NEW STAKES
El Salvador
The Church organized a new stake in El Salvador on June 18th. The San Vicente El Salvador Stake was organized from the San Vicente El Salvador District (organized in 1995) and a portion of the San Salvador El Salvador Stake. The new stake includes the following three wards and five branches: the La Paz, Los Nonualcos, and Zacatecoluca Wards, and the Cojutepeque, Ilobasco, Sensuntepeque, La Espiga, and La Torre Branches. At least two of the branches have likely become wards. However, this information has not yet been updated in the official directory. The San Vicente El Salvador District was the last district of the Church in El Salvador. Now, the entire country is administered by stakes.
There are now 20 stakes in El Salvador.
Ghana
The Church organized a new stake in Ghana on June 25th. The Koforidua Ghana Stake was created from the the Koforidua Ghana District. The new stake includes the following seven wards and four branches: the Adweso, Asokore, Effiduase, Koforidua 1st, Koforidua 2nd, Oyoko, and Suhum Wards, and the Maase, Mile 50, Osiem, and Tafo Branches. Coincidentally, the original Koforidua Ghana District was also organized on June 25th in 1995. The Church experienced slow growth in Koforidua until a few years ago. Approximately half of the congregations in the new stake were organized within the past two years. Koforidua is the eighth metropolitan area or large city in Ghana to have had a stake organized.
There are now 20 stakes and 11 districts in Ghana.
Guatemala
The Church organized two new stakes in Guatemala.
The Senahu Guatemala Stake was organized from the Senahu Guatemala District on June 4th. The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Providencia, Santiaguila, Seamay 2nd, Vega, and Yalijux Wards, and the Chijolom, Seamay 1st, Semarac, and Seriquiche Branches. As previously reported, the new stake is the first Q'eqchi'-speaking stake in the Church.
The Guatemala City Don Justo Stake was organized on June 18th from a division of the Guatemala City Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Arrazola, Don Justo, El Pajón, Fraijanes, Las Flores, and San José Pinula Wards. The new stake is the Church's 22nd stake in the Guatemala City metropolitan area.
There are now 48 stakes and 15 districts in Guatemala.
Honduras
The Church organized a new stake in Tegucigalpa on June 25th. The Tegucigalpa Honduras Villa Olímpica Stake appeared to be organized from a division of the Tegucigalpa Honduras La Esperanza Stake. No information is currently available regarding which congregations are assigned to the new stake. The new stake is the Church's 12th stake in the Tegucigalpa metropolitan area. Tegucigalpa also reports one of the highest percentages of Latter-day Saints of any major city of the world as the city appears to be at least 3.65% LDS.
There are now 30 stakes and five districts in Honduras.
Mexico
The Church organized a new stake in Mexico for the first time since 2013. The Puebla México Arboledas Stake was organized from the Puebla México Mayorazgo Stake (renamed the Puebla México Angelópolis Stake) on June 25th. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Castillotla, Dieciseis de Septiembre, El Refugio, Loma Bella, San Ramón, and Tres Cerritos Wards. There are now 13 stakes in the Puebla-Tlaxcala-Atlixco metropolitan area.
There are now 231 stakes and 41 districts in Mexico.
Missouri
The Church organized a new stake in the St Louis metropolitan area for the first time since 1987. The Hazelwood Missouri Stake was organized from a division of the St Louis Missouri North Stake (renamed the Lake St Louis Missouri Stake) and the St Louis Missouri Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Alton, Hazelwood, Maryland Heights, St Charles, St Peters, and Weldon Spring Wards, and the San Carlos Branch (Spanish). There are now four stakes in the St Louis metropolitan area.
There are now 18 stakes in Missouri.
New York
The Church organized its third YSA stake east of the Mississippi River on June 18th. The New York New York YSA Stake was organized from YSA wards and branches from several stakes in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The new stake includes the following five wards and five branches: the Harlem YSA, Hoboken YSA, Lincoln Square YSA, Manhattan YSA, and Waveny Park YSA Wards, and the Brooklyn YSA, East Brunswick YSA, Manhattan SA, Plainview YSA, and Queens YSA Branches. YSA stakes in the eastern United States also operate in Buena Vista, Virginia (organized in 2012) and Washington DC (organized in 2016).
There are now 17 stakes and one district in New York.
Nigeria
The Church organized its first stake in Bayelsa State, Nigeria on May 14th. The Yenagoa Nigeria Stake was organized from the Yenagoa Nigeria District. The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Akenfa, Iboghene, Kpansia, Onopa-Ovom, Opolo, and Yenezuepie Wards, and the Amassoma and Azikoro Branches. The Church organized its first branch in Bayelsa State in 2009 and organized the Yenagoa Nigeria District in 2013.
There are now 43 stakes and 15 districts in Nigeria.
Philippines
The Church organized three new stakes in the Philippines
The Puerto Princesa Philippines Stake was organized on May 21st from the Puerto Princesa Philippines District (organized in 1987). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Puerto Princesa 1st, Puerto Princesa 2nd, Roxas, Santa Monica 1st, and Santa Monica 2nd Wards, and the Coron and Taytay Branches. The new stake is the first stake to be organized on Palawan Island - home to 1.1 million people.
The Olongapo Philippines Stake was organized on June 4th from the Olongapo Philippines District (organized in 1978). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Cabalan, Calapacuan, Olongapo 1st, Olongapo 2nd, and Olongapo 3rd Wards, and the Mabayo and Morong Branches. The Church previously operated a stake in Olongapo between 1989 and 1993, but discontinued the stake and reverted it back to a district due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo forcing the resettlement of many Latter-day Saints who lived in the area.
The San Jose del Monte Philippines North Stake was organized from a division of the San Jose del Monte Philippines Stake on June 18th. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Francisco Homes, Kaypian, Minuyan, Santo Cristo, and Sapang Palay Wards. Rapid growth has occurred in San Jose del Monte since the original San Jose del Monte Philippines District became a stake in 2013.
There are now 99 stakes and 75 districts in the Philippines. The Church will organized its 100th stake in the Philippines within the next couple months.
Sierra Leone
The Church organized its second stake in Sierra Leone on June 18th. The Kissy Sierra Leone Stake was organized from the Kissy Sierra Leone District. Most of the nine branches in the former district have appeared to be organized into wards in the new stake. Additionally, missionaries report that there are plans to organize three additional stakes before the end of the year in Bo and Kenema. Also, the Freetown Sierra Leone Stake now has 11 wards and one branch, and the stake appears likely to divide to create another stake. Thus, there may be as many as six stakes in Sierra Leone by late 2017 or early 2018.
There are now two stakes and six districts in Sierra Leone.
Texas
The Church organized a new stake in Texas on May 21st. The Tomball Texas Stake was organized from a division of the Klein Texas Stake and The Woodlands Texas Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Champions, Gleannloch Farms, Inverness, Magnolia 1st, Memorial Springs, Parkway, and Tomball 2nd Wards. The new stake is the Church's 18th stake in the Houston metropolitan area.
There are now 74 stakes and three districts in Texas.
NEW DISTRICTS
Brazil
The Church organized a new district in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil on June 4th. The Cabo Frio Brazil District was organized from a division of the Macaé Brazil Stake. The new district includes the following three branches: the Araruama, Búzios, and Cabo Frio. The Araruama and
Búzios Branches were organized in 2015.
There are now 266 stakes and 40 districts in Brazil.
Cote d'Ivoire
The Church organized a new district in Cote d'Ivoire on May 14th. The Alepe Cote d'Ivoire District was organized from a division of the Aboisso Cote d'Ivoire District. The new district includes the following five branches: the Ahoutoue 1st, Ahoutoue 2nd, Alepe 1st, Alepe 2nd, and the Alepe Cote d'Ivoire District Branch. Four of the five branches in the new district have been organized since October 2015.
There are now 11 stakes and 13 districts in Cote d'Ivoire.
Fiji
The Church organized a new district in Fiji on June 4th. The Labasa Fiji District was organized from a division of the Taveuni Fiji District. The new district includes the following seven branches: the Labasa, Nabua, Nakawakawa, Nuku, Savusavu, Seaqaqa, and Tukavesi Branches. The Church had previously operated a district headquartered in Labasa between 1989 and 2008.
There are now four stakes and three districts in Fiji.
Papua New Guinea
The Church organized a new district in Papua New Guinea on June 25th. The Lae Papua New Guinea District was organized from four mission branches in the Papua New Guinea Lae Mission. The new district includes the following four branches: the Lae, Ngasuwampu, Taraka, and Yalu Branches. Three of these four branches were organized in late May 2017.
There are now two stakes and 12 districts in Papua New Guinea.
Sierra Leone
The Church organized a new district in Sierra Leone on May 21st. The Makeni Sierra Leone District was organized from three mission branches in Makeni. These branches include the Makama, Rogbaneh, and Teko Road Branches. The Church organized its first branch in Makeni in 2013.
There are now two stakes and six districts in Sierra Leone
DISCONTINUED DISTRICTS
Poland
The Church recently discontinued the Bydgoszcz Poland District. The four branches that previously pertained to the district have since been reassigned to the Poland Warsaw Mission or the Warsaw Poland District.
There are now two districts in Poland.
South Korea
The Church discontinued a district in South Korea. The Hongseong Korea District was discontinued and two of the three branches in the former district were closed. Branches within the district have struggled for decades with few active members and a lack of priesthood leadership. The area previously administered by the district now pertains to the Daejeon Korea Stake.
There are now 13 stakes and five districts in South Korea.
43 comments:
Great to see so many new new stakes. But there's something I've noticed that seems strange. On the statistics page of ldschurchtemples.org, they are showing almost no growth in total number of units (wards & branches). At the end of 2016 there were 30,304 units. As of 6-30-17, there were 30,306 units. A total increase of 2. The number goes up and down every week, but it stays very close to the 30,304 that we started at at the beginning of the year. And now the year is half way over.
I'm wondering is this normal? Is there usually a surge of new units at the end of the year or is 2017 going to be different in unit growth than previous years.
Congregational growth is a little slower in 2017 compared to 2016. The reason why there is this discrepancy is because www.ldschurchtemples.org does not include sensitive unit totals. There are approximately 100 sensitive congregations worldwide. No net increase in the number of wards and branches in the United States thus far in 2017 has been the main reason that congregational growth rates have slightly slowed this year.
Thanks for the clarification Matt. That makes a lot more sense. So we've had a net increase of about ~102 congregations so far in 2017? That is a lot better than I had been thinking. Even though it's slightly down, it's way better than what I had calculated based solely off of ldschurchtemples.org, like James.
Matt - I think we are going to see much slower growth in Western Societies as discussed over the last year. Basic membership demographics in these countries indicate there will be some significant shrinking in some areas over the next decade or so while significant growth in some areas.
For example - California versus Texas. Membership has declined in California and increased in Texas. Expect many more congregations and stakes to be closed in California and more to be opened in Texas over the next decade. The pattern of decline and growth will mean much slower congregation growth going forward.
Just in my own stake a ward was created two years ago and will most likely be closing at the end of the summer. The stake president said he and the regional authorities expected more membership growth in the area while actually membership declined. That ward and another ward have sacrament attendance near 90 instead of the anticipated 160. If members do not move in quickly expect these wards to be combined again.
Elder Oaks mentions we are in a very important transition with missionary work. Further in the article he gives 4 reasons we are in transition.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865683953/The-important-things-of-missionary-work-have-not-changed-said-Elder-Oaks-at-the-2017-Seminar-for.html
It seems the number of stakes this year is catching up to last year the 32nd stake in 2016 was organized May 1 which is a couple months from this year's 32nd on June 24
Is El Salvador the first country in Latin America to be fully covered by stakes? What is the count of countries fully covered by stakes at present?
Santa Cruz, Bolivia just got a new stake. I see a new temple or even two new temples as likely in Bolivia soon.
Most pwople would say there are 5 stakes in metro St Louis because they would count the O'Fallon Illinois stake. I am thinking the Alton Ward used to be in O'Fallon stake.
The Church seems to have implemented policies that aim to have higher sacrament meeting attendancd levels,vefore units split. This seems to have lead to fewer new units. Also I know in one stake in Washington the stake president consolidated some units because he hoped to make less the demand of callings so members would have more time for community involvement.
Santa Cruz and La Paz should be pretty ripe for temples soon. The temple in Cochabamba compared with Mexico City is quite small. Cochabamba is pretty much the most centralized area in Bolivia but La Paz out west and Santa Cruz back east would be very good for the country.
Regarding congregational growth thus far in 2017, here are both June's net growth figures as well as 2017 year-to-date totals for the Church as a whole, with US total numbers and Utah growth separately:
June net congregational increase + 4 W&B; + 32 W - 28 B + 12 stakes - 4 dist
US - 8 W&B; - 9 W + 1 B + 2 st
Outside US + 13 W&B; + 42 W - 29 B + 10 st - 4 dist
UT + 2 W&B; + 0 W + 2 B + 0 st
Africa + 24; + 20 W + 4 B + 2 st - 2 dist
Outside Utah and Africa - 11 W&B; + 22 W - 33 B + 8 st - 2 dist
YTD (first half of 2017) Total Church congregational increase + 99 W&B; + 165 W - 66 B + 30 st - 5 dist + 1 temple
US - 1 W&B; + 22 W - 23 B + 11 st
UT + 22 W&B; + 21 W + 1 B + 1 st
US excluding UTah - 23 W&B; + 1 W - 24 B + 10 st
Outside US + 100 W&B; + 143 W - 43 B + 18 st
Africa + 107 W&B; + 77 W + 30 B [Africa West Church Area + 93 W&B; + 62 W + 31 B
+ 3 st - 2 dist; Nigeria + 47 W&B; + 30 W + 17 B; Cote d'Ivoire + 20 W&B; + 9 W
+ 11 B; Ghana + 17 W&B; + 14 W + 3 B]
Other major countries: Brazil + 17 W&B; + 17 W + 0 B; Mexico + 1; - 5 W + 6 B;
Philippines + 5 W&B; + 14 W - 9 B
Actually 31 net new stakes (new Bolivia stake created 6-25 not yet reported to CDOL).
While Utah has gained 22 W&B (24 with 2 more wards reported in UTSo Area 7-4), other Far Western/Pacific states have lost 28: CA - 16. WA - 6, OR - 2, AK - 2, HI - 1, and NV - 1.
Utah has been a magnet for thousands of members in western states because of its vigorous employment record and housing that is very affordable compared to most other western states.
I know some East Coast people heading for Utah for both retirement and current jobs, plus a few more as students. My Virginia ward has as many at Utah State as BYU.
We have recent mission calls to Colorado and Mexico.
I grew up in the O'Fallon Illinois Stake and it is considered the Metro East of St. Louis. Point being, there are 5 stakes in the metropolitan St. Louis area.
I have to admit I wish members would build up the institute programs where they are instead of running off to Utah. If I hadnt gone to BYU I would have gone to Michigan State. Although with LDS Church owned housing they,are unique. I sort of wish I had gone to Michigan Srate and not Wayne State to finish my undergrad.
St. Louis is a bigger metro area than Indianapolis, but it seems that Missouri has higher rates of units than Indiana as a state. It usually seems to me that the closer you go to Utah the more membership and LDS units. Except for some East Coast exceptions like Virginia, maybe, the greater DC area tends to have higher membership and of course Buena Vista.
Arizona: 6,931,071 (2016 Population); 423,056 (Members); 6 Missions; 890 Congregations; 74 Family History Centers; 5 Temples.
Massachusetts: 6,811,779 (2016 Population); 27,204 (Members); 1 Mission; 57 Congregations; 18 Family History Centers; 1 Temple.
Tennessee: 6,651,194 (2016 Population); 50,030 (Members); 2 Missions; 106 Congregations; 34 Family History Centers; 2 Temples.
Indiana: 6,633,053 (2016 Population); 44,669 (Members); 1 Mission; 101 Congregations; 40 Family History Centers; 1 Temple.
Missouri: 6,093,000 (2016 Population); 70,389 (Members); 2 Missions; 151 Congregations; 49 Family History Centers; 1 Temple.
Maryland: 6,016,447 (2016 Population); 43,534 (Members); 2 Missions; 81 Congregations; 14 Family History Centers; 1 Temple.
LDS data from year end 2016 data.
Well finally the USA is at net positive for congregations for the year.
Mexico isn´t doing so hot either though to be honest it is more hit-or-miss, with some areas in the central part of the country outside CDMX are doing pretty well, and others (Tijuana and eastern Puebla city) not doing so well.
Even in my old mission I can´t help but compare two areas where different approaches were used by stake or district leaders, and have resulted in congregational decline (Tapachula) versus congregational growth (Chojolho, San Cristobal, Comitan, especially the latter).
Preach the doctrine, all of it, without fear of offending others.
In regards to future temples in Bolivia, I can see both La Paz and Santa Cruz being among the 85+ sites that Elder Wilson stated are being considered for an announcement over the next 15 years or so. Of the two, while I favor La Paz (as the bishop of my parent's ward (also a close friend) during my formative years as a youth served his mission there), of the two, Santa Cruz has seemed more likely. But as I said, I could see both within the next 20-30 years. We seem to be entering a period of unprecedented temple-related developments, and I hope, for my part, that my efforts to report on such developments as regularly as I can going forward will be useful to some. In that regard, there have been some exciting developments in terms of temple-related progress of late, and you can catch up on many of those on my blog. The address follows. I hope that I have cleared up the issues I have been having with people being able to comment. If I have not, let me know. Thanks to you all.
http://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com
85 sites for temples that is pretty big James.
Here would be my picks for those 85 sites.
Utah:
No. Davis (would be prob Layton or Kaysville)
SW Salt Lake (Riverton or Bluffdale)--previously proposed by President Hinckley)
Wasatch Mountain Valley (prob Morgan or Heber, or maybe Park City to offset the two).
NW Area:
Yakima (or some other area in central Washington--Wenatchee?)
Tacoma (or Olympia)
Eugene (halfway between Portland and Medford)
West Area:
Bakersfield (extreme south San Joaquin Valley)
Ventura/Santa Barbara
Southwest Area:
Vegas II (west side of town)
McAllen (or Reynosa)
Austin
Fort Worth
Bentonville
Southeast Area:
Jacksonville
Northeast Area:
South Virginia (Richmond/Buena Vista/Hampton Roads area)
Central Area:
Kirtland (reestablishment)
Independence (bought from Com. Christ)
Wisconsin (Appleton/Madison)
Colorado Springs/Pueblo
Mexico
Puebla
Torreon
Culiacan
Queretaro/SLP
Central America
East Guatemala (Zacapa?)
Coban Guatemala
SPS Honduras
San Miguel ES
Managua NIC
SA Northwest
Maracaibo VEN
Medellin COL
Cali COL
Iquitos PER
Cuzco PER
La Paz BOL
Sucre BOL
Sta Cruz BOL
SA South
Antofagasta CHI
Salta ARG
Mendoza ARG
Neuquen ARG
Comodoro Rivadavia ARG/Punta Arenas CHI
Brazil
Salvador Bahia
Belo Horizonte MG
Goiania GO
Natal/Joao Pessoa
Florianopolis SC
Europe
Vienna/Budapest
Edinburgh
Europe East
Moscow
Africa West
Freetown
Monrovia
Kumasi GHA
Lagos NGA
Benin City NGA
Abuja NGA
Africa SE
Beira MOZ
Antanarivo MAD
Cape Town RSA
Kasai DRC
Lubumbashi DRC
Asia
New Delhi IND
Dubai UAE
Ullanbattar MON
Kaohshing Taiwan
Pacific
Pago Pago AM Samoa
I wonder where the other 20 are?
Bryan, it's kind of a stretch to come up with that many, isn't it? Some of the ones you mention seem pretty far away but my ideas may be too.
Anyway, I think there are more possibilities in the Pacific Area, like Auckland NZ, Port Moresby PNG, maybe Guam or Kiribati. What about Hobart, Tasmania?
The Asia area could also get temples in Cambodia or Singapore, or additional temples in Japan. Maybe if the membership is enough there could even be one in China (in addition to Hong Kong). (Not sure if that's possible legally though.)
Also I think there are more possibilities in Utah such as Tooele and Price, maybe even Murray or West Valley City. You also didn't mention Missoula or somewhere else in western Montana, and also we may see another Wyoming temple at some point. El Paso, Texas seems like another possibility, or a 2nd New Mexico temple. How about Des Moines, IA, or a South Dakota temple? Both seem remote at this point but things could change later.
I would also suggest that the Caribbean could get additional temples, dependent on growth of course.
What about a temple for Oslo, Norway?
Just some ideas, other people may have ideas about whether any of these are likely.
You also didn't list any candidates for the Philippines.
I totally overlooked PHI. Thanks for the catch.
Visayas
Davao
Baguio
Also overlooked the Caribbean. San Juan PR. That brings us down to 16.
Auckland NZ
Oslo seems a bit far out there. Only two stakes. Then again Copenhagen only has three stakes in its district and Finland 2 plus 2 districts.
South Dakota, not enough stakes. Iowa too close between two existing temples that sandwich the state. Though maybe Des Moines in the long run.
Port Moresby PNG is a good guess as is Jakarta/Singapore. So, 12.
Kiribati to 11. Phnom Penh CMB, 10.
If China opens up, Shanghai. So, down to 9. Prophesied temple in Jerusalem, 8. 24 temples surrounding Independence including current one near KC: minus 16.
Who knows?
Goiania will feed Brasilia for some time only having three stakes with an adjoining stake in Angeles being halfway between that and Brasilia with a good major divided highway (
br-080) between the two.
Tooele will get one, but likely not until Saratoga Springs and Heber City will be more likely for east of the Wasatch being a more central location for members. Morgan is still smaller and it is not like Brigham City in what it can take from.
Utah has been a magnet for thousands of members in western states....
My wife and I moved back to Utah after being away for 28 years primarily because it was a central location that left us 1 day's drive away from most of our extended family. Our daughter Crystal spent four years getting her BS in comp sci from the U and talking about how she couldn't wait to get out of Utah. But the best job offer she got on graduating 2 years ago was from a software firm in Lehi, and the cost of living here was better (lower) than anywhere else she was getting offers. In the past two years, our son moved back here from Houston and our son-in-law and daughter moved from Wisconsin; not for religious or cultural reasons, but because, again, there's a very hot tech job market combined with a reasonable cost of living.
Similarly, in the past 3 years I have been fascinated by how many of our friends from other states (Colorado, Washington DC) have ended up moving to Utah, including many who, like us, never had plans to do so.
Eventually, the influx is going to drive up cost of living. It certainly makes rental housing hard to find, as we discovered when we moved here in 2014.
So, for me, I have expanded my list of those that may be announced in the near future, and I am also looking at far distant possibilities as well. Here are the changes I worked up for the list I'm including in my October General Conference predictions:
3+ temples announced in any of the following locations:
NOTE: Since it is difficult at best to know where the Lord feels a need for a temple and temple locations are not as cut-and-dried as I have originally believed them to be, I am doing a preliminary list, which I will refine as the time for General Conference draws closer. I will look forward to seeing what happens with those possibilities, if any are announced at all. So far between 2015 and this year, the 12 newest temples were announced during the April General Conference. If any temples are announced, there may only be a few. But that is just my own opinion. So far between 2015 and this year, the 12 newest temples were announced during the April General Conference. If any temples are announced, there may only be a few. But that is just my own opinion, and the Lord has been known to prove me wrong. I continue to hope for temple announcements during every General Conference, and nothing is set in stone.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: After thinking further about those temples I feel are most likely in the near future, I first narrowed down then expanded these selections again. I am again listing them by the geographical area of the Church under which they fall and then by likelihood within each of those areas.
Africa Southeast: Antananarivo Madagascar; Lubumbashi DR Congo
Africa West: Lagos Nigeria; Kumasi Ghana; Freetown Sierra Leone; Praia Cape Verde
Asia: Phomn Penh Cambodia; Jakarta Indonesia; Ulaanbaatar Mongolia; Singapore Hyderabad/Rajahmundry India
Brazil: Belo Horizonte; Salvador
Central America: Managua Nicaragua; San Pedro Sula Honduras; Guatemala City Guatemala (2nd temple)
Europe: Budapest Hungary; Vienna Austria
Mexico: Puebla; Queretaro; Mexico City (2nd temple)
North America Central: Missoula Montana; Green Bay Wisconsin; South Dakota Rapid City
North America Northwest: Salem Oregon
North America Southeast: Bentonville Arkansas
North America Southwest: Fort Worth Texas; Flagstaff Arizona; Henderson Nevada; Joplin Missouri
North America West: Bakersfield/Ventura California
Pacific: Auckland New Zealand; Port Moresby Papua New Guinea
Philippines: Davao/Cagayan de Oro
South America Northwest: Valparaiso Chile; Neuquen Argentina; Maracaibo Venezuela; Santa Cruz/La Paz Bolivia; Iquitos Peru
Utah North: Layton Utah
Utah Salt Lake: Tooele Utah
Utah South: Mapleton Utah
Notes about potential temple sites:
1. For the Africa Southeast Area, the two possibilities listed seem to be the most likely ones. With the growth of the Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a second temple seems imminent, even without knowing how the one that will be dedicated in Kinshasa will affect any potential future temples. While Elder Neil L. Andersen proposed a temple for the Kasai region, Lubumbashi seems more likely. As always, I will pass any new information along as I become aware of it.
2. In the Africa West Area, second temples for Ghana and Nigeria seem likely, especially now that all Nigerian cities have been reached by the Church. And Sierra Leone may also get a temple soon simply by virtue of being so far distant from the temple district under which it falls. Additionally, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde come in at #6 and #10 respectively in terms of the top ten countries/dependencies with the strongest LDS presence but without a temple, making them very viable candidates for the future, if not immediately. I have also heard some say that a second and possibly a third Ivory Coast temple may be announced within the next 10-15 years depending on how quickly the first one progresses.
3. While I was double-checking for additional temple sites, I quickly figured out that Asia could be a great candidate for several new temples, and these are the most likely locations that I could find. While all of them make sense in terms of President Monson’s desire to have every Church member within 200 miles of a temple, I have grouped them by the number of Church units. Additionally, I know that temples have been proposed for New Delhi India (in 1992 by Elder Maxwell) and for Singapore (in 2000 by President Hinckley). Church membership in those countries stand as follows: Cambodia: nearing 14,000; India: just over 13,000; Mongolia: nearing 11,500; Indonesia: nearing 7,300; Singapore: nearing 8,400. According to a statistical profile written by a Church Growth expert, India may not actually get a temple until there is a stronger Church presence to support. For now, it seems that the order I have placed them in may be the most likely order by which they might be announced. As more information comes to light, I will make any adjustments that might be necessary.
And, final notes:
4. In Brazil, the two cities above seem to be the most imminent possibilities. It would also not surprise me at all if the Church held off on announcing any other Brazilian temples until the two under construction and the other two announced ones are closer to completion. As I have mentioned previously, I had felt prior to General Conference last April that Brazil's next temple would be built in Brasilia, but didn't think it would be announced until the one in Belem made more progress. So more Brazilian temples may be announced soon, but they also might not. Once more is known, I will make any adjustments needed.
5. While I said when posting my last list of possibilities that any new European temples might be put on hold until the Church evaluates how the dedications of the Paris France and Rome Italy Temples and the rededications of the temples in Freiberg and Frankfurt Germany have affected temple attendance for European Saints, in going over the current and future districts, I was reminded that I had heard from several people that Budapest Hungary would be the next European temple. And Vienna Austria makes sense in terms of President Monson's expressed goal to have every member within 200 miles of a temple. Until more information is known, these additions seemed to be sound.
6. Of the many cities in Mexico, I know Puebla has been widely mentioned as the most likely site for the next temple in that nation. I have also felt at times that Queretaro could be a feasible possibility, as could a second temple for Mexico City. If and when I feel I can narrow down the options, I will do so.
7. In the Pacific, I know that these two cities have been mentioned to me as having sites purchased, and once Church growth and temple activity from these areas warrant an official announcement for them, it will happen. Of the two, Auckland seems more likely.
8. While Church growth in the United States has stagnated somewhat of late, except in the “Mormon corridor” of Idaho, Utah, and Arizona, I have heard at one time or another that each of the temples I listed above could potentially be possible. In the course of recent deeper research on the matter, I recalled that many of these cities have been mentioned to me at one point or another as very likely possibilities. As part of my efforts to expand my predictions, I decided to include these cities again on this list. Until I know more about US growth, these seem to be sound changes. I also know, as I have previously noted, that land has been set aside in Bentonville Arkansas and Missoula Montana for future temple sites, with an official announcement anticipated once unit growth and activity in the current temple districts warrant that happening.
9. As a state that is constantly expanding its outreach, Utah has 18 temples either in operation or in various stages of construction. Layton and Tooele have often been mentioned to me by name as possibilities. In the course of my study, I learned that Mapleton may be a good possibility as well. And there are any number of others that may also be announced. I didn’t want to go overboard with Utah possibilities, but if there are any strong contenders I am missing, I will hopefully be able to add them in the future.
Final note: As with everything else I put together, these are no more than my own thoughts, feelings, and observations based on the research I have done and the reports I have received. I hope that is absolutely understood and accepted. No one can know the mind of the Lord relating to His Church except those authorized to receive revelation regarding their own spheres of responsibility. While I am always gratified when my predictions turn out to be correct, I am even more appreciative of the many times developments do not take place as I project they will. At the end of the day, the Lord is the only one who can determine best how to further His work, and He manifests His will to those authorized to lead the Church and make decisions. Just wanted to end on that note.
Missoula Montana (and Western Montana in general) considers itself to be a part of the Northwest.
I assume you mean the North America Northwest Area. Is that correct? I would trust you to know, Jonathan. I will get that changed. Within the US, I am not sure exactly where the boundaries are for the Church's areas. I knew that Montana was part of one or the other, but the Church Almanac from 2013 showed Montana in just the area I indicated above. I am not a geography buff, nor an expert on the area boundaries, so I will make sure to change that. Thanks for letting me know, Jonathan! That means a lot to me.
No problem. I was referring to Montanans considering themselves culturally and geographically as being a part of the US Northwest. I don't know which region the Church has put them in. You could be right that it's the Central Area.
I don't know if the regional broadcasts follow Area boundaries but it seems like the last regional broadcast we had (I live in Colorado) they said was to all units (or was it stakes) in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. This may not be indicative, aren't there there a few Wyoming units in the Idaho area?
Okay, I found an article on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_(LDS_Church)
that says the Idaho Area includes a small portion of Montana (and a small portion of Wyoming as well). The NA Northwest is not listed as having any of Idaho or any of Montana (geographically speaking, it would have to take in a portion of Idaho to have any of Montana). Of course, it's possible changes have been made that are not reflected in this article, or it may be inaccurate for some other reason.
My guess would be those small portions are parts of Yellowstone.
To expound on my statement above: many Western Montanans have ties to Oregon, Washington, and California, and therefore feel more connected to the Pacific coastal cultures (i.e more liberal). Others have long roots in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and the Dakotas, and consider themselves more traditionally Western (Conservative Cowboy Culture). Of course, there is plenty of mixing of the two, as well, along with a significant Native American presence.
My main point is that the state definitely considers itself a part of the traditional "Old West," and not as a part of the Central States, even though a large part of Montana is included in the Great Plains.
Then you also have the fact that Butte and Missoula, among other places, are west of the Continental Divide so the biggest passes around there, I would assume, would be the ones leading to the rest of the state. Is this accurate, Johnathan? (Perhaps this reason is less important now with modern highway construction, but I can imagine that was an important factor in the settlement of the area.)
In terms of Montana, that is one state of which various parts are contained in two or three different areas of the Church: It looks like most of the state is identified as part of the North America Central Area. At least, as of 2013, when the last Church Almanac was published, every stake in Montana was listed as being part of the North America Central Area. I know that within these last 4 years or so since that time, some areas within the US have been consolidated. And it is difficult to know where the boundaries are on states that are split by several Church areas. I do know that a small portion of Montana is considered to be part of the Idaho area, but I don't know which portion that would be. Most of the rest of the state falls under the North America Central Area. So it appears that Missoula may be in the North America Central Area like I thought. I just wish the maps of the North America Areas of the Church were more specific. But it does appear I can move Missoula back to the North America Central Area, until I find out for sure that it does not belong there. Thanks.
Per the LDS.org map the whole Idaho panhandle is in the North Amwrica northwest area. This has been true since the Idaho area was organized in about 2000. Only maybe 3 wards in Montana are in Northamerica northwest area and I think they're all in Idaho stakes. However temple attendance boundaries can transcend area lines.
Fair point, John! Thanks. My main reason for wanting to know where the boundaries are is that I list my temple site predictions by the geographical area of the Church under which they fall, and I know that the US and Canada areas of the Church do have somewhat weird boundaries. As long as the temples are in the correct geographical area, that's the main thing I was concerned about. Thanks again.
US and Canada areas are the only ones that cut within national boundaries with contiguous units. Technically France is in the Carribean area (Martinique, Guadaloupe and French Guiana), the Europe Area and the department of Meyotte is in the Africa area. However the boundaries there are straight forward. While many units in Europe transcend national boundaries, the Europe and Europe East Area bou dary runsxalong bational boudaries. I do hace to admit I am surprised the Church has never formed a Canada Area.
I'm actually not entirely sure, twinnumerouno, but here's some bedtime reading:
http://mt.gov/discover/brief_history.aspx
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Montana
"The boundary between the Washington Territory and Dakota Territory was the Continental Divide (as shown on the 1861 map); however, the boundary between the Idaho Territory and the Montana Territory followed the Bitterroot Range north of 46°30'N (as shown on the 1864 map). Popular legend says a drunken survey party followed the wrong mountain ridge and mistakenly moved the boundary west into the Bitterroot Range."
Thanks, John and Jonathan, for your added insight. To me, the boundaries of any Church unit (area, mission, districts/stakes, wards/branches) have never made much sense. What I am sure of is that there is a reason for the boundaries being where they are. I trust the inspiration, even if I am not sure why it would make sense logistically. Some day, it will all make sense. In the meantime, we do what we can to make the best determinations we can. I will say, though, that the US and Canada are far too big to be their own separate areas. It would make more sense to me if the boundaries of areas within North America followed state and provincial or territorial lines, but I will leave those determinations to those who have the authority to seek and discern the Lord's will on such matters. That's not my sphere of responsibility, for which I am infinitely grateful.
And for any newcomers to this blog, I wanted to note that I am an LDS blogger who enjoys reporting on apostolic news and travels, general Church news and developments, General Conference predictions and developments, and current and future temple-related developments. You can find a link to my blog below. While I am working to resolve some issues with the commenting system on my blog, I welcome any thoughts on my work to be submitted to me via my contact information on my Blogger profile. Enjoy!
http://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com
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