsk, Irkutsk Russia District, and Ulan-Ude Branches. Missionaries serving in the region report good improvements in church attendance in recent months. However, some branches such as the Angarsk Branch (organized in 2015) have fewer than 20 active members. The Church has never previously operated a district in the Lake Baikal region of Siberia.

There are now three stakes and nine districts in Russia.

New Temple Prediction Map - March 2016 Edition

I have updated my temple prediction map in preparation for General Conference in early April. One potential new temple location was added to the map: Freetown, Sierra Leone. The Church recently organized several new congregations in Sierra Leone, including a tenth ward in the Freetown Sierra Leone Stake. Districts in the Freetown and Bo areas also appear likely to become stakes in the near future. Districts in neighboring Liberia also appear likely to become stakes in the next couple years.

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

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

New Stakes Created in Arizona and Nicaragua; New Districts Created in Cote d'Ivoire and Lesotho; District Reinstated in Russia; District Discontinued in Bolivia

Arizona
The Church organized a new stake in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area on February 28th. The Chandler Arizona South was organized from a division of the Chandler Arizona and Chandler Arizona East Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Appleby, Brooks Farm, Grove 1st, Grove 2nd, Grove 3rd, and Lindsay 1st Wards and the San Tan Branch.

There are now 101 stakes in Arizona.

Nicaragua
The Church organized a new stake in the Managua area on February 21st. The Managua Nicaragua Las Americas Stake was organized from the Managua Nicaragua Tipitapa District and a division of the Managua Nicaragua Bello Horizonte Stake. The new stake includes the following three wards and five branches: the Las Américas, Las Mercedes, and Ruben Darío Wards, and the Bocana, Ciudadela, Loma Verde, San Benito, and Tipitapa Branches. It appears that two or more of the branches in the new stake have likely become wards, but the Church has yet to update this information.

There are now 10 stakes and five districts in Nicaragua.

Cote d'Ivoire
The Church organized two new districts in Cote d'Ivoire in February.

The Aboisso Cote d'Ivoire District was organized from four mission branches in the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission in the cities/towns of Aboisso, Ahoutoue, and Alepe. The new districts includes the following five branches: the Aboisso, Aboisso Cote d'Ivoire District, Ahoutoue, Alepe, and Rive Gauche Branches. The organization of the Aboisso Cote d'Ivoire District Branch suggests that one or more member groups likely operate within the new district. Additionally, the new district covers a sizable geographical area in Comoé District and a small portion of northeastern Lagunes District.

The Adzope Cote d'Ivoire District was organized from five mission branches in the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission in the cities of Adzoope, Affery, and Akoupé. The new district includes the following six branches: the Adzope 1st, Adzope 2nd, Adzope 3rd, Adzope Cote d'Ivoire District, Affery, and Akoupé Branches. Like the newly organized Aboisso Cote d'Ivoire District, the Adzope Cote d'Ivoire District covers a sizable geographical area. Nearly half of Lagunes District is within the new district and most of this area is serviced by the new Adzope Cote d'Ivoire District Branch. Thus, one or more member groups may operate within towns and villages within this area.

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

Lesotho
The Church organized its first district in Lesotho on February 28th. The Maseru Lesotho District was organized from a division of the Bloemfontein South Africa Stake. The new district includes the following three branches: the Leribe, Maseru, and Masianokeng Branches. The entire country of Lesotho and some adjacent areas of South Africa near Maseru appear serviced by the new district. Missionaries have reported for several years that there have been plans to organize additional branches in the Maseru area. Prior to the organization of the new district, Lesotho was the country with the third most members without a stake or district according to year-end 2014 membership data.

Russia
The Church reinstated the Yekaterinburg Russia District on January 31st. Originally organized in 1999, the Yekaterinburg Russia District was discontinued in 2014. The reinstated district includes the following six branches: the Chelyabinsk, Perm, Ufa, Yekaterinburg 1st, Yekaterinburg 2nd, and Yekaterinburg Russia District Branches.

There are now three stakes and eight districts in Russia.

Bolivia
The Church recently discontinued a district in Bolivia. The Puerto Suárez Bolivia District was discontinued and one of the three branches assigned to the district was discontinued. The two retained branches in the former district now report directly to the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission.

There are now 27 stakes and eight districts in Bolivia.

February 2016 Monthly Newsletter

Click here to access the February 2016 edition of our monthly newsletter for cumorah.com. Many notable church growth developments are mentioned in this edition, including the re-opening of Sierra Leone to missionary work; the organization of three new branches in Sierra Leone; the creation of three new branches in Luanda, Angola; the organization of a new district and two new branches in Kiribati; the organization of a new branch and the opening of a previously unreached city in Albania; the creation of two new districts in Cote d'Ivoire; the creation of the first branch in the Upper East Region of Ghana; the creation of a new branch in a province of Thailand where no LDS wards or branches previously operated; the opening of a third city to missionary work in Iceland; significant increases in sacrament meeting attendance in a city in Sri Lanka; and details on 2014 LDS membership statistics reported for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.