Nigeria
Three new stakes have been created in Nigeria.
The Nsukka Nigeria Stake was organized on May 24th from the Nsukka Nigeria District (organized in 2016). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Achara, Nru, Obollo Afor, Obollo Eke, and Onuiyi Wards and the Enugu-Ezike Branch.
The Lagos Nigeria Gberigbe Stake was organized on May 31st from a division of the Lagos Nigeria Ikorodu Stake (organized in 2022 and which had 10 wards and seven branches immediately prior to the new stake creation). The new stake includes the following five wards and five branches: the Adamo, Gberigbe, Imota, Ita Oluwo, and Ladegboye Wards, and the Agbowa, Agura, Igbopa, Ijede, and Mowo Nla Branches. There are now 10 stakes in the greater Lagos metropolitan area. The first stake in Lagos was created in 1997 followed by additional stakes created in 2005, 2011, 2015 (2), 2018, 2022 (2), and 2024.
The Enugu Nigeria North Stake was organized on July 5th from a division of the Enugu Nigeria Stake (organized in 2014). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Abakpa, Emene, New Haven, Nike Lake, Trans Ekulu 1st, Trans Ekulu 2nd, and Ugboezeji Wards. There are now two stakes in Enugu.
With these three new stakes, there are now 84 stakes and 13 districts in Nigeria. With these three new stakes, there are now 84 stakes and 13 districts in Nigeria. Nigeria now has the sixth-most stakes of any country in the world, even though it ranks tenth in reported Church membership.
North Carolina
Two new stakes were created in North Carolina.
The Mount Airy North Carolina Stake was organized on May 17th from the Hickory North Carolina Stake (organized in 1982) and the Winston-Salem North Carolina Stake (organized in 1977). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Dobson, Fort Chiswell, Mount Airy, North Wilkesboro, and Pilot Mountain Wards, and the Sparta and Stuart Branches.
The Raleigh North Carolina East Stake was organized on May 31st from a division of the Raleigh North Carolina Stake (organized in 1962), the Raleigh North Carolina South Stake (organized in 2015), and the Wake Forest North Carolina Stake (organized in 2023). The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Archer Lodge, Garner 1st, Knightdale 1st, Lake Wheeler, and Raleigh 2nd Wards, and the Lake Benson YSA, Garner 2nd, Knightdale 2nd, and Millbrook Branches. There are now six stakes in the Raleigh–Durham/Research Triangle area.
There are now 23 stakes in North Carolina. Three stakes have been organized in North Carolina since January of this year.
Utah
Two new stakes were created and one stake was discontinued in Utah.
The Salem Utah Summer Spring Stake and the Washington Utah Long Valley Stake were both organized on June 7th.
The Salem Utah Summer Spring Stake was organized from a division of the Salem Utah West Stake (organized in 1996) and includes the following six wards: the Salem 10th, Salem 11th, Salem 12th, Salem 13th, Salem 14th, and Salem Park Wards. There are now four stakes in Salem.
The Washington Utah Long Valley Stake was organized from a division of the Washington Utah East Stake (organized in 2008). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Long Valley 1st, Long Valley 2nd, Red Waters, Riverbend, and Scenic Sunrise Wards. There are now six stakes in Washington.
The Salt Lake Granger East Stake (organized in 1969) was recently discontinued and consolidated with the Salt Lake Granger North Stake and the West Valley Utah Granger Stake.
There are now 640 stakes and seven districts in Utah.
Alabama
A new stake was created in Alabama on May 17th. The Sipsey Alabama Stake was organized from the Madison Alabama Stake (organized in 2011) and the Tupelo Mississippi Stake (organized in 1991). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Cullman, Decatur, Elk River, Florence, and Russellville Wards and the Haleyville Branch. There are now three stakes in the greater Huntsville metropolitan area and northern Alabama.
There are now nine stakes in Alabama.
Canada
A new stake was created in Alberta, Canada on May 24th. The Spruce Grove Alberta Stake was created from the Edmonton Alberta North Stake (organized in 2001) and the Edmonton Alberta Riverbend Stake (organized in 1960). The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Devon, Drayton Valley, Onoway, Pioneer, Spruce Grove, and Stony Plain Wards, and the Hinton and Whitecourt Branches. There are now eight stakes in the Edmonton metropolitan area.
There are now 57 stakes and three districts in Canada.
Cote d'Ivoire
A new stake was organized in Cote d'Ivoire on May 24th. The Bouafle Cote d'Ivoire Stake was organized from the Bouafle Cote d'Ivoire District (organized in 2016) and the Sinfra Cote d'Ivoire District (organized in 2019). The Sinfra Cote d'Ivoire District was discontinued as part of the process to create the new stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and three branches: the Agbanou, Bayota, Bouafle, Dehita, and Koko Wards, and the Bonon, Sinfra 1st, and Sinfra 2nd Branches. The Church in Cote d'Ivoire has for many years now organized new stakes outside of Abidjan through combining two districts to create a single stake, such as in Gagnoa (2022), Man (2023), San Pedro (2024), and Adzope (2025). There are now eight cities outside of Abidjan with stakes, and all of these cities have had their first stakes organized since 2015. Most of these stakes are located in the Yamoussoukro area, making this city a highly likely candidate for a temple announcement. With the creation of the new stake in Bouafle, there remains only one other likely possibility of a new stake being organized from combining two districts, namely from the two districts in Aboisso and Alepe.
There are now 24 stakes and seven districts in Cote d'Ivoire.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)
A new stake was organized in the DR Congo on July 26th. The Fungurume DR Congo Stake was organized from a division of the Kikula DR Congo Stake (organized in 2021) and the Likasi DR Congo Stake (organized in 2016). The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Dipeta, Fungurume, Kakanda, Kelangile, Mpala, and Nkolomoni Wards and the Kambove Branch. Four of the wards in the new stake are located in Fungurume where the first branch was organized in 2016. There are now five stakes in the Kolwezi/Likasi area, making a new temple announcement for this area of the DR Congo likely in the foreseeable future.
There are now 49 stakes and 13 districts in the DR Congo.
Ghana
A new stake was created in Ghana. The Kpong Ghana Stake was organized on July 12th from the Kpong Ghana District (organized in 2012). Information on which of the eight branches in the new stake have become wards remains unavailable.
There are now 32 stakes and 12 districts in Ghana.
Guatemala
A new stake was organized in Guatemala on May 31st. The Polochic Guatemala Stake was organized from the Sacsuha Guatemala District (organized in 1990). The new stake includes the following five wards and three branches: the El Estor, La Tinta, Panzos, Sacsuha, and Tucurú Wards, and the Canlun, Santo Domingo, and Teleman Branches. There are now three stakes in the Senahu area among the Q'eqchi' people.
There are now 52 stakes and nine districts in Guatemala.
Haiti
A new stake was created in Haiti on July 12th. The Artibonite Haiti Stake was organized from the Saint Marc Haiti District (organized in 2012) and portions of the Gonaïves Haiti District (organized in 1999). The new stake has seven congregations within its boundaries, although the Church’s meetinghouse locator still lists all seven units as branches and has not yet been updated to show which branches became wards. The Gonaïves Haiti District has been retained and now includes two branches in Port-de-Paix and one branch in Gros Mornes. It is probable that the district will be renamed the Port-de-Paix Haiti District since none of the branches in the district are in Gonaïves, and both branches in Gonaïves are now part of the new Artibonite Haiti Stake.
There are now six stakes and three districts in Haiti.
Honduras
A new stake was organized in Honduras on May 31st. The Gulf of Fonseca Honduras Stake was organized from the San Lorenzo Honduras District (organized in 1994) and the Monjaras Honduras District (organized in 2010). The Monjaras Honduras District was discontinued in the process of creating the new stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and three branches: the Guapinol, Marcovia, Monjaras, San Lorenzo 1st, and San Lorenzo 2nd Wards, and the Langue, Nacaome, and Pespire Branches. There are now three stakes in the Choluteca area, making it a likely candidate for a small temple.
There are now 33 stakes and two districts in Honduras.
Idaho
A new stake was created in Idaho on May 17th. The Ammon Idaho Centennial Ranch Stake was organized from the Ammon Idaho East Stake (organized in 2017) and the Ammon Idaho North Stake (organized in 2008). The new stake includes the following eight wards: the Ammon 14th, Ammon 16th, Ammon 18th, Ammon 20th, Black Canyon, Stone Arbor, Thunder Ridge 1st, and Thunder Ridge 2nd Wards. There are now 22 stakes in the Idaho Falls metropolitan area (not including stakes in Rigby).
There are now 150 stakes in Idaho.
Kentucky
A new stake was created in Kentucky on June 14th. The Bowling Green Kentucky Stake was organized from the Evansville Indiana Stake (organized in 1975), the Hopkinsville Kentucky Stake (organized in 1978), and the Madison Tennessee Stake (organized in 2007). The new stake includes the following four wards and five branches: the Bowling Green 1st, Bowling Green 2nd, Greenville, and Morgantown Wards, and the Bowling Green YSA, Bowling Green 3rd (Spanish), Franklin, Russellville, and Scottsville Branches.
There are now seven stakes in Kentucky. Prior to the creation of the Bowling Green Kentucky Stake, the most recently organized stake in Kentucky was the Elizabethtown Kentucky Stake (organized in 2017).
Mozambique
A new stake was created in Mozambique on May 31st. The Maputo Mozambique Magoanine Stake was organized from a division of the Maputo Mozambique Stake (organized in 2015) and the Zimpeto Mozambique Stake (organized in 2023). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the CMC, Magoanine, Mahotas, Matendene, and Sommerschield Wards and the Grande Maputo Branch. There are four stakes in Maputo. The number of stakes in Maputo increased from one in 2015 to two in 2019, three in 2023, and four in 2026.
There are now 13 stakes and four districts in Mozambique.
The Philippines
A new stake was created in the Philippines on June 7th. The Gingoog Philippines Stake was organized from the Gingoog Philippines District (organized in 1987). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Cabuyo-an, Gingoog, Lunao, Medina, and Pangasihan Wards and the Kibungsod Branch. The Gingoog Philippines District was one of the oldest districts in the Philippines prior to the creation of the stake, signaling that the Church in the area has finally reached and sustained the minimum requirements for a stake to be organized. There are now 20 stakes and nine districts in Mindanao.
There are now 142 stakes and 48 districts in the Philippines.
Sierra Leone
A new stake was created in Sierra Leone on July 12th. The Kenema Sierra Leone West Stake was organized from a division of the Kenema Sierra Leone Stake (organized in 2019). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Dauda Town, Kenema, Kpayama, Nyandeyama, and Simbeck Wards. The first branch in Kenema was organized in 2003. There are now two stakes in Kenema.
There are now 12 stakes and three districts in Sierra Leone.
Spain
A new stake was created in Spain on June 21st. The Málaga Spain Stake was organized from the Granada Spain Stake (organized in 2004). The new stake currently has three wards and two branches, including the Fuengirola, Málaga 2nd, and Málaga 3rd Wards, and the Marbella and Torre del Mar Branches. Current listings show three wards and two branches in the new stake, although the ward and branch designations may not yet be fully updated.
There are now 18 stakes and one district in Spain. Spain has more stakes than any other continental European country, whereas the United Kingdom has the most stakes (39) in Europe as a whole.
Uganda
A new stake was created in Uganda on August 2nd. The Jinja Uganda West Stake was organized from a division of the Jinja Uganda Stake (organized in 2015). Congregations assigned to the new stake appear incomplete on the meetinghouse locator, given that the Jinja Uganda Stake had nine wards and five branches prior to the creation of the new stake, yet the Jinja Uganda West Stake currently has only three wards and two branches assigned (the Jinja, Mpumudde, and Njeru Wards, and the Lugazi and Mbiko Branches). There are now two stakes in Jinja.
There are now five stakes and four districts in Uganda.
Taiwan
131 comments:
I was a bishop in the Granger East Stake. It is sad to see it be discontinued. The ward I was in was discontinued years ago.
The propensity to establish new stakes when they’ve reached only 3, 4, or 5 wards is an interesting phenomenon. Is it a trend, or is this something that has been constant for decades? I’ve seen a reluctance to consolidate units until it is well past time to do so, while splitting/creating new units once the bare minimum of requirements are met, but it seems to be even more common than in the past to see this disproportionate response.
Consider the Spain stake creation. In some other part of the world, having only 3 wards and 2 branches in a stake after some ward consolidations would merit combining stakes. Instead, the stake is being created here. Just a couple of years of stagnant growth and the stake will be perilously too small to operate. Just an interesting phenomenon- I know stake leaders who apply for unit changes like this are prone to appeal for changes that indicate positive growth more than negative growth.
I think the minimum guidelines for a stake is 5 times that of the minimum guidelines of becoming a ward and not necessarily 5 wards. 3 large wards and two decent branches could be collectively the same as 5 minimum sized wards. 4 large wards could collectively be the same size as 5 wards even if it's not five wards. In addition, the handbook guidelines are guidelines and can have exceptions with proper approval.
These newly established stakes that don't have 5 wards immediately showing up always get to 5 wards within a couple months. It's likely that it's just the meetinghouse locator taking time to update or branch to ward creations that happen shortly after the stake creation.
In the Reno/Sparks Nevada area, there appears to be at least 4 Stakes Multistake Conference planned September 19-20, 2026 weekend.
Sparks NV East
Sparks NV West
Reno NV
Reno NV North
All showing the 09/19-20/2026 on meetinghouse. But none large enough for a 3rd stake split.
Also neighboring Reno NV Mount Rose not posted but scheduled a week later on 09/27.
Same with the Carson City NV stake on 9/13.
They could in theory be invited the Multistake Conference but not posted on the meetinghouse yet.
My thoughts is a planned GA visit. But not known who.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/503738
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2068443
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/507008
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/501476
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2068451
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/510637
Which countries have more baptized members but fewee stakes than Nigeria?
With 84 stakes and 13 districts in its temple district the Aba Nigeria Temlle of 11,500 square feet is by any measure the temple with the higest demand to use to size. There are 6 more temples in various stages in Nigeria, but there is a need for even more.
There are more stakes in Idaho than in the Philuppines. However 142 to 150 is pretty close. The Philippines might move past Idaho in the fairly near future.
Idaho has 11 temples in some stage of planning while thd Philippines has 14. However thd total floor area of thpse Idaho Temples might be greater.
There is also the factor that some areas of Idaho are assigned to temples outside the state.
DR Congp might pass Guatemala in the number of stakes this year.c
Weekly Stake Update 8/17/2026 :
No New Stakes, or renames, or mergers to report this last weekend. August 15-16, 2026.
I'm hearing that a new stake will be created from the Chubbuck Idaho Stake and Pocatello Idaho West Stake next week, August 22-23, 2026
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/511307
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/501646
https://www.facebook.com/groups/511419465865692/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/686012042180312/
With that many stakes involved, makes me wonder if a temple announcement is forthcoming. I’d be very surprised though since I see many other potential locations as more urgent. Maybe east Sparks if Fallon was determined to be an undesirable location.
I would say probably not a temple, given that Reno already has one and the temple district isn't exactly bursting at the seams
Matt, just a reminder for your recently updated sidebar. There have been 14 stakes discontinued this year, the Price Utah YSA Stake was discontinued the same weekend as the Price Utah North Stake and the Wellington Utah Stake.
With a total of 12 Branches, I wonder the likelyhood of the Moriba Town Sierra Leone District in the S.L. Bo Mission, to become a Stake on September 13, 2026 in a few weeks.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2205548
Other Matt here.
Reno might get an Anchorage Temple type announcement. New larger temple to replace the older smaller temple.
Also on the weekend of September 19-20, two large and adjoining stakes in the Chicago area have conferences, the Buffalo Grove Illinois and Wilmette Illinois Stakes. Both currently have 9 wards.
I mentioned a couple of months ago that big changes were coming to the Lehi YSA stakes. I figured I would report back what has happened. They didn't end up creating a new stake, but many new wards were made. The Lehi YSA stake went from 8 to 10 wards and the Lehi YSA North stake went from 5 to 10 wards. I think there were adjustments in the other two Northern Utah County YSA stakes, too.
The Bristol England Stake is getting reconfigured to something like the Riverhaven Stake and they are discontinuing the Bath Ward. It won't happen until Sept, but I genuinely feel bad for the Bath Ward and they would be losing their chapel and people from all over the world go to Bath and come to church and now they won't have anywhere to attend while visiting
Other Matt here
Why can't the Bath Ward just be downgraded to a branch and remain in their chapel?
I'm not sure how large these 9 wards are, but assuming no ward splits/consolidations, that could mean these two nine-ward stakes could be three six-ward stakes. If split, it would bring the number of stakes within the Chicago mission to what it had a few months ago. The mission just lost a stake to the newly created Indiana Fort Wayne Mission. Or it could be just a GA visit. We'll see.
Other Matt-I don't know, it doesn't make sense to take the members there and distribute them to 3 other wards and now Bath has nothing for visitors to visit churchwise
Other Matt. I understand your point - especially if members would have to commute long distances. However, consolidating smaller units in urban areas is not necessarily negative. Assuming what you're saying is true, from the Bath Chapel, it's 10 miles to the nearest chapel and 11.5 miles in the other direction. Consequently, most (if not all) members will be traveling less than 10 miles further. 85% of households in that area own a vehicle and there's reliable public transportation options (or carpool) for those that don't. Consolidating allows a larger pool to draw leadership, more fellowshipping, etc.
In street view it appears to be an architecturally unique and elegant chapel. However, I see moss growing on the roof and other potential maintenance issues. Removing the chapel will save on maintenance costs and increase the pool of members assigned to clean the neighboring chapels. There's also limited parking for the Bath meetinghouse (only 13 spaces, including 1 ADA, adjacent to the building) with members double-parked behind other cars and using parking spaces for businesses and residences across and down the street. The neighboring meetinghouses appear to be traditional LDS-built meetinghouses with a lot more parking.
I suspect there is an ongoing attempt in that part of England to create strong wards and stakes. A small temple near Bristol (perhaps even in Bath?) would serve several stakes in Wales and Southeast England.
Living in a branch where wecdid not have nyrsery for at least 6 months and parebts had to juse deal wirh thar I can say that downgrading to a branch has downsides.
On thd other hand the stake jyst north of me has an English language group under a ward. There are a mix of geographical and cultural reasons. Thr main part of the ward in mrmbership is mainly white and faily well off and edicated. The group covers an area that is mainly African-American and lower income.
That aaid, there is nothing stopping one of multiole of the wards that still gover bath setting up groups to specifically serve tourists. Doing sp might even get better turnout because sometimes people will come to sacrament in their traveling clothes m8re rwadily if it is not in a nice building.
It would make sense for the Wilmette Stake to split as the three Chicago wards that meet downtown have to travel an hour to the stake center. A large percentage of those members don’t have cars because they live in the city (especially the YSA members).
The downtown Chicago chapel is six floors with the first three a parking structure and floors 4 and 5 the chapel and classrooms. Floor 6 is shell space that can be finished for added capacity in the future.
Not meant to be harsh, but several years ago this forum addressed a number of issues beyond growth, new temples, etc. what happened. If sometimes seems that the comments are all navel gazing at simple temple and unit growth.
Why no more articles such as this? https://ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com/2017/05/lds-congregational-growth-significantly.html?m=1
Six branches of the new Artibonite Haiti Stake, just became Wards.
161 Aug 21, 2026 Haut St Marc Ward Saint-marc, Haiti
162 Aug 21, 2026 Gonaives 2nd Ward Gonaïves, Haiti
163 Aug 21, 2026 St Marc Ward Saint-marc, Haiti
164 Aug 21, 2026 Gonaives 1st Ward Gonaïves, Haiti
165 Aug 21, 2026 Pont-Tambour Ward Saint-marc, Haiti
166 Aug 21, 2026 Pivert Ward Saint-marc, Haiti
Quick update from today’s Haiti propagation:
The former Gonaives Haiti District (unit 278610) has officially been renamed the Port‑de‑Paix Haiti District. This aligns with the restructuring that happened when the southern Gonaives/Saint‑Marc units were absorbed into the new Artibonite Haiti Stake. The remaining district footprint now consists only of the northern coastal branches (Gros Morne, Port‑de‑Paix 1st, Port‑de‑Paix 2nd), so the name change makes sense.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/1892177
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/278610
I'm confused as to what you're saying here? You say that the blog isn't addressing things beyond growth, then link to a previous post that's about a decline in growth in the US?
If you have a topic you want to bring up feel free to comment to start a discussion, but the blog is comprehensive in discussing places where the church is growing and shrinking. This post itself mentions the discontinued stakes/districts in Utah, Taiwan, Cote d'Ivoire, and Honduras. Commenters will let us know about discontinued wards and branches when they find out.
Kiwaya57, I think part of the shift over the years is simply that Matt’s posts now track global growth in much more detail than they did back in 2017. The blog still covers shrinkage, consolidations, discontinued units, and long‑term trends — they just tend to appear inside the weekly updates rather than in standalone essays.
If there’s a specific angle you’d like to revisit (like demographic trends, retention, or regional membership patterns), I’m sure many of us, including myself, would be interested in discussing it.
For those interested in the Bath Ward closure update, here is a link with a screenshot of the new Trowbridge/Bath Wards merger boundary and renamed "Avon River Ward (318019)" in the Bristol England Stake.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MormonShrivel/comments/1vv5ilc/bath_ward_uk_closed_building_to_be_sold/
Also above, Whizzbang mentioned the Stake may be renamed in the process. But I have found no official news reporting the possible new name or names for the Bristol Stake.
It has been reported also in the McLean Virginia Stake, the Tysons Ward will be split between the Great Falls and Idylwood Wards.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MormonShrivel/comments/1vum9ce/mclean_stake_down_one_unit/
And in the Copenhagen Denmark Stake, the Amager Branch will soon go into history as well.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MormonShrivel/comments/1vujiox/copenhagen_shrinkage/
Something is happening in the Dominican Republic Santiago Mission on September 13, 2026.
All 6 Stakes in the mission have an extra conference planned that day.
La Vega DR
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/528315
Navarrete DR
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/610801
Puerto Plata DR
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/461393
Santiago DR East
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/489956
Santiago DR North
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/522821
Santiago DR South
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/520489
Only the single Mission District, Monte Cristi Dr, was excluded. Scheduled a week later on 9/20.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/616591
This weekend, all 4 Twin Falls Idaho stakes have a regular or extra conference. Possibly a 5th stake creation ?
Twin Falls ID
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/500763
Twin Falls ID East
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2180847
Twin Falls ID South
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/562998
Twin Falls ID West
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/505390
Is the Ebola outbreak affecting members in Congo? I heard it has broken out in 6 districts, and continues to spread.
What is the next non-temple U.S. state to get a temple announced?
How about Brazil? Which states have none?
How about Mexico? Peru? Nigeria?
Chile has 16 regions now. Which one will be the next to get a temple announced?
Nigeria probably the next state to get a temple is probably Rivers State, with its capital in Port Harcourt. In Mexico it probably will be Coahuila. The Torreon Temple is actually being built right over the border in Durango Stake, but I think Saltillo could get a temple. In Brazil Sergipe State looks to be the next, although Mato Grosso might also be next. Tocantins is a very far contender.
I do not have nearly enough understanding of Chile or Peru to guess.
The US I think Mississippi and West Virginia are the next two. I would say Mississippo probably next. I am not sure if Jackson or Hattiesburg ia more likely.
West Virginia is helped because of how far north Pittsburgh Temple is. The other factor is becauss of mountain roads turning and curving distances are bigger than when you eyeball it, road speeds are reduced and access is even more limited in the winter.
New Hampshire is the only other of the states without a temple that might get one, but I do not think that is likely soon.
For Ebola question, I don't have any specifics concerning this outbreak, but will respond concerning other outbreaks. I would assume it would effect members similarly to the general population. The church will likely take extra precautions to ensure safety of missionaries. In addition the church makes humanitarian responses for these types of things.
There's not many US states without a temple. Mississippi has the most members without a temple, but I would say West Virginia is the most likely due to time and distance savings if a temple is announced. New Hampshire is another possibility but place it third or fourth due to proximity to the Boston Temple.
For Brazil it would be the State of Acre due to its isolation.
For Mexico, the area around Poza Rica
For Peru, a temple near the Chilean border. Nigeria is Port Harcourt.
Chile has a couple of somewhat likely locations on my list.
For Nigeria Peru Chile..., the church may wait for other temples to further progress of existing announcements before announcing any others.
I'll be releasing my updated prediction list in the next week or so.
As a former missionary in the Spain Málaga Mission, it is very excited to see the creation of a new stake; however, it is interesting that the Church decided to create this stake given the low number of units in the stake and the consolidation of two wards in the Málaga area in the past 10 years (Málaga 1st and 4th wards were consolidated into Málaga 2nd and 3rd wards). Still, Granada Spain recently saw the creation of a second ward, with a few new branches being organized in the area as well.
Also, among new units, i missed the other day, in the Stuttgart Germany Stake (503754), in March 2026 had consolidated the Stuttgart Military Ward (65641).
86 Mar 30, 2026 Stuttgart Military Ward Stuttgart, Germany
And this week REINSTATED the ward and renamed as the new Stuttgart 2nd Ward (English) (65641).
143 Aug 19, 2026 Stuttgart 2nd Ward (English) Stuttgart, Germany
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/503754
The Justice Texas Stake was created today.
The Kimberly Idaho East Stake was also created today, which was the cause of the multistake conference in Twin Falls, ID, reported above by Christ D.
The Salt River Wyoming Stake was created today
Where the heck is Justice Texas?
Whoops, I mean the Justin Texas Stake. Good catch.
Caleb, that's great news. And with the Kimberly Idaho Stake conference off my radar this weekend, I didn't even check to see if it was planned today or not.
That said, with currently the Kimberly ID Stake at 11 wards and 1 branch. I could easily, on it's own, see a 6 + 6 East/West Split as you have posted here. Without taking from the above 4 Twin falls Stakes Multistake conference today.
I personally feel we may have another 5th Twin Falls Stake organized today also. Maybe called "Twin Falls ID North Stake"? The only directional quadrant with no named stake.
Chris, no new Twin Falls stake. There was just boundry changes with multiple wards switching what stake they are part of.
The Kimberly east stake will have the rural towns of Murtaugh and Hansen in them. East end of Twin Falls has lots of growth. Schools growing there. I’m pretty sure those two towns only have one ward in them. That will be 10 stakes in the Twin Falls temple district.
Burley temple district presently has eight stakes, Declo and Malta area may have stake split. Some of Rupert is part of the Declo stake.
Some rural towns in the Magic Valley and eastern Idaho have two wards, where the High School has 50 to 60 kids. Rural towns that survived consolidation.
Twin falls in 80’s had 26;00 people and town started a mile south of Snake River canyon. Now it starts south of the canyon.
City itself 51,000 people. I don’t think there is as much growth on west end of Twin Falls county. That is the growth of the Magic valley.
I can see Chimbote, Peru receiving a temple announcement soon. It has three stakes and a district and is a 2.5 hour drive to Trujillo.
Today we had the San Diego Temple rededication, presided over by President Christofferson in a beautiful service. People keep saying our temple is the most visually stunning of the Church's temples, though that may be hyperbole. A few years ago, it was reported that California was the only one of the 50 states to be experiencing a decline in church membership. Despite this, our state has been rewarded with more temples. I'm hoping that the rededication will mark a return to church growth in the San Diego area.
Hi Chris, I do not think that this change took more than 4 months. Maybe the Miltary Ward just disapeard from meetinghosue locator (sensitivity because of the war i Iran). It was the last ward in germany left if the "Military" designator. When I saw the millitary ward closed on fullerconsideration website I was very surprised. As far as I knew it was a very large ward and I heard nothing of US militry instalations closing in the Stutgart area. I also do not think that all military personell attended the german wards in the area for more than 4 months. The Stutgart 1 Ward also never changed its meeting time from 12:30, which would be a strange time if only one unit in the building remained.
So I think the change from Stuttgart Military Ward to Stuttgart 2nd Ward (English) was instant, but for some reasons took months to show on the meetinghouse locator.
Today 08/24/26 New Stakes updates :
3 of the 4 expected Stakes have appeared on the official list.
Missing the Salt River Wyoming Stake, reported yesterday from Rebecca, split from the old Afton Wyoming Stake (500313).
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/500313
Pocatello Idaho Hawthorne Stake (2311127) (Chubbuck/Pocatello ID West Split)
Organized on 23 August 2026
- Brooklyn Ward
- Connor Ward
- Cotant Park Ward
- Cottage Ward
- Cottonwood Cove Branch (Care Center)
- Hawthorne Park Ward
- Pine Ridge Ward
- Quinn Ward
- Victor Ward
Mission: Idaho Pocatello Mission
Temple: Pocatello Idaho Temple
Kimberly Idaho East Stake (2333333) (Kimberly ID split)
Organized on 23 August 2026
- Hansen Ward
- Kimberly 1st Ward
- Kimberly 3rd Ward
- Kimberly 6th Ward
- Murtaugh Lake Branch (Spanish)
- Murtaugh Ward
- Rock Creek Ward
Mission: Idaho Pocatello Mission
Temple: Twin Falls Idaho Temple
Justin Texas Stake (2327953) (Alliance/Denton/Lewisville TX split)
Organized on 23 August 2026
- Avondale Ward
- Bonds Ranch Ward
- Decatur Ward
- Grasslands Ward
- Haslet Ward
- Justin Ward
- Rhome Ward
Mission: Texas Dallas West Mission
Temple: Dallas Texas Temple
Also Announced today in both Newsroom and Church News, the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple, announced Open House and 12/13/2026 Dedication by Elder Cook, making it the #232 in place of Fort Worth Texas now becomes #233 in January 2027. And the Vienna Austria Temple was announced a October 17, 2026 Groundbreaking with Elder Cziesla, presiding.
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/milestones-for-temples-in-american-samoa-and-austria
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2026/08/24/pago-pago-american-samoa-temple-dedication-open-house-set/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2026/08/24/groundbreaking-planned-for-austria-first-temple-vienna/
Good weekend for temple progress.
The Vienna Groundbreaking is also coincidentally on my birthday. :)
Poza Rica may well be the next temple announced in Mexico but it is in Vera Cruz State which already has a temple so that would not be a new state getting a temple.
Just like im the US I think Greensboro North Carolina and Little Rock Arkansas are strong contenders for temples but both are in states with temples.
I do have to wonder if Metro Guatemala City might get a 3rd temple announced soon with the Miraflores Temple being dedicated by Elder Gong in October.
With 1 dedication for Pago Pago and 1 ground breaking for Vienna announced today we are seeing progress with temples. I keep hoping we see progress on the 50 plus temples without an officially announced location. I do hope some might go the way of Brazaville and the temple location and groundbreaking will be announced at the sane time.
How hard would it be to turn the downtown Chicago chaple into a temple? More like add a temple on top. I assume the 6th floor would not be big enough, but I would think a 7th and 8th floor could be added.
So far my various ideas for temples built on top of existing buukdings or in downtowns have largely not occurred.
We have Buenos Aires City Center and then the Brussels Temple being converted from an exidting office building. Philadelphia might be the only other temple in the US outside of Utah besides Manhattan deliberately built in an urbam core area. Dallas is in the city but on its residential outskirts, and Oakland and Los Angeles are not in the urban cores while in the cities named. Mesa may bd in somewhat urban core of the now large city of Mesa but that was not the state of thinks when it was built in the 1920s. In Utah Salt Lake City, Provo City Crnter and Ogden are unquestionably in urban core areas. I do not understand St. Georhe enough to say if it counts as such or not.
I am still waiting to see where the Honolulu Temlle will be built.
One more note with the Justin Texas Stake organized I become more convinced that a 4th temple will be needed in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Chimbote does seem a strong contrnder for the next temple announced in Peru. Although Tacna also might be announced soon.
Are there 5 temples in Peru waiting for groundbreaking. It would be nice to see more groundbreakings on temlles there. The same with Mexico.
Of the 200 temples announced during President Nelson’s tenure 51 will be dedicated, when construction commences on all the ones with groundbreaking announcements 57 will be under construction. Leaves 92 announced. Of those 51 have site announcements. Been several weeks since sites were announced.
Will that number increase. 41 temples announced during his tenure have yet to have a site announced and those announcements seem to be slowing down.
Will the number of temples without site announcements decrease. Will there be less than 40 by end of this month, or by conference and anniversary of his death? By years end could that number dwindle to less than 30 maybe.
Russia Uab and China have issues with religious freedom. If the Shanghai site is approved I am sure it would be hard to get updates.
Could the fast for religious freedom maybe help move temple work forward in those countries. The 38 remaining temples announced during President Nelson’s tenure are in countries where for the most part there is significant religious freedom.
Jerome Idaho Stake has 11 wards and 1 branch. Might not be very soon to be split but it should be on our radar. That would be 11 stakes in the Twin Falls Temple District.
Spencer, good questions. I can only speculate. Starting with number of site announcements, it appears we're building at a rate of roughly 20 per year through each of the various stages of construction. Unlike Hinckley's temples, each temple is being built uniquely with local architectural and cultural considerations. Some of Hinkley's temples in the Southeast has had to be rebuilt because it failed to survive (got moldy inside walls as well as other issues) in humid climates. This takes more time and resources than moving forward with a cookie-cutter design that doesn't necessarily work in all climates, or fit local cultural environment. So I don't expect the church to repeat Hinckley's rate of construction in the near-term. We have 51 temples waiting that has their site announced, but waiting for groundbreaking. In other words, at current rate it will take 2.5 years to move all current site announcements to groundbreaking at the current rate of construction.
A site announcements is a significant milestone as it showing the property provides additional excitement showing progress is happening. However, I can see a few drawbacks for extended period of time in "site announced status"
1) excitement can dwindle when further progression is not seen.
2) could cause hesitation to change sites if a more opportune property comes available.
3) more time for neighbors and public to create opposition prior to construction. I'm not saying site announcements should be deliberately postponed to avoid opposition, but there are those that strive to create opposition prior to construction approval.
Temple status updates are typically given in the afternoon on non-holiday Mondays. The following Monday is a holiday. I would say there's a high probability we'll get at least one status update on Monday but low probability for 2+ site announcements as part of it.
As for Russia, UAE, & China, Unlike Russia and China, I cannot tie Dubai nonconstruction directly to a lack of religious freedom. Dubai has religious freedom as long as you don't try to convert others - especially Muslims. Several religions including our own are allowed and have built places of worship. Outside of open houses, temples can only be entered in by members. In short, UAE's announcement was made in 2020 which much dialog was presented making it appear the church would be able to start construction on the Expo site once the expo was completed. The Expo was delayed due to COVID and ended March 31, 2022 yet then once active media topic has gone quiet since. There's speculations out there and I can come up with my own. But in short, all I know is what I just stated. I have no idea what caused this to not move forward.
Shanghai was announced detailing how it was going to operate under the current governments so it appeared at least some details was figured out with the government prior to the announcement. However, the government was already scaling back religious freedom in general with further restrictions since. So, until there's a different change of heart by China or change of government, I don't think this temple will move forward, at least in the near future.
For Russia, it's announcement was different as only the country was announced and nothing else. It was announced in 2018, after the 2016 anti-terror laws. Since then, it appears Russian Orthodox Church is acting more as a state-run religion with others loosing their protections and freedoms. The Russian Orthodox Church's following the state may have impacted it's own ability to worship as it pleases. While we believe in the 12th article of faith (subject to governments), it's also preceded by the 11th Article of Faith (full religious freedom and personal freedom). Russia has been playing hard ball on several fronts when it comes to religious and other freedoms. However, I personally believe at some point this hard-ball strategy will have to come to a breaking point with noticing cracks starting to emerge in recent weeks.
As for what implications the fast will help (hopefully it will), only time will tell. But, I don't think it will hurt.
Again, much of this is speculation based on my own personal observations.
With this announcement, Pago Pago will be the 21st temple to be dedicated this year. With the following Monday being a holiday and with the probable desire to not hold a dedication over the holidays, next week would be the last reasonably possible week to announce a dedication to take place this year.
Vienna's announcement makes 17 groundbreakings so far. Unlike dedications, groundbreakings can happen with little or no notice to the general public. Matching last year's 20 groundbreakings is very possible at this point. We're now having groundbreakings nearly weekly. With the current exceptions of 3 weekends (Labor Day Weekend and around General Conference) there has been groundbreakings every Saturday since the beginning of August through October 17 (so far).
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/milestones-for-temples-in-american-samoa-and-austria
DFW needs more chapels before anything else in my estimation, especially northern DFW.
I live north of Jerome. There were four wards in Lincoln County but they put the split ward back together. If Jerome split would they pick up any of Lincoln County? The east end of Jerome County was moved to the Paul Stake. Growth may be slow there north of the Snake River.
Smithfield Utah and Knoxville Tennessee construction is complete. Will the Logan temple close for renovations once the Smithfield temple is going? Brigham City, Montpelier and Pocatello won’t be too far for Logan saints.
Manti Salt Lake and St. George have been renovated Logan is last on the list of pioneer era temples.five weeks of announcements before General Conference though Labor Day announcements will be on Tuesday.
One of President Nelson's views was that the prioritizing of building nice stake centers in areas before we built temples in an area did not make sense.
However we have to alsl keep this in minf. The Church pf Jesus Christ of Latter-day Aaints has limited resources. Whether it would be posaible for the Church to spend more and sace less I do not know.
At the same time money is kot the only limiting factor. I know of a position the Church was trying to fill. In the first round of trying to fill it more than one person was offered the position and turned it down because of the hours. The position is a full time laundry supervisor position at a temple built as a small temple during the President Hinckley era. Thd position involves working evenings and Saturday. It might be more fillable if rhe pay was higher but that does not seem to be the direct reason people declined.
Having key staff in place is sometging thst takes effort.
In the case of vuildings building a temple or building a chaple are nit always opposed goals. In the case of New York City buildong the temple was in part carried out by finding addituonal chaples for wards to meet in so there would no lomger be as many at the building where the temple was being created.
So building more chaples in metro Dallas can occur while an additionsl temple is built. In some cases a chaple and a temple are built at the same location at the same time. The percentage of spending by the church on building construction can and does change over time.
That said, the church has many things to do to invite all unto Christ. I havd heard President Oaks express that one of the issues he saw when first assigned as Philippines Area President was that the chaples there were well built by professionals but that biahops had not received the levrl of in drpth training that they really needed.
To being rgis back tlo chaples. It is worth keeping in mind that at times it is easier and faster to purchase exidting religious buildings than to build ones. Even if some modification is needed. I know in Kalamazoo Michigan the YSA brabch meets in a purchased building. To be fair the needs in a YSA brqnch for spaces are different than in most wards. In general a YAA branch woulld need far few rooms thsn a ward with primary and youth
I also have no idea if there are many puchaseable relugois budings in the nirth oytskirts of Metro Dallas. My guess is that there are not. My guess is this would be a growth option in inner city and core urban areas of Dallas, but in the outer areas where the pipulation us expanding fast there is a geberal lack of any public use buildings.
It is common to use purchased building for small, rural branches especially. But the type of large growing wards in high growth areas like North Dallas don't seem to fit that standard.
From my perspective as a Chilean who has been in the church since 1990, I cannot deny the stagnation and decline of Mormonism in Chile in relation to wards, stakes, baptisms, church and temple attendance, family history research, and accepting callings. It is obvious that the church has done business in Chile and around the world, and that our LDS Church is immensely wealthy and could do much more than it does or has done to this day.
I love this blog and others that speak openly and truthfully about the real growth and stagnation of the church in each country, and it informs us more than the church itself; our church is reluctant to make information transparent, creating speculation.
I feel that since the church decided to remove custodians from the chapels, it was the worst mistake. There are no clean chapels. It's very difficult to get LDS members to do it. Giving tithes, offerings, time in callings, going to the temple, giving lunch to missionaries—what is given in time, money, and energy to the church is enormous. It's true that you dedicate yourself to the temple, however, with the shameful amount the church has and has invested, it's not justified.
There are no missionaries in Bunia, DR Congo the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo. There are no members that I know of in that area. The nearest members and missionaries in any number, and that is a small number, are in Goma, with one small branch of two year duration, that is on the border with Rwanda. Goma has about 2,000,000 people. That is 370 miles away. There are cases in Butembo which is 125 miles from Goma and is bigger than Bunia, with about 700,000 population.
There are closer members to Bunia, which is only 35 miles from the Uganda border. There are missionaries and members, a few stakes in Kampala 300 miles away. And smaller branch in small cities is 240 miles away from Bunia on the way to Kampala. There have only been 59 cases of Ebola and have not been a new case in over a month. Besides there are no direction connections by road: Lake Edwards separates Bunia from Uganda.
The above is in response to Eduardo's question about Ebola. We have almost no presence in the eastern part of DR Congo. So no Ebola issue for members
@Mormonchileno The LDS church spends annually approximately 1 billion on seminary and institute, 1.5 billion on wages and salaries of church employees, 1.2 billion for its Universities, 1.5 billion for welfare, 500 million on missionary work, 400 million to maintain and operate temples, 700 million to operate and maintain chapels, 1.5 billion to construct new chapels and temples. The church takes in 7 to 8 billion a year in tithing. To hire a janitor for 19,000 chapels would cost the church 1 to 1.5 billion a year in wages. The church is most likely already running in the red right now with all the temples under construction. It would be unwise to hire full time janitorial staff.
Not sure where you got the numbers, but thanks!!! Some points about church janitors: People getting church welfare/food orders should be asked to help more based on my read of a hand book a few years ago, but in my experience are rarely asked to do so. Managing a church janitor is difficult. It's also a very boring job. I was a part time school janitor for 3 months and it was super boring. I can't imagine staying on task with no one around. Growing up, our area's church janitor was caught sleeping on the job, so there's that. I do sometimes wish someone in the facility management group would do better inspections or maybe have deep clean of certain things done once every several years. I say this as a prior stake clerk and as a current ward building representative. I can understand though how cleaning the church could be more of a burden in buildings where only one branch or small ward meet.
You bring up some interesting points Spencer. My initial thought is that I think Jerome's own growth could support the split themselves instead of taking wards from Lincoln County. In addition, I would not think that the Carey stake would be able to handle any losses of wards, maybe just the Shoshone ward? Who knows. At this point its all just speculation.
I'll be watching to see if the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Kimbanseke Stake splits this weekend. Less likely, it's possible that the Bandundu Democratic Republic of the Congo District will become a stake.
The St. Anthony Idaho Stake (14 wards) will also likely split this weekend, and a new stake will be formed in Eagle Mountain Utah
An interesting report on sold Latter-day Saint meetinghouses in the area surrounding Marysville Washington as that city prepares for its temple:
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/08/26/church-jesus-christ-latter-day-saints-auburn.html?
FYI, new stake update pending from last sunday:
Salt River Wyoming Stake (2326280)
Organized on 23 August 2026
- Bitter Creek Ward
- Cottonwood Ward
- Dry Creek Ward
- Fairview Ward
- Osmond Ward
- Salt River Ward
- Smoot Ward
- West Hills Ward
Mission: Idaho Pocatello Mission
Temple: Star Valley Wyoming Temple
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2326280
Just to add, the Afton stake received 3 wards from the Thayne stake last Sunday.
For those interested in Temple Construction status, Elder Gilbert of the Q12, recently held a devotional during a ministry to Freetown Sierra Leone, with missionaries in the Sierra Leone Bo Mission (about 160), who later visited the soon to be completed Freetown temple. He also met with the Vice President about programs for the country regarding Education.
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/freetown-sierra-leone-temple/news/
If you are going to confidently post amounts spent and funds received by the Church as fact, please identify your source for such numbers. Based on my experience as a financial accountant (now retired) for the church, you would numbered with a handful of individuals who are privy to review the financial statements of the Church.
Other Matt here.
It wouldn't surprise me the Star Lake Bldg that was sold (technically in Auburn) but part of the Federal Way Stake, gets rebuilt next to the Tacoma Temple (which is also in Federal Way)..
No units were closed with the recent selling of the Star Lake Bldg. The Star Lake Ward and Mt Rainer Korean Branch just moved to other FW Bldgs for the time being.
I'm updating my temple predictions. I should have it completed by the end of the day. In the meantime, here is the location distribution for the last 103 Temple Announcements (Oct 2022 Conference till August 28 2026).
2 Africa Central
2 Africa South
5 Africa West
1 Asia
3 Asia North
8 Brazil
2 Canada
2 Caribbean
3 Central America
0 Eurasia
2 Europe Central
3 Europe North
8 Mexico
0 Middle East/North Africa
5 Pacific
6 Philippines
7 South America Northwest
5 South America South
6 US Central
8 US Northeast
4 US Southeast
8 US Southwest
9 US West
4 Utah
39 United States
21 South America
14 North America (Excluding US)
10 Asia - Six of the 10 is in the Philippines
9 Africa
5 Oceania
I've updated my prediction list to be effective September 1 to Feb 28. If a temple is announced by Monday, it will be counted based on my March 1 prediction map as this map becomes effective Tuesday.
I've removed temple predictions that are within another hypothetical temple district of another predicted temple boundaries. If one is announced, I only count one anyway (typically the higher of the two). This change caused 3 mergers:
- Kingman Arizona merged with Henderson Nevada.
- Kanab Utah merged with Hurricane Utah
- Kolwezi DRC merged with Likasi DRC.
With temples now announced within each area, I've spread out my predictions to more areas.
- All areas except (Eurasia and Middle East/North Africa areas) now has representation for all three groups of 60. The first group of 60 is divided in two categories - "Top 20" and "somewhat likely 40".
- "Top 20" is spread across 16 of the church's 24 areas with no area having more than two of my prediction locations.
- All areas above 100,000 members have at least one "Somewhat Likely 40" predictions.
When updating, I may move icons up or down levels based on unit growth, geopolitics, formula tweaking, or other factors.
Roughly 49 of roughly 277 locations (180 Prediction Categories + 97 Miscellaneous) changed categories for reasons stated above. I do not consider "Miscellaneous" as my prediction locations, but locations I look at every six months. Feel free to comment if there's a location I missed that you want me to consider in the future.
I would imagine about 1-4 temples will be announced during this six-month period. About 20 temples per year is currently making it through each of the various stages of construction. There's still a backlog. However, it's not looking less like a "wish list" than it did a year ago. President Oaks has announced three temples in his first year. Announcement could start picking up as more temples go into construction and completion.
As I mentioned before, these are hypothetical predictions based on one without revelation or any other inside knowledge.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1G7hdBBWl07qNmfixCPEyCf7dAOKzzjw&usp=sharing
The church news has published 25-year growth of membership within the US. Wikipedia shows the 10-year growth.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2026/08/27/church-membership-growth-by-united-states-2000-2025-jesus-christ-latter-day-saints/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_membership_statistics_(LDS_Church)#Members_and_growth
There is some differences between the two lists. North Dakota had by far the highest growth rate over the last 25 years but is ranked 29th for the last 10 years which indicates most of its growth was 10-25 years ago. Texas is ranked 4th over the last 25 years but now ranked 8th. North Carolina has remained 5th in both lists.
For the last 10 years, Tennessee is first (25.04% growth)
with Arkansas (24.92%) and Rhode Island (24.57%) at a very close 2nd and 3rd.
Only one state (California) declined in membership over the last 25 years. That has increased to eight western states that has declined in membership over the last 10 years.
While faster-growing states tend to have faster membership growth, it does not always corelate. Arkansas has ranked 28th in US census population growth since 2010, yet it's near the top of both lists for membership growth. Rhode Island is ranked 32nd for census growth for the same period but also ranks near the top for membership growth. California is the largest membership declining state in both lists but has seen a 15% population growth over the last 15 years.
And in conjunction with that post, another site posted a map of the USA with the dates each state "Peaked" in membership. Although unknown source of the data provided.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MormonShrivel/comments/1w0svd1/year_of_peak_lds_members_per_state/
Using 10-year data (2015-2025)
Where membership is growing the most beyond population growth (church growth minus population growth):
Growth State
35.84% Washington, D.C.
20.34% Arkansas
19.05% Rhode Island
18.32% Missouri
14.21% Tennessee
12.52% New York
11.26% Kentucky
9.13% Oklahoma
8.38% West Virginia
7.17% Wisconsin
6.83% South Dakota
Note: None are in the Western US. Example: West Virginia was the fastest-declining state loosing a little over 4% of its population. However, membership grew by more than 4% during the same period causing it to have an 8.38% growth difference.
Where membership is growing the least in comparison of population growth (church growth minus population growth):
Growth State
-13.71% Washington
-13.69% Nevada
-12.17% Idaho
-11.93% Colorado
-9.98% Utah
-9.70% Oregon
-6.76% California
-6.13% Arizona
-5.87% Montana
-3.65% New Mexico
Note: All are in the western US.
More good growth news out of the island of Cuba, the Holguin Cuba District, just reported organized an 8th Branch. The Buenaventura 2nd Branch.
314 Aug 28, 2026 Buenaventura 2nd Branch Buenaventura, Cuba
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2324555
If the political climate were different, it might seem a likely candidate for a first stake in country ahead of Havana. But that's just my thoughts based on an 8 branch district.
Does Cuba have full Religious freedom at present? Not sure when missionaries will be there. Wonder if it as strict there with proselyting. Or it’s like China and the Middle East you can do everything there but proselyte?
Cuba recognizes certain religious organizations and allows them to meet, worship, and operate congregations, but the environment is still regulated. Public proselyting isn’t permitted, and foreign missionaries aren’t allowed to serve there under normal circumstances.
The Church’s growth in Cuba comes from local members and local leadership rather than missionary work. So while the Holguín District reaching eight branches is encouraging, it’s happening within a limited religious‑freedom framework.
Administratively, both the Havana Cuba District and the Holguín Cuba District function under a Mission Presidency, similar to how many districts operate worldwide. Their assigned mission is the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission:
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/missions/2010895
Temple ordinances for Cuba fall under the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple District:
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/santo-domingo-dominican-republic-temple/district/
You would have cleaner buildings and the position wouldn't have to be full time it could be 30 hours a week or less and then it would be their responsibility to make sure the things are kept in good shape and that damages are reported promptly
I agree in the old days there was a budget that was said for every member of the church for upkeep of the building which was done away with I myself would rather pay a few extra dollars and have a clean building than to have built the building clean by the five members and it's always the same people who clean each time if somebody was paid just part time 20 to 30 hours a week it would take a great load off the membership of the church
The western US has more members per capa than the rest of the nation. As people move around, Nonmembers are moving in while members move out. Membership in Utah, for example has increased. But Nonmembers are also willing to move in.
I had posted this analysis a while back but it seems to be relevant again considering discussion of "peak" membership. My analysis focused on units, since I think that is a much more accurate indicator of real church growth and activity.
There are 21 states where 2025 had the highest number of units (ie the "peak"):
Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming, North Dakota, Kentucky, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.
Of these 21, 17 saw growth from the prior year, while 4 reached this peak prior to 2025, with zero net growth since then (this isn't counting changes from branches to wards, just raw total units):
North Dakota (2024), Kentucky (2021), Rhode Island (2016), Wisconsin (2009).
That leaves us with 29 states and D.C that have seen a decline from the peak. From most recent to least, here's the State, year of peak, and decline since the peak:
Utah (2023, -52 units)
Iowa (2021, -2 units)
Georgia (2021, -4 units)
Virginia (2021, -4 units)
New Jersey (2021, -5 units)
Connecticut (2021, -6 units)
Nevada (2021, -23 units)
Arizona (2021, -48 units)
Mississippi (2017, -2 units)
Massachusetts (2016, -1 unit)
New Mexico (2016, -11 units)
Oregon (2016, -32 units)
Alaska (2015, -6 units)
Pennsylvania (2015, -9 units)
Washington (2015, -84 units)
Kansas (2014, -3 units)
Alabama (2012, -3 units)
Delaware (2010, -3 units)
Minnesota (2009, -3 units)
Nebraska (2007, -4 units)
Maine (2007, -6 units)
Michigan (2007, -6 units)
Illinois (2005, -10 units)
California (2004, -301 units)
New Hampshire (2000, -3 units)
New York (1999, -17 units)
Vermont (1997, -3 units)
D.C (1995, -3 units)
Louisiana (1995, -14 units)
South Dakota (1987, -5 units)
The Syracuse south stake is splitting September 20th!
Basehor Ward just created in the Lenexa, KS stake today.
JTB, I would typically agree with you when determining how active an area is. However, I think membership is probably the better metric in this case. I could try comparing it with increase/decline in units but that comes with its own fallacies.
Fallacies with using units
1. Unit size varies greatly. A ward where people are moving to can grow to have an attendance greater than that of a small stake. On the contrary, a rural branch 10 members before its dissolved. An urban ward that's consolidated with its neighbor(s) may still have 60+ members at the time it's dissolved
2. Growth/decline occur within existing units throughout its existence (similar to explained in #1). I know of a ward that had less than 50 members attending for several years after the local Air Force Base closed down. It finally got reclassified as a branch only when the stake it was in split. It doesn't matter how much/how little it declines in activity, it stayed one unit.
3. More choppy data - especially for states with few units. There's far more members than units. Growth/decline is not going to show itself very well in a state with 12 units.
4. Change in local or area leadership strategy. I had a stake president that pushed for more units in the stake I grew up in. Within a three years or so the Stake went from 7 units to 15 units (only two of the new units were wards), and it stayed at 15 or 16 units for another decade or two before it finally split to create a third stake as a neighboring stake was in the same situation (16 units is probably the maximum a stake can handle). I don't think the active member growth was any higher before the 15th unit was created as it was the decade after.
5. I would say the change in churchwide policy for unit creation would have an effect, but I would imagine that for some time of taking effect there would be a significant decline (near-pause) in growth of wards/stakes outside the US/Canada (which previously had more lenient requirements) until it catches up and an increase with the US/Canada (which previously had more stringent requirements). I haven't seen this.
Membership data has its flaws. It is bad at tracking how active members in an area is. However, it still can be used as an indicator of growth. There are fallacies that can happen
- a local/regional push to "clean up" records
- units with older neighborhoods keeping records of less active members well after they've moved/passed on
- raising the bar for missionaries and converts a couple of decades back and since,...
However, these issues are consistent (these were the same issues a decade ago, two decades ago, etc.), but I think as long as it's consistent, its probably the best measure to look at growth variations between states/countries/territories.
Here's my problem when comparing by using unit growth for comparing states over the last 10 years.
Even though these states grew in number of wards, they declined because their net loss in branches were greater. Maine increased by as many wards as it declined in branches. There's zero growth when branches become wards using total unit increase.
State, Ward increase, Branch increase, Unit increase
Maine 6.25% -10.00% 0.00%
New York 4.35% -14.29% -2.70%
South Dakota 16.67% -15.00% -3.13%
New Jersey 7.69% -20.83% -3.17%
Kansas 1.69% -21.05% -3.85%
Rhode Island 33.33% -75.00% -10.00%
New Mexico 2.97% -37.74% -11.04%
Arkansas has a large number of existing branches compared to most. It gained 13 wards and a net lost of a branch. Membership growth in comparison was 20.34% for the same period.
Arkansas 30.95% -4.00% 17.91%
DC went from a ward and a branch to 4 wards, no branches. Therefore it had a 300% growth in wards and a 100% growth in units - still much greater than the 35.84% membership growth of the district.
District of Columbia 300.00% -100.00% 100.00%
Using unit growth baseline, as long as there is more branches created than wards, there's growth.
Maryland -1.52% 46.15% 6.33%
Ohio -1.98% 26.92% 3.94%
Colorado -1.41% 24.14% 0.96%
If only wards are counted, then irregularities such as what shown for DC and Arkansas exist. Maybe say an average branch is maybe a third the size of an average ward like I do in my calculations for my temple predictions. But again, there's fallacies - especially when the sample size is small (<100 units).
Ward increase per capita (top 5 states plus Washington DC)
District of Columbia 300.00%
Rhode Island 33.33%
Arkansas 30.95%
South Carolina 26.79%
Missouri 26.45%
Tennessee 20.78%
Ward decrease per capita (bottom 5)
Washington -11.83%
Vermont -12.50%
Connecticut -13.79%
Delaware -18.18%
California -20.77%
Unit increase (top 5 states plus Washington DC)
District of Columbia 100.00%
South Carolina 27.14%
Missouri 20.67%
Arkansas 17.91%
Idaho 17.50%
North Dakota 17.39%
Unit decrease per capita (bottom 5)
Oregon -11.46%
Washington -14.31%
California -19.45%
Delaware -23.08%
Vermont -25.00%
Does anyone know what effect, if any, the ICE crackdowns had on foreign language-speaking units? Unit changes usually lag year(s) behind growth/declines and it maybe still too early to tell based on that. While the church promotes those coming here to do so legally, I know many in the New Orleans 2nd Ward were not here legally when I was there a decade ago.
Fuller consideration shows YTD 2 Spanish wards opened and 5 wards closed plus a number of Spanish branches that became wards. But again, if ICE had any effect, I think it's still too early for it to show up on unit reorganizations.
Love the analysis, thank you David. I had only considered total unit growth since it was easier to calculate than going through wards/branches. I appreciate your comment and your engagement with this topic.
Looks like some people are getting their wishes. Another location (Queen's Creek), a rendering (Charlotte NC) and groundbreaking (Iquitos) announced today.
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/updates-for-temples-in-peru-arizona-and-north-carolina?fbclid=IwY2xjawUCwPpwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXF0d2JIMm5IaEZ5aWVwRElzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeXTSkazWE1EUnWzX_JzQ3k8da9zrjI5bjSvtUuGjb8RWtGZcYlCld_IVdbXg_aem_ZwHbPmG7-evEybjaIiachA
To reply to Calebs prophetic words from three days ago, "Caleb
The St. Anthony Idaho Stake (14 wards) will also likely split this weekend, and a new stake will be formed in Eagle Mountain Utah
August 27, 2026 at 10:32 PM"
St Anthony Idaho Juniper Mountain Stake (2336375)
Organized on 30 August 2026
- Cottonwood Ward
- Egin Bench Ward
- Juniper Mountain Ward
- Parker Ward
- Riverview Ward
- Targhee Ward
- White Sands Ward
Mission: Idaho Idaho Falls Mission
Temple: Rexburg Idaho Temple
St Anthony Idaho Stake reorganized as the St Anthony Idaho Yellowstone Stake on 30 August 2026
Eagle Mountain Utah Brandon Park Stake (2327783)
Organized on 30 August 2026
- Autumn Ridge Ward
- Brandon Park 1st Ward
- Brandon Park 2nd Ward
- Brandon Park 3rd Ward
- Brylee Farms Ward
- Eagle Park Ward
- Sage Park Ward
Mission: Utah Saratoga Springs Mission
Temple: Saratoga Springs Utah Temple
11 groundbreakings over 12 weeks (Aug 1-Oct 17). 18 so far for 2026 (including those announced). Two more additional groundbreakings needed to match the 20 in 2025 - now seems very achievable. There may not be any announcements next Monday as it's Labor Day in the US.
With a groundbreaking Saturday, a dedication Sunday, and annoincements of an upcoming groundbreaking, a rendering and a temple site there has been much progress this weekend. It would really be nice if we could get over 30 grounbreakings this year.That said we are seeing some progress.
Therr are now 222 temples. Which means people born in early 1983, who are 43, havr had 200 temples dedicated in their lifetimes. President Nelson was 100 when 200 temples had been dedicated in his lifetime.
Heads up for Caldwell Idaho corridor watchers:
All three stakes — Caldwell Idaho (8 Wards), Caldwell Idaho Snake River (7 Wards + 1 Branch), and Caldwell Idaho East (10 Wards) — have conferences Sep 12–13. East Stake’s page lists the same dates.
Total 26 Units. I could see a 4th stake split. (4 x 6 = 24) with an extra ward and branch).
The recently created, Caldwell Idaho Snake River Stake, had regular conference this weekend, August 29-30. And another special conference scheduled in 2 weeks on September 12-13.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/516481
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/506214
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2221748
6 Temple milestones over the weekend!
I'm very excited for Couer d'Alene.
It'll be the 2nd closest US temple to us (after Missoula), once completed.
My buddy is in the Caldwell Stake, he casually mentioned the boundary shakeup last night...
Johnathan, what do you think is the next city in Montana to receive a temple announcement?
I'm not Johnathan, but I think Great Falls Montana is the most logical choice for next city as it's the only community with more than one stake (totaling 14 wards, 8 branches) that doesn't have a temple nearby. It's on my 2nd group of 60 list which represents what I consider ranked 61 to 120 most likely to be announced next. Otavalo Ecuador (last announced temple) was on my 3rd group of 60 and it still got announced, so anything is possible. Bozeman is probably the next most likely after that but doesn't rank on my top 180. Matt also places Great Falls on his "less likely" list with no other Montana location predicted on his page.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1G7hdBBWl07qNmfixCPEyCf7dAOKzzjw&usp=sharing
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1W60CDwd4qDDMA3tW74z8g-2WxNw&femb=1&ll=-3.81666561775622e-14%2C0&z=1
The theme of the Salt Lake Temple celebration is Rejoice in Christ.
In the announcement Presidet Uchtdorf confidently said 5 million visitors to the open house. I am hoping it is more than that.
On a different note Mexico has 10 temples in the planning stages. I hope we see some groundbreakings of temples in that country this year.
Since stakes can have 5 wards it would be possible on ward number alone to create 5 stakes in Caldwell Idaho. I have no idea about if that would meet other metrics, nor how wise it would be.
5 wards is the minimum, but I don't think it's Ideal. There are exceptions such as forming a stake in a separate community or splitting stakes with several branches which also tends to be rural. A large stake (ie 12+ units) makes it harder for stake leadership to handle (getting representatives out to each unit for sustaining, more unit leaders reporting up, etc). Too small of a stake makes it difficult to find people to fill positions.
My guess is that it will be a 4x6 like Chris mentioned, or a GA visit.
I do not know the size of the wards but if several are about ready to split, then I can see five stakes. Other than that, I give it a low probability.
A three stake realignment is also possible, but I don't see that here as all stakes appear healthy, at least by way of number of units. That usually happens when you have a large stake next to a struggling take and the struggling stake takes some of the wards from the large stake.
Another possibility is a Caldwell Temple update announcement. However, I doubt there will be any status-changing updates (ie groundbreakings, etc.) as that's normally announced on Mondays in the Church Newsroom.
@Scooter
I agree with David McFadden about Great Falls being a strong possibility for the next Montana temple.
Bozeman might get one for distance someday (everything's far apart in Montana). Would be cool, too, since I was born there.
Maybe Butte someday for distance, too.
Those of us up here in the northwest corner are holding out hope for a Kalispell Temple one day, too. Our stake is very active in temple and family history work, and it would be far more convenient distance-wise (Missoula is still 4 hours away).
I am Sephardic Jew on my mother's side. She was from Rabat, Morocco. It is great that many members in Spain are from Latin America; but remember that 20% of the Spanish population is Jewish. This from all of the Jews who were forceable converted: "chose conversion to the Holy Roman Catholic Church, exile or death." I am glad some of my ancestors chose exile and some I am sure some chose conversion and others probably death. The best guess is that 40-50% chose conversion, 30-40% exile, and at a minimum some hid and a small percentage chose the auto de fe. We need to be working on converting the 9-10 million Spaniards who are of the House of Israel.
My daughter found out 20 years ago that some of my father's descendants, three families were on the first ship of Jews, Sephardic Jews, who arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654 from Netherland Antilles via 50 years in Netherlands Brazil as Jews forced to convert in Portugal in 1497, then pretended for two generations to be Catholics, but once Dutch territory in Brazil, Caribbean, and then New Amsterdam were brave enough to announce to the world they were Jewish. Later in British North America the married Protestant people who had come to the new world---there were so few Jews in colonial British North America. Best estimate is 500 in 1790 in the first US Census of 3 million.
Let us pray that we start preaching to more Spaniards with Jewish DNA. Some percentage hold for Portugal---19% of the total Portuguese population have Jewish ancestry.
Yes, I know the Ephraim are the first to accept the gospel in this last dispensation. As a 52 year Jewish member of the church, surely it is time to baptize more Jewish descendants.
Evidently all the first 1 million tickets to tour the Salt Lake Temple during the Salt Lake Temple celebration that were released yesterday were reserved in less than 24 hours, possibly more like 12 hours. I am now wondering if the 5 million guests is too low a number, and also if a 6 month open house will be long enough.
People were able to reserve 6 tickets per email. There is also a way to reserve group tickets in larger numbers. I wonder though if some people over reserved and will not use all the tickets.
The hope is there will be a way for all who want to see to come and see.
It is good the first tickets were released 7 months ahead of time. Although part of me wonders if it might have been good to start the release even earlier.
Having served 3 senior missions in Spain, (Vigo, Madrid, and Barcelona) I am very aware of the impact that immigrants from Latin America and subsequent offspring born in Spain have on the Church in Spain. Approximately 85% to 90% of Sunday attendance if from the Latins. The creation of the three new stakes in the last few years was made possible with the “grafting” of the Latin Americans children of Lehi in Spain. There are fine and faithful Spaniards and some are declared to be from the lineage of Judah in their patriarchal blessings. I believe the Lord has “grafted in” the Latins to strengthen the gathering of Israel in Spain. I think Jacob 5 may be in its fulfillment phase.
I'm wondering what if any impact enemies of the church may have contributed to the high reservation rate. In today's world of online ticketing there have been many instances of individuals using bots to reserve tickets for speeches and other events so that others can't get them. I hope that isn't the case.
Chris, I'm sure the church will examine patterns in their reservations to see where people are coming from. For example, the church is unique in that they allowed reservations with the Church's member accounts. (I know non-members can and do have accounts, but I suspect that is rare.)
There will be plenty of ways to examine the data and ensure that, to the extent possible, real people have reservations for as many of the slots as possible before April hits.
It looks like the first batch was capped as you can't order any more right now. This early was probably good. This gives a chance to go through on inconsistencies on ticket orders (ie. large orders, several orders on the same day or throughout the year), although the process may already screen these out. The side effect of free tickets, people can order without monetary consequent even if they don't plan on showing, haven't been approved for visas, haven't requested time off from work, lack of budgeting for travel, or other complexities that might arise, or plan on reserving enough to where the only tickets available could be scalped. I'm thinking and hoping what's stated above represent the minority of ticketholders. General conference is free, but tickets are provided through the stake presidents and given to members who has solved all the above problems, and not on an open platform.
There's 17 million members of the church, over a million located just along the Wasatch Front which has easy commute access. It's a once in a lifetime event for members even outside the country. Plus interest with less actives or those outside the church not normally able to enter.
I would expect a spike when tickets are released. The church leadership has done a good job on promoting this once-in a lifetime event. The Salt Lake Temple is a structure that can accommodate a lot of guests and one thing temple square can do is accommodate large number of guests. With less than two hours between conference sessions to let out the previous 21,000 group and seat a new group of 21,000. 5 million over 6 days per week (I know it's seven) over 26 weeks is roughly 32,000 per day. I would imagine it could handle more than that. If more is needed than what normal operating hours would allow would they extend the open house and delay dedication or extend operating hours (i.e. 24 hours/day of tours).
Local member and local leadership are member missionaries doing the work. "Every member is a missionary"---David McKay
Not a big issue with the authorities in the UAE(Dubai is just one of the emirates) except if it is Muslim apostasy, not Hindu apostasy. When I was a member of the Abu Dhabi Ward, two Hindus from India got baptized.
Aren't the nonmembers moving into Utah willing to repent and get baptized? Our adopted son from Cote d'Ivoire went on a mission to Utah Salt Lake City South and baptized 22 non-members on his mission in English, Spanish, and French 16-18 years ago. Are they just not baptizing as many non-members these days in Salt Lake?
When you have 10 million Spaniards that are of the House of Israel, I was just hoping we were baptisms more of my distant relatives of the Judah, Benjamin, Levi. This along with Portugal has to be one of the more target rich environments to preaching and baptize the Restored Gospel in the Eastern Hemisphere to the literal descendants of the House of Israel---maybe we are witnessing much of Manasseh being gathering and then spread back to the Eastern Hemisphere. I know that there are many literal descendants in Iran, Afghanistan, Caucasus, Central Asia, parts of central Russia, and eastern India; in Assam, Manipur and Napa states.
I have read that at least in Madrid some number of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are immigrants from Nigeria or their children.
On the tickets issue, there may be some Salt Lake Temple celebration tickets that were taken by peope with the goal of blocking others from attending. This is one reason that there will be stand by lines and than no more than 20% of tickets were in the first release. Although there are lots of reasons people may not come that do not involve intentionally gathering tickets with no intention to go. Since one purpose of thd open houss is to show it to people not currently members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there are ways to reserve tickets without a Church account.
Having read dome online communications about them the hope is that people will cancrl tickets they do not need. This is quite a real issue. Maybd you reserved for you, wife, a son and daughter in law and 2 grandkids. Quite possibly they decode not to come or to come at another time. Or if your family was sub-par in communicating maybe the son reserved tickets for the same six people.
There is thd thought that people will release tickets as the reevsluate who will come. With it being almost 7 months until the earliest and almost 13 months to the latest tickets, it is quite possible that it is too soon to know for sure. It is possible your son Mark or daughter Monica might be on a mussion by the time of the scheduled visit to the Salt Lake Temple tour, or maybe you figured your son Jose wpuld have a lady friend he would bring when you visit next May, but that is a contingent reality, but grabbing all 6 tickets seemed wiser rhan grabbing just 5 you thpught would come.
Even for larger groups, like a famoly reunion group that is coming it becomes even harder to predict turnout.
There is probably some malicious intent in mass grabbing tickets, but the standby line prevents that from actually blocking anyone from viewing the temple. However I suspect mord of the standby line comes from the difficulties of predicting days ahead how many will come.
My wife convinced me to boldly grad some tickets the next time there is a release. I can easily see only 2 or 3 coming from my family, I could also see 10 or my family coming. When I went to the Clevrland Ohio Temple open house I bought counting myself 4, but I almost brought 5, and the three year old granddaughter who I did not bring might be a contender.
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