New Stakes Created in India, Nevada, Nigeria, Russia, and Utah; New Districts Created in Mexico and South Africa; Stake Discontinued in Mexico

India
The Church organized its second stake in India on November 15th. The Bengaluru India District was organized from the Bangalore India District. All five branches within the city of Bengaluru appeared to become wards, whereas the Kolar Gold Fields Branch did not appear to become a ward. The Church created its first stake in India in 2012 in Hyderabad.

There are now two stakes and five districts in India.

Nevada
The Church created a new stake in Henderson, Nevada on November 15th. The Henderson Nevada McCullough Hills Stake was created from a division of the Henderson Nevada Black Mountain and Henderson Nevada Eldorado Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Dutchman Pass, Eldorado Pass, Highland Hills, Laurel Hills, McCullough Hills, Palm Canyon, and Paradise Hills Wards.

There are now 35 stakes in Nevada. Local members also report another new stake will be created in northwestern Las Vegas on December 13th.

Nigeria
The Church created two new stakes in Lagos from a division of the three previously operating stakes in the city.

The Lagos Nigeria Egbeda Stake was organized from a division of the Lagos Nigeria West Stake (renamed the Lagos Nigeria Agege Stake). The new stake includes the following six wards: the Akowonjo, Ayobo, Egbeda, Ejigbo, Igando, and Ikotun Wards. The Lagos Nigeria Festac Stake was organized from a division of the Lagos Nigeria South Stake (renamed the Lagos Nigeria Yaba Stake). The new stake includes the following five wards and four branches: the Apapa, Festac, Okokomaiko, Olodi-Apapa, and Satellite Wards, and the Ajangbadi, Badagry, Mosafejor, and Snake Island Branches. The number of stakes in Lagos increased from one in 1997 to two in 2005, three in 2011, and five in 2015. Rapid congregational growth has occurred in Lagos since the late 2000s. For more information, click here to access a case study analyzing LDS growth in Lagos dated August 2014.

There are now 32 stakes and 19 districts in Nigeria.

Russia
The Church created a new stake in Russia. The Saratov Russia Stake was organized from the Saratov Russia District. The new stake includes the following five wards and three branches: the Dachny, Penza, Solnichny, Volzhski, and Zavodskoy Wards, and the Balakovo, Engels, and Marks Branches. The Church organized its first two stakes in Russia in 2011 and 2012.

There are now three stakes and seven districts in Russia.

Utah
The Church created a new stake in St George. The St George Utah Southgate Stake was organized from the Bloomington Utah Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Bloomington 3rd, Bloomington 7th, Bloomington 9th (Samoan), Southgate 1st, Southgate 2nd, and Southgate 3rd Wards.

There are now 580 stakes and one district in Utah.

Mexico
The Church discontinued the San Cristóbal México Stake on November 1st and divided the stake into two districts, namely the Comitán México and San Cristóbal México Districts. The decision to discontinue the stake appeared rooted in stagnant real growth within the stake boundaries, long distances between congregations, and the operation of multiple member groups within the stake boundaries in recent years. A lack of local leadership may have also prompted the closure of the stake. The creation of the Comitán México District may provide greater inroads to the lesser-reached Tojolabal people - a Mayan people who resides in rural areas east of Comitán.

There are now 230 stakes and 40 districts in Mexico.

South Africa
The Church created a new district in the southern Johannesburg metropolitan area. The Vaal South Africa District was organized from a division of the Bedfordview South Africa Stake. The new district includes the following five branches: the Ennerdale, Orange Farm, Sebokeng, Sharpeville, and Vereeniging Branches.

There are now 15 stakes and four districts in South Africa.

Stakes Likely to Split Outside the United States and Canada - November 2015 Edition

Below is an updated list of stakes likely to split within the near future. Previous lists are available for December 2012, January 2014, and December 2014.

AFRICA

• Aba Nigeria (13 wards, 3 branches)
• Aba Nigeria Ogbor Hill (10 wards, 5 branches)
• Abobo Cote d'Ivoire East (12 wards)
• Abuja Nigeria (13 wards, 2 branches)
• Cape Coast Ghana (12 wards, 2 branches)
• Cocody Cote d'Ivoire (10 wards) 
• East London South Africa (11 wards, 1 branch)
• Eket Nigeria (11 wards, 3 branches) 
• Etinan Nigeria (10 wards, 3 branches)
• Kananga Democratic Republic of Congo (12 wards)
• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Binza (10 wards)
• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Kimbanseke (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Masina (10 wards)
• Kumasi Ghana Bantama (11 wards, 5 branches)
• Lagos Nigeria West (12 wards, 1 branch)
• Lomé Togo (9 wards, 7 branches)
• Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of Congo (10 wards)
• Nairobi Kenya (12 wards, 3 branches)
• Nsit Ubium Nigeria (10 wards, 4 branches)
• Owerri Nigeria (5 wards, 10 branches) - likely to split to form a new district
• Port-Bouet Cote d'Ivoire (11 wards, 1 branch)
• Port Harcourt Nigeria East (10 wards, 4 branches)
• Port Harcourt Nigeria West (10 wards, 2 branches)
• Praia Cape Verde (12 wards, 4 branches)
• Takoradi Ghana (11 wards, 5 branches)

ASIA

• Jakarta Indonesia (9 wards, 1 branch)
• Butuan Philippines (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Hong Kong China (9 wards) 
• Iloilo Philippines North (9 wards, 2 branches)
• Lipa Philippines (10 wards, 2 branches)
• Mandaue Philippines (9 wards, 1 branch)
• Singapore (10 wards)
• Kaohsiung Taiwan West and Kaohsiung Taiwan East (16 wards, 1 branch combined)
• Tao Yuan Taiwan (9 wards)

EUROPE

• Verona Italy (8 wards, 5 branches)

CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

• Amatitlán Guatemala (10 wards)
• Guatemala City Stake (9 wards, 2 branches)
• La Ceiba Honduras (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Managua Nicaragua (9 wards, 1 branch)
• Mazatenango Guatemala (10 wards, 2 branches)
• San Pedro Honduras El Progreso (10 wards, 2 branches)
• San Pedro Sula Honduras (10 wards)
• San Salvador El Salvador La Libertad (10 wards, 3 branches)
• Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Ozama (10 wards)

MEXICO

• Amecameca Mexico (11 wards)
• Celaya Mexico (11 wards)
• Chalco Mexico (10 wards)
• Chilpancingo Mexico (10 wards, 4 branches)
• Coatzacoalcos Mexico Puerto (13 wards, 1 branch)
• Culiacan Mexico (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Juchitan Mexico (10 wards, 3 branches) 
• Mexico City Anahuac (11 wards)
• Mexico City Chapultepec (10 wards)
• Mexico City Cuautitlan (11 wards)
• Mexico City Culturas (11 wards)
• Mexico City Iztapalapa (10 wards)
• Mexico City La Perla (10 wards, 2 branches)
• Mexico City Tecamac (11 wards)
• Mexico City Tepalcapa (11 wards)
• Oaxaca Mexico Monte Alban (10 wards, 3 branches)
• Puebla México La Libertad (10 wards) 
• Puebla México Mayorazgo (10 wards)
• Toluca México (10 wards, 2 branches)
• Veracruz Mexico Villa Rica (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Villahermosa Mexico Gaviotas (10 wards, 1 branch)

OCEANIA

• Ha'apai Tonga (9 wards, 5 branches) 
• Ipswich Australia and Brisbane Australia Centenary (16 wards, 3 branches combined)
• Macarthur Australia (9 wards, 1 branch) 
• Paea Tahiti and Papeari Tahiti (18 wards combined)
• Punaauia Tahiti (11 wards)
• Upolu Samoa East (9 wards, 1 branch)

SOUTH AMERICA

• Belém Brazil Icoaraci (9 wards)
• Buenos Aires Argentina Castelar (10 wards)
• Joao Pessoa Brazil Rangel (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Lima Peru Canto Grande (10 wards)
• Luque Paraguay (10 wards, 1 branch) 
• Maceió Brazil  (11 wards)
• Maracanaú Brazil (10 wards, 1 branch) 
• Passo Fundo Brazil (11 wards)
• Rio Branco Brazil (10 wards, 1 branch)
• Santa Maria Brazil (10 wards, 1 branch)
• São José Brazil (9 wards, 1 branch)
• São José dos Campos Brazil (10 wards)
• São Luis Brazil (10 wards) 
• São Paulo Brazil Casa Grande (9 wards)
• São Paulo Brazil Guarapiranga (10 wards)
• São Paulo Brazil Penha (10 wards)
• Tarija Bolivia Stake (10 wards)

New Stakes Created in Ghana, Guatemala, North Carolina, and the Philippines; New Districts Created in Kenya and Russia; Stake Discontinued in California; District Discontinued in Chile

Ghana
Two new stakes have been created in Ghana.

The Accra Ghana Lartebiokorshie Stake was organized on October 25th from a division of the Accra Ghana Kaneshie Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Dansoman, Korle-Bu, Lartebiokorshie, Mamponse, and Mataheko Wards. The Accra Ghana Kaneshie Stake was also realigned with the Accra Ghana Kasoa Stake. Covering an area of less than 17 square miles, the new Accra Ghana Lartebiokorshie Stake covers the smallest geographical area of any stake in Ghana, indicating progress with greater saturation of the Church in urban areas.

The Accra Ghana Ofankor Stake was organized on November 8th from a division of the Accra Ghana Adenta and Accra Ghana Tesano Stakes. The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Achimota, Amasaman, Chantan, Kwabenya, and Ofankor Wards, and the Adoagyiri and Nsawam Branches.

There are now 15 stakes and 11 districts in Ghana.

Guatemala
The Church organized its first stake in northern Guatemala on November 1st. The San Benito Guatemala Stake was organized from the San Benito Guatemala District. Mission leadership has spent many years preparing the district to become a stake one day. Information on which branches have advanced into wards is currently unavailable.

There are now 44 stakes and 16 districts in Guatemala.

North Carolina
The Church organized its 17th stake in North Carolina on November 8th. The Raleigh North Carolina South Stake was organized from a division of the Apex North Carolina and Raleigh North Carolina Stakes. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Harris Lake, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Swift Creek, and Zebulon Wards.

Philippines
The Church organized a new stake on November 8th. The Mangaldan Philippines Stake was organized from the Mangaldan Philippines District. The Mangaldan Philippines District previously operated as a stake from 1991 until 2003 when the district returned to district status. The Church consolidated the Mapandan Philippines District with the Mangaldan Philippines District in 2014 to prepare for the reestablishment of a stake.

There are now 96 stakes and 77 districts in the Philippines.

Kenya
The Church organized a new district on October 25th. The Mombasa Kenya District was organized from three mission branches in the Mombasa area, namely the Bamburi, Changamwe, and Mombasa Branches. All areas of the country with clusters of three or more mission branches now have had districts organized.

There are now four districts and one stake in Kenya.

Russia
The Church reinstated a district on November 8th. The Volgograd Russia District was organized from mission branches in the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission. The following five branches are assigned to the district: the Astrakhan, Volgograd Krasniarmesky, Volgograd Russia District, Volgograd Tsentralny, and Volzhsky Branch. The reinstated district is the Church's fifth district created this year. This surge in new districts appears attributed to a new policy or vision by the area presidency to reestablish districts in locations where there are clusters of branches. Most of the Church's districts in Russia were discontinued during the early 2010s.

There are now two stakes and seven districts (eight districts if counting the newly organized district in Crimea) in Russia

California
The Church discontinued a Spanish-speaking stake in California. The Covina California Stake (Spanish) was discontinued. Wards and branches previously assigned to the Spanish-speaking stake were redistributed to English-speaking stakes in the area. The decision to discontinue the stake does not appear attributed to leadership problems or inactivity. Rather, this decision appears attributed to a focus in the United States to consolidate Spanish-speaking stakes into ordinary stakes. Similar administrative changes have recently occurred in other stakes in the Los Angeles area and in Houston, Texas.

There are now 156 stakes in California.

Chile
The Church recently discontinued the La Unión Chile District. None of the seven branches previously assigned to the district were discontinued. Five of these branches were reassigned to the Osorno Chile Stake, whereas two of these branches were assigned to the Chile Osorno Mission. The decision to discontinue the district was likely due to some of the branches likely meeting the criteria to become wards, but no realistic opportunities for the district to become a stake within the foreseeable future.

There are now 77 stakes and 18 districts in Chile.

Senior Missionaries to Begin Service in Senegal

The Church has appeared to approve the assignment of a humanitarian senior missionary couple to the West African nation of Senegal. The Church recently announced the future opening of an assignment in Dakar, Senegal in its weekly Senior Missionary Opportunities Bulletin. Senior missionaries serving in the Africa West Area headquarters noted earlier this year of an investigatory trip to Dakar, Senegal. These missionaries also reported that a member group now operates in Dakar to provide worship services to foreigners residing in the city. It is likely that a senior missionary couple assigned to Dakar would not only engage in humanitarian work, but explore opportunities for the ultimate assignment of young, proselytizing missionaries. The Senegalese population is 94% Muslim and 5% Christian, with most Christians concentrated in the Dakar area. There are no restrictions on religious freedom. Other missionary-focused Christian groups such as Seventh-Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses have maintained a presence in Senegal for many years.

How Will Handbook Policy Changes Surrounding Children in Same-Sex Marriages Affect LDS Growth?

I noticed speculation in some news articles and social media posts surrounding whether recent changes announced by the Church regarding children in same-sex marriages would result in a "mass exodus" of members from the Church. Although it is difficult to say at this time how this policy change will affect member activity rates, convert retention rates, and the receptivity of populations around the world to LDS proselytism, past experience from similar announcements regarding changes in church policy suggest little or no change will likely occur. For example, no noticeable correlation occurred in regards to past policy changes and LDS growth surrounding issues such as the Equal Rights Amendment in the late 1970s/early 1980 or Proposition 8 in California during the late 2000s. Worldwide growth measured by several LDS statistical measurements (e.g. increases in total membership, the number stakes, the number of congregations) accelerated during the late 1970s/early 1980s. There was little to no change in worldwide LDS growth trends during the late 2000s. LDS growth rates in the United States within the past 10 years have also appeared stable. Annual membership growth rates have fluctuated from 1.1-1.7%, annual congregational growth rates have averaged around 1%, and steady increases in the number of stakes have occurred every year.

So what affects LDS growth rates? I have found the following factors to be the strongest predictors of LDS growth - whether local, regional, or international: the maintenance of consistently high convert baptismal standards, member-missionary participation, the regular opening of congregations in previously unreached locations, church-planting tactics, self-sufficiency in church administration, cultural conditions (e.g. secularism, nominalism, double-affiliation, ethnoreligious ties), and increasing numbers of full-time missionaries serving.

My prediction is that there will be little to no change in LDS growth rates in the United States or internationally due to the Church's recent policy change surrounding the children of same-sex marriages. Although there will likely be many who disaffiliate themselves from the Church due to this announcement, there will likely be many who return to activity in the Church or join the Church due to media exposure or personal association with active members. Similar findings have been noted in regards to the influence of the internet on LDS growth. LDS growth rates in the United States will likely remain stable or slightly decline in the coming years as a result of the continued secularization of American society and culture, declining birth rates in the Church, persistent problems with member-missionary participation, and full-time missionary over-saturation of some areas.

Monthly Newsletter

Click here to access our October 2015 edition of our monthly newsletter for cumorah.com.

Potential New Mission Districts

I have provided an updated list of mission districts which I think are likely to be organized in the next couple years. Mission districts are analogous to stakes as they administer multiple branches (usually three to ten), but they have less independence in church administration and leadership than stakes. The creation of mission districts signals progress in church growth as it is an important step for the Church to establish a "center of strength" in a new location from a handful of mission branches into a more organized entity which has potential to become a stake. The creation of a district from mission branches suggests maturation in local leadership to provide sufficient manpower and quality leaders in staffing both branch and district callings.

Potential new districts listed below were identified based on recent congregational growth trends, missionary reports on the number of convert baptisms and activity rates, and distance and location from other nearby stakes and districts. Previous lists are available for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Locations where there are fewer than three branches are included if there is a high likelihood that additional branches will be organized within the near future in order for a district to be organized.

Like other administrative and congregational units, the creation of districts is approved by the First Presidency.  Information used to compile this list does not contain any unauthorized information and I take full responsibility for this work.

AFRICA (27)

• Abengourou Cote d'Ivoire (3) [Abengourou 1st, Abengourou 2nd, Abengourou 3rd Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission]
• Aboisso Cote d'Ivoire (2) [Aboisso and Rive Gauche Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission]
• Adzope Cote d'Ivoire (3) [Adzope 1st, Adzope 2nd, Adzope 3rd Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission]
• Akoupé Cote d'Ivoire (2) [Affery and Akoupé Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan Mission]
• Akure Nigeria (2) [Akure 1st and Akure 2nd Branches - all assigned to the Nigeria Benin City Mission]
• Atta Nigeria (6) [Atta, Amaimo, Amakohia, Ogwa, Orlu, and Umundugba Branches - all currently administered by the Owerri Nigeria Stake]
• Axim Ghana (3) [Agona Nkwanta, Axim, and Nkroful Branches - all currently administered by the Ghana Cape Coast Mission]
• Bouake Cote d'Ivoire (3) [Bouake 1st, Bouake 2nd, and Bouake 3rd Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission]
• Bujumbura Burundi (5) [Bujumbura 1st, Bujumbura 2nd, Bujumbura 3rd, Kalundu, and Uvira Branches - all currently administered by the DR Congo Lubumbashi Mission]
• Divo Cote d'Ivoire (4) [Divo, Konankro, Lakota, and Plateau Branches - all currently assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission]
• Douala Cameron (4) [Bonaberri, Douala, New Bell, and Village Branches - all currently assigned to the Republic of Congo Brazzaville Mission]
• Fort Dauphin Madagascar (2) [Fort Dauphin and Tanambao Branches - both currently administered by the Madagascar Antananarivo Mission]
• Francistown Botswana (3) [Francistown, Gerald, and Monarch Branches- all currently administered by the Botswana/Namibia Mission]
• Gulu Uganda (2) [Bar Dege and Gulu Branches and the Kitgum Group - all currently administered by the Uganda Kampala Mission] 
• Kadoma Zimbabwe (3) [Chegutu, Kadoma 1st, and Kadoma 2nd Branches - all currently assigned to the Zimbabwe Harare Mission]
• Kitale Kenya (5) [Kitale, Mautuma, Misikhu, Naitiri, and Sikhendu Branches - all currently administered by the Eldoret Kenya District] 
• Klerksdorp South Africa (3) [Jouberton, Klerksdorp, and Potchefstroom Branches - all currently assigned to the South Africa Johannesburg Mission]
• Lira Uganda (2) [Adyel and Lira Branches - both administered by the Uganda Kampala Mission]
• Marondera Zimbabawe (2) [Dombotombo and Marondera Branches - both administered by the Zimbabwe Harare Mission]
• Makeni Sierra Leone (3) [Makama Rogbaneh, and Teko Road Branches - all administered by the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission] 
• Maseru Lesotho (3) [Leribe, Maseru, and Masianokeng Branches - all assigned to the Bloemfontein South Africa Stake]
• Meagui Cote d'Ivoire (4) [Meagui 1st, Meagui 2nd, Soubre 1st, and Soubre 2nd Branches - all assigned to the Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan West Mission]
• Nelspruit South Africa (2) [KaNyamazane and Nelspruit Branches - both currently assigned to the South Africa Johannesburg Misson]
• Ngandajika DR Congo (2) [Ngandajika and Tshioji Branches - both currently administered by the Luputa DR Congo Stake]
• Nsukka Nigeria (2) [Nsukka and Obollo-Afor Branches - both administered by the Nigeria Enugu Mission]
• Rwanda Kigali (3) [Kigali 1st, Kigali 2nd, and Kigali 3rd Branches - all currently administered by the Uganda Kampala Mission]
• Techiman Ghana (4) [Dwumoh, Kenten, Krobo, and Vatican Branches - all currently assigned to the Ghana Kumasi Mission]

ASIA (2)

• Tagudin Philippines (4) [Balaoan, Bangar, Luna, and Tagudin Branches - branches currently assigned to either the Candon Phillipines or San Fernando Philippines Stakes] 
• Vladivostok Russia (4) [Artyom, Nakhodka, Ussuriysk, and Vladivostok Branches - all assigned to the Russia Vladivostok Mission]

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (3)

• Cruzeiro do Sul Brazil (3) [Cruzeiro do Sul, Formoso, and Remanso Branches - all branches currently assigned to the Brazil Manaus Mission]
• Marabá Brazil (3) [Canaã dos Carajás, Marabá, and Parauapebas Branches - all currently assigned to the Brazil Belem Mission]
• Tefé Brazil (3) [Coari, Jutaí, and Tefé Branches - all currently assigned to the Brazil Manaus Mission]

OCEANIA

• Aoba Vanuatu (6) [Apopo, Lobori, Lolotinge, Lovutialao, Navuti, and Redcliff Branches - all currently assigned to the Luganville Vanuatu District]

New Stakes Created in Arizona, Missouri, and Utah

Arizona
A new stake was created yesterday in the Tuscon area. The Marana Arizona Stake was organized from a division of the Tuscon Arizona West and Tuscon Arizona North Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: Avra Valley, Continental Ranch, Cortaro, Picture Rocks, Red Rock, and Tucson YSA 1st Wards and the El Rio Branch (Spanish). The organization of the new stake came as a surprise to local members and church leaders. One local member reported that the vising general authority and area seventy were not apprised of the plans to create the new stake until October 23rd. Local members indicate that the creation of the new stake was primarily motivated by a desire for the Church to focus on reactivation efforts in the area.

There are now 98 stakes in Arizona

Missouri
The Church organized a new stake in Missouri on October 18th. The Far West Missouri Stake was organized from a division of the Liberty Missouri and Platte City Missouri Stakes. The new stake includes the following six wards and four branches: the Cameron 1st, Far West, Gallatin, Kearney 1st, Kearney 3rd, and Maryville Wards, and the Albany, Chillicothe, Trenton, and Wood Heights Branches. The Church once briefly operated a stake in Far West during the early days of the Church.

There are now 17 stakes in Missouri

Utah
Two new stakes were recently organized in Utah.

The Lehi Utah Thanksgiving Stake was organized on October 11th from a division of the Lehi Utah Gateway Stake. The new stake includes the following nine wards: the Cranberry Farms 1st, Pilgrims Landing 1st, Pilgrims Landing 2nd, Pilgrims Landing 3rd, Pilgrims Landing 4th, Sunset Hollow, Thanksgiving Meadows 1st, Thanksgiving Meadows 2nd, and Thanksgiving Village Wards.

The Eagle Mountain Utah Silver Lake Stake was organized on October 25th from a division of the Eagle Mountain Utah East Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Cedar Crest, Foxwood, Silver Creek, Silver Lake, and Woodhaven Wards

There are now 578 stakes and one district in Utah.

New Stakes Created in Brazil, Nigeria, and Utah; New Districts Created in Argentina, Brazil, and Ukraine; Districts Discontinued in Malaysia and New Jersey

Brazil
A new stake was created on September 20th. The Sete Lagoas Brazil East was organized from the Sete Lagoas Brazil Stake and includes the following five wards: the Belo Vale, Curvelo, Interlagos, Nova Cidade, and Sete Lagoas 2nd Wards. The new stake is the second to be organized in the city of Sete Lagoas and is the 13th stake to be organized in Minas Gerais State.

A new district was organized from three mission branches in the Brazil Salvador Mission. The Barreiras Brazil District was organized on September 27th and includes the Barreiras 1st, Barreiras 2nd, and the Luis Eduardo Magalhaes Branches. The new district becomes the first new district in Brazil organized from mission branches since xxx.

There are now 256 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.

Nigeria
The Church organized its sixth stake in Benin City on September 20th. The Benin City Nigeria Oregbeni Stake was organized from a division of the Benin City Nigeria New Benin Stake and the Benin City Nigeria Ikpokpan Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Esigie, Igun 1st, Igun 2nd, Ogbeson, Oregbeni, Sokponba, and Ugbekun Wards.

There are now 30 stakes and 19 districts in Nigeria.

Utah
A new stake was organized last Sunday in South Jordan, Utah. The South Jordan Utah Midas Creek Stake was organized from a division of the South Jordan Utah Country Crossing Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Country Crossing 1st, Country Crossing 3rd, Country Crossing 5th, Country Crossing 6th, Country Crossing 9th, and Country Crossing 10th Wards.

There are now 577 stakes and one district in Utah

Argentina
A new district was organized on September 27th. The Punilla Argentina District was organized from mission branches in the Argentina Cordoba Mission and a division of the Córdoba Argentina Sierras Stake. The following four branches are included in the new district: the Cosquin, Cruz del Eje, Dean Funes, and La Falda Branches.

There are now 74 stakes and 30 districts in Argentina.

Ukraine
The Church organized a new district in the Crimean Peninsula on September 20th. The Simferopol Russia District was organized from the four mission branches in the Crimean Peninsula, namely the Bahate, Sevastopol, Simferopol's'ka, and Yevpatoriis'ka Branches. The Church previously operated a district that included these four branches from 2004 until 2007 that was called the Sevastopol Ukraine District. The Church reassigned these four branches to the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission several months ago due to the Russian occupation of the Crimean Peninsula. It is interesting to note that the Church has named the district the Simferopol Russia District instead of the Simferopol Ukraine District due to this recent political change.

There are now three districts and one stake in Ukraine (including the Simferopol Russia District) and two stakes and seven districts in Ukraine (including the Simferopol Russia District).

Malaysia
The Church recently discontinued the Johor Bahru Malaysia District. Organized in 2011, the district was previously organized from a division of the Singapore Stake. Only two branches have operated in the district since its organization. The two branches (Johor Bahru and Masai [Malay]) now directly report to the Singapore Mission.

There are now six districts in Malaysia.

New Jersey
I have confirmed that the Paterson New Jersey District was discontinued as part of the organization of the new Liberty Park New Jersey Stake. All three branches that previously pertained to the district are now part of the Soldier Hill New Jersey Stake.

There are now six stakes in New Jersey.

Potential New Missions in 2016

Below is a list of potential new missions that may be created in 2016. Criteria for identifying potential new missions include recent LDS membership, congregational, and organizational (stakes and districts) growth trends, trends in new mission creations within the past decade, population size, and the boundaries of current missions. It is unclear whether any new missions will be organized next year as the number of members serving full-time missions has appeared to hold steady around 80,000-83,000 within the past nine months. However, the average number of missionaries per missions continues to be higher than historically averages. This suggests that dozens of new missions could theoretically be created in the immediate future.

• Australia Brisbane (2nd mission)
• Brazil Aracatuba
• Brazil Jaboatao
• Brazil Manaus (2nd mission)
• Brazil Porto Velho
• Brazil Sao Luis
• Brazil Sorocaba
• Burundi/Rwanda
• Cambodia Phnom Penh (2nd mission - Vietnamese speaking to also include Vietnam) OR Vietnam Hanoi
• Cameroon Yaounde
• Colorado Grand Junction
• Cote d'Ivoire Yamoussoukro
• Democratic Republic of Congo Kananga
• Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa (2nd mission)
• Ethiopia Addis Ababa
• Ghana Kumasi (2nd mission)
• Idaho Falls Idaho
• Malawi Lilongwe
• Mexico Chilpancingo
• Mexico Juchitan
• Mexico Toluca
• Nigeria Aba
• Nigeria Ibadan
• Nigeria Uyo
• Philippines Bacolod (2nd mission)
• Philippines Cabanatuan
• Philippines Davao (2nd mission)
• Philippines Dumaguete
• Philippines Lucena
• Philippines Ormoc
• Philippines Santiago
• Samoa Apia (2nd mission)
• Slovakia Bratislava
• Solomon Islands Honiara
• Spain Alicante
• Taiwan Kaohsiung
• Tanzania Dar Es Salaam
• Texas Austin
• Texas El Paso
• Texas Plano
• Thailand Bangkok (2nd mission)
• Tonga Nuku'alofa (2nd mission)
• Zimbabwe Bulawayo