Below is an updated list of the 19 countries/territories with the most Latter-day Saints (at least 1,500) without a stake. This list highlights countries where the Church has established a meaningful presence but has not yet reached the organizational maturity required to form a stake. According to the Church Handbook, the creation of a stake requires that several minimum qualifications be met. These include:
- At least 2,000 total members (active and less active) within the proposed stake boundaries
- At least 150 active, full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders capable of serving in leadership positions
- At least 500 participating adults
- At least 100 participating youth (recommended but not required)
- A minimum of five wards
These criteria underscore that stake organization depends not only on total membership, but more importantly on activity rates, leadership depth, and institutional maturity. Consequently, some countries with relatively large nominal membership totals may take longer to organize stakes if these core requirements are not yet met, whereas others with smaller but more active and concentrated membership may reach stake status sooner.
Membership totals by country are as of year-end 2025, whereas congregational and district totals are current. Estimated membership for mainland
China and Pakistan is provided as official statistics are unavailable. The
number of branches in mainland China is not provided due
to the sensitive nature of the
Church in that country. Previous lists of the countries with the most
members without a stake can be found here.
- China - 13,000 members? - 12 districts
- Malaysia - 11,769 members - 24 branches - 5 districts
- Guyana - 7,400 members - 12 branches - 2 districts
- Pakistan - 6,750 members? - 19 branches - 4 districts
- Belize - 5,741 members - 12 branches - 2 districts
- Rwanda - 3,625 members - 10 branches - 1 district
- Armenia - 3,579 members - 6 branches - 1 district
- Solomon Islands - 3,232 members - 11 branches - 1 district
- Romania - 3,127 members - 15 branches - 1 district
- Ethiopia - 2,626 members - 10 branches - 2 districts
- Eswatini - 2,598 members - 6 branches - 1 district
- Bulgaria - 2,424 members - 7 branches - 1 district
- Poland - 2,315 members - 11 branches - 1 district
- Lesotho - 2,278 members - 8 branches - 1 district
- Burundi - 2,070 members - 12 branches - 1 district
- Suriname - 1,991 members - 6 branches - 1 district
- Cook Islands - 1,890 members - 5 branches - 1 district
- Sri Lanka - 1,732 members - 4 branches - 1 district
- Macau - 1,595 members - 2 branches - 1 district
Cameroon was the only country removed from this list since April 2025, following the organization of its first stake in June 2025.
As noted in the 2025 list, prospects for near-term stake creation appear most favorable in mainland China, Malaysia, Guyana, Belize, Pakistan, Eswatini, Rwanda, Burundi, and Suriname, as each has at least one district approaching minimum stake qualifications. Rwanda appears most likely among the countries on this list to have its first stake created in the near future, given its rapid growth, relatively strong member activity rates, and the concentration of nearly all Latter-day Saints in the country within the capital, Kigali. The Solomon Islands and Lesotho also appear increasingly likely to have their first stakes organized within the next 1–2 years. Notably, several of the most likely candidates for near-term stake creation have relatively concentrated membership within 1-2 districts, suggesting that organizational efficiency and leadership development may be more decisive factors than total membership alone. In contrast, low activity rates, insufficient numbers of branches within individual districts, slow or stagnant growth, and limited numbers of full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders will likely continue to delay stake organization in other countries for several more years.
78 comments:
According to the Puebla México Citlaltépetl District Facebook group page, today will be a historic Conference, not only just after the new meetinghouse open house held this last week.
It will be presided by a General Authority Seventy and accompanied by a Area Seventy, which in my humble opinion is code for a new Stake creation from the District, with currently 7 branches on the Meetinghouse site.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2090511
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1464591192032558&set=a.607965417695144
Did Malaysia's numbers not get updated? Or are there literally the same number of members as there were in 2025?
So far in 2026, a lot of wards have been created in the Philippines, but no stakes. If it hasn't today, I anticipate this will change over the next couple of months.
The new Mebane North Carolina stake was created today from the Greensboro and Durham stakes. Two more stakes are scheduled to be created in the state next month.
I anticipate we will see one or two new temples announced in North Carolina in the next few years or so. One in Greensboro and the other somewhere in east/southeastern part of the state. The Raleigh temple now has 15 stakes in its district and has yet to have a new temple announced within its district (Charlotte is part of the Columbia SC temple district which has had two new temples announced, Charlotte and Greenville, but has over 20 stakes in its district).
Rwanda would seem to be a very string candidate. Malaysia has long faced issues with two issues. One is the fact that the current membership is somewhat spread out. The other is major leadership development issues in East Malaysia where over half of members are.
Guyana and Belize are areas that could get a stake but there are issues. Part of me wonders if things might be better if Belize were reassigned to thd Jamaica Mission. Jamaica is another place that took a while to get a stake. I want to say they got a stake while Kevin G. Brown was mission president.
Exciting things are happening in the TarHeel state (NC) with a new stake created today, officially known as the Mebane (pronounced Meh ben) Stake. It was created from the Durham and Greensboro stake. The Facebook post announced this change but also indicated two more stakes will be created in May in NC giving it a total of 23 stakes. I wouldn’t be surprised if next year they announce a Greensboro mission if missionary applications support it.
The Charlotte temple can’t be built fast. To remind all the intermountain west folks, our stake center (20,000 sq ft) is bigger than the Raleigh temple (11,000 sq ft). There are 15 stakes assigned to our temple and now it sounds like it possibly will be 17 stakes. We are bursting at the seams in our little temple (I see you Columbia SC). If you haven’t been to one of these temples, we have 8 locker stalls so the temple president has to get creative with the session times unlike larger temples because of the limited space in the locker room. From what I can tell the Raleigh temple offers the most sessions for the size of the temple east of the Rocky Mountains (sessions per sq footage). It is a well used temple. The 6am Friday session is packed with lots of brothers attending before going off to work.
All the chapels are maxed out in the four stakes surrounding Raleigh with 3-5 unit per buildings.
The evangelical community is beginning to notice us and having interfaith dialogues. The tide is turning in the south. I see this happening in several states as well just as Pres Kimball said would happen as he peered into the future for the southeast of the US.
A new stake was created in North Carolina today, the Mebane North Carolina Stake. In May, two more stakes will be created in North Carolina, one in Mt. Airy and one in the greater Raleigh area.
A new stake was also created today in Harare Zimbabwe, primarily from a division of the Harare Zimbabwe Marimba Park Stake.
Thank you for catching this error. There were 11,769 members in Malaysia as of year-end 2025.
Do you think the growth is driven by in-migration or converts?
Very correct on Malaysia's challenges. As I typically comment on it every year with the statistical report release, there has been a significant contraction of units over the past 10-15 years after some fairly rapid growth in the late '00s and early '10s. When I left my mission there in 2010, we thought a stake was imminent in the next 1-2 years with a second stake within 5 years. Sadly, it seems further away now than it did when I left.
Not sure if this is still a challenge there, but occasionally people with the means to do so would leave for better opportunities in other countries such as the US or perhaps Australia.
It seems that the age-old problems of leadership development and convert retention are afflicting the growth of the Church there.
A new stake was also created in Zambia today, the Copperbelt Zambia Stake, which I gather is made up of the 2 districts in the mission.
For any interested about recent growth on the European continent, I have just found in the Brussels Belgium North Stake (522945), during the last 6 months of 2025, the Antwerpen Ward (63010) was renamed Antwerpen 1st Ward (63010), probably the same time as the new Antwerpen 2nd Branch (Spanish) (2311933), was organized. Also, in the same period (June-December 2025, the old Hasselt Branch (319538) was reinstated. and counted as new on the fullerconsideration unit tracker site. And now this week a new Ward was organized, the Roeselare Ward (2322188), in the same Stake. So the work is moving on, even if just from Spanish or other migrants on the continent.
22 2023-2025 Hasselt Branch Oudsbergen, Belgium
1027 2023-2025 Antwerpen 2nd Branch (Spanish) Merksem, Belgium
74 26-Apr-26 Roeselare Ward Roeselare, Belgium
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/522945
On another note, in the Bucaramanga Colombia Stake (515108), it was recently reported that both the Bucarica Ward (223573), and the El Tejar Ward (214787) have been consolidated. And the Cañaveral Ward (131415), was renamed the Floridablanca Ward (131415).
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/515108
Alex,
Emigration of church members is an issue many places face. I would not be surprised if it is one faced by Indonesia. I think this was a very large part of why Jamaica took so long to get a stake, and I would not be surprised if it plays into the situation in Belize and Guyana.
The developments in North Carolina are encouraging.
There are lots of temples basically the size of Raleigh Temple with even smaller districts getting new temples. Detroit has at most 8 stakes and a district assigned to it (we have 7 full stakes and parts of 3 more, but I do not think that is more than 1 more stake) and yet we are getting a second temple in Michigan. So 2 more temples in North Carolina would seem doable. Greensboro/Winston Salem is probably going to be the next. I also agree somewhere in the eastern end of the state, but it is very hard to figure out which location in eastern North Carolina would make sense. i believe Fayetteville has the most members, but logistically it would make sense to put the temple more central to the east end of the state. On the other hand Harker's Island has the longest standing stable church presence. The island itself regularly gets hit by Hurricanes, so I have doubts putting a temple on the coast would make sense, and beyond that unless there was a place right on the coast that could be the major point of a temple district all on its own, putting a temple on the coast puts it a long way from much of the district.
It will be a little easier to predict once the other two new stakes are formed. I have to admit that if I have to place a guess on the temple for eastern North Carolina I would say put it in Kinston, with plans to place a temple in Fayetteville once a few more stakes are created. Fayetteville would not actually be any closer for the Greenville North Carolina. Morehead City North Carolina is also closer to Raleigh than to Fayetteville. So at present the Fayetteville temple might take in 4 stakes, which maybe is what Kinston would take in. Goldsboro might be able to take in six stakes, so it might be doable.
Based on Metro Raleigh and Mount Airy being the other two new stakes, I think Goldsboro would make the most sense. Unless the temple goes in Smithfield/ Pine Level area so it can be very close to I-95. I am hoping with Elder Amos in the United States Southeast Area presidency we see some things change. Elder Amos is African-American, raised in Louisiana (as was his wife), and he spent most of his adult life in Florida, and then was mission president in Lousiana (with much of Mississippi in his mission as well). He knows the southeast US as well as if not better than any other general authority.
I also think Greensboro, not Winston-Salem will get the temple. That will with these new stakes be 5 stakes for Greensboro Temple, 6 for Raleigh, and 6 for Goldsboro/Smithville. Wilmington and Morehead City are far enough away that it might actually be an option to give them a temple. Still both those places are under 2 hours from Goldsboro. In fact it is further from Wilmington to Morehead City than from Wilmington to Goldsboro. I just know where stakes are, if I knew where wards and branches were I might come up with a slightly different idea.
Mebane North Carolina Stake (2324105)
Organized on 26 April 2026
- Caswell Ward
- Hillsborough Ward
- Mebane Ward
- Roxboro Branch
Mission: North Carolina Raleigh Mission
Temple: Raleigh North Carolina Temple
Copperbelt Zambia Stake (470457)
Reorganized from the Kitwe Zambia District on 26 April 2026
Mission: Zambia Lusaka Mission
The Ndola Zambia District hasn't been removed yet.
I don't see a new stake in Zimbabwe.
I don't see an upgrade of the Puebla México Citlaltépetl District.
Eastern NC Resident here. I think look to Greenville, Fayetteville and Wilmington/Myrtle Beach for temple sites longer term. Greenville recently acquired land for a new stake center that has acreage beyond what is needed for only a stake center. I am told Myrtle Beach is also in the process of buying land for a stake center. Agree that Greensboro area is also a very likely locale for a future temple.
FYI Here is my current Church Missions and Temple Districts (my version) project for the North American continent. With current 2025 mission boundaries before the July 2026 new missions go into effect.
I have completed the Utah, United States Central and Northeast areas, minus the Virginia Richmond mission boundary. In a pink-purple 8pt borders.
And the Southeast area returned to individual stake colors. For the United States Southwest and West areas, the missions are color coded. I have to download the individual Stake colors again.
The Canada, Caribbean, Central America and Mexico Areas, I left the individual colors for now.
With a lot of points, it may take several minutes to load. It includes even the 200mi drive/3hour distances borrowed from Logans map.
https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1OcupgIeo6LW4Uxr_Xwt_dkCFtg0oXfIv?usp=sharing
Greenville falls in my "Top 60" list (but not my "Top 20")(21-60) as my Winston-Salem prediction. Wilmington is on my 2nd group of 60 (61-120). Both Kinston and Fayetteville fell on my 3rd group of 60 (121-180) with Kinston soring slightly higher.
Three NC locations made my top 10 as the most likely temples to be announced in the US SE Area (see below) - more than any other state in US SE Area. The reason Winston-Salem is not higher on my list is because of how close it is to the nearest temple.
United States Southeast Area
1. Mobile Alabama
2. Little Rock Arkansas
3. Jackson Mississippi
4. Winston-Salem North Carolina
5. Charleston SC/Savannah GA
6. Hopkinsville Kentucky
7. Wilmington/Myrtle Beach
8. Ft Pierce FL
9. Kinston NC
10. Kingsport TN
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?hl=en&mid=1G7hdBBWl07qNmfixCPEyCf7dAOKzzjw&ll=10.028608009536745%2C0&z=2
It's common to see church buildings in the NA SE Area on large tracks of land. There's 3 buildings in my stake on property large enough to also have a temple, which I find common in the NA SE Area.
While many are being built alongside meetinghouses (Most in NA SE area are adjacent to a meetinghouse), many are also being announced and built as a stand alone. Consequently, a purchased property is not to be assumed as a temple announcement.
The Raleigh Temple appear to be well-used which could trigger others being announced. However, this temple district is being split in multiple directions. None of the four announced temples in the Carolinas and Southern VA have made it to groundbreaking. I maybe wrong, but the church may want to wait for these to move further before announcing others nearby.
One other thought, Greenville and Wilmington are both on Matt's less likely prediction list. Many temple announcements come off of this list. Since I started making my lists, 2/3 of announcements came off of my top two categories that make my "Top 60" (41% top 20 and 68% top 60).
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1W60CDwd4qDDMA3tW74z8g-2WxNw&femb=1&ll=11.407952373362193%2C0&z=2
I wonder what the possibility of the Bungoma Kenya District (2309661), that recently organized a 6th branch, the Marakusi Branch (2331128), of becoming a stake in near future. It has a conference planned next month on May 31st, and again a month later on July 12th.
145 Apr 29, 2026 Marakusi Branch
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2309661
FYI, this is just an observation. I have no facts either way.
I was recently told by a member living there that a split of the Granada, Spain stake is in the works. There are currently not 10 wards in the stake, so if true this suggests that either some wards will split, some branches will advance to wards, or some combination of the two.
--Felix
It’s interesting that there are that many branches in Malaysia and no stakes
Here's the official Facebook announcement of the 7th Stake in Harare Zimbabwe. Although unknown if the official name is just the Kuwadzana Zimbabwe Stake? or more traditional title of the "Harare Zimbabwe Kuwadzana Stake"?
Even though at the moment of this email it still hasn't appeared on the meetinghouse site or which wards were assigned.
Harare Zimbabwe Marimba Park Stake | Harare | Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Harare-Zimbabwe-Marimba-Park-Stake/61573504206182/#
PS. No news on the Puebla Mexico Citaltepetl District last weekend presided by 2 general authorities either. Does it take a general authority or 2 to dedicate a new meetinghouse. They had their new meetinghouse open house a few days before. Maybe that was the reason of the visit? No posts on facebook site of the new stake. I tried the mission page. but it's private.
Distrito Citlaltépetl | San Salvador el Seco | Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/DistritoCitlaltepetl
great insight! one note on Kinston...i see it keep popping up in notes, but it is no longer a stake center and has one ward. Greenville and Goldsboro are the closest current stake centers and Kinston is currently a part of the Greenville, NC stake. Meetinghouse Locater has Kinston incorrectly noted as a stake center. I do see some of the geographic appeal to it regardless of whether or not it is a stake center.
Kuala Lumpur, with 8 branches is the most likely to become a stake. Singapore and Brunei are cut out of Malaysia.
Malaysia is also the country with the most members without a temple. However, I believe it will be quite some time before it gets a temple unless they get a hard border with Singapore (currently visa-free). The Singapore temple serves only the Singapore and Malaysian members once all currently announced temples are complete, and is basically central for Malaysia. Consequently, I would imagine Togo/Benin, Malawi, and Jamaica will all get their first temple before Malaysia.
Knowing how NC has a lot of in-migration in general (not just LDS), so I believe that is a factor. Converts may also play a factor, but I have no data on that.
A stake in Perth, Australia looks likely to be consolidated on May 17th. Two stakes with conference that day, one just closed a ward, and the two stakes only have 9 wards combined.
Very possible. Consolidations aren't appealing from the surface but is important factor for allowing members to meet in larger groups than branch-sized wards. With larger wards/stakes, responsibilities are shared among more members and can lead to stabilization from decline or even growth in an area.
There are two stakes on the Island of Tasmania. Each stake has 4 wards and one also having two branches. The congregations are clustered on both ends of the island and none in the middle. Even with that, it's possible to consolidate the stakes. Stake conference and leadership meetings can be broadcasted to the other end of the island.
My stake was spread out and stake leadership (stake presidency, high council, other stake presidencies) are divided in North, Middle, and South. Each presidency has a member in each of those areas. While some are still done in person, a good chunk of the meetings (ie. stake high council, presidency meetings) are done through teleconference to save on commute. Stake conference is broadcasted to a ward building at the other end of the stake.
There are currently 8 temples north of Payson that are announced, under construction, or closed for extended renovations. The Salt Lake Temple alone is about to add a lot of capacity. Temple announcements have exceeded church growth including in Northern Utah. Yes, there's been added emphasis that could drive up demand (attendance), but that will only go so far and I don't know what else could be said or done to drive this up further that is not being done already.
Due to complexities stated in my methodology, the Wasatch Front from Provo to North Ogden is all covered under one icon. This is the only extended metro I do this for as a temple could be announced anywhere and the brethren can adjust the local temple districts accordingly. This is currently on and will likely stay on my "Top 20" list due to the continual possibility of one being announced along this front over other locations.
There comes a point where availability is better than proximity. There's a minimum number of workers/patrons needed for a session. Is having a temple 10 minutes closer better if one has to wait an extra 30 minutes for a session during the week, or a reduction of early morning/late night sessions?
I would say it is significantly better tradeoff for those already having to pay the time and expense to drive 2 hours. Existing temples can add baptistries during their renovations if it's just a baptistry issue.
With a few exceptions (ie Manila Metro), all temples that may have capacity concerns already have temple(s) announced or under construction within their temple districts. Consequently, I would imagine any announcements now will concentrate on getting members closer rather than on capacity concerns.
Malaysia is a very spread out country: 2 geographically distinct regions separated by a portion of the South China Sea. Kuala Lumpur in West Malaysia is realistically the only stake candidate in the near future. It is difficult to spread the church in the west because of the large swaths of Muslim-dominated country. In West Malaysia, there are only a handful of large cities at all. Each of those cities with decent size has had multiple branches (Kota Kinabalu had their 2 consolidated some years back). But the issue is that those large cities are geographically quite distant from each other, and travel between them is very difficult through dense rainforest, mountains, and swamps with very few reliable roads. This makes air travel as the only reliable way to get from one large city to another. It's not that these things are impossible to overcome. But it certainly makes church administration difficult. Due to these travel needs, visa restrictions, and the presence of Singapore in the mission, it is a relatively expensive mission, and has historically been one of the smaller missions (by total number of missionaries.
The Temple leadership has been recently called for the new Wichita Kansas Temple.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2026/05/02/wichita-kansas-temple-president-and-matron-2026/
If anyone is interested, the unofficial Temples site just posted the lists of the assigned Stakes and Districts to the 2 newly dedicated temples today, in Davao Philippines and Lindon Utah Temple Districts.
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/davao-philippines-temple/district/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/lindon-utah-temple/district/
As was reported a few weeks ago, it appears on the stake website, from stake confernence today the Manchester England and Ashton England Stakes merger. The Facebook page has now been renamed the "Greater Manchester England Stake"
https://www.reddit.com/r/MormonShrivel/comments/1sq1q3q/manchester_england_stake_and_ashton_england_stake/
https://www.facebook.com/manchesterenglandstake
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/503231 (Manchester England Stake)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/515515 (Ashton England Stake)
And in the comments on FB, it mentions also next week (May 10th) merger of the Portsmouth England and Poole England Stakes, into a renamed "Southampton England Stake" ?
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/506605 (Portsmouth England Stake)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/515264 (Poole England Stake)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MormonShrivel/comments/1swbf6c/confirmed_portsmouth_and_poole_england_stakes_to/
In todays realignment of the Seattle Washington North Stake, it appears that
"I'm curious which ward got axed? and what name changes from the current organization? Just asking for a friend.
Discovery Park Ward (25968)
Green Lake Ward (25542)
Lake Forest Park Ward (176486)
Lake Union Ward (1975943) Elliott Bay Ward (1975943)
Ravenna Park Ward (30198)
Shoreview Ward (24465) Meridian Ward (24465)
Seattle YSA Ward (26301)
"Green Lake and Lake Union morphed into Salmon Bay while giving up some territory to neighboring Ward. Ravenna Park grew substantially to the north and I believe Shoreview grew to the south."
And from the reply, and new map, it's unclear if the Ravenna Park Ward (30198), was renamed just "Ravenna Ward (30198)"?
https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/1t2byfi/shrinkage_in_seattle_its_official/
The chaple I attend was dedicated by our then stake president. At one time it was common for more senior church leaders to dedicate chapels. My stake center was dedicated by President David O. McKay and it was not built as a stake center.
However I am not even sure building dedications require even a stake president.
I'm wondering since they closed cafeterias of all the temples that had one, if that space could be repurposed as second baptistries either during major renovations or during annual cleaning/ lminor renovation work.
A Chinese friend in the know says there are 13,800 members in 93 branches as of 1/2026
Santa Rosa de Copan Honduras Stake
Reorganized from the Santa Rosa de Copán Honduras District on 19 April 2026
- Dolores Ward
- La Entrada Ward
- Copan Ruinas Branch
- El Dorado Ward
- Florida Branch
- Gracias Branch
- Miraflores Ward
- Nueva Ocotepeque Branch
- San Marcos de Ocotepeque Branch
- Santa Rosa Ward
Mission: Honduras San Pedro Sula West Mission
Temple: San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple
Mebane North Carolina Stake (2324105)
Organized on 26 April 2026
- Caswell Ward
- Elon Ward
- Hillsborough Ward
- Lake Mackintosh Ward
- Mebane Ward
- Roxboro Branch
Mission: North Carolina Raleigh Mission
Temple: Raleigh North Carolina Temple
Sandy Utah Canyon View Stake renamed the Sandy Utah Alta Vista Stake on 3 May 2026
Sandy Utah Alta View Stake discontinued on 3 May 2026
Manchester England Stake renamed the Greater Manchester England Stake on 3 May 2026
Ashton England Stake discontinued on 3 May 2026
7 of the 10 current wards involved in the Sandy Utah merger between the old Sandy Utah Canyon View Stake (506680) and the Sandy Utah Alta View Stake (517038), have been renamed since last June 2025.
Alta Heights Ward (106399) - > Ridgecrest Ward (106399)
Cameo Park Ward (186309) - > Summer Crest Ward (186309)
Canyon View Ward (120839) - > Sunrise Park Ward (120839)
Mesa Park Ward (1155) - > Alta Vista Ward (1155)
Silvercrest Ward (102415) - > Coppercreek Ward (102415)
Silver Mesa Ward (96407) - > Banner Hill Ward (96407)
Sunridge Ward (118842) - > Summer Meadows Ward (118842)
Alta View Ward (196657), Falcon Park Ward (160679) and Peruvian Park Ward (175315), no name changes
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/517038 (Sandy Utah Alta View Stake)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/506680 (Sandy Utah Alta Vista (ex-Canyon View) Stake)
Both Kinshasa DR Congo and Aba Nogeria Temples have a core area that will remain after all announced temples are complete that is clearly at present a place with more members and stakes than the temple can reasonably handle.
However from what I understand the urbanized part of Kinshasa has become so congested that a second temple could be position as much to reduce travel times as anything else.
The article on the new Lindon Temple makes it clear that especially for baptisms for the dead the temple had been operating at capacity.
My guess is the next temple in Utah will be a second Weber County Utah Temple.
The other places that might get a temple are Morgan Utah; Tremont Utah and there is a very outside chance we could see one in Juab or Millard County.
There are so many places still where members have to travel much further to go to a temple.
What stake currently faces the longest travel time to a temple? Des es Salaam Tanzania; Jamaica; and Malawi come to mind.
There are also some places in far southern Argentina.
One place to watch is Kisangani. The president of the Kinshsa Temple was actually born there but he has lived in Kinshsa for a long time. His wife was born in Kamina a city as south in DR Congo as Kisangani is north.
Junior Bonza the new president of the about to be created DR Congo Kinshasa North mission was the first person baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in what was then Zaire. His parents joined the Church while students in Switzerland.
East Malaysia has almost 6 million people. 55% of the population is Muslim. 35% is Christian and 8% is Buddhist.
There are similarities here with Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea has roughly 9 million people. It is 95% Christian though. Malaysia has 34 million people. so maybe 17% or so of the population lives in East Malaysia.
It should be kept in mind that the Malaysian government has in place policies that make it very hard if bot almost impossible for Muslims to leave Islam.
In Singapore and West Malaysia most church members are ethnically Chinese. In East Malaysia most Church members are nom-Malay indigenous people. That group us 17% of Malaysia's population and yet 52% of East Malaysia's population. In theory thry along with the Malay are the privileged ones in Malaysia, while those of Chinese and Indian descent are marginalized. The reality is more complex than that.
Part of me thinks the key to getting stakes in East Malaysia will be creating a seperate mission in East Malaysia.
I was mistaken above. The last 3 Wards with no name change have been consolidated.
Alta View Ward (196657)
Falcon Park Ward (160679)
Peruvian Park Ward (175315)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/506680 (Sandy Utah Alta Vista Stake), now has 7 Wards in the realigned stake.
The Denton Texas Stake with 13 wards, just had a Stake Conference this weekend 5/2-5/3, with GA Guest speakers. And have 2 more conferences scheduled the rest of the year in August and again October 2026. I wonder if either of those could be a split.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1718601352031963/
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/521272
The Kisangani DR Congo district will become a stake this upcoming weekend. It will be the first stake in the Northern DR Congo, which remains largely unreached by the Church.
Two surrounding stakes have added a 3rd conference for the year, on the same dates in August (Lewisville and Alliance Stakes). My prediction is two new stakes from the three as there is currently 35 wards between the three Stakes
Any update/insights on the Bengaluru India Temple? Most recent imagery from this January still shows no construction activities, and there hasn't been a progress update in over a year since the FCRA license was suspended. Prior to the suspension, the temple was expected to be completed some time this year.
The Kinshasa DR Congo Ngaba Stake will also be divided this upcoming weekend, for two new stakes in a week in the DR Congo.
Two years ago, it was predicted here that the DR Congo would have 50 stakes by 2030. If my numbers are correct, it seems all but certain we will reach that number in June 2026, with the creation of a 3rd stake in Likasi, combined with the 2 stakes this weekend, making 50 stakes in the DR Congo. It is even likely that number will be exceeded in 2026, as at least 1 stake each in Mwene-Ditu, Luputa, and Kinshasa could be divided later this year. The pace (and quality) or growth there is amazing!
Noah, there have been no other updates since the license suspension. I am not sure what the holdup may be now, but I'm sure the Church is actively working on a solution.
If Denton and 2 surrounding stakes have 35 wards in theory it would be possible to turn the 3 stakes into 7. Of course I do not know if any wards are close to splitting. This has me wondering if Denton could be the location of the 4th metro Dallas Temple.
Kisangani getting a stake is very wonderful news. It makes me wonder what other districts in DR Congo will advance to stake status. I am sure Kisangani will get a temple. I do not have a time frame for that.
As long as the Cafeteria is at ground level (or lower). Also, most temples have plenty of room to build out to the side, assuming the floorplan allows for it. Even if not, the baptistry could have a separate entrance as done for a handful of temples.
15 Temples that are currently dedicated/scheduled to be dedicated this year (5 dedicated plus 10 more scheduled). 7 more in which a temple president and matron has been called but temple dedication has not been announced. The likeliness of having 17 or more temples dedicated this year (making it 2nd most in church history so far) is very good. Eclipsing the 34 dedicated in 2000 this year is practically impossible. To tie the 5-year record (63 temple dedications, we would need 22 dedications by the end of the year (still a stretch, but not out of the question) or 27 dedications for 2026 and 2027 (very possible since 15 are already announced/scheduled).
Most dedications by year:
34 in 2000
16 in 2024
15 in 1999
11 in 2023
9 in 2025
7 in 2002
6 in 1983, 1984, 2016, 2019
5 in 1985, 2001, 2015, 2022
4 in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2017
3 in 1986, 2004, 2005, 2014
2 in 1958, 1971, 1989, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2021
1 in 1836, 1846, 1877, 1884, 1888, 1893, 1919, 1923, 1927, 1945, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1974, 1978, 1981, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2013, 2020
Years without a dedication (Since 1970): 1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1988, 1991, 1992, 2007. In other words, the 1970's had as many years without a dedication than all years since (1980's, 1990's, 2000's, 2010's, and 2020's - so far).
Our stake president announced a special meeting for May 31st 2026 to present the creation on a new ward in the Playa del Carmen Stake, that'll make 8 wards and 1 branch.
My brother-in-law & I are excited for the Montpelier dedication this Oct. (He's from there, and it's close to our birthdays).
@Caleb
Since we've already reached the 50 stakes DRC goal this year, what's our new prediction for the total by 2030 (based on how many/the average # of stakes have been created there over the last few years)?
Any math geeks out there with a good ratio for that?
John, Denton Texas has 13 wards, Lewisville has 11 wards and 1 branch, and Alliance has 10 wards. Both Denton and Lewisville created 2 wards each over the past year. I think Alliance has a couple of large wards. For some reason, the Church has seemed to keep Stakes larger in the DFW metro, rather than smaller.
Some interesting possibilities here as part of that area has shifted from the Fort Worth Mission into the pending Dallas West Mission and some rumors around further shifting of others stakes in the summer. In addition, a large parcel of land was purchased in Southlake which a local newspaper speculated was for a temple but could easily hold a stake center or both. There is a great need for additional chapels - the 2hr meeting block helped mitigate some of that but right now Alliance stake has units in 3 chapels that share with units from other stakes.
It's hard to say. New wards are created on a weekly basis in the DR Congo (19 so far this year). However, as of right now, not including the stakes I mentioned above that will be divided, I believe there are only 4 stakes with enough wards to divide (2 in Kinshasa, 1 in Luputa and Mwene-Ditu each). Two years ago, there were many stakes with 10+ wards, all of which have been divided. I would estimate around 55-60 stakes by 2030 perhaps, as all these new stakes grow and only a few more become ready to divide in the next 3.5 years. However, I would expect most stakes in the country to divide again in the next 10-12 years, plus a number of district upgrades, so I wouldn't be surprised to see well over 100 stakes by the mid to late 2030s.
Caleb,
Both the Mwene-Ditu and the neighboring Kabusuanga state appear ready to divide. With the potential for 1-2 stakes to grow and divide that have 9 wards right now and/or an additional district to become a stake, it seems like 55-57 this year and 60-67 next year are reasonable targets. I have no problem putting on record that 85-100 stakes by year-end 2030 seems reasonable absent disruptions to present patterns.
On a similar note, the Jinja Uganda Stake (615498), recently organized it's 9th Ward (Kigulu Ward (2320428)), bring the stake total to 9 Wards and 5 Branches. 14 Congregations. With a conference planned for May 31st. I wonder if it's not ripe for a 2 way split (5+2)? if one of the 5 remaining branches became a ward? Anyone have thoughts on the prospect?
89 May 07, 2026 Kigulu Ward
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/615498
I’ve thought for a while some time that Denton was the most logical next location for a temple in the DFW area. The church has a long, strong history there and it would make a lot of sense given the location of the other temples. But who knows for sure until it is announced?
When trying to understand the FCRA license impact, it seems like this would be a deal killer, not just with the temple but the church growth in general? Is someone knowledgeable on this topic in this forum? It seems the rules prevent any foreign funding for the organization - no money to build buildings, no money to support missionaries, no budget or fast offering money from Salt Lake headquarters. All funding would need to originate in India. After living there from a brief time, I have a hard time seeing the members having this level of ability to self fund. This is all guessing on my part.
Include in that count the Carrollton Stake, 8 wards.
I think we newd more chapels in this area...
With the rise of more districts in New places in DR Comgo we also need to keep an eye on which of those places are on track to becoming stakes.
As mentioned above, the Poole England Stake (515264), originally organized May 23rd, 1982, and Portsmouth England Stake (506605), originally called the Southampton Stake, from February 11th, 1973, and renamed Southampton England Stake a year later January 14th, 1974, until February 6th, 1990, when it was renamed the current Portsmouth England Stake, will be combined and renamed back to the original "Southampton England Stake".
Here is the facebook page of the Poole Stake with a posted copy of the letter from the Area President.
https://www.facebook.com/PooleStake
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/506605 (Portsmouth England Stake w/ 6 wards)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/515264 (Poole England Stake w/ 5 wards and 3 branches, including the Guernsey and St Helier Branches of the Channel Islands)
Here is the facebook post with video announcement of the "scission" or split of the Kinshasa DRC Ngaba Stake, this weekend May 9th and 10th.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088380813690
And as was mentioned above, here is the Kisangani DRC District facebook page with poster inviting to the creation of the stake.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568587636373
In the Brisbane Australia Centenary Stake (543004), there was a new Ward created, the Centenary 1st Ward (Samoan) (2323443).
Outside of the United States is Mother’s Day really celebrated? It’s my understanding. This will be a big weekend for international growth and not the United States.
@Caleb, Michael Worley & Chris D.
Thanks for the numbers & projections on the DRC, guys. :)
In Argentina, Mother's Day is celebrated every year in October.
https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/argentina/mothers-day
This year 2026 falling on October 18th.
Temple was announced today at a devotional in Otavalo Ecuador.
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