Confirmed today in Classic Maps, the new "Fishers Indiana Stake - 2178168", which includes these 5 wards : Fishers 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Lawrence, Noblesville, from the Indianapolis Indiana North Stake. And the Kokomo Ward from the Lafayette Indiana Stake.
President Oaks has expressed the view we should have stakes in a capital before we have branches spread all around the country. That leads me to suspect the boss push in Tanzania for now will be to prepare Das as Salaam to get a stake.
I wonder if Oregon, specifically, Portland will ever see substantial growth in the coming years? I would love to see Oregon become the next 'Utah' or 'Arizona' in terms of church growth.
Several rural counties in Oregon along with parts of California and Washington are pushing to join Idaho due to being more conservative than the rest of thier state.
I think the Church's stances on social issues and the dominance of the Republican Party among American members will make growth very difficult in a place like Portland.
Being from the state of Indiana, 50 miles from Indianapolis to the south, I see Anderson and the sister city Muncie farther to the northeast of it as separate or farther from the Metro region of the capital, which does extend beyond Marion County (the entire county is incorporated as the city) into the neighboring counties, like Hendricks to the west, Johnson to the south, whatever lies to the east... Hancock, I guess. And Hamilton to the north. But Anderson and Muncie, the country seats of their own respective areas, are not part of the Indy Metro area.
Sounds like a multipurpose building like he had in Hong Kong before the renovation or Manhattan. I think it probably won't have a tower or spire like Hong Kong has now. It may have some public space and private space. If that is what it takes to have a temple but also be compliant with the law.
Glad to see the growth in Cuba. I taught a lot of Cubans on my mission. In fact, the first two baptisms I had with my trainers were Cuban (single mother and son).
I heard the same things said about Massachusetts that some of you are saying about Oregon. Specifically, after the Hartford temple was first announced, many said that Connecticut was getting the temple because "Massachusetts is cursed." There are good people everywhere.
Massachusetts has a lot of great members and non-members of the Church of Jesus Christ, and I have a lot of family among them. Despite the slower statistical growth that occurred in 2020, some countries are doing great, like in the areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. I was discussing with my kids which are the top ten growing ones: (See if you agree) Nigeria Côte d’Ivoire Ghana Sierra Leone Congo-Brazzaville Congo-Kinshasa (DRC) Uganda Mozambique South Africa Kenya?
I honestly believe the Church can make inroads in urban liberal leaning areas. It requires out of the box approaches and making church culture a more diverse inclusive community.
Also, church members shouldn't be intimidated or brush off activists language like "social justice", "advocacy", "climate change", "restorative justice", etc. There are gospel-centered solutions to all those issues. The Church and church members can do a better job at explaining how the Gospel can be more meaningful in lives, and to the community at-large.
I certainly didn't mean to suggest that liberals, progressives, Democrats or whomever aren't good people, and I want to see more of them in the Church because the current lack of political diversity in Utah and surrounding areas is not healthy. But if the first thing I knew about the Church was its opposition to same-sex relationships, and/or if I witnessed its members going ballistic because it acknowledged Biden as the legitimate US president (hopefully a vocal minority - but they sure were vocal), I doubt I would give it a chance. I agree with Matt that the Church/gospel have lots to offer them from a "liberal" perspective, but I don't think that's apparent to most people inside or outside of it.
I honestly believe the Church can make inroads in the urban liberal areas by calling out those who do not believe in the "woke" ideas of the left.
Church members should combat the new religion of "social justice", "advocacy", "climate change", "restorative justice" etc. for what it is-a false religion and a false god. There are gospel centered solutions which require non of the verbage or usage of the common terms of the day which will be thrown in the dustbin of history in another generation.
Perhaps you misinterpreted my comment. I didn't say the Church had to necessarily use terms such as "social justice", etc that its vocabulary. But what I am saying, is that Church members, leaders, and missionaries should be aware enough to see through the woke verbage and explain how the Gospel can solve a lot of the problems the Left focuses on.
So instead of being defensive and trying to make it a political issue, Church members and the Church can find common ground on issues like helping the needy, strengthening family bonds, protecting the environment, cleaning up the inner city, working with other community groups, which coincide with the goals of many left leaning advocacy groups. It's just approaching in in a Gospel-centered way, that can resonate with liberals, which can then lead to renewed growth in the Church in liberal areas.
Anderson is the county seat of Madison County, and Muncie is the county seat of Delaware County. Both counties have considerable farmland and are distant enough from Metro Indianapolis. Thanks for the opportunity to do a little research about n my home state, I visited Muncie once and I have never been to Anderson. Both have former and possibly current industrial parts, which was about cars and parts, I think.
Matt. Excellent statement that perfectly explains my ongoing involvement with scouting. Every week I get to explain to parents and scouts my views on Duty to God, a scout is reverent and why knowing what is right and wrong. This adds I am doing a worldwide presentation on impulsivity of special needs scout families. Bryce Hall aka maintour.
Massachusetts already has a temple near Boston. I wouldn't expect them to build another one in Springfield since the state at the time had only four stakes. When the Church announced the temple in Hartford, my first thought was "they're finally building the temple they originally planned."
I do believe that more stakes will form outside in Oregon, but only outside of Portland, which is a leftist, anti-religion cesspool. The Church can further make inroads in blue areas, but not in areas dominated by white leftists such as Portland, OR or Madison, WI.
I think we should be remiss to label those of different political or even moral convictions or opinions on the left or right as a cesspool. I have family members and friends who are liberal and conservative, Republican, Democrat, non-aligned, Church members and non-members, Some people can be corrupt or depraved, but their beliefs or agendas (unless truly wrong like pro-pedophile or racist or hate mongering) should not provoke us to demonize them. Our faith is big enough for people of all voting records. It needs to grow in all political lanes and we can separate Church and state, albeit that principle never pronounced in the U.S. Constitution. Amazing talk by President Oaks, eh, regarding that document? Other thought— have people been attending a temple lately?
@Eduardo Now that's an interesting moral comparison. Pro-pedophile is on the same level as racist or "hate-mongering". But of course that "hate-mongering" is only in the eye of the beholder.
In today's world to be anti-homosexual is considered "pro-hate" and one day anti-pedophile will be "pro-hate" just as much as anti-transgendered is becoming "pro-hate".
Truly wrong pro-homosexual is truly wrong and it is way worse than racism or hate-mongering.
@Matt Then you do not understand the "woke" verbage. Finding common ground on "strengthening family ties". Fantastic, except for the woke that means if you are against homosexuality or transgenderism then you are "hating" on someone's family. Where is the common ground?
There is NO common ground on many issues in today's world, because our definitions of what words mean is so radically different. You are the one who made it a political issue by tying together the Church, liberal, woke.
Sometimes there is no common ground. Take "restorative justice"; now how in the world can "restorative justice" have common ground: "Restorative justice is an approach to justice in which one of the responses to a crime is to organize a meeting between the victim and the offender"
Okay so some dude rapes a woman; right and we are going to "organize a meeting between the victim and the offender". This is a kindergarten approach to life, treating people like they are 5. "Now Sarah, please tell Billy what he did to hurt you". It's a utopia fairytale that simply doesn't work in real life. For many people, it might take years, upon years to get to the point where they are a different person; for some it might be instant.
The best the Church should do at this point is to not use the tterminologyof the day. Oaks should have never used the pphrase black lives matter, nor should he use a phrase such as all lives matter. Use a different terminology that is distinct that describes exactly what we mmean rather than political pposturing
Fishers Indiana Stake was organized last Sunday (April 11). This becomes the 4th Stake serving the Indianapolis Metro Area.
ReplyDeleteConfirmed today in Classic Maps, the new "Fishers Indiana Stake - 2178168", which includes these 5 wards : Fishers 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Lawrence, Noblesville, from the Indianapolis Indiana North Stake. And the Kokomo Ward from the Lafayette Indiana Stake.
ReplyDeletehttps://classic.churchofjesuschrist.org/maps/#ll=39.959626,-86.000509&z=13&m=google.hybrid&layers=stakecenter&q=Fishers%20Indiana%20Stake&find=stake:2178168
Yay for Indy and my home state! Great to see.
ReplyDeleteHi, Matt. The Muncie Stake isn't considered part of the Indianapolis Metro Area?
ReplyDeletePresident Oaks has expressed the view we should have stakes in a capital before we have branches spread all around the country. That leads me to suspect the boss push in Tanzania for now will be to prepare Das as Salaam to get a stake.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Oregon, specifically, Portland will ever see substantial growth in the coming years? I would love to see Oregon become the next 'Utah' or 'Arizona' in terms of church growth.
ReplyDeletePortland has lost at least one Stake in past 6 years
DeleteSeveral rural counties in Oregon along with parts of California and Washington are pushing to join Idaho due to being more conservative than the rest of thier state.
DeleteI wonder if Oregon cultural/politics may change how chuch growth goes.
DeleteI think the Church's stances on social issues and the dominance of the Republican Party among American members will make growth very difficult in a place like Portland.
ReplyDeleteSadly, Oregon is has become a secular cesspool and its future looks pretty bleak for the Church, IMO.
ReplyDeleteBeing from the state of Indiana, 50 miles from Indianapolis to the south, I see Anderson and the sister city Muncie farther to the northeast of it as separate or farther from the Metro region of the capital, which does extend beyond Marion County (the entire county is incorporated as the city) into the neighboring counties, like Hendricks to the west, Johnson to the south, whatever lies to the east... Hancock, I guess. And Hamilton to the north. But Anderson and Muncie, the country seats of their own respective areas, are not part of the Indy Metro area.
ReplyDelete"The first Deseret Industries east of the Rocky Mountains just opened"
ReplyDeleteBy Sydney Walker
Updated
15 APR 2021 3:49 PM MDT
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-04-15/new-deseret-industries-houston-texas-210587
Maybe they'll put a few on the East Coast like New York, Virginia or even the DC or Baltimore.
DeleteThe name of the temple in Russia has been updated on the church website. Hopefully that means there is some good progress going on.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thisweekinmormons.com/2021/04/temple-in-russia-gets-a-new-name/
Sounds like a multipurpose building like he had in Hong Kong before the renovation or Manhattan. I think it probably won't have a tower or spire like Hong Kong has now. It may have some public space and private space. If that is what it takes to have a temple but also be compliant with the law.
DeleteRecently organized, the new "Holguin Branch - 2161834", which is the 5th Branch in the "Havana Cuba District - 2102072".
ReplyDeletehttps://classic.churchofjesuschrist.org/maps/#ll=20.911316,-76.272183&z=10&m=google.hybrid&layers=stakecenter&q=2102072&find=stake:2102072
60 Apr 16, 2021 Holguin Branch
Glad to see the growth in Cuba. I taught a lot of Cubans on my mission. In fact, the first two baptisms I had with my trainers were Cuban (single mother and son).
DeleteI heard the same things said about Massachusetts that some of you are saying about Oregon. Specifically, after the Hartford temple was first announced, many said that Connecticut was getting the temple because "Massachusetts is cursed." There are good people everywhere.
ReplyDeleteMassachusetts has a lot of great members and non-members of the Church of Jesus Christ, and I have a lot of family among them.
ReplyDeleteDespite the slower statistical growth that occurred in 2020, some countries are doing great, like in the areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. I was discussing with my kids which are the top ten growing ones:
(See if you agree)
Nigeria
Côte d’Ivoire
Ghana
Sierra Leone
Congo-Brazzaville
Congo-Kinshasa (DRC)
Uganda
Mozambique
South Africa
Kenya?
Maybe Liberia or Cabo Verde.
God is marching us on.
Great to see it in our lifetime.
I honestly believe the Church can make inroads in urban liberal leaning areas. It requires out of the box approaches and making church culture a more diverse inclusive community.
ReplyDeleteAlso, church members shouldn't be intimidated or brush off activists language like "social justice", "advocacy", "climate change", "restorative justice", etc. There are gospel-centered solutions to all those issues. The Church and church members can do a better job at explaining how the Gospel can be more meaningful in lives, and to the community at-large.
I certainly didn't mean to suggest that liberals, progressives, Democrats or whomever aren't good people, and I want to see more of them in the Church because the current lack of political diversity in Utah and surrounding areas is not healthy. But if the first thing I knew about the Church was its opposition to same-sex relationships, and/or if I witnessed its members going ballistic because it acknowledged Biden as the legitimate US president (hopefully a vocal minority - but they sure were vocal), I doubt I would give it a chance. I agree with Matt that the Church/gospel have lots to offer them from a "liberal" perspective, but I don't think that's apparent to most people inside or outside of it.
ReplyDeleteI honestly believe the Church can make inroads in the urban liberal areas by calling out those who do not believe in the "woke" ideas of the left.
ReplyDeleteChurch members should combat the new religion of "social justice", "advocacy", "climate change", "restorative justice" etc. for what it is-a false religion and a false god. There are gospel centered solutions which require non of the verbage or usage of the common terms of the day which will be thrown in the dustbin of history in another generation.
Perhaps you misinterpreted my comment. I didn't say the Church had to necessarily use terms such as "social justice", etc that its vocabulary. But what I am saying, is that Church members, leaders, and missionaries should be aware enough to see through the woke verbage and explain how the Gospel can solve a lot of the problems the Left focuses on.
DeleteSo instead of being defensive and trying to make it a political issue, Church members and the Church can find common ground on issues like helping the needy, strengthening family bonds, protecting the environment, cleaning up the inner city, working with other community groups, which coincide with the goals of many left leaning advocacy groups. It's just approaching in in a Gospel-centered way, that can resonate with liberals, which can then lead to renewed growth in the Church in liberal areas.
Anderson is the county seat of Madison County, and Muncie is the county seat of Delaware County. Both counties have considerable farmland and are distant enough from Metro Indianapolis.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to do a little research about n my home state, I visited Muncie once and I have never been to Anderson. Both have former and possibly current industrial parts, which was about cars and parts, I think.
Matt. Excellent statement that perfectly explains my ongoing involvement with scouting. Every week I get to explain to parents and scouts my views on Duty to God, a scout is reverent and why knowing what is right and wrong. This adds I am doing a worldwide presentation on impulsivity of special needs scout families. Bryce Hall aka maintour.
ReplyDeleteMassachusetts already has a temple near Boston. I wouldn't expect them to build another one in Springfield since the state at the time had only four stakes. When the Church announced the temple in Hartford, my first thought was "they're finally building the temple they originally planned."
ReplyDeleteI do believe that more stakes will form outside in Oregon, but only outside of Portland, which is a leftist, anti-religion cesspool. The Church can further make inroads in blue areas, but not in areas dominated by white leftists such as Portland, OR or Madison, WI.
I think we should be remiss to label those of different political or even moral convictions or opinions on the left or right as a cesspool. I have family members and friends who are liberal and conservative, Republican, Democrat, non-aligned, Church members and non-members,
ReplyDeleteSome people can be corrupt or depraved, but their beliefs or agendas (unless truly wrong like pro-pedophile or racist or hate mongering) should not provoke us to demonize them.
Our faith is big enough for people of all voting records.
It needs to grow in all political lanes and we can separate Church and state, albeit that principle never pronounced in the U.S. Constitution.
Amazing talk by President Oaks, eh, regarding that document?
Other thought— have people been attending a temple lately?
@Eduardo Now that's an interesting moral comparison. Pro-pedophile is on the same level as racist or "hate-mongering". But of course that "hate-mongering" is only in the eye of the beholder.
ReplyDeleteIn today's world to be anti-homosexual is considered "pro-hate" and one day anti-pedophile will be "pro-hate" just as much as anti-transgendered is becoming "pro-hate".
Truly wrong pro-homosexual is truly wrong and it is way worse than racism or hate-mongering.
@Matt Then you do not understand the "woke" verbage. Finding common ground on "strengthening family ties". Fantastic, except for the woke that means if you are against homosexuality or transgenderism then you are "hating" on someone's family. Where is the common ground?
There is NO common ground on many issues in today's world, because our definitions of what words mean is so radically different. You are the one who made it a political issue by tying together the Church, liberal, woke.
Sometimes there is no common ground. Take "restorative justice"; now how in the world can "restorative justice" have common ground: "Restorative justice is an approach to justice in which one of the responses to a crime is to organize a meeting between the victim and the offender"
Okay so some dude rapes a woman; right and we are going to "organize a meeting between the victim and the offender". This is a kindergarten approach to life, treating people like they are 5. "Now Sarah, please tell Billy what he did to hurt you". It's a utopia fairytale that simply doesn't work in real life. For many people, it might take years, upon years to get to the point where they are a different person; for some it might be instant.
The best the Church should do at this point is to not use the tterminologyof the day. Oaks should have never used the pphrase black lives matter, nor should he use a phrase such as all lives matter. Use a different terminology that is distinct that describes exactly what we mmean rather than political pposturing