I will be updating the country profiles on cumorah.com in the coming weeks. Click here to access the updated profile for Angola with statistics through 2023.
I will be updating the country profiles on cumorah.com in the coming weeks. Click here to access the updated profile for Angola with statistics through 2023.
42 comments:
Hi Matt,
This is awesome. Is there any chance you'd want to put those first tables (right now copied onto the website as an image) in a format that could be copied onto a spreadsheet for others to more easily use? I understand you went through a lot of work to put these together, but it would be great to have easier access to play with the data a bit.
The new area presidencies are out.
We have 2 1st. 1st time ever there are 2 Congolese area presidents. Elder Mutombo in Africa Central and Elder Kyungu in Africa West. Africa West is also the first all black area Presidency. The counselors are Elder Ojiran from Nigeria and Elder Morrison from Ghana.
Elder Peter M. Johnson is assigned to North America West. He was baptized in Hawai'i so this seems appropriate. Elder Corbitt is a counselor in South-America southeast.
For those wanting the links to the area leadership assignments, here they are:4
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-announces-2024-area-leadership-assignments
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/04/19/2024-2025-area-presidencies-announcement/
Here is my analysis on this announcement, for any who are interested:
https://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com/2024/04/breaking-news-church-announces-2024.html
Based on my records, I think I can safely assert that this may be the most diverse group of area presidencies we've ever had. I see in that the recognition that the area presidencies' compositions should reflect the diversity in the Church. Also, in case I didn't mention it, I am excited for the changes in the Presidency of the Seventy. I wonder how likely it is that Elder Edward Dube will be the first African American apostle. But I also wonder if it's more likely that Peter M. Johnson may be the first African-American apostle.
JPL, I assume you meant that Elder Corbitt is a counselor in the North America Southeast Area, as there is no South America Southeast Area. It's been a crazy day for Church news, as the Church also announced the launch of "Primary Worldwide" to support teachers, leaders, and parents of Primary-aged children with content from the Primary General Presidency and General Advisory Council:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/primary-general-presidency-launches-primary-worldwide-on-social-media
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/04/19/primary-worldwide-facebook-instagram-accounts/
It's also been a crazy day in temple construction developments. It looks like the Auckland New Zealand Temple is going to be completed before the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, and that both of those temples, in addition to the Farmingon New Mexico and Grand Junction Colorado Temples, could all be completed before the end of this year, with Syracuse Utah following shortly thereafter.
Makes me wonder what the timeline will be for their dedications. As I mentioned in another thread, I was expecting the announcement of the opening arrangements for Pittsburgh in the near term, but not Mendoza so soon. That gives me hope that the bureaucratic delays impacting an announcement of the Salvador Brazil Temple's opening arrangements will be resolved soon, and that dedications could also soon be announced for the Tallahassee Florida, san Pedro Sula Honduras, and Deseret Peak Utah Temples. It's awesome to see temple construction, the completion thereof, and the setting of dedications taking place faster than I believed was possible. As President Nelson said, "This work is moving forward at an accelerated pace . . .Eat your vitamin pills, get your rest. It's going to be exciting."
Brother Stokes,
I think you meant to say something about Elder Dube being the first African-American general authority. He was never a resident of the US until he came here on general authority assignment. I do not think that makes him American.
I did see someone do the reverse, in an actual news publication, and say that Elder Johnson was the first Black General Authoity. I think it was a publication that had decided thry liked the term Black more. It did not dawn on them that some people when thry say "first African-American" they are choosing not to say Black, because it is not a first for a Black person.
Elder Dube will in 2026 become the longest serving Black general authority to date.
Elder Corbitt is I believe the in who has been a member the longest, although he is a few months younger than Elder Dube.
Elder Mutombo who was baptized at age 10 is I believe the one baptized the youngest. Elder Morrison was 17. Elder Corbitt was baptized on his 18th birthday. All others were clearly adults, though Elders Johnson and Kyungu were dingle and in college. I an not quite sure how old Elder Igbo was, I think Elder Ojiran was married, Elder Silva I think was single and in college. Elder Gourry was technically single and in college but he was more like 28, and already had a teaching degree, but was now in the process of becoming an engineer.
Historically most of those called yo the Presidency of the 70 have not become apostles. On the other hand all apostles called so far by President Nelson were drawn from the Presidency of the 70. However 3 is not quite enough to indicate a trend.
I meant to say Elder Corbitt was assigned over the North America Southwmeast Area. This would have seemed unthinkable even in 1980, but I am not sure it is a big deal.
Elder Corbitt lived almost all his life in the North America Northeast Area. However he did serve his mission in Puerto Rico, was mission president in the Dominicsn Republic and then worked for the missionary department in Utah.
He was raised in Philadelphia, moved to New Jersey where he was baptized in his late teens, and was a student 1 year at Ricks. After his mission he went to college in New Jersey. He met his wife on a ward YSA temple trip to the DC Temple, but that is still northeast US. He was head of the government and public relations office of the Church in New York City, while living in Cherry Hill New Jersey. Earlier he worked for a public relations company based in Delaware and even earlier he was a trial lawyer. His law degree is from Rutgers.
Elder Mutombo, the new president of the Africa Central Area, has been in that area Presidency since it was formed. He is not the first area born area president there. That distinction is held by the first area president, Elder Joseph W. Sitati.
Elder Mutombo and Elder Sitari were baptized very close together time wise. I think they were in both cases in the first family baptized in their country, or at least the first 3. The difference is that for Elder Sitati this was his wife and children. For Elder Mutombo this was his parents, hum and his siblings.
@James Stokes, can you tell me what happened to President Barton S. Sloat (2022-2025),who was called to preside over the Hawaii Honolulu Mission in 2022 (usually a 3 year calling), would have been until 2025. Unless he was transferred from another mission after 1 year.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/3/18/23265790/new-presidents-companions-of-15-missions-in-nigeria-new-zealand-argentina-mexico-oklahoma-peru-sierr/
In todays list of 2024 Mission Presidents, the 1st on the list is President Dean A. Andersen, called to Preside over the same Hawaii Honolulu Mission. But doesn't list as succeeding anyone. As if it was a brand new organized mission.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/04/19/new-mission-presidents-japan-hawaii-ecuador-texas-salt-lake/
"Dean A. Andersen, 62, and Colleen Andersen, eight children, Memorial Park 1st Ward, Houston Texas Stake: Hawaii Honolulu Mission. Brother Andersen is a former stake president, stake presidency counselor, high councilor, bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president, institute teacher, seminary teacher, Scoutmaster and missionary in the Japan Sapporo Mission. He was born in Provo, Utah, to Hans Verlan Andersen and Shirley Andersen.
Sister Andersen is a former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, Sunday School teacher, seminary teacher, temple ordinance worker and mission nurse in the Texas Houston South Mission. She was born in Provo, Utah, to Gary S Backus and Julane Backus."
I didn't have the Honolulu planned for renewal until 2025.
No. I didn't mean to say that Elder Dube is African-American. That's Elder Johnson. Elder Dube is the first native African in the Presidency of the Seventy (born in Zimbabwe). Either would be the first apostle of African descent if chosen. Elder Dube's status in the Presidency of the Seventy in August puts him in the core group from which all Nelsonian apostles have been plucked so far.
Since neither President Sloat or his wife have died (to my knowledge), either he or his wife may have needed a medical release.
Are area presidents picked first and then the presidents select their counselors? Or are the entire presidencies selected by the First Presidency? I'm realizing I know next to nothing about area presidencies.
Unless I am mistaken, the First Presidency selects the area presidents, and those presidents subsequently pick their counselors
Makes sense, thanks James! I'm loving seeing all the area presidencies with more locals in them. Definitely the most global selections of leadership we've seen thus far.
Elder Dube will not be the first African-American apostle. Of this I am certain because he is not in fact African-American. He is a Buffalo, New York rounds out the top 50.
Of the 50 largest metro areas in the US only 5 do not have at least one temple announced.
The 5 lacking a temple are:
Baltimore -ranked 20th with 2.8 million people in the metro area. You can use public transit to get to DC Temple. Traffic is bad though throughout this metro area. I think it is likely to get a temple soon.
Up until this month the next largest area without a temple was Cincinatti Metro. That has 2.2 million people.
Next is Norfolk/Virginia Beach area. That has 1.8 million people. Next is Providece Rhode Island. Then Milwaukie, Wisconsin. Those appear to be the only ones of metro areas with over 1 million people in the US lacking temples. Rochester is iffy if Palmyra is in its metro area though, so if it is not that puts us to 6 cases of metro areas over 1 million without a temples.
There are another 29 metro areas lacking a temple before you round top the top 100.
Other Matt here.
In looking at the Japanese Church Newsroom website, the church just called 4 women from the Asia North Area (2 Japanese, 1 Korean, and 1 Mongolian) to be "Area Advisers" .
Has anyone else heard of this, and what role will they play?
Here's the news release in Japanese.
https://news-jp.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-regional-organization-advisor-for-the-north-asia-region-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints
Matt, the Church has called women as area organization advisers since at least 2021. Here are 3 articles that explain that role better than I can:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-international-area-organization-advisers-strengthen-global-church
https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/3/17/23216578/area-organization-advisers-relief-society-young-women-primary-local-instruction/
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2021/4/8/22374395/church-jesus-christ-new-women-area-organizational-advisers-meeting-serving-lds-mormon-leadership/
Let me know if you have any other questions on this.
Looks like my initial comment did incorrectly state that Elder Dube was African American. My apologies. I've been dealing with intermittent illness and haven't been at my best for days. What I meant to say was that Elder Dube is the first native African in the Presidency of the Seventy.
Since all Nelsonian apostles have been drawn from that Presidency, this puts Elder Dube in a prime position for an eventual apostolic call. Elder Johnson is our African American GA Seventy, so he could also be a potential apostolic pick as a descendant of native Africans.
Of the two, Elder Dube is more likely as an apostolic pick, because of his position in the Presidency of the Seventy. Not sure what you mean regarding Elder Dube. You said of him above, "He is a Buffalo, New York rounds our the top 50." That doesn't make any sense, unless I missed something.
Area presidents does not choose their couselers, but the first presidency assign the entire area presidency
Here are some helpful resources about area presidency creations and changes:
https://www.ldsliving.com/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-22-church-areas-and-the-work-of-area-presidencies/s/94294
https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/5/11/23265400/episode-30-podcast-elder-craig-c-christensen-utah-area-during-covid-19-pandemic/
Africa West Area is really the only area that stands out in its status this time. Other areas have less local leadership. Here in North America North East we went from one locally connected atmrea Presidency member to sort of none. Elder Daines grew up in Provo, and has spent most of his adult life in California. He was born in Indiana, but his family moved to Provo when he was very young. I think he also spent some of his teen years in Harrisburg while his dad was mission president there. His dad did grow up in New Jersey, Elder Christofferson knew Elder Daines grandparents and at least some of his aunts while he was a teenager in New Jersey. He mentioned Elder Daines grandmother once in a talk.
I know that people do not think we need local leadership in North America Northeast the sane way the do for Mexico, Brazil or the Phillippines. However it is nice when we have leaders who know the territory. Although some people in my inner city branch are unconvinced that leaders from the suburbs even understand us.
With Elder Sikehema we had a Presidency member who did understand the territory. He was stake president over a stake that included some very inner city areas.
That said, there are helps from all perspectives. We have Jorge Becerra, a Utah raised and living there until he was called as a general authority except when he was missionary and later mission president in the California Arcadia Mission now serving as president of the South America North West Area.
Africa South Area went from an area native as president to no area natives in the Presidency. To be fair Elder Dube is the only general authority from Africa South Area at present.
I just noticed that all 6 North America areas have someone not from the US or Canada in the Presidency. Elder Martinez in Utah Area is a US citizen, but is from Puerto Rico, although he was baptized in Mississippi.
The Caribbean Area which is taking obverse Venezuela has a Chilean president with a Guatemalan first counselor.
The Africa South Area has leadership either as Brazilian or more Brazilian than Brazil Area. Certainly Schmeil lived in the US long enough his Brazilianness might be less than Rlder Godoy and Elder Silva. Europe Central Area has an all non-European leadership.
Elder Wong being assigned to the Philippines while Elder Teh is assigned to Asia is the type of international mix I like. I think it is good we shuffle general authorities around, instead of having them serve in just one area the whole time.
It looks like no area Presidency is all Americans. Only Eurasia which is all local area seventies and South America South is all natives. Elder Walker despite his name is an Argentine born in Argentina are all locals, although Elder Walker did live a lot in the US. Africa West is also not at all American, although Elder Kyungu is not from that area either.
There are now 4 general authorities from Africa West Area, but they often do not get an Area assignment in their first year as general authority.
The North-Qmerica Southeast Area is all lead by Americans at present. It will get a totally new Presidency come August.
Middle East, Pacific, Central America and maybe Eurasia are seeing no changes. North America West both counselors are new. Africa South the president and 2nd counselor are new
Elder Kim may be the only general authority called this year to be in an area Presidency.
I take that back. Elder Strong was called this year as well.
The concentration of Brazilians in the South Africa area indicates the church's strong investment in establishing Zion in Angola and Mozambique
I wonder which District it was, that Anonymous reported, was being discontinued today?
Daniel, many couples from Brazil are going on proselitism mission in África that Speaks portuguese.
This just in from the Newsroom within the last 45 minutes:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/manti-utah-temple-rededication-2024
My analysis:
https://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com/2024/04/breaking-temple-apostolic-news.html
My thanks once again to you all.
Craig Shuler says,
Yesterday I noticed that ChurchofJesusChristTemples.com has a new feature, showing an educated guess of temple districts with lists and maps of some of the soon-to-be-dedicated temples.
Each district has the message such as "A final determination of the Freetown Sierra Leone Temple District will be made at the time the temple of the temple dedication. However, the tempels may serve members in the following 9 stakes and 3 districts: (It then lists the stakes and districts and shows them on the map, just like it does for current districts.)
Some of the gueeses about new districts include Burley Idaho, Cody Wyoming, Taylorsville Utah, Ephraim Utah, and Pago Pago American Samoa.
JPL, I think you mean he "rededicated" the Manti temple. I assume that was the work of autocorrect. I hate that feature sometimes. In the blog post I did to cover this news, I explored what this update might indicate about President Nelson's health and capabilities going forward. Hopefully, it's an indication that his recovery is on track. I still believe he and his counselors will continue to assign the majority of temple dedications to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and that 3 members of that Quorum will conduct 3 of the 5 sessions of the next General Conference.
It will be interesting to see what happens with next week's dedication of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple. President Oaks is assigned to that, and I believe he'll still fill that assignment, but I wouldn't be shocked if Elder Kearon accompanies him, since our newest apostle has oversight for the Philippines Area now. In view of tonight's report on the Manti Utah Temple, this rededication will not be the big news for tomorrow. I know that the media day for the Coban Guatemala Temple will be reported tomorrow, but even that may not be the big news.
I for one am anticipating at least 1 or 2 more temple dedications, 1 or 2 more groundbreakings, 1 or two more exterior renderings, and/or 1 or 2 more site announcements. That announcement will likely come tomorrow at 2:00 PM as usual. I will be covering that announcement on my blog whenever it is made. My thanks to all who read this comment. Hopefully it is helpful to all.
And here is an article about the preservation of the Manti Utah Temple murals:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/manti-utah-temple-priceless-murals-preserved
My thanks once again to you all.
With earth moving underway at the Ribeirão Preto temple and the leveling phase completed in São Paulo East, and with the completion of construction in Salvador, I strongly believe that the opening ceremony of works for a few more temples will be announced soon here in Brazil, especially in one of these two places in the State of SP. The works on the yellow subway line are advanced, I imagine that they will not hinder progress in São Paulo East for much longer, at least allowing the release of the rendering...
I heard a rumor in our high council that the Ribeirão temple could be built using the new modular method.
Daniel, I didn't know about those updates on the Sao Paulo East and Riberao Preto Temples. If you have photographic evidence of those updates or know someone who does, I'd urge you to get that information to Rick Satterfield so he can update his status on those two temples.
I am hopeful we have several other groundbreakings, exterior renderings, and site announcements coming down the pike in the near term. Thanks again for these updates, Daniel! Wonderful news!
This video from last month shows the works at Santa Isabel Metro Station. the entire surrounding land is the site of the São Paulo Brazil East Temple.
https://youtu.be/YKx2XYlhKD8?si=pM9YwDwFP_6oEu3u
As for the Ribeirão Preto Temple, I received a video via WhatsApp of the machines working on the lot. About his construction method, all I know is speculation.
Daniel, would you be able to share those videos with Rick Satterfield? If you can't do that, feel free to send me an email (my contact information is on my blogger profile page), and I'd be happy to send them off to Rick for you. Exciting news!
A slightly older video shows the machines working on the São Paulo East site and in nearby developments as the subway is being built
https://youtu.be/tjl8cfNaaYM?si=CrTrZPqkAsRBM4Tr
I'm a little frustrated that news from Brazil hasn't been published today.
James, as I've never had contact with Rick and I don't know how to do that, I'll send the links to your email, ok?!
I am correcting my last statement. I hate auto-correct. So President Nelson rededicated the Manti Temple. That puts him to 2 dedications and 2 re-dedications as president of the Church and to 3 and 3 overall.
The Tampa Temple has had its site changed. I wonder if their was opposition to the old one. The new site is 9 miles closer to downtown Tampa, or at least closer to downtown and 9 miles away. I wonder if this changes makes an additional Temple in Florida more likely. I am thinking not in the near future.
Other Matt here...
It may not have been opposition, but a better, more visible location, just off of a freeway, instead of being tucked behind an existing meetinghouse.
Putting temples close to freeways is a good thing. The Detroit Temple is on an 8 lane highway, with a speed limit of 50 miles per hour. Still if it was closer to freeways it would in some ways be easier to get to.
Orem Temple I believe is right next to the freeway. Salt Lake Temple is pretty close
Washington DC Temple is very close yo the DC beltway. Despite having been to Atlanta Temple I really do not remember if it is close yo the freeway. Any thoughts on other lications?
Got a tip for you: Sandy Utah YSA stake is being disbanded. Wards will be absorbed into the Draper YSA Stake and Murray YSA Stake.
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