Click here to access the updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Bulgaria. Perhaps the Church in no other country in the world has experienced as severe problems and decline as the Church in Bulgaria. The number of active members in Bulgaria has declined by 80% during the past 18 years primarily due to the emigration of active members. Today there appear to be no more than 200-250 active members nationwide, or a mere 10% of church membership. See below for the Future Prospects sections of the Bulgaria country profile:
A shrinking full-time missionary force, the closure of two-thirds of the Church’s branches in the past decade, and the loss of active members to emigration continue to challenge the scope and vision of Latter-day Saint missionary operations in Bulgaria. At this point, it would take considerable resources, vision, and manpower for the Church resume its previous level of outreach extended at its zenith of missionary operations in the mid- to late 2000s. Increasing materialism, negative views of the Church, and persecution have lessened the receptivity of many and will continue to present challenges despite good improvements in convert retention reported in the past few years. Long-term growth consisting of expanding national outreach, improving self-sufficiency of local membership and leadership, and increasing missionary service and active membership will require wise placement of limited mission resources as well as policies and practices directed toward these ends. The Church may reestablish a district in the foreseeable future as long as active membership stabilizes and there are sufficient numbers of church leaders to warrant the operation of a district again in the country.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Friday, December 28, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Hungary
Click here to access the updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Hungary. I believe this profile is among the best we have written to date due to many high-quality sources. Here is the Future Prospects section of this profile:
Hungary will continue to be an important nation for the Church’s establishment in Central and Eastern Europe due to the number and strength of active members and its geographical location. A future small temple in Budapest may be likely within the foreseeable future. Increasing secularism and disinterest in religion threaten membership and congregational growth. A limited number of converts scattered throughout the country challenge future ambitions for the creation of additional congregations. Cities that seem most likely to open to missionary work include Nagykanizsa, Salgotarjan, Szekszard, and Zalaegerszeg, as these cities are the most populous without a congregation or are in counties without a congregation. Additional districts in the southern part of the country in Pecs and Szeged will become more likely once additional branches are established. A branch may be reopened in Vac and additional, small branches created to reduce travel time and increase outreach in suburban areas of Budapest. Additional groups may be organized in cities with missionaries who travel to nearby cities with congregations for Sunday meetings such as Hodmezovasarhely, Kolmo, and Oroshaza. A lack of converts has contributed to no additional congregations and may continue to challenge ambitions for opening and establishing a permanent Church presence. Furthermore, current growth trends suggest little or no interest by mission and area leadership in outreach expansion given declining receptivity and fewer mission resources allocated to the region. Moreover, the Hungary/Romania Mission now services approximately 31 million people in the two countries and as a result resources have become more limited for the Church to expand outreach in Hungary. Success with the establishment of the Church in additional locations will require initiative and vision from local church leadership.
Hungary will continue to be an important nation for the Church’s establishment in Central and Eastern Europe due to the number and strength of active members and its geographical location. A future small temple in Budapest may be likely within the foreseeable future. Increasing secularism and disinterest in religion threaten membership and congregational growth. A limited number of converts scattered throughout the country challenge future ambitions for the creation of additional congregations. Cities that seem most likely to open to missionary work include Nagykanizsa, Salgotarjan, Szekszard, and Zalaegerszeg, as these cities are the most populous without a congregation or are in counties without a congregation. Additional districts in the southern part of the country in Pecs and Szeged will become more likely once additional branches are established. A branch may be reopened in Vac and additional, small branches created to reduce travel time and increase outreach in suburban areas of Budapest. Additional groups may be organized in cities with missionaries who travel to nearby cities with congregations for Sunday meetings such as Hodmezovasarhely, Kolmo, and Oroshaza. A lack of converts has contributed to no additional congregations and may continue to challenge ambitions for opening and establishing a permanent Church presence. Furthermore, current growth trends suggest little or no interest by mission and area leadership in outreach expansion given declining receptivity and fewer mission resources allocated to the region. Moreover, the Hungary/Romania Mission now services approximately 31 million people in the two countries and as a result resources have become more limited for the Church to expand outreach in Hungary. Success with the establishment of the Church in additional locations will require initiative and vision from local church leadership.
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Romania
Click here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Romania. I think the Future Prospects section of this entry sums up the current status of the Church, although I want to add that convert retention rates have markedly improved in the 2010s to 50-70% for recent converts one year after baptism:
The outlook for future growth in Romania appears poor within the foreseeable future. The Church currently reports one of the lowest member activity rates in the world in Romania and consistent efforts to strengthen local leadership and expand national outreach have yielded few results. External factors the Church faces that have posed difficulties for growth include strong cultural ties to Orthodox Christianity and societal suspicion of foreign, America-based religious groups. The closure of the Romania Bucharest Mission and the reassignment of Romania to the realigned Hungary/Romania Mission indicates a significant reduction in mission resources allocated to the two nations despite a combined population of more than 31 million. This decision appears rooted in extremely few convert baptisms in Romania since the early 2010s combined with worldwide efforts to redistribute mission resources from less productive areas to more productive ones. Thus, progress with reversing current stagnant growth trends will require greater participation from local members and leaders in proselytism and national outreach expansion combined with effective vision from mission leadership to strengthen remaining branches.
The outlook for future growth in Romania appears poor within the foreseeable future. The Church currently reports one of the lowest member activity rates in the world in Romania and consistent efforts to strengthen local leadership and expand national outreach have yielded few results. External factors the Church faces that have posed difficulties for growth include strong cultural ties to Orthodox Christianity and societal suspicion of foreign, America-based religious groups. The closure of the Romania Bucharest Mission and the reassignment of Romania to the realigned Hungary/Romania Mission indicates a significant reduction in mission resources allocated to the two nations despite a combined population of more than 31 million. This decision appears rooted in extremely few convert baptisms in Romania since the early 2010s combined with worldwide efforts to redistribute mission resources from less productive areas to more productive ones. Thus, progress with reversing current stagnant growth trends will require greater participation from local members and leaders in proselytism and national outreach expansion combined with effective vision from mission leadership to strengthen remaining branches.
Monday, December 24, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Moldova
Click here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Moldova. There are approximately 400 members of the Church in Moldova and approximately 100 of them are active. The Church established presence in Moldova later than most countries in Eastern Europe. Although convert retention rates are good at present, the number of converts who join the Church has decreased. Furthermore, there has been no noticeable increase in the number of active members in Moldova during the past decade despite church-reported membership increasing by more than 100. All branches are led by a native branch president, suggesting some progress with local leadership development. Cultural conditions, dependence on full-time missionaries to find new investigators, and lack of active membership increase in the past decade constitute major barriers for future growth.
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Potential New Missions and Mission Closures in 2019
There has been no significant change in the number of full-time missionaries serving worldwide during 2018 and this number appears to have slightly decreased. The Church currently reports 65,915 full-time non-service missionaries serving worldwide, whereas at year-end 2017 there were 67,049 full-time non-service missionaries serving. However, there appears to be significant changes to the missionary program and the distribution of worldwide mission resources coming in the immediate future although I am not able to comment more about this development at this time.
Below is a list of locations where I believe as many a 22 missions may be closed and consolidate with neighboring missions in 2019 given church growth trends, the number of stakes/districts serviced by missions, and populations targeted by missionary efforts. I have used no unauthorized sources for these predictions and these predictions are based solely on my own efforts and analysis.
Below is a list of locations where I believe as many a 22 missions may be closed and consolidate with neighboring missions in 2019 given church growth trends, the number of stakes/districts serviced by missions, and populations targeted by missionary efforts. I have used no unauthorized sources for these predictions and these predictions are based solely on my own efforts and analysis.
- Asia
- Combine Japan Nagoya Mission with Japan Tokyo South Mission
- Combine Korea Seoul and Korea Seoul South
- Combine Korea Daejeon with Korea Busan
- Europe
- Combine Baltic Mission with Finland Helsinki Mission
- Combine Czech/Slovak Mission with Poland Warsaw Mission
- Combine Norway Olso Mission with Denmark Copenhagen Mission
- Combine Russia St Petersburg Mission with Russia Moscow Mission
- Combine Russia Yekaterinburg Mission with Russia Novosibirsk Mission
- Latin America
- Combine Chile Rancagua Mission with Chile Concepcion Mission and Chile Santiago South Mission
- Combine Mexico Guadalajara East Mission with Mexico Guadalajara Mission and Mexico Queretaro Mission
- Combine Mexico Mexico City Northwest Mission with Mexico Mexico City North Mission
- Combine Mexico City Southeast Mission with Mexico Mexico City Chalco Mission and Mexico Mexico City South Mission
- United States
- Combine Arizona Scottsdale Mission with surrounding missions
- Combine California Anaheim Mission with surrounding missions
- Combine California Rancho Cucamonga Mission with surrounding missions
- Combine California Santa Rosa Mission with surrounding missions
- Combine Colorado Fort Collins Mission with surrounding missions
- Combine Georgia Macon Mission with surrounding missions
- Combine New York Utica Mission with New York Rochester Mission
- Combine Oregon Salem Mission with surrounding missions
- Combine Virginia Chesapeake Mission with surrounding missions
- Combine Washington Yakima Mission with surrounding missions
- Australia Brisbane (2nd mission)
- Bolivia Tarija
- Brazil Porto Velho
- Brazil Sao Luis
- Brazil Sao Paulo (6th mission)
- Brazil Sorocaba
- Cameroon Yaounde
- Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Abobo (4th Ivorian Mission)
- Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa (2nd mission)
- Ecuador Machala
- Ecuador Quevedo
- Ethiopia Addis Ababa
- Ghana Koforidua
- Ghana Kumasi (2nd mission)
- Guatemala City (4th mission)
- Malawi Lilongwe
- Myanmar Yangon
- Nigeria Abuja
- Nigeria Onitsha
- Nigeria Uyo
- Peru Lima (6th mission)
- Philippines Antipolo
- Philippines Bacolod (2nd mission)
- Philippines Davao (2nd mission)
- Philippines Dumaguete
- Philippines Lucena
- Philippines Ormoc
- Philippines Santiago
- Rwanda Kigali
- Sierra Leone Bo
- Solomon Islands Honiara
- Tanzania Dar Es Salaam
- Texas Austin
- Texas Plano
- Thailand Udorn/Laos
- Togo Lome
Saturday, December 22, 2018
New Stakes Created in Mexico (2), Ecuador, and Texas; New Districts Created in Mexico (2); Stake Discontinued in Mexico
Mexico
Two new stakes were organized in Mexico on December 2nd.
The Mexico City Los Heroes Tecamac Stake was organized from the Mexico City Tecamac Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Bosques 1st, Bosques 2nd, Los Heroes 1st, Los Heroes 2nd, Montes, and Venta de Carpio Wards, and the Jardines de Morelos Branch.
The Tizayuca Mexico Stake was organized from the Mexico City Tecamac Stake and the Pachuca Mexico South Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Plazas Tizayuca, Tizayuca 1st, Tizayuca 2nd, Zumpango 1st, and Zumpango 2nd Wards.
Two new districts were organized in northeastern Mexico City.
The Mexico City Chimalhuacan District was organized from the Mexico City La Perla Stake. The new stake includes the following four branches (which used to be wards): Arboleda, Ciudad Alegre, Plateros, and Xochitenco Branches.
The Texcoco Mexico District was organized from the Mexico City Los Reyes Stake. The new district includes the following four branches: the Chapingo, Chiautla, Coatlinchan, and Texcoco Branches. Of the four branches in the new district, two of the branches were organized when the district was created.
One stake was discontinued in Mexico City.
The Mexico City Centenario Stake was recently discontinued. Retained congregations were reassigned to the Mexico City Industrial Stake or the Mexico City Madero Stake. The Mexico City Centenario Stake was originally organized in 1997.
There may be additional discontinued stakes or created stakes as part of a major restructuring of the Church's congregations in Mexico City. Thus far, there have been approximately 80 wards and branches discontinued, and approximately one dozen new wards and branches organized. Three stakes have been discontinued, and two new stakes and two new districts have been organized. I will provide more updates once I obtain additional information.
There are now 220 stakes and 47 districts in Mexico. There has been a net decrease of 139 congregations (7.0% annual decrease) in Mexico thus far in 2018 - the largest decrease in the number of wards/branches ever reported by the Church in Mexico, and the largest annual decrease in the number of wards/branches ever reported in a single country in the history of the Church. Although this may sound alarming, similar and even more drastic ward/branch consolidations have occurred in the Church in the past two decades in other countries with low member activity rates when one looks at percentage decrease in the number of congregations. For example, the Church reported a net decrease of 137 congregations (16.1% annual decrease) in Chile in the year 2002. There was a net decrease of 121 congregations (9.8% annual decrease) in the Philippines in 2003, a net decrease of 116 congregations (6.2% annual decrease) in Brazil in 2000, and a net decrease of 82 congregations (9.8% annual decrease) in Peru in 2000. Ward/branch consolidations in 2018 in Mexico mark the first widespread efforts in Mexico to establish congregations with larger numbers of active members. In contrast, nearly all other Latin American countries underwent similar congregation consolidations primarily during the early to mid 2000s. Thus, these current changes in Mexico have occurred much later than in most countries in the region.
The outlook for future growth after such dramatic unit consolidations is mixed. For example, the Church in Brazil quickly reversed net decreases in the number of congregations by the mid-2010s (bottoming out at 1,668 congregations) and currently reaches new all-time highs for the number of wards and branches (currently over 2,100), whereas the Church in Chile continues to report decreases in the number of wards and branches (currently less than 600). Time will tell whether these ward/branch realignments and consolidations will reverse recent stagnant growth trends in Mexico. However, returned missionaries report a severe disconnect between members and missionaries, especially in Mexico City, and dangerous proselytism conditions in many areas of the country. Thus, any major turnaround in growth rates appears unlikely for at least several more years.
Ecuador
A new stake was organized in Ecuador. The Machala Ecuador Puerto Bolivar Stake was organized from the Machala Ecuador Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Dieciocho de Octubre, Florida, La Paz, Los Esteros, and Puerto Bolivar Wards. The original Machala Ecuador Stake was organized in 1992. Machala becomes the first city in southern Ecuador to have more than one stake after the Guayaquil metropolitan area. I have received conflicting information for the date the new stake was organized. The two dates I have received are December 2nd and September 23rd.
There are now 42 stakes and 8 districts in Ecuador
Texas
A new stake was organized in southern Texas on December 2nd. The Laredo Texas Stake was organized from the Laredo Texas District. Currently, the Church reports the following four wards and one branch in the new stake: the Laredo 1st, Laredo 2nd (Spanish), Laredo 4th, and Laredo 5th (Spanish) Wards, and the Laredo 6th Branch (Spanish). It is likely that the Laredo 6th Branch (Spanish) was also upgraded to a ward but that this information has not been published yet given new stakes usually have a minimum of five new wards. The original Laredo Texas District was organized in 1995.
There are now 75 stakes and 2 districts in Texas. There are now only six districts left in the entire United States.
Two new stakes were organized in Mexico on December 2nd.
The Mexico City Los Heroes Tecamac Stake was organized from the Mexico City Tecamac Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Bosques 1st, Bosques 2nd, Los Heroes 1st, Los Heroes 2nd, Montes, and Venta de Carpio Wards, and the Jardines de Morelos Branch.
The Tizayuca Mexico Stake was organized from the Mexico City Tecamac Stake and the Pachuca Mexico South Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Plazas Tizayuca, Tizayuca 1st, Tizayuca 2nd, Zumpango 1st, and Zumpango 2nd Wards.
Two new districts were organized in northeastern Mexico City.
The Mexico City Chimalhuacan District was organized from the Mexico City La Perla Stake. The new stake includes the following four branches (which used to be wards): Arboleda, Ciudad Alegre, Plateros, and Xochitenco Branches.
The Texcoco Mexico District was organized from the Mexico City Los Reyes Stake. The new district includes the following four branches: the Chapingo, Chiautla, Coatlinchan, and Texcoco Branches. Of the four branches in the new district, two of the branches were organized when the district was created.
One stake was discontinued in Mexico City.
The Mexico City Centenario Stake was recently discontinued. Retained congregations were reassigned to the Mexico City Industrial Stake or the Mexico City Madero Stake. The Mexico City Centenario Stake was originally organized in 1997.
There may be additional discontinued stakes or created stakes as part of a major restructuring of the Church's congregations in Mexico City. Thus far, there have been approximately 80 wards and branches discontinued, and approximately one dozen new wards and branches organized. Three stakes have been discontinued, and two new stakes and two new districts have been organized. I will provide more updates once I obtain additional information.
There are now 220 stakes and 47 districts in Mexico. There has been a net decrease of 139 congregations (7.0% annual decrease) in Mexico thus far in 2018 - the largest decrease in the number of wards/branches ever reported by the Church in Mexico, and the largest annual decrease in the number of wards/branches ever reported in a single country in the history of the Church. Although this may sound alarming, similar and even more drastic ward/branch consolidations have occurred in the Church in the past two decades in other countries with low member activity rates when one looks at percentage decrease in the number of congregations. For example, the Church reported a net decrease of 137 congregations (16.1% annual decrease) in Chile in the year 2002. There was a net decrease of 121 congregations (9.8% annual decrease) in the Philippines in 2003, a net decrease of 116 congregations (6.2% annual decrease) in Brazil in 2000, and a net decrease of 82 congregations (9.8% annual decrease) in Peru in 2000. Ward/branch consolidations in 2018 in Mexico mark the first widespread efforts in Mexico to establish congregations with larger numbers of active members. In contrast, nearly all other Latin American countries underwent similar congregation consolidations primarily during the early to mid 2000s. Thus, these current changes in Mexico have occurred much later than in most countries in the region.
The outlook for future growth after such dramatic unit consolidations is mixed. For example, the Church in Brazil quickly reversed net decreases in the number of congregations by the mid-2010s (bottoming out at 1,668 congregations) and currently reaches new all-time highs for the number of wards and branches (currently over 2,100), whereas the Church in Chile continues to report decreases in the number of wards and branches (currently less than 600). Time will tell whether these ward/branch realignments and consolidations will reverse recent stagnant growth trends in Mexico. However, returned missionaries report a severe disconnect between members and missionaries, especially in Mexico City, and dangerous proselytism conditions in many areas of the country. Thus, any major turnaround in growth rates appears unlikely for at least several more years.
Ecuador
A new stake was organized in Ecuador. The Machala Ecuador Puerto Bolivar Stake was organized from the Machala Ecuador Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Dieciocho de Octubre, Florida, La Paz, Los Esteros, and Puerto Bolivar Wards. The original Machala Ecuador Stake was organized in 1992. Machala becomes the first city in southern Ecuador to have more than one stake after the Guayaquil metropolitan area. I have received conflicting information for the date the new stake was organized. The two dates I have received are December 2nd and September 23rd.
There are now 42 stakes and 8 districts in Ecuador
Texas
A new stake was organized in southern Texas on December 2nd. The Laredo Texas Stake was organized from the Laredo Texas District. Currently, the Church reports the following four wards and one branch in the new stake: the Laredo 1st, Laredo 2nd (Spanish), Laredo 4th, and Laredo 5th (Spanish) Wards, and the Laredo 6th Branch (Spanish). It is likely that the Laredo 6th Branch (Spanish) was also upgraded to a ward but that this information has not been published yet given new stakes usually have a minimum of five new wards. The original Laredo Texas District was organized in 1995.
There are now 75 stakes and 2 districts in Texas. There are now only six districts left in the entire United States.
Monday, December 17, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Slovakia
Click here to access the updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Slovakia. Slovakia has one of the lowest percentages of Latter-day Saints of any European nation as there is one member per approximately 20,000 people. There are fewer than one hundred active members in the country despite a continuous Church presence since 1993. Strong Slovak ethnoreligious ties to Catholicism, delays in translating Church materials into the Slovak language, minimal mission outreach extended to Slovakia over the past two decades from the Czech/Slovak Mission, and the lack of a Slovakian Latter-day Saint community appear responsible for this lack of growth.
Monday, December 10, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Czech Republic (Czechia)
Click here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Czechia. Slow, albeit steady growth has occurred for the Church in Czechia during the past two decades with annual membership growth rates averaging around two percent in the 2010s. The greatest progress has been in regards to maturing local leadership as evidenced by the organization of the first stake in 2016 and the calling of the first native Czech mission president to preside over the Czech/Slovak Mission in 2016. Also, convert retention rates for one year after baptism have noticeably improved, ranging from 50-70% during the past decade per returned missionary reports. Nevertheless, the number of cities with an official congregation has decreased from 18 to 12 within the past two decades as the emphasis has been placed on the establishment of larger congregations. Low receptivity remains a major obstacle for the Church to achieve greater growth. Other nontraditional, missionary-focused groups report similar difficulties. Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh-Day Adventists have both reported stagnant membership and congregational growth in Czechia within the past decade.
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Poland
Click here to access the updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Poland. The Church in Poland has maintained a full-time missionary proselytizing force for approximately three decades, yet there remain only 1,983 members and 12 branches in the country as of year-end 2017. Active membership in Poland appears to be approximately 300-350 as of the mid-2010s. A lack of diversity and pluralism in Polish society has posed a significant obstacle for effective missionary work and sustained church growth. Poles have appeared more receptive to joining the Church abroad than within their native homeland, and the number of Polish Latter-day Saints worldwide appears significantly larger than the number of Polish members in Poland. Jehovah's Witnesses have by far been the most successful nontraditional Christian group to become established in Poland with approximately 118,00 active members. However, Witnesses have reported major problems in the 2010s as the number of Witness congregations declined from 1,814 to 1,294 in only seven years. Other nontraditional Christian groups have either reported stagnant growth or decline in recent years, likely due to increasing secularism among youth and young adults and emigration.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
First Stake Organized in Angola
Last Sunday, the Church organized its first stake in the African nation of Angola. The new stake was organized from the Luanda Angola District and the Viana Angola District, and includes six wards and six branches. Information on which branches became wards remains unavailable.
Angola is inhabited by approximately 30 million people and had its first branch organized in 1996. However, members had met in groups or for sacrament meeting services since the early 1990s. The first proselytizing missionaries were assigned to Angola in 2008 from the Mozambique Maputo Mission. The Angola Luanda Mission was organized in 2013. At year-end 2017, there were 2,458 members. Prior to the organization of the stake, there were 15 branches in the country. To contrast, the Church in Angola at year-end 2007 reported only 759 members and one branch. Only three cities in Angola currently have an official Church presence: Luanda, Lubango, and Huambo. Annual membership growth rates have exceeded 10% every year since 2009. Although this growth has been significant in the past decade, other proselytism-focused groups report a much larger presence in Angola and also report rapid growth rates. For example, Jehovah's Witnesses reported 1,913 congregations and 143,322 active members as of year-end 2017. Furthermore, the number of active Witnesses increased by 12% alone in 2017 despite a base of more than 100,000 active members. However, these groups have operated for decades longer in Angola than The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and operate in many areas of the country.
Angola is inhabited by approximately 30 million people and had its first branch organized in 1996. However, members had met in groups or for sacrament meeting services since the early 1990s. The first proselytizing missionaries were assigned to Angola in 2008 from the Mozambique Maputo Mission. The Angola Luanda Mission was organized in 2013. At year-end 2017, there were 2,458 members. Prior to the organization of the stake, there were 15 branches in the country. To contrast, the Church in Angola at year-end 2007 reported only 759 members and one branch. Only three cities in Angola currently have an official Church presence: Luanda, Lubango, and Huambo. Annual membership growth rates have exceeded 10% every year since 2009. Although this growth has been significant in the past decade, other proselytism-focused groups report a much larger presence in Angola and also report rapid growth rates. For example, Jehovah's Witnesses reported 1,913 congregations and 143,322 active members as of year-end 2017. Furthermore, the number of active Witnesses increased by 12% alone in 2017 despite a base of more than 100,000 active members. However, these groups have operated for decades longer in Angola than The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and operate in many areas of the country.
Sunday, December 2, 2018
New Stakes Created in Brazil (2), Utah, and Venezuela; New District in Benin
Brazil
Two new stakes were organized in Brazil.
The Feira de Santana Brazil North Stake was organized on November 18th from a division of the Feira de Santana Brazil Kalilandia Stake and the Camacari Brazil Central Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: Alagoinhas, Conceição do Coité, Feira de Santana 3rd, Nova Esperança, Serrinha, and Sobradinho Wards. There are now three stakes in Feira de Santana, and 11 stakes in Bahia State. The capital of Bahia State, Salvador, was one of the 12 locations where President Nelson announced a new temple during the October 2018 General Conference.
The São José dos Campos Brazil South Stake was organized on November 25th from a division of the São José dos Campos Brazil Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Cicade Jardim, Jacarei, Jardim Satelite, Morumbi, and Parque Industrial Wards. The original São José dos Campos Brazil Stake numbered among the Church's oldest stakes in Brazil that has never appeared to have been divided to organize a new stake since its original creation in 1985. There are now 78 stakes and seven districts in Sao Paolo State. There are now 273 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.
The Church organized a new stake in Santaquin, Utah on November 11th. The Santaquin Utah East Stake was organized from the Santaquin Utah Stake. The new stake includes the follow seven wards and one branch: the Santaquin 2nd, Santaquin 3rd, Santaquin 8th, Santaquin 12th, Santaquin 16th, and the Santaquin 22nd Wards, and the Santaquin 17th Branch (Care Center).
There are now 596 stakes and one district in Utah.
Venezuela
The Church organized a new stake in Venezuela on October 21st. The Coro Venezuela Stake was organized from a division of the Punto Fijo Venezuela Stake. The new stake includes the following four wards: the Alta Vista, Los Medanos, Manaure, and Puerto Cumarebo Wards. The Coro Venezuela Stake was originally organized as a district in 2005, but was consolidated with the district in Falcon in 2008 to prepare for the organization of a stake. The Punto Fijo Venezuela Stake currently has only four wards and one branch. The decision to divide the stake appears attributed to reduce travel times for members at a time when the Venezuelan economy is in crisis. Surprisingly, the stake appeared to meet the qualifications to operate two separate stakes instead of the stake returning back to district status.
There are now 34 stakes and five districts in Venezuela.
Benin
The Church organized a new district in the West African country of Benin. The Cococodji Benin District was organized from a division of the Cotonou Benin Stake. Currently, the Church's meetinghouse website shows only three branches assigned to the district (Agla, Cocotomey, and Hilacondji) albeit there appear to be at least two wards in the stake that appear to have been transferred to the district and downgraded to branch status (Cococodji and Hevie). The Cotonou Benin Stake had nine wards and eight branches prior to the creation of the new district. The Church in Benin has grown most rapidly and efficiently when member groups and branches have been organized rather than waiting for the number of active members to become adequate large to split large units or for branches to become wards. This decision to organize a district instead of waiting to have enough wards to create a second stake in Cotonou appears more likely to help the Church take advantage of good opportunities for growth in Benin where there were less than 100 members in 2005. Today, there are more than 3,000 members in Benin. There is now one stake and one district in the country.
Two new stakes were organized in Brazil.
The Feira de Santana Brazil North Stake was organized on November 18th from a division of the Feira de Santana Brazil Kalilandia Stake and the Camacari Brazil Central Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: Alagoinhas, Conceição do Coité, Feira de Santana 3rd, Nova Esperança, Serrinha, and Sobradinho Wards. There are now three stakes in Feira de Santana, and 11 stakes in Bahia State. The capital of Bahia State, Salvador, was one of the 12 locations where President Nelson announced a new temple during the October 2018 General Conference.
The São José dos Campos Brazil South Stake was organized on November 25th from a division of the São José dos Campos Brazil Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Cicade Jardim, Jacarei, Jardim Satelite, Morumbi, and Parque Industrial Wards. The original São José dos Campos Brazil Stake numbered among the Church's oldest stakes in Brazil that has never appeared to have been divided to organize a new stake since its original creation in 1985. There are now 78 stakes and seven districts in Sao Paolo State. There are now 273 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.
The Church organized a new stake in Santaquin, Utah on November 11th. The Santaquin Utah East Stake was organized from the Santaquin Utah Stake. The new stake includes the follow seven wards and one branch: the Santaquin 2nd, Santaquin 3rd, Santaquin 8th, Santaquin 12th, Santaquin 16th, and the Santaquin 22nd Wards, and the Santaquin 17th Branch (Care Center).
There are now 596 stakes and one district in Utah.
Venezuela
The Church organized a new stake in Venezuela on October 21st. The Coro Venezuela Stake was organized from a division of the Punto Fijo Venezuela Stake. The new stake includes the following four wards: the Alta Vista, Los Medanos, Manaure, and Puerto Cumarebo Wards. The Coro Venezuela Stake was originally organized as a district in 2005, but was consolidated with the district in Falcon in 2008 to prepare for the organization of a stake. The Punto Fijo Venezuela Stake currently has only four wards and one branch. The decision to divide the stake appears attributed to reduce travel times for members at a time when the Venezuelan economy is in crisis. Surprisingly, the stake appeared to meet the qualifications to operate two separate stakes instead of the stake returning back to district status.
There are now 34 stakes and five districts in Venezuela.
Benin
The Church organized a new district in the West African country of Benin. The Cococodji Benin District was organized from a division of the Cotonou Benin Stake. Currently, the Church's meetinghouse website shows only three branches assigned to the district (Agla, Cocotomey, and Hilacondji) albeit there appear to be at least two wards in the stake that appear to have been transferred to the district and downgraded to branch status (Cococodji and Hevie). The Cotonou Benin Stake had nine wards and eight branches prior to the creation of the new district. The Church in Benin has grown most rapidly and efficiently when member groups and branches have been organized rather than waiting for the number of active members to become adequate large to split large units or for branches to become wards. This decision to organize a district instead of waiting to have enough wards to create a second stake in Cotonou appears more likely to help the Church take advantage of good opportunities for growth in Benin where there were less than 100 members in 2005. Today, there are more than 3,000 members in Benin. There is now one stake and one district in the country.
Friday, November 30, 2018
November 2018 Monthly Newsletter
Click here to access our November 2018 monthly newsletter for www.cumorah.com.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Updated Country Profiles - The Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
We have updated several additional Reaching the Nations country profiles on www.cumorah.com. These profiles include:
On another note, we are in the process of updating and revamping cumorah.com. There have been issues with ads being placed on the site due to outdated coding on the site. These ads will be removed once the updates are completed.
Due to many high-quality surveys and local member reports, I believe these profiles number among some of the most accurate and comprehensive country profiles we have posted since updating the almanac. These profiles include a significant amount of information about member activity and convert retention rates in these nations, as well as trends in these metrics over the past 20 years. Furthermore, we have also obtained information about "natural growth" in the Church in these nations (i.e. children born into the Church). Interestingly, there has been a significant "baby boom" in the Church in Estonia and Latvia in the past couple years although there has been no such increase in births in the Church in Lithuania. The Church remains very small in all the Baltic States with 950-1,350 members in each of these nations. However, the Church has been successful in the establishment of a core of local leadership capable of leading congregations with minimal support from mission leadership. Although membership growth rates has substantially slowed in the past 15 years to essentially stagnant membership growth at present (mainly due to few convert baptisms and emigration), convert retention rates have markedly increased in these nations to good-to-excellent levels. Furthermore, much of the recent progress in improving convert retention rates has occurred despite the number of full-time missionaries assigned to the Baltic Mission at the lowest levels seen since the early 2000s.
On another note, we are in the process of updating and revamping cumorah.com. There have been issues with ads being placed on the site due to outdated coding on the site. These ads will be removed once the updates are completed.
Friday, November 23, 2018
Updated Country Profiles - Belarus, Israel, Kazakhstan, and Palestine
We have updated the following Reaching the Nations country profiles on www.cumorah.com:
The Church in Belarus has continuously operated since the early 1990s. Today, the Minsk Branch numbers among the most self-sufficient congregations in the Baltic Mission with approximately one hundred active members and many families and children. However, the Church in Belarus operates an official branch in only two cities at present, and the Vitebsk Branch has only a few active members. There are 469 members in Belarus.
The Church in Kazakhstan reports only approximately 200 members nationwide. Most members live in the most populous city of Almaty. Current government restrictions prevent the Church from expanding to additional cities outside of Almaty and Astana. Nevertheless, the Church has achieved good progress with the establishment of a self-sufficient Latter-day Saint community in Almaty.
The Church in Israel and Palestine also reports an extremely limited presence. Altogether, there are approximately 300 members in both nations. Most members in Palestine are native Palestinians who have joined the Church abroad, whereas most members in Israel are foreigners. The Church is reliant on foreign members to meet most of its leadership needs in Israel and Palestine.
The Church in Belarus has continuously operated since the early 1990s. Today, the Minsk Branch numbers among the most self-sufficient congregations in the Baltic Mission with approximately one hundred active members and many families and children. However, the Church in Belarus operates an official branch in only two cities at present, and the Vitebsk Branch has only a few active members. There are 469 members in Belarus.
The Church in Kazakhstan reports only approximately 200 members nationwide. Most members live in the most populous city of Almaty. Current government restrictions prevent the Church from expanding to additional cities outside of Almaty and Astana. Nevertheless, the Church has achieved good progress with the establishment of a self-sufficient Latter-day Saint community in Almaty.
The Church in Israel and Palestine also reports an extremely limited presence. Altogether, there are approximately 300 members in both nations. Most members in Palestine are native Palestinians who have joined the Church abroad, whereas most members in Israel are foreigners. The Church is reliant on foreign members to meet most of its leadership needs in Israel and Palestine.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Georgian Translation of The Book of Mormon Completed and Published
The Church has finished and published its Georgian translation of the Book of Mormon. The translation can be found here. The committee to translate the Book of Mormon into Georgian was first established in early 2012. This translation has been in the works for many years and is finally available for members in the two Georgian-speaking branches located in the Republic of Georgia. The new translation will be a valuable tool and resource for proselytism, teaching, and testimony development in the Republic of Georgia. Members have previously relied in Russian translations to study the scriptures. There were 268 members in the Republic of Georgia as of year-end 2017. There are 3.7 million speakers of Georgian worldwide.
There are now 112 languages with a translation of the Book of Mormon.
There are now 112 languages with a translation of the Book of Mormon.
Updated Country Profiles - Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates
We have recently updated several Reaching the Nations country profiles on www.cumorah.com. Updated profiles include:
The Church reports its largest church membership in the Middle East in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with more than 1,500 members - all of whom are foreigners primarily from North America, Europe, and the Philippines. The UAE is a likely candidate for the Church's first temple in the Middle East considering the Church is able to construct religious buildings and have a public presence - religious freedoms not permitted in nearly all other nations in the region. Church membership in Lebanon is small and comprised of native members. There were approximately 30 active members in the Beirut Branch a couple years ago per senior missionary reports. However, convert baptisms appear to regularly occur through member-missionary efforts. No proselytizing missionaries operate in Lebanon, Qatar, or the UAE.
The Church reports its largest church membership in the Middle East in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with more than 1,500 members - all of whom are foreigners primarily from North America, Europe, and the Philippines. The UAE is a likely candidate for the Church's first temple in the Middle East considering the Church is able to construct religious buildings and have a public presence - religious freedoms not permitted in nearly all other nations in the region. Church membership in Lebanon is small and comprised of native members. There were approximately 30 active members in the Beirut Branch a couple years ago per senior missionary reports. However, convert baptisms appear to regularly occur through member-missionary efforts. No proselytizing missionaries operate in Lebanon, Qatar, or the UAE.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Human Development Index (HDI) and Annual Membership Growth Rate: Correlational Analysis
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a widely quoted statistic that combines education, life expectancy, and standard of living into a single number ranging from 0-1. HDI by country provides a snapshot into some of the basic variables that define human development for individual nations (see more at http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/human-development-index-hdi).
See below for a graph that displays 2017 Human Development Index (HDI) and 2017 annual membership growth by country for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Click on the graph to enlarge it. HDI numbers were retrieved here. Annual membership growth rates were obtained from year-end 2016 and year-end 2017 membership data published by the Church. Only 132 countries were included in the analysis as these were the only nations for which 2016 and 2017 membership data and HDI figures were available. A correlation analysis of the two variables revealed a moderate negative relationship between HDI and annual membership growth rates for 2017 (r = -0.517). Therefore, we can conclude that HDI accounts for 26.7% of the shared variability between the two variables. Thus, higher levels of education, life expectancy, and standard of living are negatively correlated with annual membership growth rates in the Church. This finding supports more comprehensive work done by Ryan Cragun and Ronald Lawson regarding "The Secular Transition" of nations in which groups like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reports slower growth in high HDI countries in comparison to lower HDI countries.
See below for the data used to create the above graph:
See below for a graph that displays 2017 Human Development Index (HDI) and 2017 annual membership growth by country for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Click on the graph to enlarge it. HDI numbers were retrieved here. Annual membership growth rates were obtained from year-end 2016 and year-end 2017 membership data published by the Church. Only 132 countries were included in the analysis as these were the only nations for which 2016 and 2017 membership data and HDI figures were available. A correlation analysis of the two variables revealed a moderate negative relationship between HDI and annual membership growth rates for 2017 (r = -0.517). Therefore, we can conclude that HDI accounts for 26.7% of the shared variability between the two variables. Thus, higher levels of education, life expectancy, and standard of living are negatively correlated with annual membership growth rates in the Church. This finding supports more comprehensive work done by Ryan Cragun and Ronald Lawson regarding "The Secular Transition" of nations in which groups like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reports slower growth in high HDI countries in comparison to lower HDI countries.
| COUNTRY | HDI 2017 | MEMBERSHIP GROWTH 2017 |
| Albania | 0.785 | 4.09% |
| Angola | 0.581 | 15.78% |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 0.780 | 3.04% |
| Argentina | 0.825 | 1.62% |
| Armenia | 0.755 | -1.16% |
| Australia | 0.939 | 1.47% |
| Austria | 0.908 | 1.00% |
| Bahamas | 0.807 | 1.26% |
| Barbados | 0.800 | 4.18% |
| Belgium | 0.916 | -2.76% |
| Belize | 0.708 | 0.79% |
| Benin | 0.515 | 17.70% |
| Bolivia (Plurinational State of) | 0.693 | 2.02% |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0.768 | 4.55% |
| Botswana | 0.717 | 4.36% |
| Brazil | 0.759 | 2.19% |
| Bulgaria | 0.813 | -0.45% |
| Burundi | 0.417 | 14.57% |
| Cambodia | 0.582 | 3.94% |
| Cameroon | 0.556 | 19.35% |
| Canada | 0.926 | 0.72% |
| Cape Verde | 0.654 | 5.19% |
| Central African Republic | 0.367 | 8.33% |
| Chile | 0.843 | 0.72% |
| Colombia | 0.747 | 1.95% |
| Congo (Democratic Republic of th | 0.457 | 9.16% |
| Congo | 0.606 | 4.51% |
| Costa Rica | 0.794 | 2.88% |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 0.492 | 10.88% |
| Croatia | 0.831 | 1.13% |
| Cyprus | 0.869 | 0.00% |
| Czechia | 0.888 | 1.84% |
| Denmark | 0.929 | 0.54% |
| Dominica | 0.715 | -2.42% |
| Dominican Republic | 0.736 | 2.15% |
| Ecuador | 0.752 | 1.79% |
| El Salvador | 0.674 | 1.03% |
| Estonia | 0.871 | -1.13% |
| Ethiopia | 0.463 | 0.37% |
| Fiji | 0.741 | 3.92% |
| Finland | 0.920 | -1.19% |
| France | 0.901 | 1.68% |
| Georgia | 0.780 | 1.13% |
| Germany | 0.936 | 0.06% |
| Ghana | 0.592 | 7.62% |
| Greece | 0.870 | 3.89% |
| Grenada | 0.772 | 2.16% |
| Guatemala | 0.650 | 1.86% |
| Guyana | 0.654 | 2.93% |
| Haiti | 0.498 | 3.24% |
| Honduras | 0.617 | 1.67% |
| Hong Kong, China (SAR) | 0.933 | -0.09% |
| Hungary | 0.838 | 0.42% |
| Iceland | 0.935 | 2.53% |
| India | 0.640 | 3.26% |
| Indonesia | 0.694 | 1.51% |
| Ireland | 0.938 | 2.28% |
| Israel | 0.903 | 11.63% |
| Italy | 0.880 | 1.41% |
| Jamaica | 0.732 | 1.24% |
| Japan | 0.909 | 0.37% |
| Kazakhstan | 0.800 | -7.08% |
| Kenya | 0.590 | 3.13% |
| Kiribati | 0.612 | 7.20% |
| Korea (Republic of) | 0.903 | 0.25% |
| Latvia | 0.847 | 0.65% |
| Lesotho | 0.520 | 8.19% |
| Liberia | 0.435 | 9.18% |
| Lithuania | 0.858 | -0.41% |
| Luxembourg | 0.904 | 5.34% |
| Madagascar | 0.519 | 4.77% |
| Malawi | 0.477 | 10.42% |
| Malaysia | 0.802 | 2.14% |
| Malta | 0.878 | 6.63% |
| Marshall Islands | 0.708 | -6.39% |
| Mauritius | 0.790 | 0.78% |
| Mexico | 0.774 | 1.30% |
| Micronesia (Federated States of) | 0.627 | 3.84% |
| Moldova (Republic of) | 0.700 | 4.79% |
| Mongolia | 0.741 | 1.79% |
| Montenegro | 0.814 | -17.39% |
| Mozambique | 0.437 | 15.18% |
| Namibia | 0.647 | -0.23% |
| Netherlands | 0.931 | 2.26% |
| New Zealand | 0.917 | 0.95% |
| Nicaragua | 0.658 | 2.89% |
| Nigeria | 0.532 | 7.09% |
| Norway | 0.953 | -0.22% |
| Palau | 0.798 | 1.98% |
| Panama | 0.789 | 5.23% |
| Papua New Guinea | 0.544 | 5.05% |
| Paraguay | 0.702 | 1.64% |
| Peru | 0.750 | 2.00% |
| Philippines | 0.699 | 2.61% |
| Poland | 0.865 | 2.22% |
| Portugal | 0.847 | 1.57% |
| Romania | 0.811 | -0.23% |
| Russian Federation | 0.816 | 0.31% |
| Rwanda | 0.524 | 52.82% |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 0.778 | -11.34% |
| Saint Lucia | 0.747 | 4.84% |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 0.723 | 4.59% |
| Samoa | 0.713 | 2.15% |
| Serbia | 0.787 | 2.72% |
| Sierra Leone | 0.419 | 10.03% |
| Singapore | 0.932 | -0.41% |
| Slovakia | 0.855 | 1.49% |
| Slovenia | 0.896 | -2.07% |
| Solomon Islands | 0.546 | 15.44% |
| South Africa | 0.699 | 2.54% |
| Spain | 0.891 | 2.51% |
| Sri Lanka | 0.770 | 5.22% |
| Suriname | 0.720 | 2.14% |
| Swaziland | 0.588 | 2.78% |
| Sweden | 0.933 | 0.74% |
| Switzerland | 0.944 | -2.29% |
| Tanzania (United Republic of) | 0.538 | 8.31% |
| Thailand | 0.755 | 3.88% |
| Togo | 0.503 | 8.68% |
| Tonga | 0.726 | 1.04% |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 0.784 | 0.29% |
| Turkey | 0.791 | 6.63% |
| Uganda | 0.516 | 5.42% |
| Ukraine | 0.751 | 0.63% |
| United Arab Emirates | 0.863 | 0.78% |
| United Kingdom | 0.922 | 0.54% |
| United States | 0.924 | 0.75% |
| Uruguay | 0.804 | 0.91% |
| Vanuatu | 0.603 | 11.13% |
| Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) | 0.761 | 0.46% |
| Zambia | 0.588 | 7.25% |
| Zimbabwe | 0.535 | 6.41% |
Monday, November 12, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Syria
Click here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Syria where there is one branch and at least two member groups. All members in the country are native Syrians. Most members are recent converts. Church operations in Syria are supervised by district leadership in neighboring Lebanon.
Monday, November 5, 2018
Second Most Populous City in Liberia Opens to Missionary Work
Yesterday, the Church organized its first member group in the Liberian city of Gbarnga. Gbarnga is the second most populous city in Liberia and is inhabited by at least 57,000 people. The mission reported 64 people in attendance for the first meeting of the Gbarnga Group. A single full-time missionary companionship has also been assigned to serve in the city. Gbarnga is the most distant city from Monrovia to have had full-time missionaries assigned. Click here to read the mission president's report about the creation of the new member group.
Earlier this year, the Church in Liberia organized its first branches in two additional cities: Buchanan and Totota. There are now five cities with an official branch, and nine cities with a ward, branch, or member group. Furthermore, rapid congregational growth has occurred in Monrovia during 2018. There are now 38 wards and branches in Monrovia - up from nine branches a decade earlier.
See below for a map of wards, branches, and member groups in Liberia.
Earlier this year, the Church in Liberia organized its first branches in two additional cities: Buchanan and Totota. There are now five cities with an official branch, and nine cities with a ward, branch, or member group. Furthermore, rapid congregational growth has occurred in Monrovia during 2018. There are now 38 wards and branches in Monrovia - up from nine branches a decade earlier.
See below for a map of wards, branches, and member groups in Liberia.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
New Stakes Created in the Philippines (2) and Nigeria; New District in Romania; Two Stakes Discontinued in Mexico
Philippines
Today the Church organized two new stakes in the Philippines.
The Agoo Philippines Stake was organized from the Agoo Philippines District. The Agoo Philippines District included seven branches and most of the branches have become wards in the new stake. The Church initially organized the Agoo Philippines Stake in 1999, but discontinued the stake and reorganized retained congregations into branches in 2004. The Church has experienced steady progress in Agoo in recent years as two new branches have been organized in the district and branches in the district have had increases in active membership. The Agoo Philippines Stake is the third new stake organized within the Philippines Baguio Mission and Philippines Urdaneta Mission since 2015.
The Morong Rizal Philippines Stake was organized from the Morong Rizal Philippines District. Most, if not all, of the branches in the former district were organized into wards. The Morong Rizal Philippines District was originally created in 1992. With the advancement of the district into a stake, there are now no districts within the Greater Metro Manila area. Steady growth has occurred in the Greater Metro Manila as evidenced by four new stakes organized in the area since the beginning of 2017, and nine new stakes organized in the area since 2011. There are now 28 stakes in the Greater Metro Manila area - more than any other metropolitan area in all of Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania.
There are now 107 stakes and 68 districts in the Philippines.
Nigeria
A new stake was organized in Nigeria on October 28th. The Abakaliki Nigeria Stake was organized from the Abakaliki Nigeria District. Information on which of the 10 branches in the former district became wards remains unavailable. However, local members report that most of the branches were advanced into wards when the new stake was organized. The new stake is the Church's first stake to be organized in Ebonyi State, Nigeria - home to 2.9 million people. The Church organized its first branch in Ebonyi State in 2005 in Abakaliki, whereas the first branches were organized in Afikpo in 2006, Okposi in 2007, and Edda in 2018. Today, there are five congregations in Afikpo, two congregations in Abakaliki, two congregations in Okposi, and one congregation in Edda. The creation of the new stake came as a complete surprise to me considering half of the congregations were organized just within the past two years and the 10 branches were spread across four different cities. Generally in these situations, the Church divides districts instead of creating a stake to reduce travel times. Nevertheless, the organization of the new stake indicates strength in local leadership that has warranted the district to mature into a stake only four years after the district was initially organized from four mission branches.
There are now 54 stakes and 15 districts in Nigeria. The number of stakes in Nigeria has increased by nine since January 2018 - the largest annual increase in the number of stakes for an African country in the history of the Church. Nigeria is now the country in the world with the eighth most stakes.
Romania
A new district was organized in Romania. The Iaşi România District was organized from a division of the Bucharest Romania District. The new district includes the following four branches: the Bacãu, Braşov, Galati, and Iaşi Branches. The decision to organize the new district does not appear due to any recent growth in the area as overall membership growth has been stagnant in the country for several consecutive years. Rather, the decision to create the new district appears related to mission leaders abandoning plans to try to organize a stake from the Bucharest Romania District, and instead focus on strengthening individual branches while reducing travel times for district leadership. The Church in Romania used to operate two districts in eastern Romania, with a former district headquartered in Ploiesti until 2009. There are now three districts in Romania. The Romania Bucharest Mission closed last summer and was consolidated with the Hungary Budapest Mission.
Mexico
Two stakes were recently discontinued in Mexico City.
The Mexico City Xalostoc Stake (organized in 1997) and the Mexico City Pantitlan Stake (organized in 1997) were discontinued. The Mexico City Xalostoc Stake was consolidated with the Mexico City Azteca Stake and the Mexico City Ecatepec Stake, whereas the Mexico City Pantitlan Stake was consolidated with the Mexico City Netzahualcoyotl Stake and the Mexico City Moctezuma Stake. Additionally, five wards were discontinued as part of this realignment of stakes and congregations. Mexico City is one of the last metropolitan areas in Mexico where the Church had not combined congregations with smaller numbers of active members (usually between 50-100 active members). Additional stake and congregation realignments are underway, which will result in the discontinuation and creation of congregations and stakes in the immediate future. I predict there may be as many as 25-50 ward closures and 5-10 stake closures before the end of the year. However, there may also be several new congregations and stakes organized as part of these changes. The Church in Mexico City has sought for many years to make a plan to better utilize meetinghouse space to conserve costs and establish congregations with larger numbers of active members. I just received a report that the Mexico City Centenario Stake was discontinued today, and a new stake, Mexico City Villa Madero Stake, was organized. However, I will officially report these changes in another update once I have more information.
There are now 219 stakes and 45 districts in Mexico.
Today the Church organized two new stakes in the Philippines.
The Agoo Philippines Stake was organized from the Agoo Philippines District. The Agoo Philippines District included seven branches and most of the branches have become wards in the new stake. The Church initially organized the Agoo Philippines Stake in 1999, but discontinued the stake and reorganized retained congregations into branches in 2004. The Church has experienced steady progress in Agoo in recent years as two new branches have been organized in the district and branches in the district have had increases in active membership. The Agoo Philippines Stake is the third new stake organized within the Philippines Baguio Mission and Philippines Urdaneta Mission since 2015.
The Morong Rizal Philippines Stake was organized from the Morong Rizal Philippines District. Most, if not all, of the branches in the former district were organized into wards. The Morong Rizal Philippines District was originally created in 1992. With the advancement of the district into a stake, there are now no districts within the Greater Metro Manila area. Steady growth has occurred in the Greater Metro Manila as evidenced by four new stakes organized in the area since the beginning of 2017, and nine new stakes organized in the area since 2011. There are now 28 stakes in the Greater Metro Manila area - more than any other metropolitan area in all of Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania.
There are now 107 stakes and 68 districts in the Philippines.
Nigeria
A new stake was organized in Nigeria on October 28th. The Abakaliki Nigeria Stake was organized from the Abakaliki Nigeria District. Information on which of the 10 branches in the former district became wards remains unavailable. However, local members report that most of the branches were advanced into wards when the new stake was organized. The new stake is the Church's first stake to be organized in Ebonyi State, Nigeria - home to 2.9 million people. The Church organized its first branch in Ebonyi State in 2005 in Abakaliki, whereas the first branches were organized in Afikpo in 2006, Okposi in 2007, and Edda in 2018. Today, there are five congregations in Afikpo, two congregations in Abakaliki, two congregations in Okposi, and one congregation in Edda. The creation of the new stake came as a complete surprise to me considering half of the congregations were organized just within the past two years and the 10 branches were spread across four different cities. Generally in these situations, the Church divides districts instead of creating a stake to reduce travel times. Nevertheless, the organization of the new stake indicates strength in local leadership that has warranted the district to mature into a stake only four years after the district was initially organized from four mission branches.
There are now 54 stakes and 15 districts in Nigeria. The number of stakes in Nigeria has increased by nine since January 2018 - the largest annual increase in the number of stakes for an African country in the history of the Church. Nigeria is now the country in the world with the eighth most stakes.
Romania
A new district was organized in Romania. The Iaşi România District was organized from a division of the Bucharest Romania District. The new district includes the following four branches: the Bacãu, Braşov, Galati, and Iaşi Branches. The decision to organize the new district does not appear due to any recent growth in the area as overall membership growth has been stagnant in the country for several consecutive years. Rather, the decision to create the new district appears related to mission leaders abandoning plans to try to organize a stake from the Bucharest Romania District, and instead focus on strengthening individual branches while reducing travel times for district leadership. The Church in Romania used to operate two districts in eastern Romania, with a former district headquartered in Ploiesti until 2009. There are now three districts in Romania. The Romania Bucharest Mission closed last summer and was consolidated with the Hungary Budapest Mission.
Mexico
Two stakes were recently discontinued in Mexico City.
The Mexico City Xalostoc Stake (organized in 1997) and the Mexico City Pantitlan Stake (organized in 1997) were discontinued. The Mexico City Xalostoc Stake was consolidated with the Mexico City Azteca Stake and the Mexico City Ecatepec Stake, whereas the Mexico City Pantitlan Stake was consolidated with the Mexico City Netzahualcoyotl Stake and the Mexico City Moctezuma Stake. Additionally, five wards were discontinued as part of this realignment of stakes and congregations. Mexico City is one of the last metropolitan areas in Mexico where the Church had not combined congregations with smaller numbers of active members (usually between 50-100 active members). Additional stake and congregation realignments are underway, which will result in the discontinuation and creation of congregations and stakes in the immediate future. I predict there may be as many as 25-50 ward closures and 5-10 stake closures before the end of the year. However, there may also be several new congregations and stakes organized as part of these changes. The Church in Mexico City has sought for many years to make a plan to better utilize meetinghouse space to conserve costs and establish congregations with larger numbers of active members. I just received a report that the Mexico City Centenario Stake was discontinued today, and a new stake, Mexico City Villa Madero Stake, was organized. However, I will officially report these changes in another update once I have more information.
There are now 219 stakes and 45 districts in Mexico.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Iraq
Click here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Iraq. The Church established its first official branches in Iraq during 2003 when the American-led coalition invaded Iraq. All military branches were discontinued by the early 2010s upon the removal of most foreign military personnel. In the mid-2010s, a Church presence was established among Kurdish and Assyrian/Chaldean peoples in Kurdistan. Today there are two member groups led by local leaders.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Graph with Labels - Temple Announcements and Number of Members: Analysis
I am not the greatest making graphs and charts with Excel, but I managed to put labels on for each of the points in the graph I presented in the post for Temple Announcements and Number of Members: Analysis. This way, it is easier to identify trends with when temples are announced by country or geographical area. For example, the Church has announced temples in Latin American countries when there are more members than in countries in other regions of the world. This is likely due to lower member activity rates. See below for the updated graph. Click on the graph so the labels are legible.
Monday, October 22, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Kyrgyzstan
Click here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Kyrgyzstan. The Church missed its window of opportunity to enter Kyrgyzstan in the 1990s when religious freedom laws better accommodated foreign, proselytizing Christian groups. Today, the Church has the virtually insurmountable barrier for 200 adult citizen members required for government registration. Although a mission branch exclusively services Kyrgyzstan under the Russia Yekaterinburg Mission, no official branch meets within the country. A member group has historically functioned to service American military personnel. A senior missionary couple on humanitarian assignment has served in the country since the mid-2010s. There are no translations of Church materials into Kyrgyz although there is a small number of translations of materials in Kazakh which is mutually intelligible with Kyrgyz.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Temple Announcements and Number of Members: Analysis
Over the years I have wondered what the relationship between church membership and temple announcements has looked like, particularly in regards to when the Church announces its first temple in a given country. See below for a list of all countries with a dedicated or announced temple current as of October 2018. There are currently 57 countries and territories/dependencies that have a temple dedicated or announced. This list provides the year when the first temple was announced for each country and the number of members who lived in the country at the time the first temple was announced per official membership statistics from the Church (or best estimates for years without membership data available). There has not appeared to be a significant change in the number of members in countries when the first temple is announced. See below for a scatter plot that display these data:
On average, the Church typically announces a temple when there are 32,657 members in a country. However, the median membership for when the Church announces its first temple in a country is 23,326. The countries with the fewest members to have a temple announced was Switzerland in 1952 (approximately 2,000 members), Guam in 2018 (2,500 members), and the United States in 1832 (approximately 2,661 members). The countries with the most members to have a temple announced for the first time include Mexico in 1976 (141,768 members), Honduras in 2006 (116,416 members), and El Salvador in 2007 (98,575 members). The years 1981 and 2018 tie for the most new temple announcements in countries where no temples previously operated as there were seven countries for both of these years where temples were announced for the first time.
On average, the Church typically announces a temple when there are 32,657 members in a country. However, the median membership for when the Church announces its first temple in a country is 23,326. The countries with the fewest members to have a temple announced was Switzerland in 1952 (approximately 2,000 members), Guam in 2018 (2,500 members), and the United States in 1832 (approximately 2,661 members). The countries with the most members to have a temple announced for the first time include Mexico in 1976 (141,768 members), Honduras in 2006 (116,416 members), and El Salvador in 2007 (98,575 members). The years 1981 and 2018 tie for the most new temple announcements in countries where no temples previously operated as there were seven countries for both of these years where temples were announced for the first time.
- United States - 1832 - 2,661 members
- Canada - 1913 - 10,000 members
- Switzerland - 1952 - 2,000 members
- United Kingdom - 1953 - 8,000 members
- New Zealand - 1955 - 14,000 members
- Japan - 1975 - 27,516 members
- Brazil - 1975 - 45,747 members
- Mexico - 1976 - 141,768 members
- Samoa - 1977 - 21,890 members
- French Polynesia - 1980 - 6,600 members
- Tonga - 1980 - 18,563 members
- Australia - 1980 - 37,537 members
- Argentina - 1980 - 60,972 members
- Chile - 1980 - 63,658 members
- Sweden - 1981 - 6,410 members
- South Africa - 1981 - 8,394 members
- Guatemala - 1981 - 22,234 members
- South Korea - 1981 - 23,400 members
- Germany - 1981 - 26,177 members
- Peru - 1981 - 40,646 members
- Philippines - 1981 - 56,717 members
- Taiwan - 1982 - 8,679 members
- Ecuador - 1982 - 30,386 members
- Colombia - 1984 - 45,800 members
- Hong Kong - 1992 - 18,000 members
- Spain - 1993 - 25,000 members
- Dominican Republic - 1993 - 47,000 members
- Venezuela - 1995 - 73,000 members
- Bolivia - 1995 - 83,500 members
- Ukraine - 1998 - 5,000 members
- Fiji - 1998 - 12,000 members
- Ghana - 1998 - 16,000 members
- Uruguay - 1998 - 70,000 members
- Denmark - 1999 - 4,600 members
- Netherlands - 1999 - 7,627 members
- Costa Rica - 1999 - 29,000 members
- Finland - 2000 - 4,403 members
- Nigeria - 2000 - 42,746 members
- Paraguay - 2000 - 44,632 members
- Panama - 2002 - 39,559 members
- Honduras - 2006 - 116,416 members
- El Salvador - 2007 - 98,575 members
- Italy - 2008 - 22,886 members
- Portugal - 2010 - 39,031 members
- Democratic Republic of the Congo - 2011 - 30,435 members
- France - 2011 - 36,403 members
- Thailand - 2015 - 19,665 members
- Haiti - 2015 - 20,414 members
- Cote d'Ivoire - 2015 - 27,052 members
- Zimbabwe - 2016 - 27,825 members
- Kenya - 2017 - 13,189 members
- Guam - 2018 - 2,500 members
- India - 2018 - 13,570 members
- Cambodia - 2018 - 14,600 members
- Cape Verde - 2018 - 14,700 members
- Puerto Rico - 2018 - 23,234 members
- Russia - 2018 - 23,252 members
- Nicaragua - 2018 - 98,534 members
New Stakes Created in Bolivia, Ecuador, Idaho, and Peru; District Discontinued in the Federated States of Micronesia
Bolivia
The Church organized a new stake in Santa Cruz on October 14th. The Santa Cruz Bolivia La Libertad Stake was organized from a division of the Santa Cruz Bolivia La Pampa Stake and the Santa Cruz Bolivia La Merced Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the La Cañada, La Libertad, Plan Tres Mil, and Primero de Mayo Wards. Based upon survey data from local members and returned missionaries obtained within the past 3-4 years, at least two of the wards had 140 or more active members. There are now 10 stakes in Santa Cruz - more than any other city in Bolivia. The Church has experienced steady stake growth in Santa Cruz since the first stake was organized in 1979 as additional stakes have been organized in 1981, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2017 (2), and 2018. Furthermore, the number of wards in Bolivia has also increased within the past 10 years from 165 in 2008 to 194 at present.
There are now 33 stakes and eight districts in Bolivia
Ecuador
The Santa Rosa Ecuador Stake was organized from the Santa Rosa Ecuador District on September 23rd. The district was originally organized in 1994 and has tried for many years to become a stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Huaquillas, Pasaje, Santa Rosa 1st, Santa Rosa 2nd, and Santa Rosa 3rd Wards, and the Arenillas and Piñas Branches.
There are now 41 stakes and eight districts in Ecuador. The Church has experienced steady stake growth in Ecuador due to increasing numbers of wards. For example, there were only 33 stakes and 10 districts in Ecuador in 2008.
Idaho
The Church organized a new stake in Rexburg at Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-Idaho) on September 30th. The Rexburg Idaho YSA 11th Stake was organized from the Rexburg Idaho YSA 1st Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 2nd Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 3rd Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 6th Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 7th Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 8th Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 9th Stake, and Rexburg Idaho YSA 10th Stake. The new stake includes the following 12 wards: the Rexburg YSA 11th, Rexburg YSA 16th, Rexburg YSA 28th, Rexburg YSA 35th, Rexburg YSA 49th, Rexburg YSA 50th, Rexburg YSA 68th, Rexburg YSA 85th, Rexburg YSA 114th, Rexburg YSA 115th, Rexburg YSA 116th, and Rexburg YSA 117th Ward. There are now 11 YSA stakes and four student married stakes in Rexburg.
There are now 132 stakes in Idaho.
Perú
The Church organized a new stake in Lima, Peru on October 14th. The Lima Perú Mayorazgo Stake was organized from a division of the Lima Perú Santa Patricia Stake and the Lima Perú Vitarte Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Covima, Mayorazgo 1st, Mayorazgo 2nd, Portales, and Veintisiete de Abril Wards. The Lima Perú Mayorazgo Stake is the second stake in Lima to be organized in 2018. There are now 44 stakes in the Lima metropolitan area - more stakes than any other metropolitan area in the world outside of the United States.
There are now 104 stakes and 19 districts in Perú.
Federated States of Micronesia
The Yap Micronesia District was recently discontinued and the two branches that previously pertained to the district (Colonia and Thol) were reassigned to the Barrigada Guam Stake. Additionally, the Koror Branch on Palau was also reassigned to the Barrigada Guam Stake. Inclusion of these branches into a stake provides the opportunity for one or more branches to advance into wards if each branch meets the minimum criteria for a ward to function. The Yap Micronesia District was originally organized in 1989. There is now one stakes and two districts in the Federated States of Micronesia.
The Church organized a new stake in Santa Cruz on October 14th. The Santa Cruz Bolivia La Libertad Stake was organized from a division of the Santa Cruz Bolivia La Pampa Stake and the Santa Cruz Bolivia La Merced Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the La Cañada, La Libertad, Plan Tres Mil, and Primero de Mayo Wards. Based upon survey data from local members and returned missionaries obtained within the past 3-4 years, at least two of the wards had 140 or more active members. There are now 10 stakes in Santa Cruz - more than any other city in Bolivia. The Church has experienced steady stake growth in Santa Cruz since the first stake was organized in 1979 as additional stakes have been organized in 1981, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2017 (2), and 2018. Furthermore, the number of wards in Bolivia has also increased within the past 10 years from 165 in 2008 to 194 at present.
There are now 33 stakes and eight districts in Bolivia
Ecuador
The Santa Rosa Ecuador Stake was organized from the Santa Rosa Ecuador District on September 23rd. The district was originally organized in 1994 and has tried for many years to become a stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Huaquillas, Pasaje, Santa Rosa 1st, Santa Rosa 2nd, and Santa Rosa 3rd Wards, and the Arenillas and Piñas Branches.
There are now 41 stakes and eight districts in Ecuador. The Church has experienced steady stake growth in Ecuador due to increasing numbers of wards. For example, there were only 33 stakes and 10 districts in Ecuador in 2008.
Idaho
The Church organized a new stake in Rexburg at Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-Idaho) on September 30th. The Rexburg Idaho YSA 11th Stake was organized from the Rexburg Idaho YSA 1st Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 2nd Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 3rd Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 6th Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 7th Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 8th Stake, Rexburg Idaho YSA 9th Stake, and Rexburg Idaho YSA 10th Stake. The new stake includes the following 12 wards: the Rexburg YSA 11th, Rexburg YSA 16th, Rexburg YSA 28th, Rexburg YSA 35th, Rexburg YSA 49th, Rexburg YSA 50th, Rexburg YSA 68th, Rexburg YSA 85th, Rexburg YSA 114th, Rexburg YSA 115th, Rexburg YSA 116th, and Rexburg YSA 117th Ward. There are now 11 YSA stakes and four student married stakes in Rexburg.
There are now 132 stakes in Idaho.
Perú
The Church organized a new stake in Lima, Peru on October 14th. The Lima Perú Mayorazgo Stake was organized from a division of the Lima Perú Santa Patricia Stake and the Lima Perú Vitarte Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Covima, Mayorazgo 1st, Mayorazgo 2nd, Portales, and Veintisiete de Abril Wards. The Lima Perú Mayorazgo Stake is the second stake in Lima to be organized in 2018. There are now 44 stakes in the Lima metropolitan area - more stakes than any other metropolitan area in the world outside of the United States.
There are now 104 stakes and 19 districts in Perú.
Federated States of Micronesia
The Yap Micronesia District was recently discontinued and the two branches that previously pertained to the district (Colonia and Thol) were reassigned to the Barrigada Guam Stake. Additionally, the Koror Branch on Palau was also reassigned to the Barrigada Guam Stake. Inclusion of these branches into a stake provides the opportunity for one or more branches to advance into wards if each branch meets the minimum criteria for a ward to function. The Yap Micronesia District was originally organized in 1989. There is now one stakes and two districts in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Afghanistan
Click here to access our Reaching the Nations country profile for Afghanistan. The Church's presence in Afghanistan has been solely limited to foreign military personnel although a few Afghan individuals have joined the Church, particularly in the United States and India. Government legislation that bars the proselytism and conversion of Muslims, societal intolerance for Christian proselytism, and the severe persecution of religious minorities pose significant barriers for any future Church presence in the foreseeable future.
Stake, District, and Temple Map
A new map from Church of Jesus Christ Temples (formerly www.ldschurchtemples.org) provides the location for all non-sensitive stakes and districts in the worldwide Church. The new map can be found here: https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/maps/google/. This is a great resource for looking at the international distribution of the Church's "centers of strength" worldwide. Special thanks for Rick Satterfield for developing this resource!
Friday, October 12, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Tajikistan
Click here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Tajikistan. Tajikistan is the only Persian nation in Central Asia that used to be part of the Soviet Union as the population of the four other former Soviet republics in the region are Turkic in ethnicity. The Church has operated a member group in Dushanbe to service foreign members although it is unclear whether this member group operates at present. There are only a few known Tajikistani converts. Significant restrictions on religious freedom, including the recent ban on individuals under age 18 attending public religious services, pose insurmountable obstacles for an official Church establishment at present. Nevertheless, the Church assigned Tajikistan to the Central Eurasian Mission in 2015 although prospects for outreach within the foreseeable future appear dim.
Monday, October 8, 2018
UPDATED: The 10 Countries/Territories with the Most Members without a Temple Announced, Under Construction, or in Operation
I have updated the list of the countries and dependencies with the most
members
without a temple with year-end 2017 membership totals or more recent membership data if available. Temples
that service stakes, districts, and mission branches in each country are
identified. Previous lists are also available for April 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, mid-2011, late 2008, and late 2007.
1. Papua New Guinea
1. Papua New Guinea
- 27,163 members
- 2 stakes, 12 districts
- 80 congregations
- Sydney Australia Temple
- 20,045 members
- 5 stakes, 4 districts
- 67 congregations
- Accra Ghana Temple
- 19,690 members
- 2 stakes, 2 districts
- 32 congregations
- Suva Fiji Temple, Laie Hawaii Temple
- 16,339 members
- 5 stakes
- 43 congregations
- Apia Samoa Temple
- 15,979 members
- 3 stakes, 0 districts
- 31 congregations
- Johannesburg South Africa Temple
- 12,544 members
- 4 stakes, 1 districts
- 44 congregations
- Accra Ghana Temple
- 11,881 members
- 2 stakes, 3 districts
- 40 congregations
- Johannesburg South Africa Temple
- 11,641 members
- 2 stakes, 1 district
- 25 congregations
- Hong Kong China Temple
- 10,835 members
- 3 stakes, 1 district
- 33 congregations
- Johannesburg South Africa Temple
- 10,224 members
- 0 stakes, 6 districts
- 32 congregations
- Hong Kong China Temple
Updated Country Profile - Turkmenistan
Click here to access the updated country profile for Turkmenistan. The Church has never operated an official presence in Turkmenistan although a small group for American military personnel has historically functioned in the country. Turkmenistan was assigned to a full-time mission in 2015 when the Central Eurasian Mission was organized. Extremely few Turkmen have joined the Church abroad although there has been at least one Turkmen returned missionary. Severe government restrictions on religious freedom pose significant challenges for a Church establishment one day.
Sunday, October 7, 2018
October 2018 New Temple Announcements - Analysis
As noted in my post earlier today, today's historic announcement of twelve new temples sets a new record for the most new temples ever announced on a single day. See below for analysis and background on the Church for each of these twelve locations. Most of these temples appear likely to be small temples given the lack of members in each of these locations. The motivation for the construction of most of these temples appears to be to improve accessibility to temples for members, particularly those who live far from the nearest temple. With these twelve new temples announced, there are now 201 temples in the Church that are announced, under construction, or in operation. Additionally, the Church has posted membership data for several countries that appears current as of October 1st, 2018. This information can be found in the Church's official news release regarding today's announcement.
Mendoza Argentina Temple
The Mendoza Argentina Temple will be the Church's fourth temple to be built in Argentina after the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple (dedicated in 1986), Cordoba Argentina Temple (dedicated in 2015), and the Salta Argentina Temple (announced in April 2018). The Church first established a presence in South America in Argentina in 1925. The Church experienced rapid membership growth during most years in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, followed by moderate membership growth in the 1990s and slow membership growth since the 2000s. Today, there are nearly 459,000 members, 14 missions, 77 stakes, 29 districts, and 756 official congregations (485 wards, 271 branches) in Argentina. Thus far in 2018, membership has increased by 1.48%. If this rate of membership growth is maintained for the remainder of 2018, church membership for the year will increase by 1.97% - the highest annual percentage membership growth reported by the Church in Argentina since 2014. For more Church statistical data for Argentina, click here.
The Church organized its first stake in Mendoza in 1972. The Argentina Mendoza Mission was organized in 1990. There are now four stakes in the Mendoza metropolitan area. The new temple will likely service eight stakes and two districts in Mendoza and San Juan Provinces.
Salvador Brazil Temple
The Salvador Brazil Temple will be the Church's eleventh temple to be built in Brazil after the São Paulo Brazil Temple (dedicated in 1978), Recife Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), Porto Alegre Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), Campinas Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2002), Curitiba Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2008), Manaus Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2012), Fortaleza Brazil Temple (announced in 2009 and currently under construction), Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple (announced in 2013 and currently under construction), Belém Brazil Temple (announced in 2016), and the Brasília Brazil Temple (announced in 2017). The Church first established a presence in Brazil in 1928. Slow membership growth occurred until the late 1950s, whereas rapid membership growth occurred most years between 1957 and the late 1990s. Slow-to-moderate membership growth has occurred since the early 2000s. Today there are 1.39 million members, 35 missions, 271 stakes, 38 districts, and 2,110 official congregations (1,689 wards, 421 branches) in Brazil. For more Church statistical data for Brazil, click here.
The Church created the Brazil Salvador Mission in 1990 and organized its first stake in Salvador in 1992. A second mission in Salvador was created in 1994. Today the Church operates four stakes in Salvador. The new temple will likely service 13 stakes and 4 districts in Bahia, Sergipe, and extreme western Pernambuco States.
Yuba City California Temple
The Yuba City California Temple will be the Church's eighth temple to be built in California after the Los Angeles California Temple (dedicated in 1956), Oakland California Temple (dedicated in 1964), San Diego California Temple (dedicated in 1993), Fresno California Temple (dedicated in 2000), Redlands California Temple (dedicated in 2003), Newport Beach California Temple (dedicated in 2005), and Sacramento California Temple (dedicated in 2006). The Church in California reported steady membership growth during the twentieth century until the late 1980s. For the past 30 years, the Church has experienced extremely slow or stagnant membership growth in state as membership has increased from 716,000 in 1989 to more than 760,000 in October 2018. During the past five years, membership has decreased by approximately 20,000 primarily due to members moving away from the state to other areas of the United States. For more Church statistical data for California, click here.
The announcement to build a temple in Yuba City came as a complete surprise to me. Yuba City is a one-hour drive from the Sacramento California Temple. Additionally, the new temple appears likely to only service five or six stakes from Redding on the north to Quincy on the east. The last time a new stake was organized in this area was in 1979. None of stakes in the area appear close to dividing to organize new stakes. The Church has reported slight decreases in the total number of wards and branches in this area within the past decade.
Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple
The Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple is the Church's first temple to be announced for Cambodia and the second temple to ever be announced for mainland Southeast Asia after the Bangkok Thailand Temple (announced in 2015). The Church organized its first branch in Cambodia in Phnom Penh in 1994 and created the Cambodia Phnom Pehn Mission in 1997. Rapid membership growth occurred until the mid-2000s followed by moderate or slow membership growth thereafter primarily due to mission leadership emphasis on strengthening local leadership in Phnom Penh and the establishment of stakes and additional districts. The first two stakes were organized on the same weekend in 2014. The Church reports an official ward or branch in seven cities. Prior to the announcement, Cambodia was the country with the seventh most members without a temple. Today there are more than 14,600 members, one mission, two stakes, four districts, and 29 official congregations (10 wards, 19 branches) in Cambodia. Thus far in 2018, membership has increased by 2.41%. If this rate of membership growth is maintained for the remainder of 2018, church membership for the year will increase by 3.22% - the second slowest annual percentage membership growth ever reported by the Church in Cambodia. For more Church statistical data for Cambodia, click here.
The announcement of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple also came as a surprise to me since the Church recently announced the nearby Bangkok Thailand Temple (which has yet to begin construction). A recent rendering of the Bangkok Thailand Temple revealed that the planned design is for a temple among the largest temples ever built by the Church on the Afro-Eurasian landmass with 44,405 square feet of floor area. The new temple will likely include two stakes and six districts located in Cambodia and Vietnam. Cambodia is now the country with the most recent Church establishment that has had a temple announced.
Praia Cape Verde Temple
The Praia Cape Verde Temple will be the Church's first temple ever built in Cape Verde - an island archipelago nation off the West African coast near Senegal. The Church organized its first branch in Cape Verde in 1989 and created the Cape Verde Praia Mission in 2002. The Church reported rapid membership growth during the early and mid 1990s, moderate membership growth in the late 1990s, rapid membership growth in the early 2000s, slow membership growth in the mid and late 2000s, rapid membership growth in the early 2010s, and moderate membership growth in the mid-2010s. Prior to the announcement, Cape Verde was the country with the eighth most members without a temple. Today there are 14,700 members, one mission, three stakes, two districts, and 42 official congregations (24 wards, 18 branches). Thus far in 2018, membership has increased by 3.48%. If this rate of membership growth is maintained for the remainder of 2018, church membership for the year will increase by 4.6% - the slowest annual percentage membership growth rate since 2010. For more statistical data on the Church in Cape Verde, click here.
Cape Verde has stood as an outlier as rapid growth occurred during the early and mid 2010s primarily after a mission president focused on leadership development at a time when there were only 18 branches and no stakes in the country. Although growth has decelerated in the last few years, the Church has risen to prominence in the country and current membership constitutes 2.5% of the national population - the highest percentage of members of any country in Africa, Europe, or Asia. The new temple will likely service only the three stakes and two districts in Cape Verde although the two mission branches in Senegal may be assigned to the temple due to close geographical proximity. Isolated location appears to be the primary factor for the announcement of the new temple since the nearest planned temples to Cape Verde are located in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire and Lisbon, Portugal.
Yigo Guam Temple
The Yigo Guam Temple is the Church's first temple to ever been announced for the region of Micronesia where the Church has experienced significant growth in the last 40 years. Although the Church reports only one stake on Guam with four wards (additional congregations assigned to the stake are located in the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and Yap), most neighboring countries report significantly more congregations. The Church numbers among the largest Christian denominations in several Micronesian nations that will likely be assigned to the new temple. The Church has maintained a presence in Guam since World War II and organized the Guam Micronesia Mission in 1980. The Church in Guam has experienced slow growth and currently reports approximately 2,500 members. The first and only stake on Guam was created in 2010. However, other nearby nations that appear likely to be assigned to the temple report significantly larger numbers of members. For example, at year-end 2017 the Church in the Federated States of Micronesia reported 6,217 members and 22 congregations, the Church in the Marshall Islands reported 6,970 members and 12 congregations, and the Church in Kiribati reported 19,690 members and 30 congregations. Altogether, the new temple will likely service members who live in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Nauru where there is a combined total of 36,000 members. The new temple will likely include six stakes and four districts in the Micronesian sub-region of Oceania. The decision to build the new temple on Guam instead of other Micronesian nations with significantly more members appears attributed to Guam's international accessibility, comparatively large population in the region, and availability of land at a sufficiently high elevation above sea level.
Puebla Mexico Temple
The Puebla Mexico Temple will be the Church's fourteenth temple in Mexico after the Mexico City Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1983), Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1999), Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Hermosillo Sonora Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Oaxaca Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Tampico Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Villahermosa Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Mérida Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Veracruz Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Guadalajara Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2001), Monterrey Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2002), and Tijuana Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2015). The Church has had a presence in Mexico since the 1870s although significant growth did not occur until the 1960s. Rapid membership growth occurred between 1960 and the late 1980s, followed by moderate or slow membership growth thereafter. Today the Church in Mexico reports 1.45 million members, 32 missions, 221 stakes, 45 districts, and 1,926 congregations (1,440 wards, 486 branches). The Church in Mexico has undergone a significant consolidation of smaller congregations and stakes to better utilize meetinghouse space, establish stronger leadership, and create congregations with more active members. As a result, the number of congregations has decreased by nearly 100 since early 2017. However, the Church in Puebla State has not experienced noticeable decline in the number of congregations. Instead, the Church in Puebla State has had one new stake organized and the establishment of several new wards and branches during this time.
The Church organized its first stake in Puebla in 1975. A mission was created in Puebla in 1988 followed by a second mission based in the city in 2012. The new temple will likely service 14 stakes and three districts in Puebla State. Puebla was previously one of the cities in the world with the most stakes without its own temple.
Auckland New Zealand Temple
The Auckland New Zealand Temple will be the Church's second temple in New Zealand after the Hamilton New Zealand Temple was dedicated in 1958. The Church has maintained a presence in New Zealand since 1854. Growth has primarily occurred among Pacific Islanders who live in the country, particularly the native Maori population. For example, half of self-identified Latter-day Saints on the 2006 census described their ethnicity as Maori. The Church in New Zealand has generally experienced slow growth throughout its history punctuated with brief periods of rapid or moderate growth. The Church in New Zealand currently reports more than 114,000 members, three missions, 30 stakes, two districts, and 226 official congregations (174 wards, 52 branches).
The Church organized its first stake in Auckland in 1958. There are now 13 stakes in the Auckland metropolitan area. The new temple will likely service 15 stakes in the Auckland area and in Northland. Auckland was previously one of the cities in the world with the most stakes without its own temple.
Lagos Nigeria Temple
The Lagos Nigeria Temple will be the Church's second temple in Nigeria after the Aba Nigeria Temple (dedicated in 2005). The Church in Nigeria has experienced moderate to rapid growth for its entire 40 year history since the first branch was created in 1978. The Church in Nigeria currently reports nearly 174,000 members, seven missions, 53 stakes, 16 districts, and 630 official congregations (378 wards, 252 branches). No other country had only one temple with as many stakes and congregations as Nigeria prior to today's announcement. Additionally, a total of 30 new stakes have been organized in Nigeria just within the past five years. There are another 10 or so stakes that appear likely to be organized within the immediate future. Thus far in 2018, membership has increased by 6.26%. If this rate of membership growth is maintained for the remainder of 2018, church membership for the year will increase by 8.35% - the highest annual percentage membership growth reported by the Church in Nigeria since 2015. For more statistical data on the Church in Nigeria, click here.
The Church has maintained a presence in Lagos since 1979. A mission was organized in Lagos in 1980 and the first stake in the city was created in 1997. Rapid growth has occurred in Lagos during the past 15 years as the number of stakes reached two in 2005, three in 2011, five in 2015, and six in 2018. The new temple will likely service 20 stakes and four districts in Nigeria, and one stake in Benin.
Davao Philippines Temple
The Davao Philippines Temple will be the Church's sixth temple in the Philippines after the Manila Philippines Temple (dedicated in 1984), Cebu City Philippines Temple (dedicated in 2010), Urdaneta Philippines Temple (announced in 2010), Greater Manila Philippines Temple (announced in 2017), and the Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple (announced in April 2018). The Church began missionary efforts in the Philippines in 1961. The first mission in the country was created in 1967. Rapid membership growth occurred until the mid-1990s, followed by moderate or slow growth thereafter. Currently the Church in the Philippines reports more than 780,000 members, 22 missions, 104 stakes, 71 districts, and 1,227 official congregations (671 wards, 556 branches). Thus far in 2018, membership has increased by 1.91%. If this rate of membership growth is maintained for the remainder of 2018, church membership for the year will increase by 2.54% - approximately the annual membership growth rate for the Philippines since 2015. For more statistical data on the Church in the Philippines, click here.
The Church appeared to create its first branch in Davao in 1968. The Philippines Davao Mission was organized in 1977 and the first stake in the city was created in 1981. There are currently three stakes in Davao. The new temple will likely serve six stakes and eight districts in southern Mindanao. The decision to announce a temple for Davao was also unexpected given the announcement of a temple in Cagayan de Oro just six months earlier. As a result, this marks the first time in Church history that the Church has announced two temples for the same island within so short a period of time. Also, the Church has never had two announced temples located on the same island where no temples have been previously constructed.
San Juan Puerto Rico Temple
The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple will be the Church's first temple in Puerto Rico. The Church organized its first branch in this United States territory in 1955. The Puerto Rico San Juan Mission was created in 1979 and the first stake was created in 1980. Rapid membership growth occurred in the 1980s followed by slow membership growth in the 1990s, membership decline in the early 2000s, and slow or stagnant membership growth since the late 2000s. Today there are over 23,000 members, one mission, five stakes, and 40 official congregations (28 wards, 12 branches) in Puerto Rico. The new temple will likely include the five stakes on Puerto Rico as well as two districts in the Lesser Antilles. Puerto Rico was previously the country/territory with the second most members without a temple.
Washington County Utah Temple
The Washington County Utah Temple will be the 20th temple to be built in Utah after the St. George Utah Temple (dedicated in 1877), Logan Utah Temple (dedicated in 1884), Manti Utah Temple (dedicated in 1888), Salt Lake Temple (dedicated in 1893), Ogden Utah Temple (dedicated in 1972), Provo Utah Temple (dedicated in 1972), Jordan River Utah Temple (dedicated in 1981), Bountiful Utah Temple (dedicated in 1995), Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple (dedicated in 1996), Vernal Utah Temple (dedicated in 1997), Monticello Utah Temple (dedicated in 1998), Draper Utah Temple (dedicated in 2009), Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple (dedicated in 2009), Brigham City Utah Temple (dedicated in 2012), Payson Utah Temple (dedicated in 2015), Cedar City Utah Temple (dedicated in 2017), Saratoga Springs Utah Temple (announced in 2017), and Layton Utah Temple (announced in April 2018). The new temple will be the second temple to be built in Washington County after the St. George Utah Temple - the oldest operating temple that remains in possession by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The precise name and location of the new temple remains unknown although likely locations for the new temple include Washington and Santa Clara. The Church has experienced rapid growth in the St. George metropolitan area for many years. Recently, the Church has added an average of one new stake per year in the St. George metropolitan area. There are 28 stakes within the greater St. George metropolitan area.
Mendoza Argentina Temple
The Mendoza Argentina Temple will be the Church's fourth temple to be built in Argentina after the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple (dedicated in 1986), Cordoba Argentina Temple (dedicated in 2015), and the Salta Argentina Temple (announced in April 2018). The Church first established a presence in South America in Argentina in 1925. The Church experienced rapid membership growth during most years in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, followed by moderate membership growth in the 1990s and slow membership growth since the 2000s. Today, there are nearly 459,000 members, 14 missions, 77 stakes, 29 districts, and 756 official congregations (485 wards, 271 branches) in Argentina. Thus far in 2018, membership has increased by 1.48%. If this rate of membership growth is maintained for the remainder of 2018, church membership for the year will increase by 1.97% - the highest annual percentage membership growth reported by the Church in Argentina since 2014. For more Church statistical data for Argentina, click here.
The Church organized its first stake in Mendoza in 1972. The Argentina Mendoza Mission was organized in 1990. There are now four stakes in the Mendoza metropolitan area. The new temple will likely service eight stakes and two districts in Mendoza and San Juan Provinces.
Salvador Brazil Temple
The Salvador Brazil Temple will be the Church's eleventh temple to be built in Brazil after the São Paulo Brazil Temple (dedicated in 1978), Recife Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), Porto Alegre Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), Campinas Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2002), Curitiba Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2008), Manaus Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2012), Fortaleza Brazil Temple (announced in 2009 and currently under construction), Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple (announced in 2013 and currently under construction), Belém Brazil Temple (announced in 2016), and the Brasília Brazil Temple (announced in 2017). The Church first established a presence in Brazil in 1928. Slow membership growth occurred until the late 1950s, whereas rapid membership growth occurred most years between 1957 and the late 1990s. Slow-to-moderate membership growth has occurred since the early 2000s. Today there are 1.39 million members, 35 missions, 271 stakes, 38 districts, and 2,110 official congregations (1,689 wards, 421 branches) in Brazil. For more Church statistical data for Brazil, click here.
The Church created the Brazil Salvador Mission in 1990 and organized its first stake in Salvador in 1992. A second mission in Salvador was created in 1994. Today the Church operates four stakes in Salvador. The new temple will likely service 13 stakes and 4 districts in Bahia, Sergipe, and extreme western Pernambuco States.
Yuba City California Temple
The Yuba City California Temple will be the Church's eighth temple to be built in California after the Los Angeles California Temple (dedicated in 1956), Oakland California Temple (dedicated in 1964), San Diego California Temple (dedicated in 1993), Fresno California Temple (dedicated in 2000), Redlands California Temple (dedicated in 2003), Newport Beach California Temple (dedicated in 2005), and Sacramento California Temple (dedicated in 2006). The Church in California reported steady membership growth during the twentieth century until the late 1980s. For the past 30 years, the Church has experienced extremely slow or stagnant membership growth in state as membership has increased from 716,000 in 1989 to more than 760,000 in October 2018. During the past five years, membership has decreased by approximately 20,000 primarily due to members moving away from the state to other areas of the United States. For more Church statistical data for California, click here.
The announcement to build a temple in Yuba City came as a complete surprise to me. Yuba City is a one-hour drive from the Sacramento California Temple. Additionally, the new temple appears likely to only service five or six stakes from Redding on the north to Quincy on the east. The last time a new stake was organized in this area was in 1979. None of stakes in the area appear close to dividing to organize new stakes. The Church has reported slight decreases in the total number of wards and branches in this area within the past decade.
Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple
The Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple is the Church's first temple to be announced for Cambodia and the second temple to ever be announced for mainland Southeast Asia after the Bangkok Thailand Temple (announced in 2015). The Church organized its first branch in Cambodia in Phnom Penh in 1994 and created the Cambodia Phnom Pehn Mission in 1997. Rapid membership growth occurred until the mid-2000s followed by moderate or slow membership growth thereafter primarily due to mission leadership emphasis on strengthening local leadership in Phnom Penh and the establishment of stakes and additional districts. The first two stakes were organized on the same weekend in 2014. The Church reports an official ward or branch in seven cities. Prior to the announcement, Cambodia was the country with the seventh most members without a temple. Today there are more than 14,600 members, one mission, two stakes, four districts, and 29 official congregations (10 wards, 19 branches) in Cambodia. Thus far in 2018, membership has increased by 2.41%. If this rate of membership growth is maintained for the remainder of 2018, church membership for the year will increase by 3.22% - the second slowest annual percentage membership growth ever reported by the Church in Cambodia. For more Church statistical data for Cambodia, click here.
The announcement of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple also came as a surprise to me since the Church recently announced the nearby Bangkok Thailand Temple (which has yet to begin construction). A recent rendering of the Bangkok Thailand Temple revealed that the planned design is for a temple among the largest temples ever built by the Church on the Afro-Eurasian landmass with 44,405 square feet of floor area. The new temple will likely include two stakes and six districts located in Cambodia and Vietnam. Cambodia is now the country with the most recent Church establishment that has had a temple announced.
Praia Cape Verde Temple
The Praia Cape Verde Temple will be the Church's first temple ever built in Cape Verde - an island archipelago nation off the West African coast near Senegal. The Church organized its first branch in Cape Verde in 1989 and created the Cape Verde Praia Mission in 2002. The Church reported rapid membership growth during the early and mid 1990s, moderate membership growth in the late 1990s, rapid membership growth in the early 2000s, slow membership growth in the mid and late 2000s, rapid membership growth in the early 2010s, and moderate membership growth in the mid-2010s. Prior to the announcement, Cape Verde was the country with the eighth most members without a temple. Today there are 14,700 members, one mission, three stakes, two districts, and 42 official congregations (24 wards, 18 branches). Thus far in 2018, membership has increased by 3.48%. If this rate of membership growth is maintained for the remainder of 2018, church membership for the year will increase by 4.6% - the slowest annual percentage membership growth rate since 2010. For more statistical data on the Church in Cape Verde, click here.
Cape Verde has stood as an outlier as rapid growth occurred during the early and mid 2010s primarily after a mission president focused on leadership development at a time when there were only 18 branches and no stakes in the country. Although growth has decelerated in the last few years, the Church has risen to prominence in the country and current membership constitutes 2.5% of the national population - the highest percentage of members of any country in Africa, Europe, or Asia. The new temple will likely service only the three stakes and two districts in Cape Verde although the two mission branches in Senegal may be assigned to the temple due to close geographical proximity. Isolated location appears to be the primary factor for the announcement of the new temple since the nearest planned temples to Cape Verde are located in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire and Lisbon, Portugal.
Yigo Guam Temple
The Yigo Guam Temple is the Church's first temple to ever been announced for the region of Micronesia where the Church has experienced significant growth in the last 40 years. Although the Church reports only one stake on Guam with four wards (additional congregations assigned to the stake are located in the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and Yap), most neighboring countries report significantly more congregations. The Church numbers among the largest Christian denominations in several Micronesian nations that will likely be assigned to the new temple. The Church has maintained a presence in Guam since World War II and organized the Guam Micronesia Mission in 1980. The Church in Guam has experienced slow growth and currently reports approximately 2,500 members. The first and only stake on Guam was created in 2010. However, other nearby nations that appear likely to be assigned to the temple report significantly larger numbers of members. For example, at year-end 2017 the Church in the Federated States of Micronesia reported 6,217 members and 22 congregations, the Church in the Marshall Islands reported 6,970 members and 12 congregations, and the Church in Kiribati reported 19,690 members and 30 congregations. Altogether, the new temple will likely service members who live in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Nauru where there is a combined total of 36,000 members. The new temple will likely include six stakes and four districts in the Micronesian sub-region of Oceania. The decision to build the new temple on Guam instead of other Micronesian nations with significantly more members appears attributed to Guam's international accessibility, comparatively large population in the region, and availability of land at a sufficiently high elevation above sea level.
Puebla Mexico Temple
The Puebla Mexico Temple will be the Church's fourteenth temple in Mexico after the Mexico City Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1983), Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1999), Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Hermosillo Sonora Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Oaxaca Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Tampico Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Villahermosa Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Mérida Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Veracruz Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), Guadalajara Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2001), Monterrey Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2002), and Tijuana Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2015). The Church has had a presence in Mexico since the 1870s although significant growth did not occur until the 1960s. Rapid membership growth occurred between 1960 and the late 1980s, followed by moderate or slow membership growth thereafter. Today the Church in Mexico reports 1.45 million members, 32 missions, 221 stakes, 45 districts, and 1,926 congregations (1,440 wards, 486 branches). The Church in Mexico has undergone a significant consolidation of smaller congregations and stakes to better utilize meetinghouse space, establish stronger leadership, and create congregations with more active members. As a result, the number of congregations has decreased by nearly 100 since early 2017. However, the Church in Puebla State has not experienced noticeable decline in the number of congregations. Instead, the Church in Puebla State has had one new stake organized and the establishment of several new wards and branches during this time.
The Church organized its first stake in Puebla in 1975. A mission was created in Puebla in 1988 followed by a second mission based in the city in 2012. The new temple will likely service 14 stakes and three districts in Puebla State. Puebla was previously one of the cities in the world with the most stakes without its own temple.
Auckland New Zealand Temple
The Auckland New Zealand Temple will be the Church's second temple in New Zealand after the Hamilton New Zealand Temple was dedicated in 1958. The Church has maintained a presence in New Zealand since 1854. Growth has primarily occurred among Pacific Islanders who live in the country, particularly the native Maori population. For example, half of self-identified Latter-day Saints on the 2006 census described their ethnicity as Maori. The Church in New Zealand has generally experienced slow growth throughout its history punctuated with brief periods of rapid or moderate growth. The Church in New Zealand currently reports more than 114,000 members, three missions, 30 stakes, two districts, and 226 official congregations (174 wards, 52 branches).
The Church organized its first stake in Auckland in 1958. There are now 13 stakes in the Auckland metropolitan area. The new temple will likely service 15 stakes in the Auckland area and in Northland. Auckland was previously one of the cities in the world with the most stakes without its own temple.
Lagos Nigeria Temple
The Lagos Nigeria Temple will be the Church's second temple in Nigeria after the Aba Nigeria Temple (dedicated in 2005). The Church in Nigeria has experienced moderate to rapid growth for its entire 40 year history since the first branch was created in 1978. The Church in Nigeria currently reports nearly 174,000 members, seven missions, 53 stakes, 16 districts, and 630 official congregations (378 wards, 252 branches). No other country had only one temple with as many stakes and congregations as Nigeria prior to today's announcement. Additionally, a total of 30 new stakes have been organized in Nigeria just within the past five years. There are another 10 or so stakes that appear likely to be organized within the immediate future. Thus far in 2018, membership has increased by 6.26%. If this rate of membership growth is maintained for the remainder of 2018, church membership for the year will increase by 8.35% - the highest annual percentage membership growth reported by the Church in Nigeria since 2015. For more statistical data on the Church in Nigeria, click here.
The Church has maintained a presence in Lagos since 1979. A mission was organized in Lagos in 1980 and the first stake in the city was created in 1997. Rapid growth has occurred in Lagos during the past 15 years as the number of stakes reached two in 2005, three in 2011, five in 2015, and six in 2018. The new temple will likely service 20 stakes and four districts in Nigeria, and one stake in Benin.
Davao Philippines Temple
The Davao Philippines Temple will be the Church's sixth temple in the Philippines after the Manila Philippines Temple (dedicated in 1984), Cebu City Philippines Temple (dedicated in 2010), Urdaneta Philippines Temple (announced in 2010), Greater Manila Philippines Temple (announced in 2017), and the Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple (announced in April 2018). The Church began missionary efforts in the Philippines in 1961. The first mission in the country was created in 1967. Rapid membership growth occurred until the mid-1990s, followed by moderate or slow growth thereafter. Currently the Church in the Philippines reports more than 780,000 members, 22 missions, 104 stakes, 71 districts, and 1,227 official congregations (671 wards, 556 branches). Thus far in 2018, membership has increased by 1.91%. If this rate of membership growth is maintained for the remainder of 2018, church membership for the year will increase by 2.54% - approximately the annual membership growth rate for the Philippines since 2015. For more statistical data on the Church in the Philippines, click here.
The Church appeared to create its first branch in Davao in 1968. The Philippines Davao Mission was organized in 1977 and the first stake in the city was created in 1981. There are currently three stakes in Davao. The new temple will likely serve six stakes and eight districts in southern Mindanao. The decision to announce a temple for Davao was also unexpected given the announcement of a temple in Cagayan de Oro just six months earlier. As a result, this marks the first time in Church history that the Church has announced two temples for the same island within so short a period of time. Also, the Church has never had two announced temples located on the same island where no temples have been previously constructed.
San Juan Puerto Rico Temple
The San Juan Puerto Rico Temple will be the Church's first temple in Puerto Rico. The Church organized its first branch in this United States territory in 1955. The Puerto Rico San Juan Mission was created in 1979 and the first stake was created in 1980. Rapid membership growth occurred in the 1980s followed by slow membership growth in the 1990s, membership decline in the early 2000s, and slow or stagnant membership growth since the late 2000s. Today there are over 23,000 members, one mission, five stakes, and 40 official congregations (28 wards, 12 branches) in Puerto Rico. The new temple will likely include the five stakes on Puerto Rico as well as two districts in the Lesser Antilles. Puerto Rico was previously the country/territory with the second most members without a temple.
Washington County Utah Temple
The Washington County Utah Temple will be the 20th temple to be built in Utah after the St. George Utah Temple (dedicated in 1877), Logan Utah Temple (dedicated in 1884), Manti Utah Temple (dedicated in 1888), Salt Lake Temple (dedicated in 1893), Ogden Utah Temple (dedicated in 1972), Provo Utah Temple (dedicated in 1972), Jordan River Utah Temple (dedicated in 1981), Bountiful Utah Temple (dedicated in 1995), Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple (dedicated in 1996), Vernal Utah Temple (dedicated in 1997), Monticello Utah Temple (dedicated in 1998), Draper Utah Temple (dedicated in 2009), Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple (dedicated in 2009), Brigham City Utah Temple (dedicated in 2012), Payson Utah Temple (dedicated in 2015), Cedar City Utah Temple (dedicated in 2017), Saratoga Springs Utah Temple (announced in 2017), and Layton Utah Temple (announced in April 2018). The new temple will be the second temple to be built in Washington County after the St. George Utah Temple - the oldest operating temple that remains in possession by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The precise name and location of the new temple remains unknown although likely locations for the new temple include Washington and Santa Clara. The Church has experienced rapid growth in the St. George metropolitan area for many years. Recently, the Church has added an average of one new stake per year in the St. George metropolitan area. There are 28 stakes within the greater St. George metropolitan area.