Top Ten Encouraging and Discouraging LDS Growth Developments in 2016

Click here to read about the top ten encouraging and discouraging LDS growth developments of 2016 according to our research at The Cumorah Foundation. Reader feedback would be appreciated.

December 2016 Newsletter

Click here to access our December 2016 monthly newsletter detailing recent LDS growth developments and updated resources on our website, cumorah.com.

Correction: Stake in Belize

Back in August, I announced that missionaries serving in the El Salvador San Salvador/Belize Mission reported that the first stake in Belize would be organized in the coming months. However, I have found no additional information to substantiate this report. There do not appear to be any imminent plans to organize a stake in Belize. I apologize for the misinformation.

The Church in Kurdistan, Iraq

The Church has experienced significant progress in regards to its establishment in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq within the past 18 months. There are currently three senior missionary couples who serve in northern Iraq. Member groups appear to operate in at least three cities: Duhok, Irbil, and Sulaymaniyah. Convert baptisms appear to frequently occur in these cities although each of these fledgling congregations have only a couple dozens members and investigators who attend. This area of Iraq is under control of the Kurdistan Regional Government and there do not appear to be any significant barriers for missionary activity if it is conducted by member referral. Although the Church has a sizable amount of materials translated into Standard Arabic, there remain no LDS materials in Kurdish languages.

The assignment of senior missionary couples to Kurdistan deserves the attention and praise of LDS leaders worldwide. Many areas of the world present similar opportunities for an initial LDS establishment, such as the Chin Hills of Burma (Myanmar), northeastern India (e.g. Nagaland, Manipur, Assam), nations without an LDS presence in West Africa (e.g. Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali), and Amerindian peoples in Latin America. Progress in Iraqi Kurdistan also indicates opportunities for LDS outreach expansion in the Middle East, such as in the hundreds of large and medium-sized cities in Turkey, Lebanon, and Coptic Christians in Egypt. Perhaps the Church will formally organize a proselytizing mission headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon within the foreseeable future to provide additional resources and leadership oversight to this region of the world, particularly within the nations of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Important Milestone Reached in Nigeria - 500 Wards and Branches

The Church in Nigeria reached the milestone of 500 congregations (wards and branches) last Sunday. This is an important achievement as increases in the number of congregations strongly correlates with the expansion of the Church into previously unreached areas, greater saturation of the Church in currently reached locations, increases in active members, and local leadership development. Congregational growth rates have also accelerated in recent years. For example, the Church in Nigeria has reported a record increase of at least 46 congregations for 2016 - a 10.1% increase from the number of congregations at year-end 2015 and the largest number of congregations ever organized in a single year in Nigeria. To contrast, the Church in Nigeria reported an annual increase of less than 10% for most years since the year 2000. The Church in Nigeria reached 100 congregations in the early 1990s, 200 congregations in 2001, 300 congregations in 2010, and 400 congregations in 2014. The number of stakes has also doubled within the past four years from 21 to 42 due to stake divisions and the advancement of many districts into stakes.

Nigeria is the first country on the Afro-Eurasian landmass to have reached the milestone of 500 congregations. Currently there are only seven other countries with 500 or more congregations: the United States (14,227), Brazil (2,054), Mexico (2,015), Philippines (1,211), Argentina (769), Peru (751), and Chile (602). This finding suggests that the Church in Nigeria has become, or is soon to become, one of the most significant countries in the world regarding the size and growth of the Church. Given historical growth trends, the Church in Nigeria may report the fifth most congregations of any nation by the year 2025. Multiple new missions appear likely to be organized in Nigeria within the foreseeable future, such as in Abuja, Ibadan, and Uyo. One or two new temples may also be announced in cities such as Benin City and Lagos. The Church may establish a missionary training center in Nigeria as all other nations with more congregations than Nigeria have a missionary training center in their capital cities. Due to significant opportunities to expand missionary outreach in this nation of 186 million people with less than 150,000 Latter-day Saints, the Church may organize a separate administrative area to service Nigeria in the coming years.

New Stakes in Arizona and India; New District in Cameroon

Arizona
The Church organized a new stake in the Phoenix metropolitan area on December 11th. The Surprise Arizona West Stake was organized from a division of the Goodyear Arizona Stake and the Surprise Arizona Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Cactus Lane, Canyon Trails, Cortessa, Savannah, Verrado, Waddell, and White Tank Mountain Wards.

There are now 112 stakes in Arizona. The Church has organized 12 new stakes in Arizona during 2016 - more than any other state or nation for the year.

India
The Church created a new stake in India on December 18th. The Rajahmundry India Stake was organized from the Rajahmundry India District. All five branches in the former district appear to have become wards, namely the Dowleswaram, Kakinada, Rajahmundry 1st, Rajahmundry 2nd, and Rajahmundry 3rd Wards. Rajahmundry has experienced the most rapid LDS growth in India within recent years as the district was organized in 2011. Local members report plans to organize two additional stakes in India within the next two years, likely in New Delhi and Coimbatore.

With three stakes in operation in India, prospects appear increasingly more favorable for the announcement of a temple in India within the foreseeable future. However, a temple will be more likely to be announced once there are multiple stakes that operate within a single metropolitan area - a milestone that appears many years or perhaps a decade or two from fruition given recent LDS growth rates in most cities. Nevertheless, the Church has announced temples in nations with fewer stakes and active members, such as the Kyiv Ukraine Temple. However, LDS growth in Pakistan may favor the announcement of a temple in the coming years. The three LDS districts in Pakistan number among the most self-sufficient in Asia and appear likely to become stakes in the next decade.

There are now three stakes and four districts in India.

Cameroon
The Church organized its second district in the African nation of Cameroon on December 18th. The long-awaited Douala Cameroon District was organized with five branches - four of which previously reported directly to the Republic of Congo Brazzaville Mission. Branches assigned to the new district include the Bonaberi 1st, Bonaberi 2nd, Douala, New Bell, and Village Branches.

The organization of a new mission headquartered in Cameroon appears highly likely given distance from mission headquarters in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo; a sizable population in Cameroon of 24.4 million people; and rapid congregational growth in Douala and Yaounde within recent years. Furthermore, a mission in Cameroon could also assist in the expansion of the Church in neighboring countries with a minimal LDS presence, such as Central African Republic (only one branch) and Gabon (only two branches). A future mission in Cameroon may also be instrumental in the establishment of the Church in nearby nations without an LDS presence - such as Chad and Equatorial Guinea.

There are now two districts and 13 branches in Cameroon.

November 2016 Newsletter

I forgot to post a link to the November 2016 edition of our newsletter for cumorah.com. The newsletter can be accessed here.

New Stakes Created in Colorado, Honduras, Nigeria, Virginia, and Zimbabwe; New District Created in Brazil

Colorado
A new stake was created in Colorado Springs on December 11th. This stake creation was a special one for me since this I live in the boundaries of the new stake. The Colorado Springs High Plains Stake was organized from a division of the Colorado Springs East Stake. The new stake includes the following eight wards and one branch: the Black Forest, Calhan, Falcon, Indigo Ranch, Meridian, Oakwood, Stetson Hills, and Woodmen Hills Wards, and the Limon Branch. Additionally, four wards were reassigned from the Colorado Springs North Stake to the Colorado Springs East Stake.

There are now 35 stakes in Colorado.

Honduras
A new stake was organized in northern Honduras on December 4th. The La Ceiba Honduras Miramar Stake was organized from a division of the La Ceiba Honduras Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Buenos Aires, El Confite, Las Colinas, Miramar, and Montecristo Wards, and the La Másica Branch. The Church has organized five new stakes in Honduras during 2016 - the most new stakes organized in Honduras in a single year since 1995.

There are now 28 stakes in Honduras.

Nigeria
A new stake was organized in southeastern Nigeria on December 4th. The Uyo Nigeria Ibiono Stake was organized from the Ibiono Nigeria District and the Uyo Nigeria Stake. The new stakes includes the following ward and 11 branches: the Itam 1st Ward, and the Enen-Atai, Ibiono 1st, Ibiono 2nd, Idoro, Ikot Ekpene Road, Ikot Esia, Ikot Mbon Ikono, Itam 2nd, Nkwot, Okoita, and the Use Ikot Amama Branches. Many of these branches have likely become wards. Information on which branches became wards is not currently available in the official directory. There have been significant delays for the Church to update which branches have become wards in other newly organized stakes in Nigeria. For example, It has taken six months for information on which branches have become wards in the newly organized Ikot Ekpene Nigeria Stake to appear. This new stake currently has seven wards and one branch.

There are now 42 stakes and 16 districts in Nigeria.

Virginia
Two new stakes were organized in Virginia.

The Washington DC YSA Stake was organized on December 4th. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Braddock YSA, Colonial YSA 1st, Colonial YSA 2nd, Glenn Dale YSA, Langley YSA, Shenandoah YSA, and the Washington DC YSA 2nd Wards. The new stake is the Church's second YSA stake to be organized in the eastern United States. The first YSA stake in this region of the country was organized in Buena Vista, Virginia in 2012.

The Church organized the Gainesville Virginia Stake from a division of the Centreville Virginia Stake and the Ashburn Virginia Stake. The new stake includes the follow six wards: the Gainesville, Haymarket, Tall Cedars, Vint Hill, Warrenton 1st, and Warrenton 2nd Wards.

There are now 23 stakes in Virginia.

Zimbabwe
The Church organized its fourth stake in Harare on December 4th. The Harare Zimbabwe East Stake was organized from a division of the Harare Zimbabwe Stake and two mission branches in the Zimbabwe Harare Mission. The new stake includes the following four wards and four branches: the Mabvuku 1st, Mabvuku 2nd, Ruwa, and Tafara Wards, and the Acturus, Damofalls, Dombotombo, and Marondera Branches. Furthermore, church leaders report that the announcement of the location and groundbreaking of the Harare Zimbabwe Temple appears forthcoming in early 2017.

There are now seven stakes and two districts in Zimbabwe.

Brazil
The Church organized a new district in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil on November 20th. The São Lourenço do Sul Brazil District was organized from a division of the Pelotas Brazil North Stake. The new district includes three branches: the Camaquã, Canguçu, and São Lourenço do Sul Branches. There are now 23 stakes and eight districts in Rio Grande do Sul State.

There are now 265 stakes and 40 districts in Brazil.

Stake Growth: 1950-Present

The Church has experienced significant stake growth in 2016. Provided with the net increase in the number of stakes in parentheses, the ten years with the highest net increase in the number of stakes include 1996 (146), 1995 (142), 1997 (128), 1980 (126), 1978 (105), 1981 (103), 1979 (102), 1977 (87), 1992 (82), and 1998 (81). Thus far, the Church in 2016 has reported a net increase of 87 stakes (95 stakes organized, eight stakes discontinued). Several additional stakes will be organized by the end of the year, suggesting that there will likely be a net increase of between 90 and 100 stakes. Consequently, the Church in 2016 will likely report its eighth largest annual net increase in the number of stakes in its history.

Percentage growth rates indicate less significant stake growth trends in 2016. The preliminary 2016 annual percentage growth in the number of stakes is 2.7% - the most rapid percentage growth since 1998. However, this percentage growth currently ranks as 33rd within the past 67 years. The Church has previously reported percentage growth rates four times as high as for 2016. For example, 10% or greater annual stake growth occurred for five years: 1978 (11.9%), 1980 (11.5%), 1977 (10.9%), 1979 (10.3%), and 1960 (10.0%). If the Church reported 10% annual growth for the number of stakes in 2016, there would be a net increase of 317 stakes.

Below is a list of the annual net increase of stakes since 1950:

1950 +5
1951 +11
1952 +11
1953 +9
1954 +8
1955 +5
1956 +15
1957 +12
1958 +22
1959 +17
1960 +29
1961 +26
1962 +19
1963 +25
1964 +11
1965 +12
1966 +13
1967 +23
1968 +25
1969 +23
1970 +41
1971 +25
1972 +30
1973 +38
1974 +45
1975 +62
1976 +61
1977 +87
1978 +105
1979 +102
1980 +126
1981 +103
1982 +71
1983 +66
1984 +49
1985 +75
1986 +40
1987 +44
1988 +41
1989 +32
1990 +45
1991 +53
1992 +82
1993 +49
1994 +40
1995 +142
1996 +146
1997 +128
1998 +81
1999 +37
2000 +39
2001 +26
2002 -5
2003 +22
2004 +41
2005 +36
2006 +44
2007 +45
2008 +28
2009 +47
2010 +31
2011 +50
2012 +59
2013 +45
2014 +64
2015 +60
2016* +87 

Below is a list of the number of stakes per year and the annual percentage growth of stakes per year since 1950.

(Year, Number of Stakes, Percentage Growth)
1950     180     2.9%
1951     191     6.1%
1952     202     5.8%
1953     211     4.5%
1954     219     3.8%
1955     224     2.3%
1956     239     6.7%
1957     251     5.0%
1958     273     8.8%
1959     290     6.2%
1960     319     10.0%
1961     345     8.2%
1962     364     5.5%
1963     389     6.9%
1964     400     2.8%
1965     412     3.0%
1966     425     3.2%
1967     448     5.4%
1968     473     5.6%
1969     496     4.9%
1970     537     8.3%
1971     562     4.7%
1972     592     5.3%
1973     630     6.4%
1974     675     7.1%
1975     737     9.2%
1976     798     8.3%
1977     885     10.9%
1978     990     11.9%
1979     1,092     10.3%
1980     1,218     11.5%
1981     1,321     8.5%
1982     1,392     5.4%
1983     1,458     4.7%
1984     1,507     3.4%
1985     1,582     5.0%
1986     1,622     2.5%
1987     1,666     2.7%
1988     1,707     2.5%
1989     1,739     1.9%
1990     1,784     2.6%
1991     1,837     3.0%
1992     1,919     4.5%
1993     1,968     2.6%
1994     2,008     2.0%
1995     2,150     7.1%
1996     2,296     6.8%
1997     2,424     5.6%
1998     2,505     3.3%
1999     2,542     1.5%
2000     2,581     1.5%
2001     2,607     1.0%
2002     2,602     -0.2%
2003     2,624     0.8%
2004     2,665     1.6%
2005     2,701     1.4%
2006     2,745     1.6%
2007     2,790     1.6%
2008     2,818     1.0%
2009     2,865     1.7%
2010     2,896     1.1%
2011     2,946     1.7%
2012     3,005     2.0%
2013     3,050     1.5%
2014     3,114     2.1%
2015     3,174     1.9%
2016*     3,261     2.7%

New Stakes Created in Brazil, Iowa, Nigeria, and Thailand; New Districts Created in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone

Brazil
A new stake was created in northern Brazil on November 20th. The Teresina Brazil Planalto Stake was organized from a division of the Teresina Brazil Stake and the Teresina Brazil Horto Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Angelim, Esplanada, Planalto, Poti, and Timon Wards, and the Caxias Branch. There are now three stakes in Teresina metropolitan area.

There are now 265 stakes and 39 districts in Brazil.

Iowa
A new stake was created in Iowa on November 20th. The Des Moines Iowa Mount Pisgah Stake was organized from a division of the Ames Iowa Stake and the Des Moines Iowa Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Easter Lake, Osceola, Raccoon River, Walnut Hills, and Waukee Wards, and the Centerville, Indianola, Lenox, and Perry Branches.

There are now eight stakes in Iowa.

Nigeria
Two new stakes were organized in Port Harcourt, Nigeria on November 27th. The Port Harcourt Nigeria South Stake was organized from a division of the Port Harcourt Nigeria Stake and the Port Harcourt Nigeria West Stake, whereas the Port Harcourt Nigeria North Stake was organized from a division of the Port Harcourt Nigeria West Stake and the Port Harcourt Nigeria East Stake. The Port Harcourt Nigeria South Stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Abo-Ama, Borokiri, Bundu, Diobu 1st, and Township Wards, and the Alase-Ama and LoLo-Ama Branches. The Port Harcourt Nigeria North Stake includes the following seven wards and two branches: the Choba, Emohua, Eneka, Igwuruta, Omoku, Rukpokwu, and Rumuodumaya Wards, and the Isiodu and Rumuji Branches. There are now five stakes and one district in the Port Harcourt metropolitan area.

There are now 41 stakes and 17 districts in Nigeria. Nigeria is now the country with the eleventh most stakes.

Thailand
A new stake was organized in Bangkok, Thailand on November 27th. The Bangkok Thailand West Stake was organized from the Bangkok Thailand West District, the Bangkok Thailand Stake, and the Bangkok Thailand North Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Asoke, Bang Bua Thong, Bang Khae, Bangkok (English), and Thon Buri Wards.

There are now four stakes and two districts in Thailand.

Cote d'Ivoire
A new district was organized in Cote d'Ivoire on November 27th. The Bouafle Cote d'Ivoire District was organized from a division of the Yamoussoukro Cote d'Ivoire Stake and includes three branches: the Agbanou, Bouafle, and Koko Branches. All three branches used to operate as wards in the Yamoussoukro Cote d'Ivoire Stake. It is likely that the district was organized to spur greater growth in Bouafle and organize additional branches in the near future. Furthermore, the Yamoussoukro Cote d'Ivoire Stake likely required the three congregations in Bouafle to qualify as a stake 18 months ago as at the time there were only four wards in Yamoussoukro. Currently there are seven wards in Yamoussoukro. With one stake and six districts in central Cote d'Ivoire, prospects appear extremely likely that a third Ivorian mission will be organized to service this area of the country. Currently the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission administers central Cote d'Ivoire and includes five stakes and seven districts within its boundaries.

There are now 11 stakes and 11 districts in Cote d'Ivoire.

Liberia
A new district was organized in Monrovia on November 27th. The Caldwell Liberia District was organized from a division of the Monrovia Liberia Bushrod Island District. The new district includes the following three branches: Caldwell, Caldwell New Georgia, and Upper Caldwell Branches. The six remaining branches in the former Monrovia Liberia Bushrod Island District were upgraded to wards on November 27th when the district became a stake. The new district was likely organized to spur greater growth in this area of Monrovia and to prepare for the organization of additional branches. Local reports indicate that as many as 200 attend some branches in the new district. Area leadership reports plans for "several" additional stakes to be organized in Liberia within the next two years.

There are now three districts and one stake in Liberia.

Sierra Leone
Members in Sierra Leone report that a third district was organized in Bo. The new district's name and the number/names of the branches in the new district are currently unavailable. It appears that this new district was organized on November 27th. With three districts in Bo, one district in Kenema,  and three mission branches in Makeni, Bo may be a likely location for the organization of a second mission in Sierra Leone in the coming years.

There are now six districts and one stake in Sierra Leone.

LDS Stake Reestablished in Liberia

I have confirmed from several full-time missionaries and local members that the Church reestablished a stake in Liberia on November 27th. The new stake appears to have been organized from the Monrovia Liberia Bushrod Island District. The district had nine branches prior to the organization of the new stake. Most of the branches have appeared to become wards in the new stake.

Prior to the organization of the new stake last Sunday, Liberia was the only country in Africa where the sole LDS stake was discontinued. The Church operated a stake in Monrovia between 2000 and 2007 that administered eight wards and one branch. The stake was discontinued in 2007 and two member districts were organized. Leadership challenges, members fleeing the country due to the Second Liberian Civil War, distance from mission leadership in Ghana, and inactivity problems appear primarily responsible for the discontinuation of the original Monrovia Liberia Stake in 2007.

Significant LDS growth developments have occurred in Liberia during the past five years. The number of official congregations has increased from 13 at year-end 2010 to 28 at present. A separate mission headquartered in Liberia was created in 2013. A third member district was organized in 2014 to accommodate growing numbers of branches in Monrovia. Membership growth has significantly accelerated in the past few years to generally more than 10% a year. The Church organized a second branch in the city of Kakata earlier this year, making Kakata the only Liberian city outside of Monrovia with more than one LDS congregation. Missionaries have reported scores of investigators attending some branches since the reintroduction of full-time missionaries in mid-2016. Full-time missionaries were withdrawn from the country in August 2014.

Additional stake creations appear likely in the immediate future. The remaining two member districts in Monrovia have a sufficient number of congregations and nominal members to become stakes. Furthermore, three new branches were recently organized in these two districts within the past few months.

Liberia was previously the country with the second most members without a stake according to year-end 2015 membership statistics. Only Malaysia has more members than Liberia and no stakes. 

Potential New Missions in 2017

Below is a list of potential new missions that may be created in 2017. Criteria for identifying potential new missions include recent LDS membership, congregational, and organizational (stakes and districts) growth trends, trends in new missions created within the past decade, population size, and the boundaries of current missions. Several new missions appear likely to be organized despite the number of full-time missionaries falling to 72,000 as of early November 2016. The average number of missionaries per mission is currently approximately 171 - a number within the range of historical averages during the past couple decades. The number of missionaries serving will likely steadily increase in the coming years and necessitate the creation of additional missions. The double cohort that resulted from lowering the minimum age of missionary service appeared to end in 2016. Going forward, there should not be any artificial increases in the number of members serving full-time missions that are related to changes in the 2012 decision to lower the minimum age for missionary service. Missions included with an asterisk appear most likely to be organized in 2017.

• Australia Brisbane (2nd mission)*
• Brazil Aracatuba
• Brazil Manaus (2nd mission)
• Brazil Porto Velho
• Brazil Sao Luis
• Brazil Sorocaba
• Cameroon Yaounde*
• Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan (3rd Mission)*
• Cote d'Ivoire Yamoussoukro*
• Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa (2nd mission)*
• Ethiopia Addis Ababa*
• Ghana Kumasi (2nd mission)
• Malawi Lilongwe
• Mexico Chilpancingo
• Mexico Juchitan
• Mexico Toluca
• Nigeria Ibadan*
• Nigeria Uyo
• Philippines Bacolod (2nd mission)
• Philippines Cabanatuan
• Philippines Davao (2nd mission)
• Philippines Dumaguete
• Philippines Lucena
• Philippines Ormoc
• Philippines Santiago
• Rwanda Kigali
• 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

New Stakes Created in Arizona, Brazil, and Utah; New District Created in Cote d'Ivoire

Arizona
A new stake was organized in the Snowflake area on November 13th. The Centennial Arizona Stake was organized from a division of the Snowflake Arizona and Taylor Arizona (renamed Silver Creek Arizona) Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Casa Linda, Cottonwood, Heritage, Snowflake 2nd, Snowflake 3rd, Snowflake 4th, and Willow Wards.

There are now 111 stakes in Arizona.

Brazil
A new stake was created in northeastern Brazil on November 6th. The João Pessoa Brazil Centro Stake was organized from a division of the João Pessoa Brazil Torre Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Bela Vista, Colinas do Sul, Costa e Silva, Das Indústrias, Jardim Veneza, and João Pessoa Wards. There are now five stakes in João Pessoa and seven stakes in Paraíba State.

There are now 264 stakes and 39 districts in Brazil.

Cote d'Ivoire
A new district was created from three mission branches in the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission on October 30th. The new Abengourou Cote d'Ivoire District includes the following three branches: the Abengourou 1st, Abengourou 2nd, and Abengourou 3rd Branches. The original boundaries of the branches were also adjusted to include neighboring cities such as Agnibilékrou and Niablé, suggesting that member groups may operate in these locations.

There are now 11 stakes and 10 districts in Cote d'Ivoire. 

85 New Stakes in 2016 and Counting

The year 2016 has been an extraordinary year for stake creations. Thus far, there have been 85 new stakes organized since January 1st, 2016. The geographical breakdown of these new stakes is as follows: 39 in North America (46%), 16 in Africa (19%), 13 in South America (15%), 7 in Central America (8%), 5 in Oceania (6%), 4 in Asia (5%), and 1 in Europe (1%). Locations where the most new stakes have been organized include Arizona (10), Brazil (8), Texas (8), Nigeria (6), Utah (6), Honduras (4), Washington (4), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3), and Ghana (3).

The last time the Church had organized as many new stakes in a single year was in 1997 when 125 new stakes were organized. Stake growth is a robust indicator of "real growth" in the LDS Church as stakes require certain minimum requirements to operate (e.g. number of active, full-tithe paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders [AFTPMP]; number of congregations; ratio of AFTPMP to general church membership; etc). Thus, accelerated stake growth in 2016 constitutes a noteworthy development in regards to the growth of the Church.

I have received firm confirmations of three additional stakes and reports of a nine additional stakes to be organized by the end of the year. Given stake growth trends thus far in 2016 and reports of many more new stakes to be created by the end of the year, it appears likely that the Church may create as many as 100 new stakes in 2016. If you have information about a new stake to be organized in your area, please comment.

Stakes Likely to Split Outside the United States and Canada - November 2016 Edition

Below is an updated list of stakes that may split within the near future. Previous lists are available for December 2012, January 2014, December 2014, and November 2015.

AFRICA

• Aba Nigeria North (11 wards, 1 branch)
• Aba Nigeria Ogbor Hill (10 wards, 5 branches) 
• Abeokuta Nigeria (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Niangon North (11 wards)
• Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Niangon South (13 wards)
• Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Yopougon Attie (10 wards)
• Abobo Cote d'Ivoire West (9 wards, 7 branches) 
• Accra Ghana Adenta (10 wards, 5 branches)
• Accra Ghana Christiansborg (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Benin City Nigeria Ihogbe (10 wards)
• East London South Africa (11 wards, 1 branch) 
• Freetown Sierra Leone (10 wards)
• Ibadan Nigeria (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Kimbanseke (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Masina (10 wards, 1 branch) 
• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Mokali (10 wards)
• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Ngaliema (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Lomé Togo (10 wards, 7 branches)
• Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of Congo (11 wards)
• Port Harcourt Nigeria East (10 wards, 4 branches)
• Port Harcourt Nigeria West (14 wards)
• Warri Nigeria (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Tema Ghana (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Yamoussoukro Cote d'Ivoire (10 wards)

ASIA

• Jakarta Indonesia (9 wards, 1 branch)
• Butuan Philippines (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Hsin Chu Taiwan (10 wards)
• Iloilo Philippines North (9 wards, 2 branches)
• Lipa Philippines (10 wards, 2 branches)
• Mandaue Philippines (9 wards, 1 branch)
• Singapore (10 wards)
• Tao Yuan Taiwan (9 wards)

EUROPE

• Verona Italy (8 wards, 5 branches)

CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

• Guatemala City Stake (10 wards, 2 branches)
• La Ceiba Honduras (11 wards, 1 branch)
• Managua Nicaragua (9 wards, 1 branch)
• Mazatenango Guatemala (11 wards, 1 branch) 
• Quetzaltenango Guatemala West (10 wards, 1 branch)
• San Salvador El Salvador La Libertad (10 wards, 3 branches) 
• Tegucigalpa Honduras La Esperanza (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Tegucigalpa Honduras Loarque (11 wards, 1 branch)

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)
• Veracruz Mexico Villa Rica (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Villahermosa Mexico Gaviotas (10 wards, 1 branch)

OCEANIA

• Ha'apai Tonga (9 wards, 5 branches) 
• Punaauia Tahiti (11 wards)
• Upolu Samoa East (9 wards, 1 branch)

SOUTH AMERICA

• Belém Brazil (9 wards)
• 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)
• 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 Paulo Brazil Casa Grande (9 wards)
• São Paulo Brazil Guarapiranga (10 wards)
• São Paulo Brazil Penha (10 wards) 

Most Thorough Analysis of LDS Growth in Cote d'Ivoire Ever Conducted

I know the title of this post may sound a bit boastful, but I have worked for the past five months on this extensive analysis of LDS growth in the West African nation of Cote d'Ivoire. Read the case study here. Comments, feedback, and discussion would be appreciated!

New Stakes Created in Ecuador, Ghana, Massachusetts, and Texas: New Districts Created in the DR Congo and Ghana; District Discontinued in Italy

Ecuador
The Church organized a new stake in Ecuador on October 9th. The Otavalo Ecuador Imbaya Stake was organized from the division of the Otavalo Ecuador Imbabura (organized in 1997) and Otavalo Ecuador (organized in 1981) Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Carabuela, Centenario, Cotacachi, Cotama, Imbaya, and Punyaro Wards. The small city of Otavalo is located in the heart of the homelands of the Otavalo (Imbabura Highland) Quichua Amerindians. The Otavalo people have numbered among the most receptive to LDS proselytism in Latin America. Missionaries report that stakes in the city of Otavalo number among the most self-sufficient in Ecuador and have some of the highest activity rates in Latin America.

A case study that examines LDS growth among the Otavalo can be found here.

Ghana
The Church organized a new stake in Ghana on November 6th. The Kumasi Ghana Asokwa Stake was organized from a division of the Kumasi Ghana Bantama (organized in 1998) and Kumasi Ghana Dichemso (organized in 2013) Stakes. The new stake includes the follow seven wards and seven branches: the Ahenbronum, Asokwa, Ayigya, Freetown, Kwamo, Lowcost, and University Wards, and the Ahyiaem, Aputuogya, Asokore Mampong, Atonsu, Domeabra, Ejisu, and Kentinkrono Branches. The Church has never appeared to organize a new stake with as many congregations in modern times as there are 14 units in the new stake. It appears that the Church has organized the new stake with such a large number of units in preparation to create a separate stake in Konongo one day. There are three wards and two branches in the Konongo area.

The Church organized a new district in Ghana on October 30th. The Tarkwa Ghana District was organized from four mission branches in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission. The branches in the new district include the Axim, Brenu-Akyirim, Nkroful, and Tarkwa Branches.

There are now 18 stakes and 12 districts in Ghana.

Massachusetts
The Church organized a new stake in Massachusetts on November 6th. The North Shore Massachusetts Stake was organized from a division of the Cambridge Massachusetts (organized in 1998), Exeter New Hampshire (organized in 1981), and Nashua New Hampshire (organized in 1970) Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Billerica, Lawrence,  (Spanish), Lynnfield, Methuen, Revere 1st (Spanish), and Revere 2nd Wards, and the Lynn Branch (Spanish).

There are now five stakes in Massachusetts.

Texas
The Church organized a new stake in Texas on November 6th. The Fort Worth Texas North Stake was organized from a division of the Hurst Texas Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Fossil Ridge, Highland Station, Hurst 3rd (Spanish), Park Glen 1st, Park Glen 2nd, and Saginaw Wards.

There are now 72 stakes and three districts in Texas.

DR Congo
The Church organized a new district in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on November 6th. The Ngandajika Democratic Republic of the Congo District was organized from a division of the Luputa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (organized in 2011). The new district includes the following four branches: the Kabanda, Kalubanda, Ngandajika, and Tshioji Branches.

There are now 16 stakes and three districts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Italy
The Church recently discontinued a district in Italy. Organized in 1991, the Calabria Italy District was discontinued and its former branches were reassigned to the Puglia Italy Stake and Palermo Italy Stake. Most of the branches in the former district have reported few active members for many years. With the closure of the district, the Church currently reports no districts in Italy for the first time in its history.

There are now 10 stakes in Italy.

Is the LDS Church Growing?

I am frequently asked by interested readers, news media, and personal contacts whether the LDS Church is actually growing or not. This is a complex question to answer in regards to what measurements are examined, the analysis of growth trends over time, and whether growth is examined in a specific area or for the Church as a whole. The following will provide an overview of the most salient findings that suggest the worldwide Church is growing, or experiencing stagnation or decline. A previous analysis from 2012 can be found here.

Here are some statistics that indicate the Church is growing:

• Increases in the number of countries with stakes: 
• Since 2010, there have been 20 countries where the Church has organized its first stake. There has never been a time in LDS history when as many countries have had their first stakes organized within as short of a period of time.
• Increases in the number of countries assigned to missions:
• The number of countries assigned to missions has steadily increased since 2010. Examples of countries assigned to missions during this time include Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gabon, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Increases in the worldwide number of active members:
• Although no official statistics are available, the number of active members in the Church has appeared to steadily increase within recent years as evidenced by the organization of new stakes and congregations. A recent article in the Salt Lake Tribute quotes a church spokesman who notes that "upward growth has continued."
• Steady increases in the worldwide number of stakes:
• Stake growth has not only been sustained in recent years, but it has accelerated. The number of new stakes organized totaled 48 in 2013, 64 in 2014, 67 in 2015, and 80 thus far in 2016. The annual percentage growth rate for stakes has also increased from 1.5% in 2013 to at least 2.5% in 2016.
• Steady increases in the worldwide number of temples:
• The number of temples announced, under construction, or in operation continues to increase. For example, there were 102 operating temples at year-end 2000. There will be 155 operating temples by year-end 2016.
• Increases in the number of nations with full-time missionaries assigned:
• Many countries have had young, full-time missionaries assigned for the first time since 2010. Notable examples include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi (until mid-2015 when missionaries were removed due to civil unrest), Gabon, Kosovo, Laos, Macedonia, Montenegro, Rwanda, and Turkey.
• Increases in the number of cities with an LDS presence:
• The Church has organized new congregations in previously unreached cities at a more rapid rate than the number of cities where the only LDS congregation has closed. 
• Improvements in commensurate membership and congregational growth:
•  Membership and congregational growth rates for the worldwide church have become more proportional. Congregational growth was a mere 1/5 the rate of membership growth in 2011, whereas congregational growth was 4/5 the rate of membership growth in 2015. This finding signals improvements in convert retention and member activity.

Here are some statistics that indicate LDS growth is stagnant or declining:

• Slow congregational growth rates for the worldwide Church:
• Congregational growth rates have been very slow for the Church as a whole, ranging from 0.4-1.3% within the past eight years. As the world's population currently grows by 1.08% a year, it appears that the Church's congregational growth in comparison to the world's population growth has been nearly equal during this time. 
• Steady net decreases in the number of districts:
• The number of districts has declined every year since 2009. The number of districts has decreased from 622 in 2008 to approximately 551 at present. As district growth is a strong indicator of the expansion of the Church into lesser-reached areas, this finding suggests a slowdown in the expansion of the Church into additional areas.
• Decrease in the percentage of full-time missionaries in general church membership
• The percentage of full-time missionaries among general church membership declined from 0.64% in 1977 to 0.37% in 2010, and increased to 0.47% in 2015.
• No noticeable change in the number of converts baptized a year
• The Church has reported essentially no significant change in the number of converts baptized each year. The Church has baptized an average of 277,000 converts a year since 2010. To contrast, the Church baptized an average of 287,000 converts a year between 1988 and 2009. The average number of converts baptized per missionary declined from 8.0 in 1989 to approximately 5.0 in 2011 and 3.5 in 2015.
• Stagnant increases with the number of children of record
• The increase of children of record has not significantly increased over the past 35 years. The Church reported an increase of 124,000 children of record in 1982 - more than any year since this time. The Church has generally reported an annual increase of children of record between 110,000-120,000 since 2008.
• Decreasing membership growth rates
• The Church's annual membership growth rate has steadily declined within the past 15 years from 2.9% in 2000 to 2.3% in 2003, 2.0% in 2013, and 1.7% in 2015. 
• Lack of growth in seminary and institute enrollment
• Seminary and institute enrollment has fluctuated from approximately 700,000 to 760,000 within the past 15 years despite an increase of more than four million members during this period.
• Decrease in the number of MTCs:
• The Church has reported a net decrease in the number of missionary training centers during the past 20 years. MTCs have closed in Japan, Korea, Samoa, and Tonga.
• Decrease in the number of church areas:
• The Church has reported a net decrease in administrative areas from 30 in 2003 to 25 in 2012.

October 2016 Monthly Newsletter

Click here to access our October 2016 monthly newsletter for cumorah.com. Several exciting developments within the past month are noted, such as the creation of a second branch in Gabon, the organization of a second stake in the Marshall Islands, three cities opening to missionary work in the Adriatic South Mission, and the establishment of several member groups in previously unreached cities in Nigeria.

New Stakes Created in Arizona, Florida, and Idaho; New District Created in Brazil

Arizona
The Church organized a new stake in the Phoenix area on October 16th. The Phoenix Arizona Desert Hills Stake was organized from a division of the Phoenix Arizona Deer Valley Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Anthem, Daisy Mountain, Gavilan Peak, North Valley, Parkside, and Pinnacle Vista Wards. The new stake is the tenth new stake organized in Arizona in 2016.

There are now 110 stakes in Arizona.

Florida
The Church organized a new stake in the Tampa Bay area on October 16th. The Odessa Florida Stake was organized from a division of the Tampa Florida and St Petersburg Florida Stakes. The new stake includes the follow five wards: the Brooksville, Hudson, Land O Lakes, Odessa, and Tampa 4th Wards.

There are now 31 stakes in Florida.

Idaho
The Church organized a new stake in the Boise metropolitan area on October 16th. The Meridian Idaho Victory Stake was organized from a division of the Meridian Idaho South Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Green Valley, Locust Grove, Mason Creek, Meridian 5th, Meridian Greens, Overland, and Victory Wards.

There are now 128 stakes in Idaho.

Brazil
The Church organized a new district in Parana Stake on October 16th. The Campo Mourão Brazil District was organized from a division of the Maringá Brazil Stake. The new district includes the following three branches: the Aeroporto, Campo Mourão, and Cianorte Branches. There are now 20 stakes and two districts in Parana State.

There are now 263 stakes and 39 districts in Brazil.

Second Stake Organized in the Marshall Islands

The Church organized its second stake in the Micronesian nation of the Marshall Islands. The new stake appeared to be organized either on October 9th or October 16th. The Kwajalein Marshall Islands Stake was organized from the Kwajalein Marshall Islands District. The new stake includes five branches that were previously assigned to the Kwajalein Marshall Islands District - all of which have likely become wards. The vast majority of membership in the new stake resides on Ebeye Island - a tiny island inhabited by over 10,000 people located on approximately 80 acres. The Kwajalein Marshall Islands District was organized in 1991. The Church created its first stake in the Marshall Islands in 2009 on the main atoll of Majuro.

More information on the organization of the new stake can be found here.

New Stake Created in Arizona

Last Sunday, the Church created a new stake in Arizona. The Phoenix Arizona Thunderbird Park Stake was organized from a division of the Glendale Arizona North Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Arrowhead Ranch, Mountain Ridge, Sierra Verde, Sonoran Mountain, Stetson Valley, and Thunderbird Hills Wards, and the Desert Canyon Branch (Correctional Facility).

There are now 109 stakes in Arizona.

September 2016 Newsletter

Click here to access the September 2016 monthly newsletter for cumorah.com.

Cumorah.com is Online

Cumorah.com is back online. We apologize for the website problems.

New Temple Prediction Map - September 2016 Edition

I have updated my temple prediction map in preparation for General Conference in October. No new locations have been added to the new temple prediction map since the last update in March 2016. My top 10 picks for the most likely temple announcements during next month's General Conference include:

• Auckland, New Zealand
• Belo Horizonte, Brazil 
• Brasília, Brazil
• Davao, Philippines OR Cagayan del Oro, Philippines
• Guam OR Tarawa, Kiribati
• Lagos, Nigeria OR Benin City, Nigeria
• Managua, Nicaragua 
• Praia, Cape Verde
• Puebla, Mexico
• Rogers, Arkansas

New Stakes Created in Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, and Texas

Brazil
A new stake was created in Brazil on September 4th. The Passo Fundo Brazil South Stake was organized from a division of the Passo Fundo Brazil Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Bosque, Erechim, Lagoa Vermelha, Marau, Petrópolis, and Planaltina Wards. Passo Fundo is now the third metropolitan area in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul with two or more stakes. There are now 23 stakes and seven districts in Rio Grande do Sul.

There are now 263 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.

Cote d'Ivoire
The Church organized a new stake in Cote d'Ivoire on September 11th. The Dokui Cote d'Ivoire Stake was organized from a division of the Cocody Cote d'Ivoire and Abobo Cote d'Ivoire East Stakes. The new stake includes the following nine wards: the Abobote 1st, Abobote 2nd, Agbekoi, Angré, Belle-ville, Dokui 1st, Dokui 2nd, Plaque, and Quatre Etages Wards. Five of the wards in the new stake have been organized since 2013. It is unclear why the new stake was organized with so many wards as most new stakes in West Africa generally have between five and seven wards. Rapid growth in the area has likely prompted the organization of a large new stake possibly due to limited leadership manpower to fill stake-level callings. Three wards in the new Dokui Cote d'Ivoire Stake were previously assigned to the Abobo Cote d'Ivoire East Stake - a stake organized only two years ago that had grown to 12 wards by the end of 2015. There are now 10 stakes in the Abidjan metropolitan area - more than any other metropolitan area in the Africa-Eurasian continental landmass. Several additional in Abidjan stakes appear likely to divide in the next 12 months and members report that additional wards will be organized in the coming months. For example, last Sunday three new wards were organized in the Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Yopougon Attie Stake. There are now three stakes in Abidjan with 10 or more wards. Rapid congregational growth continues in Cote d'Ivoire as there has been a net increase of 41 congregations for 2016 - the second highest net increase in congregations for any country in the world for the year thus far and only 30 less than the net increase reported for the Church in the United States where there has been a net increase of 71 congregations.

There are now 11 stakes and nine districts in Cote d'Ivoire.

Texas
A new stake was created in Texas on September 11th. The Burleson Texas Stake was organized from a division of the Arlington Texas, Fort Worth Texas, and Weatherford Texas Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Burleson, Centennial, Cleburne, Joshua, Mansfield 1st, and Mansfield 2nd Wards, and the Keene Branch (Marshallese).

There are now 71 stakes and three districts in Texas. There have been seven new stakes organized in Texas thus far in 2016.

The Church in Mali

Although the Church does not have an official presence in Mali, I have recently confirmed that a member group operates in the country. Missionaries serving in Ghana report that a member group operates outside the capital city of Bamako. Based upon information obtained from other sources, it appears that the member group functions in Ouélessébougou - the hometown of former LDS presidential candidate Yeah Samake. The number of members in Mali has been described as "small" and appear to number no more than 20. Missionaries report that a family from Mali recently traveled to Accra, Ghana to be baptized. Reports indicate that there are approximately 30 prospective members in Mali, most of which appear to reside in the Ouélessébougou and Bamako areas. Most of these potential members have not been baptized due to concern with their level of understanding of LDS teachings and the lack of an official LDS presence in the country. Additionally, concerns have been noted with establishing an LDS presence in Mali due to Muslims constituting the majority of the population. Despite these concerns, risks for proselytism and formal church operations appear minimal based upon the operation of other nontraditional Christian groups that have operated in the country for many years, such as Seventh-Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses. There are no laws or government policies that forbid the operation of Christian groups or proselytism. There do not appear to be any legal barriers in Mali for the Church to obtain legal status based upon the International Religious Freedom Report for 2015. Political instability poses some safety concerns, but prospects appear favorable for an LDS establishment within the foreseeable future, especially in the Bamako and Ouélessébougou areas.

Missionaries serving in Ghana also report that there are two additional countries in the Africa West Area where no official LDS presence operates but where there is a member group operating. It is unclear which countries have a member group, but Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau appear the most likely to have at least one member group in operation.

Lack of Progress Translating LDS Materials into Additional Languages

Within the past three years, essentially no progress has occurred for the Church in regards to translating basic LDS gospel materials into additional languages. Currently the Church reports 188 "published languages," whereas nearly 20 years ago the Church reported 175 languages with translations of at least one LDS material. In contrast, Jehovah's Witnesses report more than 850 languages with proselytism materials translated - a remarkable 100 more languages than one year ago. There remains a significant need to revamp translation efforts in the Church in order for proselytism, convert retention, and member activity rates to improve in many areas of the world.

Click here for more information on the Church's translation efforts.

New Stakes Created in Utah; Two Stakes Discontinued in South Korea; District Reinstated in Russia

Utah
The Church created two new stakes in Provo, Utah on August 28th.

The Provo Utah YSA 20th and the Provo Utah YSA 21st Stakes were organized from a division of several YSA stakes in the Provo area. The Provo Utah YSA 20th Stake includes the following eight wards: the Provo YSA 46th, Provo YSA 49th, Provo YSA 53rd, Provo YSA 56th, Provo YSA 57th, Provo YSA 48th, Provo YSA 58th, and Provo YSA 59th Wards. The Provo Utah YSA 21st Stake includes the following seven wards: the Provo YSA 108th, Provo YSA 110th, Provo YSA 114th, Provo YSA 115th, Provo YSA 117th, Provo YSA 118th, and Provo YSA 119th Wards.

There are now 582 stakes and one district in Utah.

South Korea
The Church discontinued two stakes in the Seoul metropolitan area. The Anyang Korea and Suwon Korea Stakes were discontinued. Retained congregations were reassigned to the Seoul Korea South and the Gyeonggi Korea (formerly the Seoul Korea Yeongdong) Stakes. Several wards were also discontinued as part of the stake realignment. As a returned missionary who had served in the affected area, I observed over 10 years ago that the Anyang Korea and the Suwon Korea Stakes operated with a minimal number of wards. At the time, many of the wards in these stakes had between 50-100 active members. The decision to discontinue the stakes appears attributed to the ongoing exodus of active Latter-day Saint families to other countries (e.g. the United States, Australia, and China), few convert baptisms, and low birth rates. Coincidentally, both the Anyang Korea and Suwon Korea Stakes were also created the same year from a division of the original Seoul Korea West Stake. The last time the Church simultaneously discontinued two stakes in the same metropolitan area was in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2012.

There are now 13 stakes and six districts in South Korea. The Church has discontinued four stakes in South Korea within the past four years.

Russia
The Church reinstated another member district in Russia. The Vladivostok Russia District was organized from six mission branches in the Russia Vladivostok Mission. The new district includes the following seven branches: the Artyom, Khabarovsk, Nakhodka, Ussuriysk, Vladivostok, Vladivostok Russia District, and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Branches. With the reinstatement of the Vladivostok Russia District, all branches in the Russia Vladivostok Mission pertain to a district (except for the Russia Vladivostok Mission Branch which services the vast expanses of the Russian Far East outside of districts headquartered in Irkutsk and Vladivostok).

There are now three stakes and 10 districts in Russia.

August 2016 Newsletter

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

First Stake to be Created in Belize

Missionaries serving in the El Salvador San Salvador West/Belize Mission report that the first stake in Belize will be organized within the next couple months. It is unclear which of the two districts in Belize will become the first stake in the country. However, the Cayo Belize District appears most likely to become a stake as the district has more congregations (7) than the Belize City District (5). Belize is currently the country with the fifth most members on church records without a stake after mainland China, Malaysia, Liberia, and Guyana. I will provide more information on the stake creation once it becomes available.

The Church in Belize reported 5,152 members and 11 branches as of year-end 2015.

New Stakes Created in Arizona, Brazil, Idaho, and Virginia

Arizona
Two new stakes were organized in Arizona on August 21st.

The Phoenix Arizona South Mountain Stake was created from a division of the Phoenix Arizona Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Aguila (Spanish), Gila River, Laveen, Montana Del Sur (Spanish), South Mountain, Trailside, and Vineyard Wards. The Phoenix Arizona Stake was also realigned with the neighboring Phoenix Arizona West Maricopa and the Glendale Arizona Stakes.

The San Tan Valley Arizona North Stake was organized from a division of the Queen Creek Arizona North Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Cambria, Ironwood Crossing 1st, Ironwood Crossing 2nd, Ironwood Crossing 3rd, Ironwood, and Vineyard Wards.

There are now 108 stakes in Arizona.

Reports I have received from local church leaders and regional church leadership indicate that the North America Southwest Area has been successful with increasing the activity rate of many congregations in the area. Statistical analysis has been utilized to determine what congregation size (e.g. number of active members) is most likely to yield the highest member activity rates in the area. As a result, many new wards have been organized to help achieve this "ideal" number of active members per ward (not too many or too few active members per congregation). Similar analyses have also appeared to be implemented to determine the ideal number of congregations per stake. It appears that this tactic may be implemented in additional areas in North America to help improve activity rates and member participation.

Brazil
A new stake was created in Brazil on August 21st. The São Luís Brazil East Stake was organized from a division of the São Luís Brazil Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Cidade Operária, Cohatrac, Jardim Tropical, Maiobão, and Pioneiros Wards. With 1.4 million inhabitants, São Luís was previously the only city in Brazil with more than one million inhabitants and only one stake. The original São Luís Brazil Stake was organized in 1995. There are now two stakes in São Luís and three stakes in Maranhão State.

There are now 262 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.

Idaho
A new stake was created in Idaho on August 21st. The Meridian Idaho Linder Stake was organized from a division of the Meridian Idaho North, Meridian Idaho Paramount, and the Star Idaho Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Ashbury, Crosby Park, Kingsley Park, Lochsa Falls, Paramount, Silverleaf, and Verona Wards.

There are now 127 stakes in Idaho.

Virginia
A new stake was created in Virginia on August 21st. The Stafford Virginia Stake was created from a division of the Fredericksburg Virginia Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards and one branch: the Accokeek, Aquia, Garrisonville, Hartwood, King George, Rock Hill, and White Oak Wards, and the Stafford Branch (Spanish).

There are now 21 stakes in Virginia.

New Stakes Created in French Polynesia and Honduras; New Districts Created in Ecuador and Peru; Districts Discontinued in French Polynesia and Honduras

French Polynesia
The Church organized a new stake in Tahiti on July 17th. The Taravao Tahiti Stake was organized from a division of the Mahina Tahiti and Papeari Tahiti Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Hitiaa, Taravao 1st, Taravao 2nd, Tautira, Toahotu, and Vairao Wards. The Tubuai Australes District was also discontinued and the five branches in the former district were reassigned to the Papeari Tahiti Stake. The decision to discontinue the district likely indicates plans for branches in the former district to become wards in the foreseeable future. No branches have been discontinued in the Tubuai Australes District within recent years.

There are now nine stakes and three districts in French Polynesia

Honduras
The Church organized two new stakes in Honduras.

The Comayagüela Honduras Bulevar Stake was organized on July 24th from a division of the Comayagüela Honduras Torocagua Stake. The new stake currently includes three wards and two branches: the Bulevar, Carrizal, and Jardines del Carrizal Wards, and the Ciudad España and
Zambrano Branches. With only three wards officially reported, it appears that either additional wards are assigned to the stake or both of the branches became wards when the stake was organized. These updates will likely be made in the near future. The organization of the new stake coincided with the discontinuation of the Talanga Honduras District. Organized in 1994, the Talanga Honduras District previously administered four branches - two of which now pertain to the Comayagüela Honduras Torocagua Stake. The remaining two branches in the Talanga Honduras District were reassigned to the Juticalpa Honduras District (previously the Catacamas Honduras District).

The Olanchito Honduras Stake was organized from the Olanchito Honduras District on August 7th. The new stake includes five wards and one branch: the Bellavista, Olanchito, Sonaguera, Tocoa, and Trujillo Wards, and the Coyoles Branch. Missionaries have reported within the past year or two plans for the district to become a stake. Originally the area was serviced by two districts headquartered in Olanchito and Tocoa (discontinued in 2009). The Olanchito Honduras District was originally organized in 1985.

There are now 27 stakes and five districts in Honduras.

Ecuador
The Church organized a new district in Ecuador on August 7th. The Guaranda Ecuador District was organized from a division of the Riobamba Ecuador District. The new district includes two branches: the Guaranda 1st and Guaranda 2nd Branches. Distance from Riobamba and prospects for greater growth in the Guaranda area appeared to have prompted the organization of the new district.

There are now 36 stakes and 10 districts in Ecuador.

Peru
The Church organized a new district in southern Peru on July 17th. The Majes Perú District was organized from a division of the Camaná Perú District and a mission branch in the Peru Arequipa Mission. The new district includes three branches: the Aplao, La Joya, and Pedregal Branches.

There are now 101 stakes and 20 districts in Peru.

July 2016 Monthly Newsletter

Click here to access the July 2016 edition of our monthly newsletter for cumorah.com.

On Vacation

I will not have internet until the 29th as I will be on vacation. If there is any significant LDS Church growth development that occurs during the next week, I will post about it when I return. 

Reaching the Nations - Kindle Edition Price Reduced

If you have not purchased your own Kindle edition of Reaching the Nations: International Church Growth Almanac: 2014 Edition, I recommend that you acquire a copy on amazon.com. We have reduced the price to $1.99 per volume. Although some of the material may be outdated for some nations, this 1,900 page work represents the most thorough and comprehensive analysis of LDS growth trends to date. In the next couple years, we plan to update the almanac to reflect church growth developments and additional research conducted since mid-2013. See below for links to these volumes:

Volume I

Volume II

New Stake Created in Nigeria, New District Created in Cote d'Ivoire

Nigeria
A new stake was organized in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The Ikot Akpatek Nigeria Stake was organized from a division of the Eket Nigeria and the Ikot Akpaden Nigeria Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Ikot Akpatek, Ikot Anang, Ikot Ebidang, Ikwe, Okom, and Udo Wards, and the Okat Branch. There are now nine stakes and three districts in Akwa Ibom State.

There are now 39 stakes and 17 districts in Nigeria. The number of stakes in Nigeria has tripled every 10 years. If this trend continues for the next decade, there may be more than 100 stakes in Nigeria by 2026.

Cote d'Ivoire
A new district was organized in Cote d'Ivoire. The Agboville Cote d'Ivoire District was organized from five mission branches located between the cities of Anyama and Agboville. The new district includes the following six branches: the Agboville, Agboville Cote d'Ivoire District, Azaguié 1st, Azaguié 2nd, Blankro 1st, and Blankro 2nd Branches. The organization of the district branch suggests that there are likely member groups that operate within the boundaries of the new district. All five former mission branches in the new district were organized within the past 18 months.

There are now 10 stakes and nine districts in Cote d'Ivoire. The number of stakes in Cote d'Ivoire has also tripled every 10 years. If this trend continues for the next decade, there may be 30 stakes in Cote d'Ivoire by 2026.

New Stakes Created in Brazil, the DR Congo, Honduras, Nigeria, and Taiwan; New Districts organized in Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, and South Africa

Brazil
The Church organized a new stake in Parana State on June 19th. The Apucarana Brazil Stake was organized from the Apucarana Brazil District and the Maringá Brazil Stake. Most, if not all, of the five branches in the former district appear to have become wards.

There are now 20 stakes and one district in Parana State, and 261 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.

DR Congo
The Church organized a new stake in the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 26th. The Likasi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake was organized from the Likasi Democratic Republic of the Congo District. Information on which of the 10 branches in the former district that became wards remains unavailable. The new stake is the Church's first stake to operate in the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo outside of Lubumbashi.

There are now 16 stakes and two districts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Honduras
The Church organized a new stake in San Pedro Sula on June 26th. The new stake was organized from a division of the San Pedro Sula Honduras and Satélite Honduras Stakes. The new stake appears to be named the El Carmen Honduras Stake or the San Pedro Sula Honduras El Carmen Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: Calpules, El Carmen, La Aldea, Las Lomas, and Ocotillo Wards, and San Juan Branch.

There are now 25 stakes and seven districts in Honduras. 

Nigeria
The Church organized a new stake in western Nigeria on June 26th. The Ile-Ife Nigeria Stake was organized from the Ile-Ife Nigeria District. Information on which of the 10 retained branches in the former district that became wards remains unavailable. The Ile-Ife Nigeria Stake is the Church's first stake in Osun State where four million people reside. The Church originally organized the Ile-Ife Nigeria District in 1999.

The Church organized a new stake in south-central Nigeria on June 19th. The Onitsha Nigeria Stake was organized from the Onitsha Nigeria District. Information on which of the nine retained branches in the former district that became wards remains unavailable. The Onitsha Nigeria Stake is the Church's first stake in Anambra State where 4.8 million people reside. The Church originally organized the Onitsha Nigeria District in 1988. Prior to the creation of the new stake, the Onitsha Nigeria District was the oldest district of the Church in Nigeria.


There are now 38 stakes and 17 districts in Nigeria.

Taiwan
The Church in Taiwan organized a new stake on June 26th. The Chiayi Taiwan Stake was organized from the Chia Yi Taiwan District. Information on which of the seven branches in the former district became wards remains unavailable. The Chia Yi Taiwan District was the last district of the Church in Taiwan as all others have become stakes. The Church in Taiwan has implemented an aggressive strategy to organize several new stakes within the past five years, resulting in the number of stakes increasing from 11 to 17.

Angola
The Church organized its second district in Angola on June 12th. The Viana Angola District was organized from a division of the Luanda Angola District. The new district includes the following three branches: Terra Nova, Viana, and Zango. Missionaries have reported within the past couple years plans for the organization of the first stake in Angola within the near future. However, the decision to divide the Luanda Angola District, which previously had eight branches, appears to indicate plans to organize several new branches in the Luanda metropolitan area to spur greater growth in this massive city of 6.8 million inhabitants.

Cote d'Ivoire
The Church organized a new district in central Cote d'Ivoire on June 5th. The Bouake Cote d'Ivoire District was organized from the following five mission branches that operate within the city of Bouake: Ahougnanssou, Bouake 1st, Bouake 2nd, Bouake 3rd, and Bouake 4th Branch. The Church originally established its first branch in Bouake in 1989. At least two branches functioned in the city in the early 2000s, but all branches were discontinued in the mid-2000s due to the First Ivorian Civil War. The Church reestablished official branches in Bouake in 2015.

There are now 10 stakes and eight districts in Cote d'Ivoire.

South Africa
The Church organized a new district in southwestern South Africa on June 12th. The George South Africa District was organized from two mission branches in the George area, namely George and Knysna. The decision to organize a district with only two branches suggests plans to organize additional branches in the area within the near future as districts typically have at least three branches.

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

June Monthly Newsletter

Click here to access our June monthly newsletter for cumorah.com.

New Stakes Created in Argentina, Arizona, Brazil, Connecticut, Cote d'Ivoire, Nevada, Utah, and Washington; Stakes Discontinued in California and Utah

Argentina
A new stake was created in Argentina on June 19th. The Lujan Argentina Stake was created from the Lujan Argentina District. Most of the seven branches in the former district have appeared to become wards in the new stake.

There are now 76 stakes and 28 districts in Argentina.

Arizona
A new stake was created in Arizona on June 12th. The Mesa Arizona Clearview Stake was organized from a division of the Mesa Arizona Kimball East and Mesa Arizona Skyline Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Baywood, Brimhall, Century Gardens, Desert Vista, Ellsworth, and Hampton Wards.

There are now 106 stakes in Arizona.

Brazil
A new stake was created in Brazil on June 12th. The Juazeiro do Norte Brazil Stake was organized from the Juazeiro do Norte Brazil District. Most of the six branches in the district appear to have been organized into wards.

There are now 260 stakes and 39 districts in Brazil.

Connecticut
On June 12th, a new stake was organized in Connecticut for the first time since 1981. The New London Connecticut Stake was organized from a division of the Hartford Connecticut, New Haven Connecticut, and Providence Rhode Island Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Ashford, Cromwell, Groton, Madison, Norwich, and Waterford Wards, and the Quaker Hill (Spanish) and Westerly Branches.

There are now three stakes in Connecticut.

Cote d'Ivoire
A new stake was organized on June 12th. The Grand-Bassam Cote d'Ivoire Stake was organized from a division of the Port-Bouet Cote d'Ivoire Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Adjouffou, Bonoua, Gonzagueville, Grand-Bassam 1st, Grand-Bassam 2nd, and Jean-Folly Wards. There are now nine stakes in the Abidjan metropolitan area.

There are now 10 stakes and seven districts in Cote d'Ivoire.

Nevada
A new stake was created in the Reno metropolitan area on June 12th. The Sparks Nevada West Stake was created from a division of the Sparks Nevada Stake (renamed Sparks Nevada East Stake). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Eagle Canyon, El Rancho, Marina, Royal Heights (Tongan), and Sun Valley Wards, and the Vista Branch (Spanish). There are now six stakes in the Reno metropolitan area.

There are now 39 stakes in Nevada.

Utah
Two new stakes have been created in Utah thus far in June. One stake has been discontinued.

The Provo Utah Freedom Stake was created from a division of the Provo Utah East and Provo Utah South Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Freedom 1st, Freedom 2nd, Freedom 3rd (Spanish), Provo 1st, Provo 6th, Provo Peak 3rd, and Provo Peak 11th Wards.

The Mapleton Utah West Stake was organized on June 12th from a division of the Mapleton Utah, Mapleton Utah North, and Spanish Fork Utah Maple Mountain Stakes. The new stake includes the following eight wards: the Legacy Farms, Maple Highlands, Mapleton 10th, Mapleton 12th, Mapleton 17th, Mapleton 19th, Mapleton 22nd, and Spanish Highlands 2nd Wards.

Organized in 1991, the Salt Lake Monument Park North Stake was discontinued on June 12th. Retained congregations were reassigned to the Salt Lake Monument Park Stake.

There are now 580 stakes and one district in Utah.

Washington
A new stake was created on June 19th in the Spokane area. The Spokane Washington Mount Spokane Stake was organized from a division of the Spokane Washington, Spokane Washington North, and Spokane Washington Valley Stakes. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Beacon Hill, West Valley, Shiloh Hills, Greenbluff, and Foothills Wards and the Friendship Park (Marshallese) Branch.

There are now 61 stakes in Washington.

California
The Church discontinued a stake in San Diego on June 12th. Organized in 1962, the San Diego California Sweetwater Stake was discontinued and retained congregations were reassigned to the Chula Vista, San Diego California, and San Diego California East Stakes.

There are now 155 stakes in California.

First Official LDS Branch Organized in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Last Sunday, the Church organized its first official branch in the Nigerian state of Ekiti. Assigned to the Nigeria Benin City Mission, the Ado Ekiti Branch was organized in the city of Ado Ekiti. Ado Ekiti was previously the sixth most populous Nigerian city without a known LDS presence prior to the organization of the new branch. The city of Ado Ekiti supports 450,000 people - approximately the same population size as Colorado Springs in the United States. There are 2.8 million people in Ekiti State where the population appears evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.

The Church in Nigeria has recently made significant progress in regards to national outreach expansion. The first branches have been organized in several additional large cities within the past two years, including:

• Makurdi - 355,000 inhabitants (first branch created in late 2015)
• Otukpo - likely more than 100,000 inhabitants (first branch created in late 2015)
• Oyo - 370,000 inhabitants (first branch created in spring 2016)
• Sapele - 300,000 inhabitants (first branch created in mid-2014)
• Ugep - likely more than 200,000 inhabitants (first branch created in spring 2016)

With over 181 million inhabitants, Nigeria continues to present excellent opportunities for the Church to expand outreach despite religious violence in central and northern areas of the country. The greatest challenge to realize this potential will be limited mission resources allocated to the country and the Church's rapid growth in major cities (e.g. Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin City) siphoning available missionary manpower.

See below for a map of the Nigeria Benin City Mission

Over 50 New Stakes Organized in 2016

With the creation of at least five new stakes last Sunday, the Church has surpassed 50 new stakes organized in 2016. I have confirmed the organization of at least 51 new stakes as of June 12th, 2016. I have received reports of at least eight additional stakes to be organized in the coming months. Based on growth trends during the first six months of 2016, it appears likely that the Church will organize at least 100 new stakes during 2016 - the largest number of new stakes organized in a single year since 1997. The rate that the Church has discontinued stakes has appeared to remain steady for the past decade. The Church has, on average, discontinued one stake for every 10 stakes it creates. Thus far in 2016, there have been six stakes discontinued.

Here is a list of new stakes organized thus far in 2016:

1. San Antonio Texas Cibolo Valley - Jan. 10th, 2016
2. Vero Beach Florida - January 10th, 2016
3. Barranca Peru - January 17th, 2016
4. El Paso Texas Chamizal - January 17th, 2016
5. Maceió Brazil Colina - January 24th, 2016
6. Palermo Honduras - January 24th, 2016
7. Ridgefield Washington - January 24th, 2016
8. San Antonio Texas La Cantera - January 24, 2016
9. Rio Verde Brazil - January 31st, 2016
10. Irving Texas - February 7th, 2016
11. Linda Vista Guatemala - February 21st, 2016
12. Managua Nicaragua Las Américas - 2/21/2016
13. Chandler Arizona South - February 28th, 2016
14. Mesa Arizona Red Mountain - March 6th, 2016
15. Enumclaw Washington - March 13th, 2016
16. Ipswich Australia West - March 20th, 2016
17. Maracanaú Brazil North - March 20th, 2016
18. Mpintsin Ghana - March 20th, 2016
19. Nairobi Kenya West - March 20th, 2016
20. Palmer Alaska - March 20th, 2016
21. Sherman Texas - March 20th, 2016
22. Queen Creek Arizona Central - April 10th, 2016
23. Reno Nevada Mount Rose - April 10th, 2016
24. Dunedin New Zealand - April 17th, 2016
25. Gilbert Arizona Gateway - April 17th, 2016
26. Tacoma Washington South - April 17th, 2016
27. Cotonou Benin - April 24th, 2016
28. Mbuji-Mayi DR Congo - April 24th, 2016
29. Cookeville Tennessee - May 1st, 2016
30. Ikot Eyo Nigeria - May 1st, 2016
31. Mesa Arizona Flatiron - May 1st, 2016
32. Sydney Australia Prairiewood - May 1st, 2016
33. Bell Ville Argentina - May 8th, 2016
34. Ikot Ekpene Nigeria - May 15th, 2016
35. Prague Czech Republic - May 15th, 2016
36. Saratoga Springs Utah Mount Saratoga - 5/15/2016
37. Tarija Bolivia Tabladita - May 15th, 2016
38. Yamoransa Ghana - May 22nd, 2016
39. Abuja Nigeria North - May 29th, 2016
40. Kinshasa DR Congo Ngaba - May 29th, 2016
41. Ulaanbaatar Mongolia East - May 29th, 2016
42. Cedar Park Texas - June 5th, 2016
43. Guatemala City San Cristóbal - June 5th, 2016
44. Hong Kong China Lion Rock - June 5th, 2016
45. Hong Kong China Kowloon East - June 5th, 2016
46. Provo Utah Freedom - June 5th, 2016
47. Grand-Bassam Cote d'Ivoire - June 12th, 2016
48 Juazeiro do Norte Brazil - June 12th, 2016
49. Mapleton Utah West - June 12th, 2016
50. New London Connecticut - June 12th, 2016
51. Sparks Nevada West - June 12th, 2016

Below is a list of stakes discontinued in 2016:

1. Salt Lake Sugar House
2. Magna Utah Central
3. Moscow Idaho University
4. Yerevan Armenia
5. Salt Lake Monument Park North
6. San Diego California Sweetwater

Rapid Growth Accelerates in Cote d'Ivoire

The Church in Cote d'Ivoire continues to not only report rapid growth, but accelerating growth during the first five months of 2016. The Church has reported a net increase of 24 official congregations since January 1st - an 18.5% increase in less than six months. Here is a list of some of the most noteworthy developments:

• The number of cities with an official ward or branch has quintupled in the past five years from six to 32.
• The Church organized its first branch in the city of Adzope in early 2014. Currently there are nine branches in the Adzope Cote d'Ivoire District - five of which are in Adzope. The Adzope Cote d'Ivoire District was organized last February.
• The Church organized its first branch in Aboisso in 2013. Today there are nine branches in the Aboisso Cote d'Ivoire District - three of which are located in Aboisso.
• There are now eight branches in Daloa - a major city where the Church organized its first branches in early 2014.
• The Church has recently begun to aggressively expand into small cities and towns, primarily in southeastern areas of the country. Examples include:
• Ayame
• Azaguié (first branch organized in mid-2015, second branch recently organized)
• Bangolo
• La Me (location of the Ahoutoue 2nd Branch)
• Maféré 
• The Church organized its first branch it the second most populous city of Bouake in early 2015. Currently there are five branches in the city.
• Three of the eight stakes in Abidjan currently have 12 wards. All three of these stakes appear likely to split before the end of the year. One of these stakes, the Abobo Cote d'Ivoire East Stake, was organized less than 18 months ago.
• Annual membership growth rates for Cote d'Ivoire have been sustained at 19-21% a year since 2013.

The recent growth of the Church in Cote d'Ivoire appears to stand as the most impressive LDS growth achievement for the worldwide church in decades. The full-time missionary force is comprised of native African members and the Church is remarkably self-reliant in meeting its own administrative needs. Native members consistently serve as mission presidents in the country. The rapid expansion of the Church into previously unreached areas stands as a quintessential model for other nations to establish the Church. These findings indicate that the Church in Cote d'Ivoire is likely to continue these trends and replicate the rapid growth the Church experienced in the Philippines and Latin America during the 1980s and 1990s, but with significantly fewer resources allocated, much high convert retention and member activity, and robust self-sufficiency in local church leadership.

New Stakes Created in Guatemala, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and Texas; District Created in Nigeria

Guatemala
The Church organized a new stake in Guatemala City on June 5th. The Guatemala City San Cristóbal Stake was organized from a division of the Guatemala City Mariscal Stake. The new stake includes at least four wards and one branch: the Balcones, Panorama, Peronia, and San Cristóbal Wards, and the Jerusalén Branch. It is likely that the Jerusalén Branch became a ward when the stake was organized, or that another ward or two will be assigned to the newly organized stake. The new stake is of special interest because it was organized from a division of the Guatemala City Mariscal Stake - a stake that includes congregations from only stake to ever be discontinued in Guatemala City: the Guatemala City Monte María Stake (discontinued in 2008).

There are now 46 stakes and 16 districts in Guatemala.

Hong Kong
The Church organized two new stakes in Hong Kong on June 5th.

The Hong Kong China Kowloon East Stake was organized from a division of the Hong Kong China Kowloon (renamed Hong Kong China Kowloon West) and the Hong Kong China (renamed Hong Kong Island China) Stakes. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Kowloon City, Kwun Tong, Po Lam, Tseung Kwan O, and Tsim Sha Tsui Wards. The new stake is technically a reinstatement of the original Hong Kong China Kowloon East Stake that operated between 1980 and 2006.

The Hong Kong China Lion Rock Stake was organized from a division of the Hong Kong China Kowloon (renamed Hong Kong China Kowloon West), the Hong Kong China (renamed Hong Kong Island China), and Hong Kong China Harbour Stakes. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Cheung Sha Wan, Ngau Tau Kok, Sham Shui Po, Shatin, and Tai Wai Wards.

There are now six stakes and one district in Hong Kong.

Nigeria
A new stake was created in Akwa Ibom State. The Ikot Ekpene Nigeria Stake was organized from the Ikot Ekpene Nigeria District on May 15th. Information on which branches became wards in the former district remains unavailable. However, most of the seven branches have appeared to become wards. The Ikot Ekpene Nigeria District was organized from a handful of mission branches in the Ikot Ekpene area in 2009.

There are now eight stakes and three districts in Akwa Ibom State.

A new district was organized in Enugu State on June 5th. The Nsukka Nigeria District was organized from the following three mission branches: the Nsukka 1st, Nsukka 2nd, and Obollo-Afor Branches. Rapid LDS growth has occurred in the Nigeria Enugu Mission within the past five years as all three stakes and two of the four member districts were created during this time period.

There are now 36 stakes and 19 stakes in Nigeria

Texas
The Church organized a new stake in the Austin area on June 5th. The Cedar Park Texas Stake was organized from a division of the Austin Texas, Austin Texas Oak Hills, and Round Rock Texas Stakes. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Carriage Hills, Cedar Park, Cypress Creek, Marble Falls, and New Hope Wards, and the Llano Branch. With only five wards and one branch, the new stake is one of the stakes with the fewest congregations organized in Texas within the past 15 years.

There are now 70 stakes and three districts in Texas.

New Stakes Created in the DR Congo, Ghana, Mongolia, and Nigeria; New District Created in Brazil

DR Congo
The Church organized a new stake in Kinshasa on May 29th. The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Ngaba Stake was organized from a division of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Mont Ngafula Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Lemba, Livulu, Makala, Mont Amba, Ngaba, and Yolo Wards. There are now eight stakes in the Kinshasa metropolitan area, with several additional stakes likely to be organized in the near future.

There are now 15 stakes and three districts in the DR Congo.

Ghana
The Church organized a new stake in Ghana on May 22nd. The Yamoransa Ghana Stake was organized from a division of the Cape Coast Ghana Stake and five mission branches in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission. The new stake includes the following six wards and five branches: the Green Hill, Moree 1st, Moree 2nd, Nkanfoa, Yamoransa 1st, and Yamoransa 2nd Wards, and the Abakrampa, Abura Dunkwa, Asebu, Mankessim 1st, and Mankessim 2nd Branches.

There are now 17 stakes and 11 districts in Ghana.

Mongolia
The Church organized its second stake in Mongolia on May 29th. The Ulaanbaatar Mongolia East Stake was organized from the Ulaanbaatar Mongolia East District and a portion of the Ulaanbaatar Mongolia West Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the American Denj, Bayanzurkh, Sansar, Selbe, and Sukhbaatar Wards, and the Baganuur and Nalaikh Branches. With the organization of the new stake, all 12 LDS congregations in the city of Ulaanbaatar have reached ward status.

There are now two stakes and one district in Mongolia.

Nigeria
The Church organized a new stake in central Nigeria on May 29th. The Abuja Nigeria North Stake was organized from a division of the Abuja Nigeria Stake (renamed Abuja Nigeria South Stake). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Bwari 1st, Bwari 2nd, Kaduna, Kubwa 1st, Kubwa 2nd, Mpape, and Suleja Wards. One of the most rapid instances of a stake dividing after its organization, the original Abuja Nigeria Stake reached stakehood in 2012.

There are now 35 stakes and 19 districts in Nigeria. With the organization of the new stake, Nigeria surpassed Venezuela as the country with the 13th most stakes in the world. Nigeria is also the country with the most stakes with only one temple.

Brazil
The Church organized a new district in Minas Gerais State on May 29th. The Patos de Minas Brazil District was organized from three branches that previously pertained to the Brazil Brasilia Mission. Branches in the new district include: California, Guanabara, and Patos de Minas. All three branches operate within the city of Patos de Minas. Patos de Minas is one of only a few cities in Brazil within the past decade where the Church has successfully established multiple branches and organized a district.

There are now 259 stakes and 40 districts in Brazil.