New Stakes Created in the DR Congo (2), Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)

Two new stakes were recently created in the DR Congo.

The Kinshasa DR Congo Mapela Stake was organized on June 29th, 2025, from a division of the Kinshasa DR Congo Mokali Stake (renamed the Kinshasa DR Congo Siforco Stake; organized in 2012). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Du Rail 1st, Du Rail 2nd, Mapela, Masina 2nd, Masina 5th, and Mulondo Wards. The new stake is the Church's third new stake created in Kinshasa this year, bringing the total number of stakes in the city to 17. Kinshasa has now surpassed Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, as the metropolitan city on the Afro-Eurasian landmass with the most stakes. New wards have been created in Kinshasa on nearly a weekly basis thus far in 2025, and there currently three stakes in the city that appear likely to divide in the immediate future. High rates of growth and member activity, a large number of stakes, and difficulty traveling across the city to reach the current temple (dedicated in 2019) suggest the announcement of a second temple for Kinshasa is highly likely in the immediate future.

The Church organized a new stake in Kolwezi on July 27th from a division of the original Kolwezi DR Congo Stake (organized in 2019). The new Kolwezi DR Congo Joli Site Stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Diur, Golf, Lupundu, Manika, Musompo 1st, and Musompo 2nd Wards and the Lualaba Branch. The Church organized the DR Congo Kolwezi Mission in 2024. Kolwezi appears likely to have a temple announcement in the medium term due to remote distance and high rates of growth in recent years. 

There are now 40 stakes and six districts in the DR Congo - double the number of stakes and districts in 2018 (19 stakes, 3 districts).

Papua New Guinea

Today, the Church organized the Minj Papua New Guinea Stake from the Minj Papua New Guinea District (organized in 2010). Information on which of the eight branches became wards in the new stake remains unavailable. The new stake is the Church's third new stake created in the country since January of this year, and all of these stakes have been organized from districts, suggesting maturation in leadership development and sustained rates of member activity to warrant additional stakes to function. Despite this progress, the Church in Papua New Guinea has never created a new stake by dividing another stake. This has largely been due to a rural population spread over large, difficult to access areas, as well as problems with inactivity and slow growth in Port Moresby since the first and only stake in the city was organized 30 years ago.

There are now six stakes and eight districts in Papua New Guinea.

Philippines

Today, a new stake was created in the Philippines. The Panabo Philippines Stake was organized from the Panabo Philippines district (organized in 1993). It is likely most, if not all, of the six branches in the former district became wards, and local members have confirmed that the Carmen Branch has become a ward. The new stake is the Church's fifth new stake created on Mindanao since 2020, and all five of these stakes were created from districts.

There are now 134 stakes and 53 districts in the Philippines. 

51 New Stakes Created in 2025 Thus Far; New Stakes Created in the DR Congo (4), Colorado, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and the Philippines; New Districts Created in Angola and the DR Congo

The Church has created at least 51 new stakes thus far in 2025 - the highest number of new stakes created during the first half of the calendar year since 2016 when there were a total of 100 new stakes created for the year. See below for a pie chart showing the distribution of new stakes created thus far in 2025 versus the first 50 new stakes created in 2016. As indicated by these pie charts, the distribution of new stakes created in 2025 is remarkably similar to 2016 except with more new stakes created in North America and fewer new stakes created in Latin America in 2025.

Prospects appear likely for many new stakes to be created for the remainder of 2025. For example, one recent report from a senior missionary serving in the Africa Central Area noted that there will be 17 new stakes organized just within this area alone by the end of the year (so far this year, eight new stakes have been organized in the Africa Central Area). To put this into perspective, the Africa Central Area has generally had fewer than five new stakes per year but will reportedly have 25 new stakes in 2025 - approximately half the number of new stakes organized in an average year during the past two decades. 

Now, for an update new stakes recently created:

DR Congo 

Four new stakes and one new district were recently created in the DR Congo. 

Three new stakes were created in the city of Kananga on June 15th where the total number of stakes increased from three to six, as each of the previous three stakes was divided to create a new stake. The new Kananga DR Congo Ndesha Stake is reported to include the following six wards: the Kapanda, Katoka 1st, Kele-Kele, Lulua, Ndesha 3rd, and Tshibandabanda Wards. The new Kananga DR Congo Lukonga Stake includes the following five wards: the Kamilabi, Lukonga 1st, Lukonga 2nd, Ndesha 1st, and the Ndesha 2nd Wards. Information on which wards are assigned to the new Kananga DR Congo Nganza Stake remains unavailable. 

The Church organized its 16th stake in Kinshasa on June 22nd. The Kinshasa DR Congo Kimbwala Stake was organized from a division of the Kinshasa DR Congo Lukunga Stake (organized in 2019). The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Kimbwala 1st, Kimbwala 2nd, Lutendele 1st, Lutendele 2nd, Mbudi, and Tshikapa Wards and the Mafuta Branch. Kinshasa now ties with Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, as the metropolitan area on the Afro-Eurasian landmass with the most stakes (16). Several more new stakes appear likely to be created in Kinshasa in the immediate future from a division of the Kinshasa DR Congo N'Djili Stake (11 wards, 2 branches), the Kinshasa DR Congo Ngaliema Stake (11 wards), and the Kinshasa DR Congo Kimbanseke Stake (10 wards). 

Finally, a new district was recently created from three mission branches in the city of Kikwit where the first branch was organized in 2021. The Kikwit DR Congo District includes the following three branches: the Kazamba, the Kikwit, and the Lukolela Branches. The new district is the Church's fourth new district to be organized in the DR Congo in 2025. 

There are now 38 stakes and five districts in the DR Congo. The DR Congo now has the 14th most stakes of any country in the world, having recently surpassed Bolivia (33), Venezuela (33), and Colombia (32). In addition to the three large stakes in Kinshasa that appear likely to divide in the immediate future, six more stakes appear likely to divide in the near future, including:

• Katuba DR Congo Stake (11 wards) 
• Kolwezi DR Congo Stake (12 wards, 2 branches)
• Luputa DR Stake (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Mbuji-Mayi DR Congo Stake (9 wards) 
• Mwene-Ditu DR Congo Stake (9 wards, 2 branches - NOTE: this stake divided in June 2024)
• Ngandajika DR Congo Stake (11 wards - NOTE: this stake was just created in March 2023)

Consequently, there may be as many as 47 stakes in the DR Congo by year-end 2026, which would place the DR Congo as the country with the 11th most stakes in the world. 

Colorado

A new stake was created in Colorado on June 8th. The Fruita Colorado Stake was created from a division of the Grand Junction Colorado West Stake (organized in 1983). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Adobe Creek, Aspen, Highline, Monument, Rimrock, and Salt Wash Wards. There are now three stakes in Grand Junction (the first stake in the city was created in 1955). The new stake is the Church's first new stake in Colorado since 2017.

There are now 36 stakes in Colorado. 

Papua New Guinea

The Church organized a new stake in Papua New Guinea. The Oro Papua New Guinea Stake was created from the Oro Papua New Guinea District (organized in 2002) on June 22nd. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Ititi, Korisata, Popondetta 1st, Popondetta 2nd, and Utukiari Wards. Rapid growth has recently occurred in this area of Papua New Guinea which has had a Church presence for several decades. At the beginning of the conference to create the new stake, 107 new converts were baptized in the Bangoho River. There also appear to be several member groups that operate within the stake, such as in Afore, Kiorata, Sangara, and Warigena (per previously shown meetinghouses on the meetinghouse locator website which are now no longer visible). 

The Church in Papua New Guinea has had an unprecedented year in regard to new stake creations, as stakes were recently organized nine months earlier in Madang (September 2024) and one month earlier in Lae (May 2025). Moreover, local members report that a new stake will be created from the Minj Papua New Guinea District on August 3rd. There are currently five stakes and nine districts in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea has one of the most rural populations in the world (86.3%) which has complicated efforts to create stakes in areas with low population density and limited accessibility due to remoteness. Several additional districts appear likely to become stakes in the foreseeable future, including Gerehu (seven branches), Moveave (eight branches), Rigo (10 branches), and Sogere (11 branches). With each new stake created, the prospects increase for the expansion into unreached areas, as mission resources can be rebalanced from strengthening districts to become stakes to establishing groups and branches in additional communities. Papua New Guinea has enormous potential to become a major powerhouse for the Church in the Pacific considering it is one of the most populous nations in the region with over 10 million people yet remains only 0.38% Latter-day Saint.

Peru

A new stake was created in Peru on June 22nd. The Cañete Perú Stake was organized from the Cañete Perú District (organized in 1997). All five branches in the former district were organized into wards, namely the Cañete, the Imperial, the Mala, the Nuevo Imperial, and the Quilmaná Wards.

There are now 117 stakes and 17 districts in Peru. 

Philippines

A new stake was created in the Philippines on June 22nd. The Siniloan Philippines Stake was created from the Siniloan Philippines District (organized in 1992). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Pakil 1st, Pakil 2nd, Santa Maria, Siniloan 1st, and Siniloan 2nd Ward and the Infanta Branch. The new stake is the Church's second new stake to be created in the Philippines this year.

There are now 133 stakes and 54 districts in the Philippines. 

Angola 

The Church recently organized a new district in Angola. The Menongue Angola District includes three branches (including one newly organized branch created at the time of the district's formation). The two original branches in Menongue previously were under the direct supervision of the Angola Luanda Mission. The three branches in the new district are the Menongue 1st, Menongue 2nd, and the Menongue 3rd Branches. The Church created its first branch in Menongue in 2022.

There are now two stakes and three districts in Angola.  

New Stakes Created in Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington; New Districts Created in the DR Congo (2) and Colombia; Districts Discontinued in Brazil and Colombia

Cameroon 

The Church created its first stake in the African nation of Cameroon on June 1st. The Yaounde Cameroon Stake was organized from the Yaounde Cameroon District (organized in 2012). Over 900 people attended the meeting to create the new stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Anguissa, the Bastos, the Ekounou, the Eleveur, and the Mimboman Wards and the Biyem-Assi, the Messassi, the Obili (English), and the Soa Branches. Reports over the past couple years have noted that the district was close to becoming a stake but continued to need to maintain the minimum standards for the stake to be created. Cameroon is the second African nation thus far in 2025 to have had its first stake organized (the first stake in Tanzania was organized in Dar es Salaam in January). 

There is now one stake and one district in Cameroon. The Church reported 3,327 members in Cameroon as of year-end 2024. 

Chile 

The Church organized a new stake in Chile on May 11th. The Alto Hospicio Chile Stake was organized from the Alto Hospicio Chile District (organized in 2005) which was created when the Church's second stake in Iquique, the Iquique Chile South Stake, was discontinued (originally organized in 1997). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the La Pampa, the Las Américas, the Los Aromos, the Los Cóndores, and the Tarapacá Wards and the Pica and Pozo Almonte Branches. Local leaders are ambitious that a third stake may be created in Iquique one day, although this goal appears unlikely to be reached for many years considering the Iquique Chile Stake has only six wards. The new stake in Alto Hospicio is the first new stake created in northern Chile since 2014.

There are now 80 stakes and nine districts in Chile. 

Colombia

A new stake was organized in Colombia from the Palmira Colombia District (organized in 1986) and the Tuluá Colombia District (organized in 1992). The new stake includes the following five wards and three branches: the Bizerta, Buga, El Recreo, Santa Bárbara, and Tuluá Wards and the Andalucía, El Cerrito, and Zarzal Branches. Several branches were discontinued as part of the process of converting branches into wards, including two branches in Tuluá and one branch in Buga. 

A new district was organized from three mission branches in the Colombia Bogota North Mission. The Casanare Colombia District was organized with three branches, namely the Aguazul, the El Alcaraván, and the Los Helechos Branches.

There are now 32 stakes and nine districts in Colombia. 

Kansas

A new stake was organized in Kansas on June 1st. The Overland Park Kansas Stake was organized from the Lenexa Kansas Stake (organized in 1994) and the Olathe Kansas Stake (organized in 1986). The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Heritage Park, Overland Park 1st, Overland Park 2nd, Overland Park 3rd, Paola, and Stanley Wards and the Mound City Branch. The new stake is the first new stake created in Kansas since the Garden City Kansas Stake was organized in 2003.

There are now eight stakes in Kansas. 

Maine

A new stake was organized in Maine on June 8th. The Portland Maine Stake was organized from the Augusta Maine Stake (organized in 1968). The new stake includes the following seven wards and one branch: the Cornish, Oxford, Portland, Saco, Topsham, Windham, and Yarmouth Wards and the Casco Bay YSA Branch. The other two stakes and the Saint John New Brunswick Stake were also realigned as part of the new stake creation. The last time a new stake was created in Maine was in 1986.

There are now three stakes in Maine.

Missouri

A new stake was organized in Missouri on June 8th. The Shoal Creek Missouri Stake was created from the Liberty Missouri Stake (organized in 1979) and the Platte City Missouri Stake (organized in 1997). The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the New Mark, North Kansas City, Oak Grove, Platte Woods, Smithville Lake, and Tiffany Springs Wards and the San Rafael (Spanish) Branch.

Papua New Guinea

A new stake was organized in Papua New Guinea on May 25th. The Lae Papua New Guinea Stake was organized from the Lae Papua New Guinea District (organized in 2017). The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Lae, Malahang, Ngasuwampu, Taraka, Wara Kalap, and Yalu Bridge Wards and the Kavieng and Yalu Branches. The creation of the new stake is a major success that would have been unlikely without the creation of the Papua New Guinea Lae Mission in 2013. More information about the creation of the new stake can be found here. The new stake is the Church's second stake to be created in northern Papua New Guinea within the past 12 months.

There are now four stakes and 10 districts in Papua New Guinea. 

Also, the Church's fifth stake in Papua New Guinea, the Oro Papua New Guinea Stake, is scheduled to be organized on June 15th. 

Peru

A new stake was organized in Peru on May 18th. The Lima Perú La Victoria Stake was organized from the Lima Perú Limatambo Stake (organized in 1970), the Lima Perú Magdalena Stake (organized in 1974), and the Lima Perú San Luis Stake (organized in 1983). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Balconcillo, the El Porvenir, the Jesús María, the La Victoria, and the Santa Beatriz Wards. 

There are now 50 stakes in the Lima metropolitan area - more than any other metropolitan area in the world outside of the United States.

There are now 116 stakes and 18 districts in Peru. The Cañete Perú Stake will be organized from the Cañete Perú District on June 22nd.

Tennessee

A new stake was created in Tennessee on June 8th from the Chattanooga Tennessee Stake. The new Cleveland Tennessee Stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Athens, Cleveland, Dalton, Dayton, and Ooltewah Wards and the Collegedale Branch. This new stake is the Church's second new stake to be created in Tennessee this year.

There are now 13 stakes in Tennessee.

Utah

A new stake was organized in Utah on June 8th. The Lehi Utah Hardman Farms Stake was organized from a division of the Lehi Utah Holbrook Farms Stake (organized in 2019). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Hardman Farms 1st, Hardman Farms 2nd, Hardman Farms 3rd, Hardman Farms 4th, Hardman Farms 5th, and the Hardman Farms 6th Wards.

There are now 25 stakes in Lehi. 

There are now 644 stakes and six districts in Utah. 

Virginia

A new stake was organized in Virginia on June 1st. The Mechanicsville Virginia Stake was organized from the Richmond Virginia Stake, the Richmond Virginia Chesterfield Stake, the Richmond Virginia Midlothian Stake, and the Newport News Virginia Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Chickahominy, Meadowbrook, Mechanicsville, Scotchtown, and Tappahannock Wards and the New Kent and Richmond Branches. 

There are now four stakes in the Richmond metropolitan area.

There are now 25 stakes in Virginia. 

Washington

A new stake was organized in Washington State on June 1st. The Moses Lake Washington Stake was organized from the Moses Lake Washington Stake and one branch from the Spokane Washington West Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Garden Heights, Larson Heights, O'Sullivan, Pioneer, and Ridgeview Wards and the Ritzville Branch. 

There are now two stakes in Moses Lake. 

There are now 62 stakes in Washington State.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)

Two new districts were recently organized in the DR Congo. 

The Bandundu DR Congo District was organized from three branches that formerly were under the direct supervision of the DR Congo Kinshasa South Mission, namely the Bandundu, Disasi, and Mayoyo Branches. All three branches are located in the city of Bandundu where the first branch was created in 2020.

The Tshitenge Democratic Republic of the Congo District was organized from four branches in the Dibindi DR Congo Stake (organized in 2022) and one recently organized mission branch (Lukalaba). The new district includes the following five branches: the Kabwe, Kambanja, Lukalaba, Sangu, and the Tshitenge Branches. The first branch in this area was created in Tshitenge in 2011 back when Mbuji-Mayi was a district.

Prospects appear favorable for the organization of many additional districts in the DR Congo due to the rapid and unprecedented expansion of the Church into previously unreached areas. Locations that appear likely to have districts organized within the near future include Boma (2 branches), Bukavu (2 branches), Kamanda (2 branches), Kikwit (3 branches), Kimpese (3 branches), Kipushi (2 branches), Luiza (2 branches), Muanda (2 branches), Tshikapa (2 branches), and Uvira (2 branches).

There are now 34 stakes and five districts in the DR Congo. On June 15th, three new stakes will be created in Kananga and one new stake will be created in Kinshasa, thereby bringing the total number of stakes in the country to 38.

Brazil

A district was recently discontinued in Brazil. The Três Rios Brazil District (organized in 2016) was discontinued. The district previously had five branches. Two branches in Três Rios were consolidated to create a ward in the Petrópolis Brazil Stake and one branch was also assigned to this stake. Another branch was reassigned to the Volta Redonda Brazil Stake (Vassouras) and another branch was discontinued (Valença).

There are now 288 stakes and 35 districts in Brazil. 

New Stakes Created in Nigeria (4), Utah (4), Arizona, the DR Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, California, Papua New Guinea, Texas, and Washington; District Discontinued in Cote d'Ivoire

Nigeria

Four new stakes have been created in Nigeria.

The Akure Nigeria Stake was organized on September 22nd from the Akure Nigeria District (organized in 2018). The new stake includes the following five wards and three branches: the Oba-Ile, the Oke Ijebu, the Oke-Aro, the Oluwatuyi, and the Oyemekun Wards and the Ado-Ekiti 1st, the Ado-Ekiti 2nd, and the Oda Branches. The new stake is the Church's second stake in Ondo State, Nigeria, where the first stake was organized in the city of Ondo in 2023.

The Jos Nigeria Stake was organized on September 22nd, 2024, from the Jos Nigeria District (organized in 1993).

The Lekki Nigeria Stake was organized on October 20th from a division of the Lagos Nigeria Yaba Stake (organized in 2011). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Ajah, the Badore, the Ikoyi, the Lakowe, the Lekki, and the Sangotedo Wards. The original Lagos Nigeria Yaba Stake was realigned to include two wards and two branches from the Lagos Nigeria Festac Stake (organized in 2015). There are now nine stakes and one district in the Lagos metropolitan area.

The Port Harcourt Nigeria Emouha Stake was organized on September 15th from Port Harcourt Nigeria Choba Stake (organized in 2018). The new stake includes the following four wards and four branches: the Isiodu, the Omoku, the Rumuchie, and the Rumuji Wards and the Abonnema, the Ahoada, the Mbuosi, and the Ogbogwu Branches. The original Port Harcourt Nigeria Choba Stake was realigned to include one ward and two branches from the Port Harcourt Nigeria North Stake and one ward from the Port Harcourt Nigeria West Stake. There are now eight stakes and one district in the Port Harcourt metropolitan area.

There are now 77 stakes and 13 districts in Nigeria.

Utah

Four new stake have recently been created in Utah.

The Logan Utah YSA 8th Stake was organized on September 15th. The new stake includes six wards, including the Logan YSA 4th, the Logan YSA 6th, the Logan YSA 7th, the Logan YSA 10th, the Logan YSA 24th, and the Logan YSA 46th Wards. There are now eight YSA stakes in the Logan area.

Spanish Fork Utah Sunny Ridge Stake was organized on September 15th from the Spanish Fork Utah Maple Mountain Stake (organized in 2010). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the East Bench, the Spanish Highlands 1st, the Spanish Highlands 2nd, the Sunny Ridge 1st, the Sunny Ridge 2nd, the Sunny Ridge 3rd, and the Spanish Fork 20th (Spanish) Wards. There are now 11 stakes in Spanish Fork.

The Provo Utah Married Student 4th Stake was organized on September 29th. The new stake includes the following eight wards: the Provo Married Student 16th, the Provo Married Student 17th, the Provo Married Student 19th, the Provo Married Student 24th, the Provo Married Student 25th, the Provo Married Student 26th, the Provo Married Student 42nd, and the Provo Married Student 43rd Wards. There are now four married student stakes in Provo.

The Provo Utah YSA 22nd Stake was organized on October 13th, 2024. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Provo YSA 30th (Spanish), the Provo YSA 31st, the Provo YSA 32nd, the Provo YSA 40th, the Provo YSA 41st, the Provo YSA 71st (Spanish), and the Provo YSA 75th (Spanish). There are now 22 YSA stakes in the Provo area.

There are now 645 stakes and 6 districts in Utah.

Arizona

The Kingman Arizona North Stake was organized on September 29th from a division of the Kingman Arizona Stake (organized in 1983). The new stake includes the following four wards and two branches: the Centennial Park, the Desert Willow, the Stockton Hill, and the White Cliffs Wards, and the Dolan Springs and Peach Springs Branches. The realigned Kingman Arizona Stake now has five wards and two branches. 

There are now 118 stakes in Arizona.

DR Congo

The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Binza UPN Stake was organized on September 15th from a division of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Mont Ngafula Stake (organized in 2008). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Badiadingi, the Binza UPN, the Buadi, the Lukunga, and the Nsanga Maba Wards. The new stake is the Church's 12th stake in Kinshasa where the first stake was organized in 1996. The new stake is the Church's first new stake to be created in Kinshasa since 2019, although most of the stakes in Kinshasa appear likely to divide within the immediate future, thereby bringing the total number of stakes in Kinshasa to as many as 15-18 within the next couple years. Currently, Kinshasa ties with Accra, Ghana as the metropolitan area on the Afroeurasian landmass with the second most stakes after Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (which has 14 stakes not counting the stake in Grand Bassam). 

There are now 29 stakes and 3 districts in the DR Congo. Prospects appear high for many new districts to be organized in cities that have recently had branches organized.

Cote d'Ivoire

A new stake was created in Cote d'Ivoire. The San Pedro Cote d'Ivoire Stake was organized from the San Pedro Cote d'Ivoire District (organized in 2014) and a portion of the Soubre Cote d'Ivoire District (organized in 2015) located in the city of Meagui. The Soubre Cote d'Ivoire District was discontinued, and the two branches in Soubre were reassigned directly to the Cote d'Ivoire Yamoussoukro Mission. Information on which of the nine branches have become wards in the new stake remains unavailable. There are now five stakes and four districts in the Cote d'Ivoire Yamoussoukro Mission.

There are now 21 stakes and 10 districts in Cote d'Ivoire.

California

The Bakersville California West Stake was organized on September 8th from a division of the Bakersfield California Stake (organized in 1951), the Bakersfield California East Stake (organized in 1978), and the Bakersfield California South Stake (organized in 1986). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Bakersfield 2nd, the Brimhall, the La Cresta (Spanish), the Meadows, the Stockdale, the Taft, and the White Oak YSA Wards. There are now four stakes in Bakersfield.

There are now 147 stakes in California.

Papua New Guinea

The Madang Papua New Guinea Stake was organized on September 22nd from the Madang Papua New Guinea District (organized in 2012). All five branches in the district became wards, including the Bilia, the Madang 1st, the Madang 2nd, the Madang 3rd, and the Wali Wards. Approximately 1,000 attended the special conference to create the new stake, which is the first stake ever to be organized within the boundaries of the Papua New Guinea Lae Mission and in northern Papua New Guinea. With 11 districts, the Church in Papua New Guinea appears likely to have additional districts become stakes within the foreseeable future. There are now three stakes in Papua New Guinea.

Texas

The Weslaco Texas Stake was organized on September 15th from the McAllen Texas Stake
(organized in 1975) and the McAllen Texas West Stake (organized in 2008 and renamed the Mission Texas Stake). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Hidalgo (Spanish), the Pharr 1st (Spanish), the Pharr 2nd, the Weslaco 1st, and the Weslaco 2nd (Spanish) Wards. There are now three stakes in the McAllen metropolitan area.

There are now 80 stakes and 2 districts in Texas.

Washington

The Pullman Washington Stake was organized on September 29th from the Moscow Idaho Stake (organized in 1974). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Colfax, the Pioneer Hill, the Pullman YSA, the Sunnyside, and the Terre View Wards. There are now 61 stakes in Washington.

In the United States, there are now 1,714 stakes and 10 districts. 

Eight New Temples Announced - Analysis

*First off, as a blogger and researcher who has tracked Church growth for 17 years, President Russell M. Nelson's unpredictability with making announcements definitely keeps me on my toes... We will see if there are more Church-growth related announcements tomorrow. I will do my best to be available to post if additional announcements are made.*

This evening, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct eight new temples. This is the first time that the Church has ever announced plans to construct new temples in the women's session of General Conference. With today's announcement, there will be 217 temples worldwide (166 dedicated, 51 announced or under construction). Of the eight new temples announced today, two were in countries where no temples operate or have been announced (Papua New Guinea and Sierra Leone) and one was in a state in the United States that has never had a temple announced (Arkansas). See below for analysis regarding each of these temple announcements:

Freetown Sierra Leone Temple
Freetown is the capital and most populous city in Sierra Leone. The Church organized its first branch in Sierra Leone in 1988, and organized the first mission in 2007 from a division of the Ghana Accra Mission. The Church in Sierra Leone has experienced moderate to rapid growth since its establishment approximately three decades ago. The first stake in Sierra Leone was organized in 2012 in Freetown. Today, there are six stakes and three districts in the country. Sierra Leone is also the country on mainland Sub-Saharan Africa with the highest percentage of Latter-day Saints in the population (approximately 0.34%). Sierra Leone is also the country in Sub-Saharan Africa with the lowest percentage of Christians (21%) with a mission headquartered in the country, and has the city with the highest percentage of Latter-day Saints in the general population among cities on the Afro-Eurasian landmass with 100,000 or more people (Bo is estimated at 3.5% Latter-day Saint). The new temple will also likely service members who live in neighboring African nations where no temples operate, such as Liberia (five stakes and one district), Senegal (two branches and one member group), and Guinea (one branch). Senior missionaries serving in the country have reported unprecedented interest and engagement from local members in temple and family history work. Sierra Leone currently pertains to the Accra Ghana Temple district. Prior to today's announcement, Sierra Leone was the country with the second most members without a temple (per year-end 2018 figures). There were 21,286 members as of year-end 2018. Member activity and convert retention rates in Sierra Leone have been moderate during the past 5-8 years, and were low prior to that time. Sierra Leone's population was most recently estimated at 6.3 million. The new temple will likely be a small temple under 25,000 square feet given recent trends with temple construction in Africa.

Orem Utah Temple
The Church announced its 22nd temple in Utah this evening. The new temple in Orem was likely announced to reduce overcrowding in neighboring temples in Provo and American Fork. The new temple will likely service 20-30 stakes in Orem and Lindon. Utah temples are among the busiest in the Church, and additional temples have been regularly announced to meet demand for temple attendance. There are over 2.1 million members of the Church in Utah. Given recent trends in temple construction in Utah, the Orem Utah Temple is likely to be a moderately-sized temple between 40,000 and 70,000 square feet.

Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple
Papua New Guinea has held the position as the country with the most Latter-day Saints without a temple since 2018 when a temple was announced for Nicaragua. The Church in Papua New Guinea has experienced moderate growth overall since its initial establishment in 1979. The first Papuan stake was organized in 1995 in Port Moresby and only one additional stake has since been organized (Daru in 2011). However, significant proliferation of districts has occurred in the past 20 years from two to 12. The Church in Papua New Guinea faces many significant challenges in regards to poverty, illiteracy, tribalism, geographical isolation, and language barriers. The greatest success with growth and high member activity and convert retention has occurred in Western Province, whereas the greatest challenges in member activity and leadership development have appeared to occur in Port Moresby (where the Church still has only one stake despite efforts for many years to organize more stakes). Nevertheless, senior missionaries report plans for additional districts to become stakes in the near future. Only 0.40% of the national population is a Latter-day Saint - one of the lowest percentages in Oceania. There are 28,249 Latter-day Saints in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea's population was most recently estimated at seven million. The new temple may also service members in the Solomon Islands (one district) given similarities with language and geographical proximity. The new temple will likely be a small temple under 20,000 square feet given recent trends in temple construction. Also, it is likely that the new temple will include patron housing to accommodate members who travel long distances to reach the temple.

Bentonville Arkansas Temple
Northwestern Arkansas has been one of my top predictions for a new temple for over a decade due to a growing and sizable concentration of Latter-day Saints far from the nearest temple (the Rogers metropolitan area is divided between the Kansas City Missouri Temple and the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple). The new temple is the Church's first temple in Arkansas. Prior to today's announcement, Arkansas was the state with the third most Latter-day Saints without a temple (after Kansas and New Jersey). The Church has reported slow to moderate growth in Arkansas as a whole within the past 30 years albeit the percentage of Latter-day Saints in the population has doubled during this time to 1.05% as of 2018. Of the three stakes headquartered in extreme northwestern Arkansas, two have been organized since 2005. The new temple will likely service members from four stakes in Arkansas and five stakes in southern Missouri. The new temple appears likely to be a small-to-moderate size temple between 20,00 and 50,000 square feet given recent trends in temple construction in areas of the United States that service similarly-sized numbers of Latter-day Saints.

Bacolod Philippines Temple
The Church announced its seventh temple for the Philippines in Bacolod. Bacolod is the most populous city (over 600,000 inhabitants in 2015) on the island of Negros in the Philippines. The new temple is the Church's second temple to be announced for the Visayas region of the Philippines (islands between Luzon and Mindanao) - the first being the Cebu City Philippines Temple which was dedicated in 2010. Of the 101 administrative divisions in the Philippines, Bacolod ranks as the highest for the percentage of government census-reported Latter-day Saints at 0.76% in 2015. The new temple will likely service 12 stakes and five districts on the islands of Negros and Panay. The first branch of the Church in Bacolod was created in 1967, and the first stake in Bacolod was organized in 1981. There are three stakes in the city of Bacolod - the newest of which was created in 2000. The new temple will likely be a small temple under 30,000 square feet given recent trends for temple construction in the region. The Church in the Philippines has experienced significant progress with increases in the number of active members and the maturation of districts into stakes. Today, there are 114 stakes and 63 districts in the Philippines. There were 785,164 members in the Philippines as of year-end 2018 - the fourth highest in the world after the United States, Mexico, and Brazil.

McAllen Texas Temple
Latter-day Saints in extreme southern Texas have hoped for many years to have a temple announced given significant challenges with long distance to the nearest temple in San Antonio, Texas. The new temple will likely include nine stakes and one district in southern Texas and northern Mexico. There are two stakes in McAllen and one stake in Harlingen. Stakes in Laredo (organized in 2018) and Corpus Christi will also likely pertain to the new temple district. The first stake in extreme southern Texas was organized in 1975. The area has historically struggled with low convert retention and member activity rates. Many, if not most, members in the region are Spanish-speaking. The new temple appears likely to be a small temple under 30,000 square feet.

There are now five temples (four dedicated) in Texas. The Church in Texas reported 357,625 members at year-end 2018.

Cobán Guatemala Temple
The Church announced its third temple for Guatemala today. The Cobán Guatemala Temple will likely be a small temple under 20,000 square feet given there are only four stakes and three districts in northern Guatemala. Nevertheless, this area of Guatemala has recently experienced significant progress with growth as evidenced by increases in the number of congregations and the organization of three new stakes within the past four years - including the first two Q'eqchi'-speaking stakes in the Church. Returned missionaries and local members report good member activity rates in many areas, particularly rural ones inhabited by the Q'eqchi' people, whereas more populous urban areas appear to have low activity rates. The new temple will likely also serve neighboring Belize where there are two districts. Historically, the Church in Guatemala has experienced slow membership and congregational growth within the past 20 years albeit there have been significant improvements in increases in number of active members per congregation during this period. There were 277,755 members in Guatemala as of year-end 2018.

Taylorsville Utah Temple
The Church also announced Utah's 23rd temple this evening for Taylorsville. The new temple appears likely to serve 30-40 stakes in West Valley City, Magna, Taylorsville, Kearns, and Murray. This area of the Salt Lake Metropolitan area numbers among the least reached urban areas in regards to proximity to a temple, but it also numbers among urban Utah areas where the Church has reported its largest decreases in the number of wards and branches during the past 15 years. This has appeared primarily driven by active Latter-day Saint families who move away from these older communities in search of newer, larger, and/or less expensive homes. Members in Taylorsville and West Valley City generally attend the Jordan River Utah Temple, Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple, or Salt Lake Temple.

Eight New Temples Announced

This evening, President Russell M. Nelson announced eight new temples in the following locations:

• Freetown, Sierra Leone 
• Orem, Utah 
• Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Bentonville, Arkansas 
• Bacolod, Philippines 
• McAllen, Texas 
• Cobán, Guatemala 
• Taylorsville, Utah 

With today's announcement, there are now 217 temples announced or dedicated temples worldwide.

New Stakes Created in El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Missouri, New York, Nigeria, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, and Texas; New Districts Created in Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Sierra Leone; District Discontinued in Poland and South Korea

NEW STAKES

El Salvador
The Church organized a new stake in El Salvador on June 18th. The San Vicente El Salvador Stake was organized from the San Vicente El Salvador District (organized in 1995) and a portion of the San Salvador El Salvador Stake. The new stake includes the following three wards and five branches: the La Paz, Los Nonualcos, and Zacatecoluca Wards, and the Cojutepeque, Ilobasco, Sensuntepeque, La Espiga, and La Torre Branches. At least two of the branches have likely become wards. However, this information has not yet been updated in the official directory. The San Vicente El Salvador District was the last district of the Church in El Salvador. Now, the entire country is administered by stakes.

There are now 20 stakes in El Salvador.

Ghana
The Church organized a new stake in Ghana on June 25th. The Koforidua Ghana Stake was created from the the Koforidua Ghana District. The new stake includes the following seven wards and four branches: the Adweso, Asokore, Effiduase, Koforidua 1st, Koforidua 2nd, Oyoko, and Suhum Wards, and the Maase, Mile 50, Osiem, and Tafo Branches. Coincidentally, the original Koforidua Ghana District was also organized on June 25th in 1995. The Church experienced slow growth in Koforidua until a few years ago. Approximately half of the congregations in the new stake were organized within the past two years. Koforidua is the eighth metropolitan area or large city in Ghana to have had a stake organized.

There are now 20 stakes and 11 districts in Ghana.

Guatemala
The Church organized two new stakes in Guatemala.

The Senahu Guatemala Stake was organized from the Senahu Guatemala District on June 4th. The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Providencia, Santiaguila, Seamay 2nd, Vega, and Yalijux Wards, and the Chijolom, Seamay 1st, Semarac, and Seriquiche Branches. As previously reported, the new stake is the first Q'eqchi'-speaking stake in the Church.

The Guatemala City Don Justo Stake was organized on June 18th from a division of the Guatemala City Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Arrazola, Don Justo, El Pajón, Fraijanes, Las Flores, and San José Pinula Wards. The new stake is the Church's 22nd stake in the Guatemala City metropolitan area.

There are now 48 stakes and 15 districts in Guatemala.

Honduras
The Church organized a new stake in Tegucigalpa on June 25th. The Tegucigalpa Honduras Villa Olímpica Stake appeared to be organized from a division of the Tegucigalpa Honduras La Esperanza Stake. No information is currently available regarding which congregations are assigned to the new stake. The new stake is the Church's 12th stake in the Tegucigalpa metropolitan area. Tegucigalpa also reports one of the highest percentages of Latter-day Saints of any major city of the world as the city appears to be at least 3.65% LDS.

There are now 30 stakes and five districts in Honduras.

Mexico
The Church organized a new stake in Mexico for the first time since 2013. The Puebla México Arboledas Stake was organized from the Puebla México Mayorazgo Stake (renamed the Puebla México Angelópolis Stake) on June 25th. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Castillotla, Dieciseis de Septiembre, El Refugio, Loma Bella, San Ramón, and Tres Cerritos Wards. There are now 13 stakes in the Puebla-Tlaxcala-Atlixco metropolitan area.

There are now 231 stakes and 41 districts in Mexico.

Missouri
The Church organized a new stake in the St Louis metropolitan area for the first time since 1987. The Hazelwood Missouri Stake was organized from a division of the St Louis Missouri North Stake (renamed the Lake St Louis Missouri Stake) and the St Louis Missouri Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Alton, Hazelwood, Maryland Heights, St Charles, St Peters, and Weldon Spring Wards, and the San Carlos Branch (Spanish). There are now four stakes in the St Louis metropolitan area.

There are now 18 stakes in Missouri.

New York
The Church organized its third YSA stake east of the Mississippi River on June 18th. The New York New York YSA Stake was organized from YSA wards and branches from several stakes in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The new stake includes the following five wards and five branches: the Harlem YSA, Hoboken YSA, Lincoln Square YSA, Manhattan YSA, and Waveny Park YSA Wards, and the Brooklyn YSA, East Brunswick YSA, Manhattan SA, Plainview YSA, and Queens YSA Branches. YSA stakes in the eastern United States also operate in Buena Vista, Virginia (organized in 2012) and Washington DC (organized in 2016).

There are now 17 stakes and one district in New York.

Nigeria
The Church organized its first stake in Bayelsa State, Nigeria on May 14th. The Yenagoa Nigeria Stake was organized from the Yenagoa Nigeria District. The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Akenfa, Iboghene, Kpansia, Onopa-Ovom, Opolo, and Yenezuepie Wards, and the Amassoma and Azikoro Branches. The Church organized its first branch in Bayelsa State in 2009 and organized the Yenagoa Nigeria District in 2013.

There are now 43 stakes and 15 districts in Nigeria.

Philippines
The Church organized three new stakes in the Philippines

The Puerto Princesa Philippines Stake was organized on May 21st from the Puerto Princesa Philippines District (organized in 1987). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Puerto Princesa 1st, Puerto Princesa 2nd, Roxas, Santa Monica 1st, and Santa Monica 2nd Wards, and the Coron and Taytay Branches. The new stake is the first stake to be organized on Palawan Island - home to 1.1 million people.

The Olongapo Philippines Stake was organized on June 4th from the Olongapo Philippines District (organized in 1978). The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Cabalan, Calapacuan, Olongapo 1st, Olongapo 2nd, and Olongapo 3rd Wards, and the Mabayo and Morong Branches. The Church previously operated a stake in Olongapo between 1989 and 1993, but discontinued the stake and reverted it back to a district due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo forcing the resettlement of many Latter-day Saints who lived in the area.

The San Jose del Monte Philippines North Stake was organized from a division of the San Jose del Monte Philippines Stake on June 18th. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Francisco Homes, Kaypian, Minuyan, Santo Cristo, and Sapang Palay Wards. Rapid growth has occurred in San Jose del Monte since the original San Jose del Monte Philippines District became a stake in 2013.

There are now 99 stakes and 75 districts in the Philippines. The Church will organized its 100th stake in the Philippines within the next couple months.

Sierra Leone
The Church organized its second stake in Sierra Leone on June 18th. The Kissy Sierra Leone Stake was organized from the Kissy Sierra Leone District. Most of the nine branches in the former district have appeared to be organized into wards in the new stake. Additionally, missionaries report that there are plans to organize three additional stakes before the end of the year in Bo and Kenema. Also, the Freetown Sierra Leone Stake now has 11 wards and one branch, and the stake appears likely to divide to create another stake. Thus, there may be as many as six stakes in Sierra Leone by late 2017 or early 2018.

There are now two stakes and six districts in Sierra Leone.

Texas
The Church organized a new stake in Texas on May 21st. The Tomball Texas Stake was organized from a division of the Klein Texas Stake and The Woodlands Texas Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Champions, Gleannloch Farms, Inverness, Magnolia 1st, Memorial Springs, Parkway, and Tomball 2nd Wards. The new stake is the Church's 18th stake in the Houston metropolitan area.

There are now 74 stakes and three districts in Texas.

NEW DISTRICTS

Brazil
The Church organized a new district in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil on June 4th. The Cabo Frio Brazil District was organized from a division of the Macaé Brazil Stake. The new district includes the following three branches: the Araruama, Búzios, and Cabo Frio. The Araruama and
Búzios Branches were organized in 2015.

There are now 266 stakes and 40 districts in Brazil.

Cote d'Ivoire
The Church organized a new district in Cote d'Ivoire on May 14th. The Alepe Cote d'Ivoire District was organized from a division of the Aboisso Cote d'Ivoire District. The new district includes the following five branches: the Ahoutoue 1st, Ahoutoue 2nd, Alepe 1st, Alepe 2nd, and the Alepe Cote d'Ivoire District Branch. Four of the five branches in the new district have been organized since October 2015.

There are now 11 stakes and 13 districts in Cote d'Ivoire.

Fiji
The Church organized a new district in Fiji on June 4th. The Labasa Fiji District was organized from a division of the Taveuni Fiji District. The new district includes the following seven branches: the Labasa, Nabua, Nakawakawa, Nuku, Savusavu, Seaqaqa, and Tukavesi Branches. The Church had previously operated a district headquartered in Labasa between 1989 and 2008.

There are now four stakes and three districts in Fiji.

Papua New Guinea
The Church organized a new district in Papua New Guinea on June 25th. The Lae Papua New Guinea District was organized from four mission branches in the Papua New Guinea Lae Mission. The new district includes the following four branches: the Lae, Ngasuwampu, Taraka, and Yalu Branches. Three of these four branches were organized in late May 2017.

There are now two stakes and 12 districts in Papua New Guinea.

Sierra Leone
The Church organized a new district in Sierra Leone on May 21st. The Makeni Sierra Leone District was organized from three mission branches in Makeni. These branches include the Makama, Rogbaneh, and Teko Road Branches. The Church organized its first branch in Makeni in 2013.

There are now two stakes and six districts in Sierra Leone

DISCONTINUED DISTRICTS

Poland
The Church recently discontinued the Bydgoszcz Poland District. The four branches that previously pertained to the district have since been reassigned to the Poland Warsaw Mission or the Warsaw Poland District.

There are now two districts in Poland.

South Korea
The Church discontinued a district in South Korea. The Hongseong Korea District was discontinued and two of the three branches in the former district were closed. Branches within the district have struggled for decades with few active members and a lack of priesthood leadership. The area previously administered by the district now pertains to the Daejeon Korea Stake.

There are now 13 stakes and five districts in South Korea.

New Stakes Created in Argentina, Arizona, Australia, Benin, Bolivia, the Czech Republic, the DR Congo, Nigeria, Tennessee, and Utah; District Reinstated in Ukraine; Stake Discontinued in Idaho; Districts Discontinued in the Czech Republic and Papua New Guinea

I have gotten a bit behind with all of the new stake creations. Here we go!

Argentina
The Church organized a new stake in Cordoba Province on May 8th. The Bell Ville Argentina Stake was organized from the Bell Ville Argentina District: The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Arroyito, Bell Ville, General Paz, Lamadrid, and San Francisco 1st Wards, and the Las Varillas, Leones, Marcos Juárez, and San Francisco 2nd Branches.

There are now 75 stakes and 29 districts in Argentina.

Arizona
The Church organized a new stake in the Mesa area on May 1st. The Mesa Arizona Flatiron Stake was organized from a division of the Apache Junction Arizona Stake (renamed the Peralta Trail Arizona Stake) and the Mesa Arizona Salt River Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Boulder Mountain, Ironwood, Ocotillo, Signal Butte 1st, and Twin Knolls Wards, and the Adobe Branch (Spanish).

There are now 105 stakes in Arizona.

Australia
The Church organized a new stake in the Sydney area on May 1st. The Sydney Australia Prairiewood Stake was organized from a division of the Liverpool Australia and Sydney Australia Fairfield Stakes. So far, confirmation is available for only four of the wards assigned to the new stake: Green Valley 1st, Green Valley 2nd (Samoan), Prairiewood 1st, and Prairiewood 3rd (Samoan). It is likely that one or two additional wards are assigned to the new stake.

There are now 40 stakes and eight districts in Australia.

Benin
The Church organized its first stake in Benin on April 24th. The Cotonou Benin Stake was organized from the Cotonou Benin Stake. Missionaries report that the new stake includes eight wards and six branches. However, there is currently only confirmation on four branches that have become wards: Cococodji, Fidjrosse, Finagnon, and Menontin.

There is now one stake and no districts in Benin.

Bolivia
The Church organized a new stake in southern Bolivia on May 15th. The Tarija Bolivia Tabladita Stake was organized from a division of the Tarija Bolivia Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Central, Cuatro de Julio, Panamericano, Senac, and Tabladita Ward. Tarija now numbers among four other cities in Bolivia where the Church operates at least two stakes within a single city.

There are now 28 stakes and eight districts in Bolivia.

Czech Republic
The Church organized its first stake in the Czech Republic on May 15th. The Prague Czech Republic Stake was organized from the Prague Czech Republic and the Brno Czech Republic Districts. The new stake includes the following six wards and seven branches: the Brno, Hradec Kralove, Jicin, Ostrava, Prague, and Plzen Wards, and the Ceske Budejovice, Jihlava, Liberec, Olomouc, Trebic, Uherske Hradiste, and Zlin Branches. As part of the creation of the new stake, the Brno Czech District was discontinued.

There is now one stake and no districts in the Czech Republic.

DR Congo
The Church organized its fourth stake in the Kasai Region of the central DR Congo on April 24th. The Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake was organized from the Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo District. The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Bipemba, Dibindi, Diulu, Misesa, Muya 1st, and Muya 2nd Wards, and the Tshikama and Tshitenge Branches. Mbuji-Mayi will also headquarter the Church's third mission in the DR Congo this July.

There are now 14 stakes and three districts in the DR Congo.

Nigeria
The Church organized a new stake in southeastern Nigeria on May 1st. The Ikot Eyo Nigeria Stake was organized from the Nsit Ubium Nigeria Stake (renamed Ukat Aran Nigeria Stake) and the Ibesikpo Nigeria District. The new stake includes the following four wards and six branches: the Ikot Ekwere, Ikot Eyo 1st, Ikot Eyo 2nd, and Ikot Eyo 3rd Wards, and the Ikot Akpan Abia, Ikot Ebre, Ikot Esen, Ikot Oku Iyan, Ikot Udofia, and Ndikpo Atang Branches. It is likely that one or more of these six branches have also been advanced into wards but this information may not be available due to delays in the Church updating this information. It is significant to note that Ikot Eyo is the location of the Church's first branch organized in Nigeria in 1978. The population of the local government area (LGA) of Nsit Ubium may be as high as 5-10% LDS at present due to steady growth within the past three and a half decades.

There are now 34 stakes and 19 districts in Nigeria.

Tennessee
The Church organized a new stake in Tennessee on May 1st. The Cookeville Tennessee Stake was organized from a division of the McMinnville Tennessee and Madison Tennessee Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and three branches: the Burgess Falls, Cookeville, Crossville, Jamestown, Lebanon 1st, and Tompkinsville Wards, and the Lebanon 2nd (Spanish), Livingston, and Sparta Branches.

There are now 12 stakes in Tennessee.

Utah
The Church organized a new stake in Utah County on May 15th. The Saratoga Springs Utah Mount Saratoga Stake was organized from a division of the Saratoga Springs Utah Crossroads Stake. The new stake includes the following eight wards: the Riverside 1st, Riverside 2nd, Saratoga Springs 7th , Saratoga Springs 10th, Sunrise Meadows 1st, Sunrise Meadows 2nd, Sunrise Meadows 3rd, and Sunset Haven Wards.

There are now 579 stakes and one district in Utah.

Ukraine
The Church reinstated a district in central Ukraine. The Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine District was organized from four mission branches that pertained to the Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk Mission. The new district includes the following five branches: the Dnepropetrovsk Livoberezhna, Dnepropetrovsk Pobedy, Dnepropetrovsk Tsentralny, Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine District, and Zaporizhzhia Branches.

There is now one stake and four districts in Ukraine.

Idaho
The Church recently discontinued a stake in Idaho. The Moscow Idaho University Stake was discontinued. Most wards in the former stake were student married wards and these congregations were consolidated with family wards in the Moscow area.

There are now 126 stakes in Idaho.

Papua New Guinea
The Church recently discontinued a district in Papua New Guinea. The Kuriva Papua New Guinea District was discontinued and all four branches in the former district were reassigned to the neighboring Gerehu Papua New Guinea District. Over 500 members attended the conference when the districts were consolidated (click here to access a news article on this conference). The decision to consolidate the districts appeared motivated from continued declining LDS growth in the Port Moresby area and a possible effort to organize a second stake in the region within the near future.

There are now two stakes and 11 districts in Papua New Guinea.

New Stakes created in Arizona and Washington; New Districts Created in Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Russia

Arizona

The Church organized a new stake in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area on March 6th. The Mesa Arizona Red Mountain Stake was organized from a division of the Mesa Arizona Alta Mesa Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Adobe Villa, Granite Reef, Mountain Vista, Preston, Red Mountain, and Vista Peaks Wards.

There are now 102 stakes in Arizona.

Washington
The Church organized a new stake in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. The Enumclaw Washington Stake was organized on March 13th from a division of the Maple Valley Washington, Graham Washington, and Puyallup Washington Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards and one branch: the Buckley 1st, Buckley 2nd, Enumclaw 1st, Enumclaw 2nd, Enumclaw 3rd, Orting, and Victor Falls Wards and the Mount Peak Branch (Spanish).

There are now 59 stakes in Washington State.

Nigeria
The Church organized a new district in southeastern Nigeria on March 6th. The Etinan Nigeria North District was organized from a division of the Etinan Nigeria Stake. Although official information on congregations assigned to the district remains unavailable, it appears that five branches are assigned to the new district: Afaha Nsit, Ikot Ananga, Ikot Ebo 1st, Ikot Ebo 2nd, and Ikot Obio Asanga.

There are now 33 stakes and 20 districts in Nigeria.

Papua New Guinea
The Church reinstated the Isumo Papua New Guinea District on March 6th. The district was organized from a division of the Daru Papua New Guinea Stake. The Church had previously operated the Isumo Papua New Guinea District from 2002 until 2008. During this six-year period, the district included three branches: Isumo, Sogere, and Suki. In 2008, the district was consolidated with the Daru Papua New Guinea District in preparation to create the Daru Papua New Guinea Stake in 2011.

The reinstatement of the Isumo Papua New Guinea District has coincided with the downgrading of the Isumo Ward into a branch and the organization of two new branches: Gesowa and Sagero. The conference to reinstate the district had 400 members in attendance. There are 800 members in the new district. Reports indicate that members live throughout islands on the Fly River delta. Thus, several member groups may also operate in the new district.

The Church has achieved rapid growth in Papua New Guinea's Western Province within the past six or seven years. Today each of the three original branches in the former Isumo Papua New Guinea District (2002-2008) have become separate districts. The number of congregations (wards and branches) in the region increased from seven in the late 2000s to 27 at present.

For more information on the organization of the new district, refer to a recent article on the Papua New Guinea Mormon Newsroom website here.

Russia
The Church organized a new district in Siberia. The Irkutsk Russia District was organized from three mission branches in the Russia Vladivostok Mission on March 13th. The new district includes the following four branches: the Angarsk, Irkutsk, Irkutsk Russia District, and Ulan-Ude Branches. Missionaries serving in the region report good improvements in church attendance in recent months. However, some branches such as the Angarsk Branch (organized in 2015) have fewer than 20 active members. The Church has never previously operated a district in the Lake Baikal region of Siberia.

There are now three stakes and nine districts in Russia.

District Discontinued in Papua New Guinea

A district was discontinued in Papua New Guinea.

Originally organized in 1993, the Nine Mile Papua New Guinea District was consolidated with the Gerehu Papua New Guinea District.  The realigned Gerehu Papua New Guinea District includes the following five branches: Eight Mile, Gerehu, Makana, Nine Mile, and Tokarara.  Two branches were closed in the former Nine Mile Papua New Guinea District (Morobe and Saivara) and one branch was closed within the original boundaries of the Gerehu Papua New Guinea District (Waigani).  The consolidation of the two districts may be part of plans for the district to become a stake within the foreseeable future.  See below for an updated map of LDS units in the Port Moresby area.

View Wards and Branches in Papua New Guinea in a larger map
The Church has experienced congregational decline in the Port Moresby metropolitan area within recent years whereas rapid congregational growth has occurred in many other areas of the country during this time.  Earlier this year one of the wards in the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Stake was closed and the stake now has a mere four wards and two branches.  A lack of LDS growth in Port Moresby may delay the announcement of a temple for Papua New Guinea as the Church currently lacks a sufficiently large center of strength that could support its own temple.

There are now two stakes and 11 districts in Papua New Guinea.

New District Created in Papua New Guinea

Missionaries serving in Papua New Guinea report that the 12th district in the country was organized on February 14th.  The Sepik River Papua New Guinea District was created in northern Papua New Guinea and likely includes four branches in Angoram, Moim, Pinang, and Wewak which previously pertained to no stake or district.  Rapid growth in the number of active members appears to have occurred among these four branches as mission leadership was anticipating up to 3,000 in attendance at the organization of the new district, but due to poor weather conditions only 300 attended the conference.  The new district becomes the sixth district in the country created by the Church within the past two years.

New Mission in Oceania; Mission to be Closed in Russia

Oceania

Missionaries report that the Fiji Suva and Papua New Guinea Port Moresby Missions will split to create a third mission to service New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.  Steady membership and congregational growth have occurred in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in the past few years whereas stagnant growth has occurred in New Caledonia.  The organization of the new mission will allocate more mission resources in areas which have a favorable outlook for future growth that at present are under-serviced. The first stake may be organized in Vanuatu in the coming years.

Russia

Missionaries report that the Russia Moscow and Russia Moscow West Missions will consolidate into a single mission.  More information will be provided once available regarding the assignment of Belarus and Kazakhstan to other missions.

New District in Papua New Guinea

A new district was organized last Wednesday in Papua New Guinea in Madang.  The Madang Lae Papua New Guinea District includes two branches in Madang and one branch in Lae.  The new district becomes the first of its kind in Papua New Guinea to cover such a large geographical area and is the first new district organized within the past decade with as few branches.  The Church has experienced slow growth in this region of the country, but the organization of the new district may indicate that growth has accelerated and additional branches may be organized in the near future although church leadership has not confirmed this assumption.

There are now two stakes and 11 districts in Papua New Guinea.  The Church in Papua New Guinea would greatly benefit from the organization of a second mission to meet the large administrative burden on mission leaders and to spur greater national outreach expansion. 

New District in Papua New Guinea

A new district was organized in Papua New Guinea.  The Moveave Papua New Guinea District includes seven branches between Kukipi and Morovamu and becomes the country's tenth district.  Two stakes also operate in Papua New Guinea (1995) and Daru (2011).

Countries with the most Latter-day Saints without an LDS temple

Below is a list of the countries and territories with the most Latter-day Saints without an LDS temple.  The number of members reported by the LDS Church in 2010 and the current number of stakes, districts, and congregations are provided for each nation/territory.  The names of temples which administer these countries/territories currently are also provided.  The list from October 2008 can be found here.

1. Nicaragua

• 71,888 members
• 9 stakes, 6 districts
• 102 congregations
• Guatemala City Guatemala Temple 

2.  Democratic Republic of the Congo

• 27,058 members
• 9 stakes, 3 districts
• 103 congregations
• Johannesburg South Africa Temple

3. Russia

• 21,023 members
• 1 stake, 12 districts
• 115 congregations
• Kyiv Ukraine Temple (1 stake, 11 districts); Helsinki Finland Temple (1 district); Seoul Korea Temple (mission branches in the Russia Vladivostok Mission)

4. Puerto Rico

• 20,785 members
• 5 stakes
• 41 congregations
• Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple

5. Zimbabwe

• 18,549 members
• 4 stakes, 1 district
• 49 congregations
• Johannesburg South Africa Temple

6. Papua New Guinea

• 18,336 members
• 2 stakes, 9 districts
• 72 congregations
• Sydney Australia Temple

7. Haiti

• 16,902 members
• 2 stakes, 2 districts
• 33 congregations
• Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple

8. Thailand

• 16,331 members
• 1 stake, 5 districts
• 36 congregations
• Hong Kong China Temple

9. Cote d'Ivoire

• 15,638 members
• 4 stakes, 1 district
• 39 congregations
• Accra Ghana Temple

10. American Samoa

• 15,159 members
• 4 stakes
• 37 congregations
• Apia Samoa Temple

New Stakes Organized in Utah and Venezuela; New Districts Organized in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea

Utah

A new young single adult (YSA) stake has been organized in Utah.  The Alpine Utah YSA Stake was created for YSA units in the Alpine area and became Utah's 55th YSA stake.  There are now 556 stakes in Utah.

Venezuela

A new stake has been created in Venezuela.  The San Cristobal Venezuela Pirineos Stake was created from a division of the San Cristobal Venezuela Stake and includes five wards and one branch.  The San Cristobal Venezuela Stake at present also has five wards and one branch.  Congregational growth and the maturation of branches into wards has occurred rapidly in San Cristobal as a year ago there were only five wards and five branches in the stake.  Since the departure of North American missionaries in 2005 membership and congregational growth rates have plummeted in Venezuela but several new stakes have been organized recently as branches have become wards and a few new wards have been organized.  There are now 32 stakes and 8 branches in Venezuela.

Malaysia

A new district was organized in East Malaysia.  The Bintulu East Malaysia District was created from a division of the Miri East Malaysia District and includes three branches in Bintulu.  The district in Miri currently includes two branches and two groups.  It is unusual for a new district to be organized from a preexisting district and the original district retaining only two branches.  This may indicate that additional branches will be organized in Miri in the near future.  The growth of the number of LDS districts in East Malaysia has been rapid since 2000 as districts were organized in Kuching (2003), Miri (2008), and Sibu (2009).  There are no seven districts in East Malaysia and none appear close to becoming stakes within the near future.


Papua New Guinea

A new district has been organized in Suki, Papua New Guinea from a single branch that once pertained to the Daru Papua New Guinea District (which became a stake a couple Sundays ago).  Four additional branches were organized from the Suki Branch: The Kiru, Eniawa, Pukaduka, and Sapuka Branches.  Phenomenal, unprecedented congregational growth has occurred in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea since late 2010 when the Sogere Papua New Guinea District was organized from a single branch that has divided into nine branches at present.  There are now two stakes and nine districts in Papua New Guinea.

New Stakes Organized in Honduras, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Venezuela

Honduras

The LDS Church organized its first new stake in Honduras since 1997.  The Tegucigalpa Honduras Loarque Stake was organized from the Tegucigalpa Honduras Toncontin Stake and includes the following five wards and two branches: The Jardines de Toncontin, Nuevo Loarque, Pedregal, Roble Oeste, and Tizatillo Wards and the Ojojona and Villeda Branches.  Congregational growth rates have rebounded in the past year in Honduras although they are far below membership growth rates, indicating ongoing retention and leadership challenges.  Progress has occurred in northern Honduras and several stakes appear close to splitting in the coming years as stakes in La Ceiba, Fesitrahn, and San Pedro El Progreso each have nine wards.  There are now 21 stakes and seven districts in Honduras.

Papua New Guinea

The Church organized its second stake in Papua New Guinea.  The Daru Papua New Guinea Stake includes the following six wards and one branch: The Daru 1st, Daru 2nd, Isumo, Tawoti, and Tawo'o Wards and the Suki Branch.  Five of the six wards are located on Daru Island, which is a small island off the mainland of New Guinea Island with approximately 13,000 inhabitants.  The recently organized Sogere Papua New Guinea District pertained to the Daru Papua New Guinea District prior its creation in late 2010 and church growth in the region has been steady and sustainable as indicated by increases in the number of congregations.  A further indication of strength in the newly organized stake in Daru is that one of the branches which became a ward - the Tawoti Ward - was organized as a branch not even six months ago.  At present no additional districts in Papua New Guinea appear close to becoming stakes as many districts have an inadequate number of total members and congregations, but additional districts appear likely to be organized in Kukipi and Angoram.  There are now two stakes and eight districts in Papua New Guinea.  

The Philippines

The Church created a new stake in the Philippines from a division of a preexisting stake for the first time in over a decade.  The Makati Philippines East Stake was organized from the Makati Philippines Stake and includes six wards: The Bonifacio 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and Makati 1st Wards.  A few stakes appear close to dividing in the near future in Butuan (10 wards, one branch), Cavite (10 wards and one branch), and Tuguegarao (9 wards, 4 branches).  There are several districts throughout the Philippines which appear close to becoming stakes.  There are now 81 stakes and 85 districts in the Philippines.

Venezuela

Another new stake was organized in Venezuela.  The Cagua Venezuela Stake was organized from the Maracay Venezuela Stake and includes the following seven wards: The Cagua, La Mora, La Victoria, San Juan de los Morros, Sorocaima, Turmero, and Villa de Cura Wards.  Of Venezuela's 31 LDS stakes, half have been organized since 2000.  Only a couple stakes appear likely to divide to create new stakes in the foreseeable future, the Ciudad Ojeda Venezuela and the San Cristobal Venezuela Stakes.  There are also eight districts functioning in the country, some of which appear close to becoming stakes.

Unprecedented LDS Church Growth in Western Papua New Guinea

The Church has entered a phase of rapid congregational growth in the Sogere area of the Western Province of Papua New Guinea as demonstrated by the number of LDS branches increasing from one to nine in a matter of a few months.  In late 2010, the Church operated one LDS branch, the Sogere Branch, in a rural, sparsely populated area which formerly pertained to the Daru Papua New Guinea District.  The Sogere Papua New Guinea District was organized before the end of 2010 when four additional branches were formed nearby Sogere (Bimaramio, Miruwo, Oropai, and Sisiami).  Since the creation of the new district, four additional branches have also been organized (Bina, Bunigi, Kamusi, and Torobina).  Notwithstanding the Sogere Papua New Guinea District is the newest LDS district in the country, it currently has the most congregations.  Each of the aforementioned branches in the Sogere area appear to function in villages with only a few hundred inhabitants.

The successive organization of so many branches in a sparsely populated area with a minimal past LDS presence is an amazing feat considering all nine branches appear to have native branch presidents.  It is unclear what sparked the rapid expansion of the Church in the area.  Some branches likely operated as dependent branches or groups until greater self-sufficiency was achieved to merit the organization of independent congregations.  The rapid expansion in the number of LDS congregations in Sogere is of paramount importance to LDS mission leaders and planners as it illustrates that success in rapid national outreach expansion in rural areas has potential to produce impressive results  I do not believe there has been any comparable breakthrough for the LDS Church in any other sparsely populated rural area of any country with over one million people to date as manifest by rapid congregational growth occurring in a matter of months.  Time will tell whether these newly organized congregations will continue to operate, whether additional congregations will continue to be organized in the area, and whether the Church can produce similar results in other areas of Papua New Guinea or other nations.

New Stake in Brazil and New District in Papua New Guinea

New stake in Brazil

The Church created a new stake in Brazil last weekend in Para State. The Castanhal Brazil Stake was created for the Castanhal Brazil District and includes five wards, all of which were created from the five branches in the former district. Full-time missionaries have reported that the district would soon become a stake for several months. The new stake become Brazil's 234th stake. There are now 49 districts in the country. Four stakes now operate Para state, one of which was created from a district (Santarém ) earlier this year.

A new stake will likely be created in Belem region of Para in the near future as the Belem Brazil Cabanagem Stake now has 11 wards and one branch as two new wards were recently created. Despite recent growth in Para, it remains one of the least reached states by the Church in Brazil as there are dozens of large cities without an LDS presence.

New District in Papua New Guinea

A new district was recently created in Sogere, Papua New Guinea from one branch in the Daru Papua New Guinea District. Four new branches were organized in the new district, bringing the total of branches to five. New branches in the district include the Bimaramio, Miruwo, Oropai, and Sisiami Branches. These branches likely functioned as groups or dependent branches prior to the creation of the district.

The Daru Papua New Guinea District now has six branches.

The creation of this new district is exciting and illustrates the potential for rapid church growth in remote, rural areas through coordination of member-missionary activity. Sogere and other villages with congregations in the new district are small villages not on most maps of Papua New Guinea and are located in the remote Western Province (or Fly Province) on the Indonesian border. Strong local Priesthood leadership appears to have been developed as other regions of Papua New Guinea have clusters of LDS congregations and yet remain outside the boundaries of stakes or districts.

The red shaded area on the map below is where the Sogere District was created.


View Sogere Papua New Guinea District in a larger map

Recent Church Growth News

Four new branches in the DR Congo

Four new branches have been created in the central Democratic Republic of Congo, three of which were organized in the Luputa DR Congo District: The Bondoyi Branch, the Luputa 2nd Branch, and the Contoniere Branch. The Luputa 2nd and Contoniere Branches were both created in the city of Luputa, which now has seven branches. The Bondoyi Branch becomes the second branch in the city of Mwene-Ditu, which received its first branch in early 2008. There are now 10 branches in the Luputa DR Congo District, which will become a stake in the near future. The fourth new branch created in the region was in the large city of Mbuji-Mayi and called the Dibindi Branch. Mbuji-Mayi now has four mission branches which will become a district in the coming months.

New branch in Cameroon

The fifth LDS branch in Cameroon was just organized a couple weeks ago. The Ekounou 2nd Branch was created from a division of the Ekounou Branch and becomes the fourth branch in the Yaounde area. The Ekounou Branch was created just 18 months ago, yet at the meeting to create the new congregation only standing room was available due to rapid membership growth in the area. This instance illustrates that new congregations most often grow the fastest in membership. Cameroon appears highly likely to receive its first district shortly. A sixth congregation meets as an appendage of the Douala Branch, called the Bonaberi Group.

Three new branches in Papua New Guinea

Three new branches were recently created in the vicinity of Kukipi, located in the Gulf Province. There are now five mission branches in the region, which appear likely to be made into a district. Self sufficiency is high as missionary work is performed by local members and South Pacific missionaries.

No increase in congregations in Mexico so far in 2010

Despite having the second highest number of Latter-day Saints, there has been no increase in the number of congregations in Mexico since the beginning of the year. This may be due to poor convert retention or increased standards for the size of active membership per congregation prior to the division of existing congregations to create new wards and branches.