Our monthly newsletters for cumorah.com are now available for June 2026 and July 2026. These issues provide in-depth analysis regarding several recent Church growth developments around the world, with particular attention to the expansion of the Church into previously unreached areas, the creation of new congregations and administrative units, and changes in missionary outreach.
The June 2026 newsletter examines the organization of numerous new branches in Papua New Guinea, including expansion along the Markham–Ramu corridor northwest of Lae and the creation of additional branches in the Sepik River and Wewak areas. The issue also reviews the continued proliferation of branches in rural western Kenya, where the Church has expanded from only a handful of cities and towns with congregations in 2018 to more than 30 today. Additional developments include the creation of the first district in Togo outside of Lomé, the organization of the first district in northeastern Ecuador, and the increasing availability of Church materials and scriptures in additional languages.
The July 2026 newsletter focuses particularly on remarkable recent growth in the Sierra Leone Bo Mission, which was anticipated to reach approximately 10,000 convert baptisms within its first two years as of late July. The newsletter examines the rapid expansion of branches and member groups into rural areas of southern and eastern Sierra Leone, the extraordinary concentration of 30 wards and four stakes in Bo, and comparisons with Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh-day Adventists that illustrate how unusual recent Latter-day Saint growth has been in the country. The issue also discusses rapid, largely member-driven growth in Mali, where prospective converts have been referred by local members, taught remotely by missionaries through technology, and baptized by local priesthood holders as several groups surrounding Bamako prepare to become branches. Finally, the newsletter highlights the creation of four new branches in previously unreached cities in Thailand—Chachoengsao, Chaiyaphum, Lamphun, and Nakhon Sawan—an important acceleration in national outreach after many years of comparatively little congregational expansion.
Together, these two issues illustrate several very different patterns of Church growth: rapid rural expansion and congregational multiplication in parts of Africa and Papua New Guinea, member-led growth in areas without a traditional missionary presence, and renewed efforts to expand into previously unreached cities in countries where growth has historically been slow.
35 comments:
The influx of new missionaries has allowed the church to expand and provide leadership in areas it wasn't otherwise able to. I expect this surge of missionaries to last a couple of years then taper off somewhat. Training new local leadership in these new branches and districts will be key to maintaining and expanding presence in these locations.
My thoughts are similar to you. It would be interesting to see which stakes were created tomorrow.
If it's they're growing stakes, maybe. I'm not sure if the church wants to create three minimum-sized stakes that they may have to go back and consolidate if growth changes for the worse.
Maybe evening out the two to make stakes that are stable 7 wards each.
Normally, I don't classify 8-ward stakes as bursting the seems. However, being in a growing suburb with new neighborhoods being built, these wards may already be much larger than normal and ready to split.
This area contains relatively new neighborhoods and most available land for development have now been taken so I'm not expecting much more development going forward. Some of these wards may already be large with new move ins. With an average of 10 wards each, I would say these will likely split as seven wards represents a more typical size for stakes.
As predicted in an earlier thread, a new stake will be formed in the northwest corner of the DFW metro area the weekend of August 23rd. Three stakes are having a joint stake conference on the University of North Texas campus. Entirely speculation on my part as to boundaries but I am guessing that part of Lewisville Stake will move to Denton Stake and the west portion of Denton and Alliance Stake will become the new stake. I can envision that the new stake will eventually be part of the new Fort Worth Temple district (and mission) while the existing stakes will retain their temple and mission assignments.
Elder Suarez will be speaking at a fireside to all Spanish speaking members in New Jersey. There is speculation that a Spanish speaking stake could be organized in the near future as there are 5+ Spanish wards in the Newark area.
Lewisville Texas Stake - 11 wards and a Spanish branch
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/wards/2205009
Denton Texas Stake - 13 wards
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/521272
Alliance Texas Stake - 10 wards
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2004089
34 wards and a branch with some of these wards being quite large with growth. Most buildings have 4 units. While fitting 5-units per meetinghouse is possible (ie. NW Arkansas), 4 units is the typical maximum number of units per building - indicating more meetinghouses are needed to be built and that some of these wards are likely oversized, waiting for a building to be built.
For how many stakes, each of these stakes are large enough to split on their own. Theoretically, you could probably make seven stakes out of these three stakes. Making just one additional stake in a fast-growing area would leave more than 8.5+ wards for each stake, meaning the church would have to revisit the issue soon.
Realistically, I think creation of two stakes would most likely possibility. This would leave 5 seven-ward stakes. Less would almost guarantee having to come back to the issue soon. More creation would mean having to find locations for even more stake offices. I have zero insider knowledge, so this can easily be a different outcome, but that's my thoughts.
I'm sure that the church will change the missionary circumstances again. 2 year missions for sisters is on the horizon once the surge in missionaries serving from this latest change tapers off.
Asked Elder Bednar in person about the discrepancies between Elders and Sisters in missionaries, and he just said, paraphrasing slightly, "all in good time. Be patient. The Lord works line upon line." He said it as if it was already in the long-term plan. So I'd imagine that in 3-5 years we see 2-year missions for sisters.
I would personally like to see adjustments in the way we measure missionary growth based on these structural changes so we can compare apples-to-apples.
It seems that lately, this has been the policy: to create stakes that meet near-bare-minimum requirements. But that general trend may not apply to this area, as David points out. Not sure about this specific area, but northern Utah has seen a net consolidation of units for quite a few years now, and the only growth in units occurring is from new development. The existing development is aging and there just aren't as many people to fill a ward/stake within the same geographical boundaries as there used to be. So maybe they'd be hesitant to go that route this time.
The need for additional buildings that you mention is likely a key restraint. In one case in the higher growth area we have three wards meeting in a branch size building. The church has owned land in the area for years but though rumors ran hot, no construction has been announced. Maybe that will be one of the announcements during stake conference as well.
How many language-centric stakes are there in the US outside of Utah? I can't imagine there are many. If there is indeed a spanish-speaking stake organized in Newark, that would be fantastic. In paying attention to new wards and branches created in the US over the past few years, it seems as though there is a greater emphasis on creating more language specific wards and branches
A couple I can think of right off.
Miami Florida Stake (Spanish)
Bella Vista Virginia Stake (Spanish)
Houston had a couple of Spanish stakes before reintegrating them back to the English-speaking stakes.
This doesn't mean a Spanish-speaking stake is about to be created in New Jersey, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility. The fireside is likely a means to simply integrate those of a common language across these stake regardless whether a Spanish stake is created.
Last week the Salt Lake Granger East Stake (505404), reported the closure of the Jordan Parkway Ward (278491). Leaving the Stake with 4 Wards only. Below the functioning threshold of 5 (Five) minimum to organize new stakes. I see it, unfortunately, on it's way to consolidation with neighboring Granger North (7 units), Granger South (6 units) or Granger West (6 units), or any combination. Even though next conference posted is March 2027. Unless they can organize or reshuffle for a 5th ward necessary to function.
167 Aug 06, 2026 Jordan Parkway Ward West Valley City, Utah
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/505404
Again this is my conjecture, and does not reflect any insight into Utah Area planning meetings. Based solely on number of Wards associated.
I think this stake may actually have been consolidated this weekend. The neighboring SL Granger North Stake and West Valley Granger Stake, in addition to the SL Granger East Stake, all had conference this weekend.
Today, Monday, August 10th Temple update on the Newsroom :
Open house and dedication dates for the Fort Worth Temple, groundbreaking date for the Barcelona Spain Temple
A media day for the Fort Worth Texas Temple will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, followed by tours for invited guests on November 3 and 4. The public open house will be held Thursday, November 5, through Saturday, November 21, 2026 (excluding Sundays).
The dedication will take place on Sunday, January 10, 2027, and will be broadcast to all congregations in the Fort Worth Texas Temple district.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Barcelona Spain Temple will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Elder James W. McConkie III of the Europe Central Area Presidency will preside at the event.
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/updates-for-temples-in-texas-and-spain
There are some functioning 4-ward stakes (ie the two in Tasmania Australia both have 4 wards and been functioning that way for years), but these are typically rural stakes. It may not be immediate, but I figure at some point there will be some boundary realignments/consolidations for the Granger Stakes.
Confirmed.
Salt Lake Granger East Stake discontinued on 9 August 2026.
That's all for this week.
These 4 remaining Wards will be reassigned next few days to either / or both SL Granger North or WV Granger Stakes.
Decker Lake 1st Ward (2097)
Hillsdale Park Ward (5037)
Jordan Meadows Ward (159417)
Lehi Ward (Spanish) (2577)
The recent growth in Kenya, Sierra Leone and Papua New Guinea is very encouraging. As is the growth in Mali and Togo.
At some level I am a littke surprised that Soerra Leone was not given a 3rd mission. However overall there are lots of encouraging developments.
In my brqnch yesterday we had one of the highest attendances I have seen in elder's quorum in a while. Convincing people to stay after the end of sacrament meeting is at times an issue in my branch.
It seems announcement of who will dedicate a temple has not been made with the announcement of the dedication as much lately as it was under President Nelson.
With the Fort Worth Texas dedication being in 2027 I wonder if all 2026 dedications have been announced. It is hard to say.
I am encouraged that Barcelona Spain's groundbreaking was announced. It woukd be nice to see many more groundbreakings over the coming months. I am also hoping we see some new temples announced this year. However I can also see goid reason to hold off on doing that. Before President Nelson temples were often announced when more was in place. Although some of this depends on if you count the 1998 almost announcement of thd Paris Temple as an announcement or not.
There are pluses and minuses to every decision on when to announce a templr. I trust that President Oaks and his counselors will make wise decisions on this, even if I wish we could get another 100 temples anniunced before the Salt Lake Temple is rededicated.
Under President Nelson all President Monson announced temples had had groundbreakings by Sep. 11, 2021. If all President Nelson announced temples havd groundbreakings by June 2029 we will have basically hit the same point. I would love if we could hit that point, I am not sure we will. Of course some temples Presidenr Monson annoynced also faced lots of hurdles and delays, so we will see.
It's possible if announced next week. Two weeks from now will be pushing it to get it dedicated before December 20.
There will likely be no desire to schedule a dedication right after December 20 and it typically takes 4+ months lately between dedication announcement and dedication as a lot has to be done in those 4 months, which includes an open house and cleaning and other preparations for both open house and dedication. In the meantime, we also have Thanksgiving and other holidays that could delay the process. So this could be it, but I will not say for sure until the end of the month.
Groundbreakings, on the other hand, have recently been announced about a month out with some happening without notice (ie. Fairview Texas). Consequently, there's plenty of time for additional groundbreaking announcements for 2026.
That makes 20 temple dedications for 2026 - assuming all goes as scheduled; 21 if you include San Diego rededication.
Dedicated so far this year (8 Temples)
Date Dedication
11-Jan-26 Burley Idaho Temple
18-Jan-26 Alabang Philippines Temple
1-Mar-26 Harare Zimbabwe Temple
3-May-26 Davao Philippines Temple
3-May-26 Lindon Utah Temple
31-May-26 Bacolod Philippines Temple
7-Jun-26 Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
7-Jun-26 Yorba Linda California Temple
Scheduled for Dedication (12 Temples)
Date Scheduled Dedication
16-Aug-26 Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple
16-Aug-26 Cleveland Ohio Temple
30-Aug-26 Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple
11-Oct-26 Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple
11-Oct-26 Ephraim Utah Temple
18-Oct-26 Managua Nicaragua Temple
18-Oct-26 Montpelier Idaho Temple
25-Oct-26 Cody Wyoming Temple
1-Nov-26 Wichita Kansas Temple
1-Nov-26 San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple
22-Nov-26 Torreón Mexico Temple
22-Nov-26 Modesto California Temple
Scheduled for Rededication (1 Temple)
Date Scheduled Rededication
23-Aug-26 San Diego California Temple
For 2027, I think 15-20 dedications is achievable. That would mean dedicating about a third of temples currently under construction (excluding those with 2026 dedication dates). Salt Lake, Anchorage, and Fort Worth has dedication dates. six others has presidents and matrons called.
Also East Los Angeles California Stake.
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-oaks-belo-horizonte-brazil-temple
Pres. Oaks will dedicate his first international temple. Pres. Nelson only dedicated two international temples, so this is a treat for the saints in Belo Horizonte (and, I'm sure, for Pres. and Sis. Oaks-- I know Sis. Oaks likes to travel).
Hillsdale Park Ward (5037) - > Salt Lake Granger North Stake
Jordan Meadows Ward (159417) - > Salt Lake Granger North Stake
Lehi Ward (Spanish) (2577) - > Salt Lake Granger North Stake
Decker Lake 1st Ward (2097) - > Merged / Discontinued ??? (No longer found on Meetinghouse site).
I am really excited about President Oaks trip to Brazil. This will bd thd first trip by the President of the Churcg outsids thd US since President Nelson traveled to south-east Asia in the fall of 2019.
We still don’t know who will rededicate the San Diego temple. Some temples still have yet to have a presiding authority named.
With the Fort Worth dedication one fourth of the temples announced during President Nelson’s tenure will be dedicated. With all the groundbreakings only 46 percent will be announced. Of those 52 have sites announced. So just over a fourth.
Just over a fifth do not have a site announcement. Those things seem to be slowing down. Site announcements every five weeks on average.
When will that number get to zero of President Nelson? Will we hear Russias, Uabs and China’s site anytime soon?
Saratov went back to district status. Will they choose Moscow do to St. Petersburg’s closer proximity to Finland? I’m not well versed on Russian geography, but they are in the Thailand temple district.
41 temples without site announcement of President Nelson. That should dwindle, maybe to zero soon.
There are still several temples with groundbreakings with full scale production pending. Has construction resumed on the India temple yet?
My guess is we will not see any progress on the Russia temple for many years to come. Until there is a regime and political/religious tolerance change, it is likely no religions other than the Russian Orthodox church have much luck in doing anything in the country. I am also concerned about the health of our existing units within Russia. If no missionaries are allowed to proselyte and the church's ability to operate is restricted, we may see more closures. Most of the stakes in the country have already been downgraded to districts. I don't mean to be pessimistic, the Lord will step in and things will change when He wills it.
Due to unique challenges/successes with each temple, and lack of sample size in some areas, take these stats with a grain of salt.
All stats in this post refer to announced temples that has no announced dedication. There's 152 temples of these temples worldwide. Of those:
42 (No site announcement) 28%
53 (Site announced - no scheduled groundbreaking) 35%
6 (Groundbreaking scheduled) 4%
51 (Under Construction) 34%
Worldwide, 2/3 of of these 152 temples has not gone into construction.
Spanish speaking countries has the highest percentage not in construction. 29 of the 38 temples (85%) have not gone into construction and there are no announced groundbreakings within these countries.
75% of undedicated European temples have not gone into construction.
Oceania is the only continent where most (six of eleven) are in construction. However, 4 out of the 5 temples not in construction do not have an announced site location.
In Brazil, all announced temples have a site location. Half (six) are in construction. Another has a groundbreaking date, and the remaining five has an announced site location.
Canada (sample size 2) has one in construction and one with a scheduled groundbreaking, making this soon the only area where all undedicated temples are under construction.
Of the 12 undedicated temples in Europe, only three are in construction and five doesn't have an announced site location.
The US has 45 temples without an announced dedication (30% of worldwide total). 29 of those (62%) are not in construction. This puts it comparable to the worldwide average. However, 4 of 6 currently scheduled for groundbreaking and 6 of 12 scheduled for dedication are in the US.
Tacoma Washington Temple was announced in October 2022 making it the earliest announced temple in the US without a groundbreaking. 21 temples still waiting for a groundbreaking announcement were announced before Tacoma Washington, and the next US temple without an announced groundbreaking was announced 11 places after Tacoma. For temples announced since 2020, all 17 that went to groundbreaking within 1 year and 7 months were in the United States. In other words, despite public opposition for some temples, the US still gets temples to groundbreaking faster than those in other countries.
As for the health of the units in Russia. There were 99 congregations in 2016 (last reported number before restrictions were implemented). In 2025 51 branches remain and its unclear how many member groups are operating outside of this. For essentially being purged, I think it shows there's still a lot of dedicated members. It may take some time - possibly generations, but when things ease up in the country, what's left will represent some of the strongest members in the church.
The belief in the twelfth article of faith is probably the reason the church is in some countries. The freedom of religion is actually part of international law and considered an fundamental human right. However some countries obviously choose not to abide as enforcement is limited, but it's at least set as a standard.
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