With the number of full-time missionaries serving reaching all-time highs (excluding the couple years of artificially high numbers as a result of the lowering of the minimum age for missionary service a decade ago), prospects appear good for the creation of new missions in 2025. There appear to currently be approximately 74,000 to 75,000 full-time missionaries serving. Currently, there are 450 missions in the worldwide Church. The following locations appear most likely to have new missions organized in the near future. Missions in bold appear highly likely to be organized.
AFRICA (14 missions)
- Cote d'Ivoire Daloa (3-4 stakes, 2-3 districts)
- Gabon Libreville (1 district, 1 mission branch)
- Ghana Kumasi (second mission) (3 stakes, 2-3 districts)
- Liberia Monrovia (second mission) (3 stakes)
- Malawi Lilongwe (2 stakes)
- Mauritius and Reunion (2 districts)
- Nigeria Benin City (second mission) (4-5 stakes)
- Nigeria Eket (6-8 stakes)
- Nigeria Lagos (second mission) (4 stakes)
- Nigeria Makurdi (3 districts)
- Nigeria Warri (3 stakes, 3 districts)
- Senegal Dakar (1 district, several mission branches in neighboring countries)
- Sierra Leone Freetown (second mission) (3 stakes)
- Togo Lome (3 stakes)
ASIA (8 missions)
- Georgia Tbilisi (2 mission branches)
- Korea Daejeon (4 stakes)
- Middle East/African North Service Mission (2 stakes, 3 districts)
- Philippines Ormoc (3 stakes, 4 districts)
- Philippines Palawan/Mindoro (1 stake, 4 districts)
- Sri Lanka Colombo (1 district)
- Thailand Ubon (1 stake, 1 district)
- Timor-Leste Dili (1 mission branch)
EUROPE (9 missions)
- Austria Vienna (2 stakes)
- Belgium Brussels (2 stakes)
- France Paris (second mission) (3 stakes)
- France Toulouse (2 stakes)
- Germany Düsseldorf (2 stakes)
- Iceland Reykjavik (1 district)
- Ireland Dublin (2 stakes)
- Italy Palermo (1 stake)
- Spain Granada (5 stakes)
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (28 missions)
- Argentina Buenos Aires (fifth mission) (5-6 stakes)
- Argentina Posadas (2 stakes, 5 districts)
- Belize Belmopan (2 districts)
- Bolivia Riberalta (3 districts)
- Bolivia Tarija (4 stakes, 2 districts)
- Brazil Juazeiro do Norte (1 stake, 2 districts, 2 mission branches)
- Brazil Joinville (5 stakes)
- Brazil Novo Hamburgo (6 stakes, 1 district)
- Brazil Porto Velho (2 stakes)
- Brazil São Luís (2 stakes, 1 district)
- Brazil São Paulo (sixth mission) (4-5 million, ~7 stakes)
- Brazil Sorocaba (5 stakes, 2 districts)
- Colombia Bucaramanga (4 stakes)
- Cuba Havana (1 district)
- Ecuador Machala (4 stakes, 1 district)
- Mexico Acapulco (3 stakes, 1 district)
- Mexico Ciudad Obregón (3 stakes, 3 districts)
- Mexico Coatzacoalcos (3 stakes, 3 districts)
- Mexico Juchitán (3 stakes, 4 districts)
- Mexico Morelia (4 stakes, 1 district)
- Mexico Reynosa (5 stakes, 1 district)
- Mexico San Luis Potosí (3 stakes)
- Mexico Toluca (3 stakes)
- Panama Panama City (second mission) - (3-4 stakes, 1-3 districts)
- Peru Pisco (4 stakes, 2 districts)
- Peru Pucallpa (2 stakes)
- Peru Puno (3 stakes)
- Peru Tacna (5 stakes)
NORTH AMERICA (14 missions)
- Arizona Scottsdale (~10 stakes)
- Canada Toronto (second mission) (4 stakes)
- Colorado Grand Junction (5 stakes)
- Connecticut Hartford (5 stakes)
- Florida Orland (second mission) (5 stakes)
- Georgia Macon (5 stakes)
- Idaho Nampa (~20 stakes)
- Illinois Peoria (4 stakes)
- Missouri Springfield (5 stakes)
- North Carolina Raleigh (second mission) (6-7 stakes)
- Ohio Cleveland (5 stakes)
- Oklahoma Tulsa (5 stakes)
- Pennsylvania Harrisburg (6 stakes)
- Wyoming Casper (5 stakes)
OCEANIA (7 missions)
- Australia Brisbane (second mission) (~6 stakes)
- Australia Sydney (second mission) (~6 stakes)
- French Polynesia (second mission) (~5 stakes)
- Kiribati Tarawa (2 stakes, 3 districts)
- Papua New Guinea Daru (1 stake, 3 districts)
- Samoa (second mission) (~12 stakes)
- Solomon Islands Honiara (1 district)
122 comments:
Matt, I'm sorry. The continent totals don't match the lists. Were there other names not included in the lists provided? Or just didn't update the totals?
I'm excited to see how the new adjustments for single senior missionaries will impact the number of missions around the world. Especially that they can start as young as age 40. Along with BYU announcing a med school that is said to help support the church's mission around the world.
L Chris Jones.
I was talking to the family of a young man in our ward who just started his mission in Brazil. They said he was told that a new Brazilian MTC was going to be built adjacent to the São Paulo East temple, while the current MTC would be turned into an extension for BYU. Having attended BYU and served in Brazil, both events are significant, has anyone heard about this or seen any official announcements? Thanks!
Matt, also a reminder from your Potential New Temples map, specifically your updated list for the current Rio de Janeiro Temple District:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1W60CDwd4qDDMA3tW74z8g-2WxNw&ll=-23.000790300000006%2C-43.4002291&z=8
"name
Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple
description
Announced: 2013
Dedicated: 2022
Square Footage: 29,966
TEMPLE DISTRICT
STAKES - 19
Arsenal Brazil - 2009
Campos Brazil - 1997
Cariacica Brazil - 2005
Juiz de Fora Brazil - 1996
Macaé Brazil - 2010
Niterói Brazil - 1976
Nova Iguaçu Brazil - 1997
Petrópolis Brazil - 1982
Rio de Janeiro Brazil Andaraí - 1979
Rio de Janeiro Brazil Campo Grande - 1996
Rio de Janeiro Brazil Engenho de Dentro - 2011
Rio de Janeiro Brazil Itaguaí - 2005
Rio de Janeiro Brazil Jacarepaguá - 1998
Rio de Janeiro Brazil Madureira - 1982
Rio de Janeiro Brazil - 1972
Teresópolis Brazil - 1998
Vila Velha Brazil - 1995
Vitória Brazil - 1987
Volta Redonda Brazil - 1997
DISTRICTS - 4
Cabo Frio Brazil - 2017
Colatina Brazil - 1993
Leopoldina Brazil - 2015
Três Rios Brazil - 2016"
The old "Rio de Janeiro Brazil - 1972" was renamed the "Duque de Caxias Brazil Stake" earlier this year, for the name of the Municipio where the stakecenter is located.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/506494
And the old "Rio de Janeiro Brazil Andaraí - 1979", has also been renamed the new "Rio de Janeiro Brazil Stake", earlier this year.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/511838
Also, as I posted here yesterday, from the Ogden Utah Temple District, the old "Morgan Utah North - 1981" has been renamed the "Mountain Green Utah Stake"
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1W60CDwd4qDDMA3tW74z8g-2WxNw&ll=41.22778600000001%2C-111.971506&z=8
"name
Ogden Utah Temple
description
Announced: 1967
Dedicated: 1972
Square Footage: 112,232
TEMPLE DISTRICT
STAKES - 65
Bridger Valley Wyoming - 1976
Clearfield Utah - 1959
Clearfield Utah North - 1978
Clearfield Utah South - 1997
Clinton Utah - 1975
Clinton Utah North - 1984
Clinton Utah West - 2011
Coalville Utah - 1877
Evanston Wyoming - 1898
Evanston Wyoming South - 1984
Farr West Utah - 2000
Farr West Utah Poplar - 2009
Harrisville Utah - 1984
Hooper Utah - 1942
Hooper Utah Pioneer Trail - 2014
Huntsville Utah - 1978
Kanesville Utah - 1987
Morgan Utah - 1877
Morgan Utah North - 1981
Morgan Utah West - 2017
North Ogden Utah - 1943
North Ogden Utah Ben Lomond - 1978
North Ogden Utah Coldwater - 1991
North Ogden Utah East - 2000
Ogden Utah - 1908
Ogden Utah Burch Creek - 1979
Ogden Utah East - 1952
Ogden Utah Lorin Farr - 1952
Ogden Utah Mound Fort - 1942
Ogden Utah Mount Lewis - 1980
Ogden Utah Pleasant Valley - 2004
Ogden Utah Rock Cliff - 1960
Ogden Utah Weber - 1970
Ogden Utah Weber Heights - 1958
Ogden Utah Weber North - 1980
Ogden Utah West - 1980
Ogden Utah YSA 1st - 1968
Ogden Utah YSA 2nd - 2003
Plain City Utah - 1977
Pleasant View Utah - 1971
Pleasant View Utah Orchard Springs - 2020
Pleasant View Utah South - 2008
Riverdale Utah - 1952
Roy Utah - 1961
Roy Utah Midland - 2000
Roy Utah North - 1967
Roy Utah South - 1988
Roy Utah West - 1978
South Ogden Utah - 1941
South Weber Utah - 1988
South Weber Utah Pioneer - 2023
Sunset Utah - 1966
Syracuse Utah - 1915
Syracuse Utah Bluff - 2004
Syracuse Utah Fremont Park - 2022
Syracuse Utah Lake View YSA - 2011
Syracuse Utah Legacy Park - 2007
Syracuse Utah South - 1992
Syracuse Utah West - 2000
Washington Terrace Utah East - 1963
Washington Terrace Utah West - 1976
West Haven Utah - 2010
West Haven Utah North - 2023
West Point Utah - 1980
West Point Utah Lakeside - 2001"
I forgot to post this reference link.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/514470
^This is Bryce (a Bryce because I think more than one Bryce posts here) In 2000 I was part of the last group who spent half our time at the Provo MTC, half at the brand new Brazil MTC (after that, young men went straight to the Brazil MTC). The MTC was about 40 minutes from the São Paulo temple by bus, so changing locations doesn't surprise me but I hadn't heard anything about plans to move. And a decision to keep the old building and turn it into an extension of BYU would be significant because it seemed leaders have been set on expanding online over expanding the physical campuses, so it would be a pretty big deal I think.
I was talking to the family of a young man in our ward who just started his mission in Brazil. They said he was told that a new Brazilian MTC was going to be built adjacent to the São Paulo East temple, while the current MTC would be turned into an extension for BYU.
This is Bryce (a Bryce because I think more than one Bryce posts here). In 2000 I was part of the last group who spent half our time at the Provo MTC, half at the brand new Brazil MTC (after that, young men went straight to the Brazil MTC). The MTC was about 40 minutes from the São Paulo temple by bus, so changing locations doesn't surprise me but I hadn't heard anything about plans to move. And a decision to keep the old building and turn it into an extension of BYU would be significant because it seemed leaders have been set on expanding online over expanding the physical campuses, so it would be a pretty big deal I think.
Also, from yesterdays post, from the Logan Utah Temple District :
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1W60CDwd4qDDMA3tW74z8g-2WxNw&ll=41.734160999999986%2C-111.827943&z=8
Both the "Providence Utah YSA - 2010" and "Smithfield Utah YSA - 2010" Stakes were recently discontinued/merged/consolidated.
"name
Logan Utah Temple
description
Announced: 1876
Dedicated: 1884
Square Footage: 119,619
TEMPLE DISTRICT
STAKES - 45
Benson Utah - 1978
Franklin Idaho - 1983
Hyde Park Utah - 1985
Hyde Park Utah North Park - 2022
Hyrum Utah Central - 2024
Hyrum Utah East - 1979
Hyrum Utah West - 2021
Lewiston Utah - 2023
Logan Utah - 1920
Logan Utah Cache - 1877
Logan Utah Cache West - 1983
Logan Utah Central - 1981
Logan Utah East - 1947
Logan Utah Married Student 1st - 1967
Logan Utah Married Student 2nd - 1999
Logan Utah Mount Logan - 1946
Logan Utah South - 1982
Logan Utah YSA 1st - 1958
Logan Utah YSA 2nd - 1976
Logan Utah YSA 3rd - 1989
Logan Utah YSA 4th - 1995
Logan Utah YSA 5th - 1998
Logan Utah YSA 6th - 2004
Logan Utah YSA 7th - 2018
Mendon Utah - 1997
Nibley Utah - 2004
Nibley Utah West - 2019
North Logan Utah - 1970
North Logan Utah Green Canyon - 1996
Paradise Utah - 1901
Paris Idaho - 1869
Preston Idaho East - 2024
Preston Idaho North - 1884
Preston Idaho South - 1920
Providence Utah - 1971
Providence Utah South - 1982
Providence Utah YSA - 2010
Richmond Utah - 1901
River Heights Utah - 2009
Smithfield Utah - 1938
Smithfield Utah North - 1982
Smithfield Utah South - 2010
Smithfield Utah West - 2021
Smithfield Utah YSA - 2010
Wellsville Utah - 1979"
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/1410172
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/1409980
And since we are on the subject, from the Salt Lake Temple District, (to update") :
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1W60CDwd4qDDMA3tW74z8g-2WxNw&ll=40.770468%2C-111.89195800000002&z=8
The old "Salt Lake Butler" Stake was recently renamed the "Cottonwood Heights Utah Butler" Stake with last week's merger. And the old "Cottonwood Heights Utah Wasatch" Stake was discontinued/merged.
"name
Salt Lake Temple
description
Announced: 1847
Dedicated: 1893
Square Footage: 382,207
TEMPLE DISTRICT
STAKES - 60
Cottonwood Heights Utah Brighton Stake
Cottonwood Heights Utah Wasatch Stake
Elko Nevada East Stake
Elko Nevada West Stake
Erda Utah Stake
Grantsville Utah Stake
Grantsville Utah West Stake
Kamas Utah Stake
Lake Point Utah Stake
Park City Utah Stake
Salt Lake Big Cottonwood Stake
Salt Lake Bonneville Stake
Salt Lake Bonneville YSA Stake
Salt Lake Butler Stake
Salt Lake Butler West Stake
Salt Lake Cannon Stake
Salt Lake Canyon Rim Stake
Salt Lake Central Stake
Salt Lake Cottonwood Stake
Salt Lake East Mill Creek North Stake
Salt Lake East Mill Creek Stake
Salt Lake Emigration Stake
Salt Lake Ensign Stake
Salt Lake Granite Park Stake
Salt Lake Granite Stake
Salt Lake Grant Stake
Salt Lake Highland Stake
Salt Lake Holladay North Stake
Salt Lake Holladay South Stake
Salt Lake Holladay Stake
Salt Lake Holladay YSA Stake
Salt Lake Liberty Stake
Salt Lake Little Cottonwood Stake
Salt Lake Married Student Stake
Salt Lake Millcreek Stake
Salt Lake Monument Park Stake
Salt Lake Mount Olympus Stake
Salt Lake Olympus Stake
Salt Lake Parleys Stake
Salt Lake Pioneer Stake
Salt Lake Pioneer YSA Stake
Salt Lake Riverside Stake
Salt Lake Rose Park North Stake
Salt Lake Rose Park Stake
Salt Lake South Cottonwood Stake
Salt Lake Stake
Salt Lake Valley View Stake
Salt Lake Wasatch Stake
Salt Lake Wilford Stake
Salt Lake Winder Stake
Salt Lake Winder West Stake
South Salt Lake Stake
Stansbury Park Utah South Stake
Stansbury Park Utah Stake
Tooele Utah East Stake
Tooele Utah North Stake
Tooele Utah South Stake
Tooele Utah Stake
Tooele Utah Valley View Stake
Tooele Utah West Stake
DISTRICTS - 1
Wendover Utah District"
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/503975
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/512931
I think the BYU medical school announcement I said something about it's having some worldwide significance and impact. Maybe expanding physical locations outside the United States would have some great impact.
, in addition to the pathway program.
The East temple lot is quite large, it is possible to house an MTC. This news, if proven, really moves me.
Apologies for the multiple comments, I hit Publish too early on my previous two attempts lol... this comment was meant to be my full thoughts - Bryce
One mission that I would like to see is the Canada Saskatoon or Canada Regina Mission, currently all of Saskatchewan is part of the Canada Winnipeg Mission. It's enormous, it's all of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northern Ontario and part of northern Minnesota. You have the potential of multiple day transfers, especially if you go from like I-Falls to Saskatoon or Prince Albert. Another is the return of the Canada Halifax Mission. Currently it's the Canada Montreal Mission but Quebec and the Maritime provinces are two different places, different languages, culture. I know one person who transferred from Halifax to Montreal and had to fly and they don't speak French much in the Maritimes
I highly doubt there will be a noticeable number if single men in their 40s, and very few in their 50s serving fulltime missions. I have a hope that we might see 1000 single men called, but I might be too hopeful. The fact that men generally die younger than women means that there is not like to very much impact. If there is a more general willingness to call single women as missionaries over 40 it might help. The publicizing that they do not need mission companions does help. My grandmother looked into serving a mission after my grandfather died, and I think she was basically told she needed to find another woman who could be her companion.
The mission that will probably be most effected is Salt Lake Headquarers. It might be split in 2 now. The other missions I could see being impacted the most are in areas. I wonder if there might be an area like Brazil or Mexico where it might are sense to form a separate mission for the central area mission staff. Probably not anytime soon. Salt Lake Headquaters exists largely because of how huge the staffing of the Family History Library and the Church History Library and archives is. No other place has anything anywhere near that level.
As much as I want to see BYU-Brazil, I have heard enough rumors of BYU creating new campuses over the year, and know the Ch6rch did actually buy locations for one plan in the early 1960s, that while I have great hope BYU will expand I have to admit that it is not great.
I would have said BYU medical school was not going to happen even 6 months ago, actually up until it was announced, so who actually knows.
BYU Mexico and BYU Brazil would be the easiest. Turning BYU's London Crnter yo BYU England would be more difficult. A BYU-Canada would be neat,but I am not sure how doable it would be. BYU-Congo seems a very hard to do idea.
For any of these to succeed you would need yo have a quick plan to staff them almost entirely with non-American faculty, and mainly with faculty of the nation where they are. This might require starting fairly small.
Regrading BYU expansions, this is unlikely, for reasons that will become more apparent around the new year. Stay tuned for some important CES-related announcements, likely in January.
--Felix
I highly doubt that the European missions would happen. Many of these had missions and closed decades ago. The slow growth doesn’t warrant it.
The big problem is the issue of revalidation or accreditation of certificates obtained in US institutions, even if operating in Brazil, with the Brazilian government, in the same way that Brazilian diplomas need to be revalidated in the USA. If adjustments and agreements are not made between the Brazilian Ministry of Education and BYU, certificates and titles granted by the Church institution may not be valid in Brazil and only be recognized in the USA. So it seems to be a long journey before we could see a BYU Brazil fully operational.
Seeing reports that the SL South Cottonwood Stake recently collapsed their units down to 3 wards, Little Cottonwood Stake down to 4 wards.
I couldn't verify - but if this is true, what is the minimum number of wards for a stake? I had seen 4 before, but never 3. It's a little odd to me to see an increased focus on larger wards through consolidation, but at the same time having smaller stakes (which will inevitably pull members from fewer wards for stake callings).
Thanks for catching that - I used the prior post from last year and forgot to update these totals. They are now updated.
I have only seen one stake with three wards that functioned for longer than 6 months without getting discontinued (Sioux Falls Iowa Stake). This suggests another stake closure is imminent.
The Kearns Utah South Stake has been functioning at 3 wards for around 4 months now I believe. Likely to see an imminent stake closure there too, though honestly I would've thought it would happen sooner.
Also the Holbrook Arizona Stake has been functioning at 3 wards for quite some time. Since there are also 3 branches in the stake, it seems less likely this stake will be imminently consolidated.
On a personally relevant note, one of my areas in the Missouri St. Louis Mission covered the town of Troy, which had once had a branch that was closed and merged into the Wentzville Ward. On Sunday, the Troy unit was reinstated, and as a ward! The Church is growing remarkably fast in the middle of Missouri right now thanks to a lot of new move-ins. It's super exciting to see and I'm jealous of the missionaries who are serving there now!
Not a hugely surprising change. The old "Morgan North" name was a relic of a time when that stake extended much closer to Morgan proper. With the creation of the Morgan West Stake, all of the Mountain Green wards were consolidated into their own stake that isn't at all close to Morgan proper, so calling it the Mountain Green Stake makes much more sense. At the rate Morgan County is growing, it wouldn't surprise me to see three or four more stakes and possibly a temple there in the next decade.
My general rule is that just about everything makes more growth more likely. If we can get back to back 6 months announcements of Orem and Lindon Temples just about anything is possible.
That said, the are deep logistical reasons why I do not expect any additional BYU locations anytime soon.
On a different note I realized that on my initial reading of Saints Vol. 4 I missed p. 324-327. I am not exactly a ure how this happened, but sometimes online I do notcrealize there is more chapter and accidentally go over to the next. These are the pages that tell of the Cannons and Mabeys coming to Aboh, Nigeria and baptizing Anthony Obinna and 17 others and organizing the first branch in Nigeria. It felt like thry had missed something when I moved on, and in fact I had.
I am now glad I stuck with rereading the printed book from the start. Right now I am to the part where thry speak about the 1980 consolidation of church meetings. I am to page 339 of 667, which considering I am only 25 of the 65 years through the book does seem odd. I guess there are reasons why it gets hard to adequately cover recent events. I am glad thry brought the narrative all the way to April 2020.
I do have yo admit a big part of me wishes that each volume of Saints had had at least 1000 pages of text.
The minimum number of wards for a stake is 5 as stated in the General Handbook but there are many stakes around the world that have 4 wards with some or no branches. Haven't seen 3 wards outside of the US.
The church created its 5th stake in the Harare Metropolitan on November, 3rd, 2024, the Harare Zimbabwe Chitungwiza Stake (2274361).
The Saratov Russia Stake currently sits at 3 wards, 4 branches.
The Sioux Falls Iowa Stake currently sits at 4 wards, 5 branches.
Missoula Montana Temple Site Location Revealed!
(And Colorado Springs)
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/locations-colorado-springs-missoula-montana-temples
It'll be on the south side of Missoula, not too far from my old hometown.
Four new wards in Northwest Arkansas created on 11/4. Two in Bentonville Stake, Morningside and Highlands wards. Now up to 13 wards in the stake. Also two new wards in Rogers Stake, Beaver Lake Ward and the Cave Springs Ward. They now have 10 wards and two branches (YSA & Spanish.) There are now 21 units meeting in the 4 buildings in Centerton, Bentonville, Rogers, and Bella Vista buildings, Cave Springs is sharing with a Springdale chapel for the time being.
A new stake center is set to open in Centerton late next year, we assume a new stake will be created then. Two other chapels have been approved for Rogers Stake, though land has not yet been bought.
Considering there were missions opened in Europe last year, some of which had existed previously, I would not rule out reopening past missions. I know Church growth in the US was higher in 2023 than some cprwvious years. I wonder if similar things are happening in Europe.
Growth of the Church in an area is only one thing to consider. Others are need for support by local members, and where full-time missionaries both those serving proselytize missions and service missions are coming from.
I am hopeful that use of online tools can better reach people looking for the truth in Europe.
Because of issues of validation, I think if the Church were to open an institution of higher education in Brazil, it would be a fully accredited institution in Brazil, which is why it would need to mainly be staffed by Brazilians. I have several thoughts on what it could need named, but even if it is given the BYU name I would think it would be a fully separate institution, with its own president, not under the president of BYU. The current BYU branches abroad exist to house and educate BYU students who come there for short terms of time to study. I would think BYU-Brazil would be on the current BYU-Hawaii model, a fully different institution mainly aimed at having students who study there for their whole education. I do not think having it directly under BYU as BYU-Hawaii was in the 1970s would work. This is one of the reasons that I do not hold my breath for it, think there are for the time being ways yo leverage more expanded institute buildings, the YSA gathering places (we have one of these in my stake) and other programs yo reach young adults, and even if international Church universities were created it would take a very long time for them to enroll many students.
With a new stake in Harare, what would the approximate number of stakes be assigned to Harare and Bulawayo if a temple were announced for Bulawayo? How many of those for each would be in Zimbabwe, as opposed to Zambia or Malawi?
So I believe Mozambique is at 3.5 years from first temple announced until second temple is announced? How does that record compare to other countries? For example Brazil had the Sao Paulo Temple announced in 1975 and a second temple in Recife announced in 1995, so 20 years later.
Town of Fairview announced mediation with church attorneys on the temple that was denied earlier this year. Here is the letter from the mayor:
https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1gk8wi3/in_a_very_unusual_move_the_town_of_fairview_texas/#lightbox
There is a chapel listed here: https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/meetinghouses/5021853-01-01
Is this one of the new ones? Satellite does not show a building here (though it did take nearly 10 years for a chapel in my state to show up on satellite), and no assigned wards.
With 23 wards and 2 branches, it is certainly do-able to split into 4 stakes.
- A Centerton Arkansas Stake could have 6 wards all from the Bentonville stake with the Centerton 1st, Centerton 2nd, Centerton 3rd, Gravette, Grove, and Morningside Wards.
- A Bella Vista Arkansas Stake could have 6 wards with the Anderson, Bella Vista [Bentonville], Highlands [Bentonville], Metfield, Pea Ridge, and Sugar Creek Wards
- The remainder of the Bentonville Stake would have 5 wards with the Bentonville 1st, Bentonville 2nd, Central Park, Cornerstone, and Elm Tree Wards.
- The remainder of the Rogers Stake would have 5 wards and 2 branches with the Beaver Lake, Cave Springs, Little Flock, Pleasant Grove, and Rogers 1st Wards and the Rogers YSA and Rogers 2nd (Spanish) branches.
- I can also see a stake splitting off from the Springfield Missouri South Stake as the Branson Missouri Stake that would have 5 wards and 1 branch with the Bee Cree, Berryville [Rogers], Branson West, Fall Creek, and Harrison Wards and the Branson 3rd (Spanish) Branch.
As an alternate to the last two:
- The remainder of the Rogers Stake would have 5 wards and 2 branches with the Beaver Lake, Berryville, Little Flock, Pleasant Grove, and Rogers 1st Wards and the Rogers YSA and Rogers 2nd (Spanish) branches.
- A Fayetteville Arkansas Stake would have 5 wards with the Fayetteville 1st, Fayetteville 2nd, Huntsville, Prairie Grove, and Fayetteville YSA Wards.
- The remainder of the Springdale Stake would have 5 wards and 1 branch with the Cave Springs, Har-Ber, Siloam Springs, Springdale 1st, and Springdale 3rd (Marshallese) Wards and the Springdale 2nd (Spanish) Branch.
The issue with the alternate is that the two Springdale-area stakes would have 4 regular wards and 1 "special" ward each. I don't know if non-native language congregations have changed their requirements or if, as I recall, they have lower requirements. Does the Springdale 3rd Ward have the exact same requirements as the Springdale 1st Ward?
Marcus Martins could be the rector
Highland Utah North Stake (2271931) - created 3 Nov 2024
- Highland 27th Ward (437352)
- Highland 32nd Ward (474541)
- Highland 36th Ward (1154761)
- Highland 41st Ward (2107759)
- Highland 44th Ward (2238179)
- Highland 45th Ward (2238187)
Marcus Martins would make a very good rector for a university run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil.
On my second read of Saints Vol. 4 I did realize it said that he and his finances had already sent out wedding invitations as of early June 1978. He went ahead and served a mission, serving in the Sao Paulo.North mission. They did mention his parents setting up a mission fund for him a few years before, but thry do not mention that again there.
I hope the mediation in Fairview can lead to the temple being built.
The Tarawa Kiribati Temple just had a groundbreaking. That puts us to no scheduled groundbreaking.
Am I right in thinking the Cody Wyoming Temple had a groundbreaking without it being announced before?
I am hoping we see several related announcements of ground breakings, New temple sites and dedication dates next Monday. I am very glad we had 2 sites announced yesterday, but I do wish we could see temples move faster at each stage.
On another issue I wonder when they will decide the number of Highland Wards is excessive and find a way to give more localized names.
Here in Detroit the 3 branches in the city are named Palmer Park, Belle Isle and Detroit River. Belle Isle where I live would probably be better named Mack Avenue, which was the name of the branch in this general area back in the 1930s. They had 3 branches in Detroit then, but then later consolidated them into 1 to prepare for a stake.
Today Detroit proper is split between the 2 branches and then 4 wards that are named after the suburb where they meet. We have 2 stakes that include at least dome of the City, 2 more stakes in at least part of the metro area, and I think at least 4 other stakes that were included in the stake boundaries when formed in 1952.
The past comment was by me. I am not sure why the system stopped default signing me in all the time.
Jones Pack Lambert, the same thing has been happening to me to.
I feel like more than 30 new missions seems too much for 2025. Hopefully there will be a boost of single missionaries of many more ages, which can help create and form newer ones. Newest countries by my count would be: East Timor, Sri Lanka, Malawi(? is that right?), Gabon, Georgia or Azerbaijan. Am I leaving out a new one mentioned in the post?
Oh, likely Senegal or the Gambia. Why not Guinea? Guinea-Bissau presents more issues or obstacles from what I know.
India needs more missions, but there are problems with the government visas. And, if the Church had better supply, the demand would change as well.
We need more missionaries, and in my opinion a few of the techniques of the Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists. Not to steal or copy, but to emulate some of their successes. Like, canvassing a neighborhood or town in a short period of time.
Revelation and need will make it happen.
Great stuff.
I was slightly off, one of the Bentonville wards will be going to the Anderson ward building to keep only 5 at each chapel.
As far as the new meetinghouse in Cave Springs, we aren't sure what it means. The stake center to open next year doesn't even show up, let alone blank, but the Cave Springs pin is showing up blank when the church doesn't even own the land yet. That is where they would want one of the two Rogers Stake chapel locations. My guess is they have it under contract and are doing due diligence and somehow leaked it.
They would need an additional stake center to split to 4 stakes. The Centerton stake center will be done next year, but a potential Pea Ridge or north Rogers Stake doesn't yet have a stake center, they would need to build it. The Centerton stake center has been in the works for years. And while we know the church is looking at land, nothing has come through in the Pea Ridge to the local planning commissions yet. Just depends how long they would be wiling to wait to open the 4th stake, seems like it would be best to just create a third stake and then a few years later do the 4th once the Pea Ridge stake center is built.
I get you. The Palmer and Wasilla Stakes actually have a building each with 4 wards attending, and I have not heard of any plans to build new chapels there. The Eagle River Stake's stake center is in my ward boundary (which my ward doesn't attend - the building we attend is actually in their stake).
They have 3 chapels, 2 of them are of similar design (but not completely identical), and the third one is just slightly smaller than their stake center. I strongly feel that the reason it is not the stake center is because the parking is rather insufficient for stake meetings.
For reference, their stake center (the one in my ward boundary) has about 270 parking spaces. The 2 smaller chapels in their stake has about 190 parking spaces. Their large chapel only has about 140 parking spots. For a building of similar size to the stake center, their large chapel has nearly half the parking capacity.
Roughly a decade ago, they bought land for a new stake center, but won't build it until there is a "need" for it, which can be interpreted as a 7th ward in Eagle River itself. With the changes to stake requirements, they could easily reduce the stake to only consist of the 6 wards in Eagle River without problems. The 3 bush branches, the Hmong branch, and the Chugach Foothills Ward (which I actually grew up in, even though I never moved) can all return to my stake.
I can argue the "need" for the new building should be sooner rather than later due to the condition of the stake center. The roof leaks a lot in the winter time because of how the roof was constructed. It's also been largely requested to have windowed doors for all of the classrooms, but can't because having those doors would actually violate the fire code because of how the building was constructed.
Honestly, the building should be torn down and reconstructed as opposed to renovated. However, I don't think that can happen for several more years. Due to our temple being reconstructed and the necessity of tearing down the stake center (also partly due to the condition of the building), that stake has taken over our stake center. I'd be fine with losing the building I grew up in and having it replaced, since the same thing is happening to our temple.
Reconstruction of the building in my ward boundary probably won't happen at least until the replacement stake center where the temple is is completed (construction won't start until the new temple is dedicated). Another issue is that chapel is the only chapel in this part of town that has a baptismal font. The only other building that has a baptismal font is all the way across town (the stake center the other stake took over). Our current stake center no longer has a font.
Fun fact, with the Anchorage stake taking over my stake's stake center, and the Eagle River stake's stake center in our boundary, my stake has 3 active stake centers in our boundaries.
Finally have a moment to look through these. Just some quick thoughts on missions from this list that I can relate to/have previously thought about:
- Ghana Kumasi 2nd - I would like to see a mission in Tamale instead to cover northern Ghana. It is predominantly Muslim and has relatively low population density, but there are some larger towns still that are unreached.It would also make the Kumasi Mission easier to administer by reducing travel distance.
- Malawi Lilongwe - This one appears to be a lock.
- Nigeria Makurdi - With Jos getting a stake, I find it slightly more likely to be a mission HQ. This could easily become one of the highest-baptizing missions in the Church from the get-go.
- Togo Lome - This is another lock.
- Sri Lanka Colombo - Is there a reason this is not already in place? I remember vaguely reading of significant attendance increases in the Sri Lankan branches a while back.
- With the exception of Iceland, the other suggested Missions in Europe make a lot of logistical sense. What you have to remember is that Europe continues to have significant potential in unreached cities and for minority language outreach. The Church is growing here, slowly (most of the time) but surely.
- Cuba Havana - If legally possible, this should absolutely be a priority. The entirely autonomous growth in Cuba is remarkable and potential remains high.
- Colorado Grand Junction - I have previously proposed this Mission to also take in eastern Utah, especially the Vernal and Moab areas.
- Illinois Peoria - I would replace this with Springfield or Bloomington, but I have also shared previously how much sense a mission in central Illinois would make. There are still quite a few small towns that are far away from branches that could use missionaries. Receptivity is probably some of the highest in the US.
- Wyoming Casper - The fact that Wyoming is a second-thought to (if I am not mistaken) at least six missions based in other states never really made sense to me. I believe it deserves to have its own mission.
- Solomon Islands Honiara - I follow one of the senior missionaries serving in the Solomon Islands on Facebook, and there seems to be great receptivity. It could also take in Bougainville once it becomes independent.
-
New Stake recently organized in Cedar City, called the Cedar City Utah South Stake. Organized with 8 wards. Organized from a division of the Cedar City Utah Cross Hollow Stake and the Cedar City Utah Stake, both of which now have 7 wards.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2282097
Other Matt here.
Given the increase in reported baptisms in Southern California Missions, it wouldn't surprise me to see some former missions reinstated or new missions in California (i.e. Long Beach, Carlsbad, Santa Clarita, Temecula, etc)
One key question to consider in various circumstances is what creating a mission means. One thing to keep in mind is that missionaries can be sent to an area without it bring a separate mission.
There are advantages to having a mission president present. However area offices, senior missionaries and other channels can do much work, and a non-present mission president can as well.
Senegal has 18 million people, enough for its own mission in theory. I do not know how easy and safe baprltizing Muslims is there.
In Sierra Leone a portion of Converts are Muslims. Sierra Leone has the eorld's highest religion freedom index, higher than the US. It is at least 75% Muslim. Senegal is 97% Muslim though. I know the we e are radical Islamic Tsardom in Mali, although they are not as prevalent in the part of the country where the Church member live, thry are more pronounced further north and east.
Sri Lanka has 22 million people. It is 70% Buddhist. However Christianity and missionaries are conflate with colonialism there in ways that have lead to laws that make conversion hard. You have Buddhist nationalism there like you get Hindu nationalism in India.
Ceylon is also 12 percent Hindu, 8 percent Muslim and 7 percent Christan.
Malawi has 21 million people. So having a separate mission there would make a lit of sense. Especially since we could then train missionaries in Chewa.
I think a new mission like Temecula would make more sense than reinstating a mission that previously existed.
On the other hand, with how large the number of new missions was last year, I would not be shocked if we get a lot fewer this year.
Togo, Malawi, another mission in Nigeria, another mission in Ivory Coast and maybe another mission in DR Congo seem very likely.
I wonder what the chances are of a 2nd mission in Uganda? A second one in Tanzania might be doable, and a 3rd in northern Mozambque, but maybe not yet. A 2nd Angola mission would be awesome as well.
Another thought is a 3rd mission in Kenya, but I think with the second 1 only formed last year such would be pre-mature.
I just got to p. 453 in Saints Vol. 4 where we have 1 paragraph summarize the expansion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Africa beyond Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe in the 1980s.
I really wish they could have managed to tell more stories. Especially of the growth of The Church in Zimbabwe. I do realize the story they are telling of Willy Sabwe Binene is very moving and insightful. I also understand the decisions, and there are the global histories. I just wish we got more stories from the 1980s.
To be fair, some such stories it is too recent to tell.
Maybe it's time someone published a book on the church History in Africa. I have a book from the early 2000's called "From the East" on the church in Asia. I recently heard of a new book on the church in Mongolia. Which I would like to get as my wife is from there.
"Voice of the Saints in Mongolia"
The book "The Worldwide Church. Mormonism as a Global Religion" (2016, Deseret Book, edited by Michael A. Goodman and Mauro Properzi) has a section on the church in Africa.
Some of the comments on this post discussed the possibility of BYU campuses internationally. There is some news related to this that I have known about for quite a while but refrained from mentioning because I was asked to wait to do so until after an official announcement was made. That official announcement is still not made (slated for January, I believe), but since the Church News is now publishing the information, I think I can share it in good conscience.
BYU-Pathway Worldwide is opening what they call "Global Education Centers" in a number of countries. These centers have computersfor students to use for course work or remote jobs, WiFi, spaces to practice for job interviews, common rooms and kitchens, and facilities for some "hands on" elements needed for some courses. Some will also include small libraries. While not a university campus in the strict sense of the word (because all classes will continue to be online) these provide many of the benefits of a campus currently enjoyed by students physically present at Ensign College and BYU-Idaho to students pursuing their education from those institutions through BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
The first recently opened in Brazzaville, with 3 more scheduled to open in 2025 and 1 in January 2026 (I will wait to say where until after the official announcement). These initial locations are pilot locations, and the plan is to take lessons learned from those locations and apply them to additional locations in many countries around the world. For example, the one in Brazzaville has already been much busier than anticipated, and if that proves true in the other pilot locations and is sustained over time, that could impact the design and size of future locations. My own speculation, based on how things have gone so far, is that it will be dozens by the end of this decade.
See the third paragraph of this article for the Church News coverage thus far:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-dale-g-renlund-concludes-ministry-in-africa-central-area
Sorry, This was me, Chris D. I wasn't logged in when I posted this.
Having physical locations for students will be very helpful. Especially in places where Internet is expensive. I read that some fast to save money for Internet access. Having access to libraries and other resources will give greater support and success to students. A dedicated gathering place to meet, study with and collaborate with other students will also give greater success.
It’s interesting it’s a English speaking branch
I am thinking the Global Education Centers are a very good idea. The one in Brazaville was dedicated by Elder Renlund.
He also went to Kenya, Ethiopia and DR Congo on his recent trip to the region. He met the prime Minister in DR Congo.
Is it possible the Nairobi Krnya Trmple will have been dedicated by this time next year?
The Nairobi Kenya Temple is currently estimated to be completed in "late 2024." Considering there are only 2 months left of the year, it seems likely to have a dedication date at least in the first half of 2025. I'd be honestly surprised if the date was in January or February. It's just a matter of how long do they want the open house to be. It's a fairly remote temple, nearly 1500 miles from the closest temple in Kinshasa and 1800 miles away from their assigned temple in Johannesburg, an estimated 58 hour journey one way.
I wonder how many in Kenya and surrounding countries have been able to go to the temple more than once. I feel that it will have an open house that lasts at least a month before being dedicated. I don't see any reference of a temple president being called yet. I certainly think the dedication of this temple will be a huge deal.
Maybe if they finish building it in December the open house will be planned in March or April. Usually they take three months or so to put in furniture, fix any issues, plan the open house etc. This may take longer due to customs. It may look done for a long time before the church accepts the keys from the contractor because of their high standards for finishes, meaning that sometimes things need to be redone, often by people who live far away. Makes me wonder what exactly is holding Antofa back.
-Henry
Thanks for the info. This is great news. It will lift so many people.
In terms of Europe, I'd be sort of surprised if there was anywhere in Europe outside the Iron Curtain with more units than when the Berlin wall fell. I'd expect most are more like New Zealand where the increase in "nones" is greater than the loss of lds members...
Hey, Matt! Thanks for this update. I wouldn't be surprised if new missions for next year were announced in a week or two. I also suspect we will soon have announcements of opening arrangements for the Antofagasta Chile and Nairobi Kenya Temple. My "adopted" uncle is president of the Kenya Nairobi West Mission, and he's also been in charge of supervising the construction of the temple. He also reports they are having a high level of success with missionary work and baptisms, and that those converts are being retained. Thanks again for this report.
The Church News ran an article about a missionary couple from the US serving in Nairobi meeting a couple from I think Luputa at the Kinshasa Temple who thry had approved to get funding from the Temple Patron Assistance fund to go to the temple. So some people do travel from Nairobi to Kinshsa but that is rare.
Without the Temple Patron Assistance filund the number of members in Kenya who had gone to the temple at all might be under 100. Ghana may have been that low before Accra Temple was completed.
Even with the Temple Patron Assistance Fund the amount people have to contribute means Ling times of saving money. The numbers of members in Kenya who have been to the temple more than once are very low..
Even that 58 hours to the temple might be low. Is that assuming constant driving, which is not doable even by bus? Also does it reflect the reality of fact you have to cross through 3 or so countries on the journey.
It sounds like Abijab, Nairobi and Harare temples, and maybe even Lubumbashi might all be dedicated next year. That would nearly double the temples in mainland Africa, it eould double them if Freetown were completed as well.
Elder Renlund was just in Kenya. He spoke to one of the missions missionaries there are emphasized wanting to have them focus on encouraging youth to serve. If this pans out maybe there can be a Mombasa mission soon. There might be other good locations in Kent's to base a new mission.
I am excited to see who the new temple president and matron of the naumirobi Temple will be. I have two guesses, but could be wrong. I will tell if I was right when we temple leaders are announced.
It's good to have you back James, hope all is well with you!
After three hospitalizations in the last month, it's good to be back.
I am wondering if you saw footnote 8 in Elder Cook’s most recent conference talk, where he says 198,000 have been baptized between January 1, 2024 and August 30, 2024. Extrapolating this number to the full year, there could be over 300,000 convert baptisms in 2024, compared to 250,000 in 2023 and 125,000 in 2020.
Elder Kearon visited a week ago and told us here in Colorado Springs that convert baptisms for 2024 are at a 20-year high.
That's awesome. It will be interesting to see if the increase is from areas where the Church is newer (i.e., Africa) or if more established areas like the U.S. are seeing a notable rise in baptisms, too. The missionaries in our family ward in Northwest Arkansas stay very busy, with multiple investigators attending Church every week and several convert baptisms this year. The local YSA ward has also seen a lot of new converts. Of course, this is all anecdotal evidence—but still exciting nonetheless. (Btw, my parents are in your ward, which I grew up in).
The Forney stake will be created from a division of the Dallas East stake and one ward from the Health stake on December 8th.
Dallas East: Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Dallas 1st, Dallas 9th, Dallas YSA 2nd, Garland 1st, Casa Linda
Forney: Forney 1st, Forney 2nd, Forney 3rd, Kauffman, Rio Trinidad, Skyline, Mesquite
As of now no new units are going to be created
I am very excited that Dallas area is getting a new stake. I think both a temple in Longview and a 4th Dallas/Fort Worth metro temple are needed. Although part of me wonders if a Waco Texas Temple could come soon.
Last year the percentage of Church growth in the US was up. I am hoping though we see returns of high growth in Ivory Coast.
I was just looking at the back cover of Saint Vol. 4. They have a map of all temples as of April 2020. There is a note that 125 temples more had been announced by the time the book went to press. That includes Helena, Montana which is dedicated. Also I believe Coban, Guatemala. It looks like there are only 3 temples in Guatemala on the map. The Phillippines gets a blow up from the Asia map, for its then 7 temples in some stage.
I believe even the note is out of date since it was written before 17 temples were announced in October.
The last chapter of Saints Vol. 4 covers from October 2011 until April 2020. The previous chapter when from Feb. 2011 until Octiber 2011, although it did discuss events as far back as October 2008.
This closing scene of the last chapter was Willy Binene and all the saints in Luputa standing to cheer when they heard the Kinshsa Temple announced. No more delays for a visa.
I understand why this is. It is hard to write history of things that happened so recently.
In his first 5 years as president if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Monson announced 31 temples. President Nelson has announced more temples than that each year for 4 years in a row.
On p. 657 they mention President Nelson working with the NAACP. Thry do not explicitly mention him coming to Detroit and speaking. I wish they had. We are in sprint mode by that point though.
As expected Saints Vol. 4 mentions the 2015 adding of women to the executive councils (Priethood and family, missionary and temple a lnd family history).
What had not crossed my mind until now is that the person added to the temple and family history executive council was Rosemary M. Wixom. She would then become the matron of the Salt Lake City Temple in 2017. In theory the Wixoms will return to lead the temple when it is rededicated since thry did not fill a full 3 year term. We will see if that is what actually happens.
I believe there are now 200 temples.
The 200th operating temple will be dedicated on November 10, with President Nelson presiding.
I'm a little confused. I see missions on the list, for example Scottsdale, AZ and Peoria, IL, that have been closed and consolidated into others in the not too distant past. Are you predicting they will be reopened?
Is there any confirmation that the Elko Nevada stakes are NOT assigned to Deseret Peak? There are a variety or reasons why it seems silly.
First, Toole is closer than Salt Lake. Elko sits just over 200 miles (as the crow flies) from Salt Lake. The drive to Toole is about 10 minutes shorter than the drive to Salt Lake.
Second, regardless if it's assigned to Deseret Peak or Salt Lake, it would largely take the same path as the Wendover district, and I don't see why they should be separated right now. Elko and Wendover should be attending the same temple.
Third, Elko could very well be dedicated by this time next year, which is before Salt Lake reopens, so they would probably spend the next year going to Toole anyway.
It would almost be following similar logic to the Campinas temple, where there are places assigned to Campinas, when those locations would have a shorter drive to either Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.
I'm not sure how the Fairview temple will affect attendance in Dallas, but more than anything I think we would need a second baptistry in the Dallas temple rather than an additional temple in the Metroplex (again, not sure how much of the current traffic would be from the stakes that will be in the Fairview district), as it is currently almost impossible to attend for baptisms outside of the allocated quarterly trips for each unit. Most endowment sessions we've attended have had a decent turnout (more so on Fridays and weekends of course), but I've only been to one full session in my time here so I'm not sure that an additional temple would be needed beyond what is currently planned.
How is retention doing?
I sometimes like to watch the Comeback podcast on YouTube. Is there anyway they track reactivation numbers or the number of rebaptisms of those who lost membership privileges (formerly excommunication) or returned after resigning membership?
The comeback podcast comment was mine. I don't know why lately is automatically loading as anonymous more often. I heard that with rebaptisms, that the church record membership only shows the original baptism date as if the excommunication never happened. Is that true? Also, is that the same with other ordinances such as priesthood and temple?
As far as I can tell, if a person resigns membership (not sure about excommunication, but I imagine something similar happens) after being ordained to the priesthood (men only) or had temple ordinances done (I think specifically initiatory and endowment), they can apply for an ordinance to restore blessings, which from what it sounds, basically reapplies their priesthood office and endowment as opposed to having to be ordained again or going through the temple again. I glossed over the section, but you can read it in more detail.
Handbook 32.17.2 Restoration of Blessings
For more information, the final bullet point for section 32 refers to Returning Church Membership Privileges, and points you to sections 32.15 - 32.17.
California, Texas, and New England seem to be putting up really good numbers, especially compared to their historical baselines. This is really good news, given their large population and growth potential. There are still a lot of unserved and underserved areas and populations in these places.
On a more personal note, my wife and I watched Church in our old Illinois ward again this weekend since she was sick and couldn't make our in-person sacrament meeting. It was a missionary homecoming so this may have skewed things, but there were definitely over 100 people in attendance, including probably a dozen or so whom we didn't recognize and who mostly didn't wear what I would call typical Sunday clothing (which, combined, is a pretty good indication that people are new). There are now missionaries dedicated to EIU campus, which is about time because the missionaries over the Mattoon ward would sometimes teach 40 lessons a week at the university library and neglect the rest of the area because they were so busy on campus. It's not a massive university, but it's very diverse and less overwhelming than UofI, for example, so the missionaries really do well at becoming part of the community and being visible. I would hope that the Church sees and replicates this elsewhere, because there may be dozens, perhaps a couple hundred, university towns like Charleston IL in the US that are equally underserved and full of potential.
It is the 10th. Here's a report on today's dedication:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/100-year-old-prophet-dedicates-200th-temple
I apologize. I've been in a bit of a time warp since my month-long stint in 3 hospitals.
Very happy that James is back and out of the hospital. I have spent some sick days and nights there; it is amazing to be back among the healthy. A great blessing for him and all. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a remedy for wherever it goes, curing people of maladies and ills. It makes, through the Lord Himself, makes crooked paths straight.
This blog helps chronicle those things of the Lord, the growth, the progress.
Africa is blossoming as the rose, I think. Each nation has its own promise.
Why is there a differentiation between Sri Lanka and Ceylon? Ceylon is antiquated, right?
Will there be more than twenty new missions announced?
West Africa shows promise, as normal.
Exciting if Brazil could have some Church-centered learning centers. Friends in Chile were petitioning for this back in the 1990s.
JTB, that is great news. I just heard a rumor that a Pocatello Idaho Stake may split the same day. No details yet for that reorganization yet.
In Campinas the division makes a little more sense because this way it is possible to balance the number of Stakes attributed to that temple and the São Paulo temple. But in the case you are citing, the question really remains.
At least Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina and Chile have the capacity to host a Church university institution, along the same lines as Adventist Education or Pontifical Universities, which are widespread here. In Brazil we have a good number of members with doctorates and able to teach (my brother is one of them, and I myself am about to compete for a position, as I have a master's degree). In another example from my stake, there is a Chemistry professor at the University of São Paulo who once headed his department and is well recognized. There are certainly many other members capable of working in departments in support positions.
If anyone is curious, here is a preliminary link to my ongoing work to combine both the World's (Countries, Regions, States/Provinces, Counties, Districts, Municipalities/Communes) Boundaries, I call them Levels 1 to 6. And my vision of all current known Temples/Stakes/Districts of the Church, pinned with a marker at the Temple or Stake Centers. I have begun to post this on Google My Maps online today beginning with the 1st few in the Church's Administrative Area of "North America West". Just to start somewhere. I will continue to add even where possible the 3 road or plane routes to the nearest or assigned temple from the stake centers. Let me know if any have difficulty with this shared link or if any have suggestions on how to improve the layers shown in a more professional view.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1RQL-0WanrDLa26AztJrjGIp1n6Xs9OA&usp=sharing
How about a Swiss Mission (5 stakes) in Europe. But I know it is very unliky to happen, because of the same reasons both Swiss missions were closed / relocated around 2010. The reason is that missionaries (including mission presidents) from outside the EU where not given visas anymore. So US missionaries at the moment only can stay for 3 months visa free and need to leave for more than 3 months.
Another reasons are the 2 languages the mission would have and low baptism numbers. Most missionaries serving in my ward say that missionary work is easier in Germany and Austria compared to Switzerland.
Matt, any chance we could get a New Zealand Census update?
"11 November 2024 - SALT LAKE CITY News Release
Dedication News for Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, Updates for Temples in California and Michigan
Elder Ronald A. Rasband will dedicate the first temple in the African nation of Côte d’Ivoire
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/dedication-news-for-abidjan-ivory-coast-temple-updates-for-temples-in-california-and-michigan
The name is Tooele not
Ryan, I have seen this happen from time to time. I think it makes more sense this way from an operational standpoint since the Elko temple's dedication is forthcoming. Of course, Elko members will attend the Deseret Peak Temple in the meantime, but this way the Deseret Peak Temple presidency can focus on getting its temple up and running and lots of people trained without having official responsibilities related to the Elko stakes. Also this way allows the Elko stake leaders to focus on their forthcoming temple rather than having to go through the whole process twice.
testing
I didn't notice I misspelled Tooele. At least when I was typing it, I pronounced it correctly in my head.
Amending the Constitution of the United States:
Section One.
In the United States Senate no person shall serve more than four six-year terms.
In the United States House of Representatives no person shall serve more than six two-year terms.
Section Two.
Federal Justices and Federal Judges who previously have attained sixty-six years of age shall retire.
Federal Justices and Federal Judges shall retire at sixty-five years of age.
Section Three.
In each State Congressional Districts shall be either a single County or a contiguous collection of Counties.
What relation does this have to do with the Church?
It looks to me like Elko Nebada Temple will either be dedicated by June, or maybe at the latest in August of 2025. It might even be in May. This will mean you will need local members to help with the open house. It is probably just as well that any Elko residents who are temple workers remain with whichever Salt Lake Valley Temple they are assigned to. Especially since Deseret Peak evidently has a waiting list of people who want to be Temple workers.
I am very excited that Grand Rapids Michigan Temple is having a ground breaking. The rendering for San José Temple is also a good sign.
Most exciting is that Abijan Ivory Coast has dedication dates. Elder Rasband will dedicate that temple.
Between those and Deseret Peak being dedicated yesterday this has been an amazing day for temples.
I wonder if it is difficult to find temple workers? I've never really been consistent with attending the temple, and my facial hair grows very quickly. Our new temple is over a year from being completed, but our stake has been emphasizing the need for temple workers before construction even began. We have to prepare for the larger size of the temple and the loss of Fairbanks once their temple is finished.
Sessions at our temple have been rather limited due to most of the parking being sectioned off for construction, but it was announced on Sunday that starting in January, 5 new sessions a week (new one each day) are going to be added. I'm guessing that means a bit more parking will be made available? I've been struggling to get my temple recommend since July, but looking very optimistic for either December or January. Would be nice to finally be able to go back to the temple, to experience these new shorter sessions, and to see for myself the construction of our new temple.
Random fun facts: with the dedication of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, not only will it be the last new temple dedicated with an angel Moroni statue, but it will also mean the Praia Cape Verde Temple will no longer have it's closest operating temple all the way in Fortaleza Brazil.
Did you mean Abidjan? Sorry if that's nitpicky, but as the son of a proofreader and a Wikipedia editor, typos/spelling errors bug me. The Church Temples site notes that dedications take place several months after their completion. Since the completion of the Elko Nevada Temple Temple is estimated for early to mid-2025 (which appears to be roughly mid-March to mid-May) I'd project that the earliest its' dedication could occur is August of next year. I'd love to be wrong on that, but unless something changes, that's my projection.
Glad you're doing better, James. :)
I am more excited about Abidjan than about most temples getting their dedication date. When I was near the end of my mission, I taught a really nice guy from Abidjan; one of the things we shared with him was that just weeks prior, a temple had been announced in his hometown. That was a really, really, really long time ago.
Sorry James, you wrote "its' ". Like you, I proof read as carefully as possible but mistakes will still be missed. Glad you are back and contributing again.
Colin, thank you for that. I noticed it also, and wish that posters would only use "it's" as a contraction for "it is." "Its," as a possessive pronoun, (like yours, ours, his, hers, theirs, mine, and whose) never takes an apostrophe. Thanks again.
Brasil is ripe for a BYU extension too. I hope this comes to pass.
Thank you for catching my error, Colin. It's good to be back.
FYI, the "Spanish Fork Utah Legacy Farms Stake (2273977)" recently organized.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2273977
Thanks Chris D - Also, the Bo Sierra Leone Durba Stake was organized 10/20/2024. We are now at 51 new stakes created for 2024 so far.
English can be difficult. Using an apostrophe usually means it is possessive. Such as that dog's collar is missing. Or Bob's shirt is green. But when the word "it" is used in the possessive the apostrophe is outlawed. Because it is then a contraction.
Does that put Bo to 4 stakes? I would not be shocked if a temple is announced for Bo next year.
Florida Orland should be Florida Orlando
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