Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Maldives
Click here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for the Maldives. Given religious freedom restrictions and a highly homogeneous, tight-knit Muslim population spread over approximately 200 islands, prospects for an LDS presence appear unlikely for many years or decades to come.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Updated Country Profile - Bhutan
Click here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Bhutan.
Sunday, July 15, 2018
New Stakes Created in the DR Congo (2), Nigeria (2), Oklahoma, and Peru; Stake Discontinued in Venezuela
DR Congo
Two new stakes were organized in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). Both new stakes were organized in Kinshasa on June 24th.
The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Mpasa Stake was organized from a division of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Kimbanseke Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Bibwa, Makanza, Mikonga 1st, Mikonga 2nd, Mpasa 1st, Mpasa 2nd, and Mpasa 3rd Wards. The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo N'Djili Stake was organized from a division of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Masina Stake and the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Mokali Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Debonhomme, Fer Bois, Kingasani 1st, Kingasani 4th, N'Djili 1st, and N'Djili 2nd Wards, and the Mokali and Nsanga Branches.
The first stake in Kinshasa was organized in 1996 - 10 years after the first branch was organized in the city. There are now 10 stakes in the Kinshasa metropolitan area as stakes have been organized in 1996, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2012 (2), 2016, and 2018 (2). Currently, Kinshasa ranks as the metropolitan area on the Afro-Eurasian landmass with the third most stakes after Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (12 stakes) and Accra, Ghana (11 stakes). At least one more new stake in Kinshasa appears like to be organized this year as the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Ngaliema Stake currently has 11 wards and 1 branch. Furthermore, the Church's construction on the new temple in Kinshasa - Central Africa's first LDS temple - is nearing completion. The new temple president was also recently announced in the LDS Church News.
There are now 19 stakes and three districts in the DR Congo.
Nigeria
Two new stakes have been organized in Nigeria.
The Lagos Nigeria Ojodu Stake was organized on June 24th from a division of the Lagos Nigeria Agege Stake and the Lagos Nigeria Ikeja Stake. The new stake includes the following eight wards and one branch wards: the Akute, Ibafo, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Itamaga, Ketu, Ojodu, and Omole Wards, and the Imota Branch. There are now six stakes in the Lagos metropolitan area.
The Port Harcourt Nigeria Choba Stake was organized on July 8th. The new stake was organized from a division of the Port Harcourt Nigeria North Stake and the Port Harcourt Nigeria West Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: Choba 1st, Choba 2nd, Emohua, Omoku, and Ogbogoro Wards, and the Rumuji Branch. There are now six stakes in Port Harcourt.
There are now 52 stakes and 15 districts in Nigeria. As many as 15 new stakes may be organized in Nigeria within the next 2-3 years. There are many stakes with a large number of wards and branches (e.g. Aba North, Abeokuta, Abuja, Benin City, Ibadan, Ikot Ekpene, Owerri, Ukat Aran, Umuahia, Warri) as well as several districts (e.g. Akampka, Ijebu-Ode, Mbaise, Ogwashi-Uku) that appear close to becoming stakes. Stake growth in Nigeria has been among the most rapid in the world during the past decade. For example, the number of stakes in Nigeria has increased from 22 to 52 in the last five years.
Oklahoma
The Church organized a new stake in the Oklahoma City area on June 17th. The Edmond Oklahoma Stake was organized from the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Stake and the Stillwater Oklahoma Stake. The new stake includes the following nine wards and one branch: the Cushing, Edmond 1st, Edmond 2nd, Edmond 3rd, Edmond 4th, Edmond 5th, Oklahoma City YSA, Shawnee, and Village Wards, and the McLoud Branch (Correctional Facility). The new stake is the Church's first new stake to be organized in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area since 1982.
There are now nine stakes in Oklahoma.
Peru
The Church created its 43rd stake in the Lima metropolitan area on July 1st. The Lima Perú Torre Blanca was organized in northern Lima from a division of Lima Perú Santa Isabel Stake. The following five wards are assigned to the new stake: the El Progreso, Industrial, Los Angeles, Nueva America, and Torre Blanca Wards. Several new wards have recently been organized in Lima, reversing a trend of stagnant congregational growth in the city that has persisted for several years. Local members report that many wards have as many as 250-300 people attending church before they are divided to organize additional congregations. There are now 43 stakes in Lima.
There are now 103 stakes and 19 districts in Peru.
Venezuela
The Church recently discontinued the San Cristóbal Venezuela. Retained congregations in the former stake were reassigned to the San Cristóbal Venezuela Pirineos Stake or the Venezuela Maracaibo Mission. This marks the first time in the Church's history in Venezuela when a stake has been discontinued. Political and economic crisis has been the primary cause for this decline in growth as many Venezuelan Latter-day Saints have sought to leave Venezuela in search of a better standard of living. Twelve wards or branches have been discontinued in 2018 thus far and 49 wards or branches have been discontinued since the Church reached its all-time high for the number of congregations in Venezuela back in 2011. Additional stakes appear like to be discontinued in the near future, especially in the Caracas area.
There are now 33 stakes and 5 districts in Venezuela.
Two new stakes were organized in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). Both new stakes were organized in Kinshasa on June 24th.
The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Mpasa Stake was organized from a division of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Kimbanseke Stake. The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Bibwa, Makanza, Mikonga 1st, Mikonga 2nd, Mpasa 1st, Mpasa 2nd, and Mpasa 3rd Wards. The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo N'Djili Stake was organized from a division of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Masina Stake and the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Mokali Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Debonhomme, Fer Bois, Kingasani 1st, Kingasani 4th, N'Djili 1st, and N'Djili 2nd Wards, and the Mokali and Nsanga Branches.
The first stake in Kinshasa was organized in 1996 - 10 years after the first branch was organized in the city. There are now 10 stakes in the Kinshasa metropolitan area as stakes have been organized in 1996, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2012 (2), 2016, and 2018 (2). Currently, Kinshasa ranks as the metropolitan area on the Afro-Eurasian landmass with the third most stakes after Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (12 stakes) and Accra, Ghana (11 stakes). At least one more new stake in Kinshasa appears like to be organized this year as the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Ngaliema Stake currently has 11 wards and 1 branch. Furthermore, the Church's construction on the new temple in Kinshasa - Central Africa's first LDS temple - is nearing completion. The new temple president was also recently announced in the LDS Church News.
There are now 19 stakes and three districts in the DR Congo.
Nigeria
Two new stakes have been organized in Nigeria.
The Lagos Nigeria Ojodu Stake was organized on June 24th from a division of the Lagos Nigeria Agege Stake and the Lagos Nigeria Ikeja Stake. The new stake includes the following eight wards and one branch wards: the Akute, Ibafo, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Itamaga, Ketu, Ojodu, and Omole Wards, and the Imota Branch. There are now six stakes in the Lagos metropolitan area.
The Port Harcourt Nigeria Choba Stake was organized on July 8th. The new stake was organized from a division of the Port Harcourt Nigeria North Stake and the Port Harcourt Nigeria West Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: Choba 1st, Choba 2nd, Emohua, Omoku, and Ogbogoro Wards, and the Rumuji Branch. There are now six stakes in Port Harcourt.
There are now 52 stakes and 15 districts in Nigeria. As many as 15 new stakes may be organized in Nigeria within the next 2-3 years. There are many stakes with a large number of wards and branches (e.g. Aba North, Abeokuta, Abuja, Benin City, Ibadan, Ikot Ekpene, Owerri, Ukat Aran, Umuahia, Warri) as well as several districts (e.g. Akampka, Ijebu-Ode, Mbaise, Ogwashi-Uku) that appear close to becoming stakes. Stake growth in Nigeria has been among the most rapid in the world during the past decade. For example, the number of stakes in Nigeria has increased from 22 to 52 in the last five years.
Oklahoma
The Church organized a new stake in the Oklahoma City area on June 17th. The Edmond Oklahoma Stake was organized from the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Stake and the Stillwater Oklahoma Stake. The new stake includes the following nine wards and one branch: the Cushing, Edmond 1st, Edmond 2nd, Edmond 3rd, Edmond 4th, Edmond 5th, Oklahoma City YSA, Shawnee, and Village Wards, and the McLoud Branch (Correctional Facility). The new stake is the Church's first new stake to be organized in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area since 1982.
There are now nine stakes in Oklahoma.
Peru
The Church created its 43rd stake in the Lima metropolitan area on July 1st. The Lima Perú Torre Blanca was organized in northern Lima from a division of Lima Perú Santa Isabel Stake. The following five wards are assigned to the new stake: the El Progreso, Industrial, Los Angeles, Nueva America, and Torre Blanca Wards. Several new wards have recently been organized in Lima, reversing a trend of stagnant congregational growth in the city that has persisted for several years. Local members report that many wards have as many as 250-300 people attending church before they are divided to organize additional congregations. There are now 43 stakes in Lima.
There are now 103 stakes and 19 districts in Peru.
Venezuela
The Church recently discontinued the San Cristóbal Venezuela. Retained congregations in the former stake were reassigned to the San Cristóbal Venezuela Pirineos Stake or the Venezuela Maracaibo Mission. This marks the first time in the Church's history in Venezuela when a stake has been discontinued. Political and economic crisis has been the primary cause for this decline in growth as many Venezuelan Latter-day Saints have sought to leave Venezuela in search of a better standard of living. Twelve wards or branches have been discontinued in 2018 thus far and 49 wards or branches have been discontinued since the Church reached its all-time high for the number of congregations in Venezuela back in 2011. Additional stakes appear like to be discontinued in the near future, especially in the Caracas area.
There are now 33 stakes and 5 districts in Venezuela.
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Seven Stakes and 53 Wards/Branches Discontinued in Mexico: New District Created in Mexico
Significant restructuring of stakes and congregations has occurred in several areas of Mexico during the past month and seven stakes and 53 wards/branches have been discontinued within approximately the past 1-2 months. This has resulted in a three percent decrease in the total number of stakes in Mexico as there are now 222 stakes and 44 districts in the country. In contrast, the Church in Mexico had previously discontinued only eight stakes in its entire history prior to the announcement of these recent changes (with the exception of the discontinuation of stakes in the mid-1970s as part of the creation of 15 new stakes in the Mexico City area). The number of wards/branches in Mexico has decreased by 54 since year-end 2017 from 1,987 to 1,933, or a 2.7% decrease. These consolidations are the largest experienced by the country in a country with a major LDS presence since the early 2000s when the Church consolidated hundreds of wards/branches and scores of stakes in countries such as Chile, Peru, the Philippines, Ecuador, Brazil, and Guatemala.
Stakes discontinued in Mexico during the past 1-2 months include:
The Madero México Ampliación Stake was organized in 2001 and had six wards prior to its consolidation with the Madero México Stake. The Madero México Stake had seven wards before the consolidation occurred. There are now five wards and two branches in the Madero México Stake. The Tampico México Chairel Stake was organized in 2000 and had six wards prior to its consolidation with the Tampico México Stake. Four of the wards in the original stake were discontinued. The Tampico México Stake now has five wards and two branches. As a result of these changes, the number of stakes in the Tampico/Madero metropolitan area decreased from five to three.
The Minatitlán México Stake was organized in 1977 and had six wards prior to its discontinuation. The Minatitlán México Tecnológico Stake was organized in 1997 and had six wards and one branch prior to its discontinuation. The two Minatitlán Stakes were merged into the Minatitlán México Tecnológico District, which has seven branches. This marks the first time in LDS history where the Church in a city with two stakes has had both of its stakes discontinued and merged into a single district. In contrast, the Church has usually discontinued only one of its two stakes in a city where there are two stakes.
The Monterrey México Morelos Stake was organized in 1980 and had five wards prior to its consolidation with the Monterrey México Anáhuac Stake and the Monterrey México Mitras Stake. Two of the wards in the original stake were discontinued. The Monterrey México Paraíso Stake was organized in 1978 and had six wards prior to its consolidation with the Monterrey México Los Angeles Stake and the Monterrey México Roma Stake. Three of the wards in the original stake were discontinued. As a result of the discontinuation of these two stakes, the number of stakes in Monterrey decreased from 12 to 10.
Analysis:
The decision by the Church to discontinue seven stakes and more than 50 wards/branches in several cities in Mexico during the past 1-2 months does not indicate a sudden drop in church attendance or member activity/convert retention rates. Rather, these changes were likely many months or years in planning due to many wards in these cities with few active members and emphasis from the area presidency for better utilization of meetinghouse space. Data from returned missionary and local member surveys indicate that many, if not most, of the wards discontinued during the past 1-2 months in Mexico had between 40-100 active members. Church leaders in the Mexico Area have also focused on the creation of wards that have at least 100 active members in order to better utilize LDS meetinghouse space to conserve costs and to establish larger wards that provide more opportunities for fellowship and socialization. The creation of wards with more active members has also appeared motivated to address challenges with leadership burnout or difficulties with quality church leadership on a local level.
Most concerning with these developments has been the lack of success of strengthening wards/branches in many cities in Mexico during the last 5-10 years despite a significantly increased missionary presence in many areas. For example, the number of missions in Mexico increased from 24 in 2011 to 34 in 2013, and decreased to 32 in 2018. However, there has now been no net increase in the number of stakes since 2011 and a decrease of 67 wards/branches during this time even though church membership has increased by 162,184 (or 12.7%) from 1,273,199 to 1,435,383. Thus, the Church in Mexico has appeared to experience the lowest "real growth" productivity of any country in the world with a significant LDS presence (i.e. more than 100,000 members) during the 2010s. Local church leaders and returned missionaries indicate low member-missionary participation, poor collaboration between church leaders and full-time missionaries in regards to proselytism and reactivation efforts, and low participation by many active members in fulfilling callings and meeting other member responsibilities (such as regular temple attendance) have appeared primarily responsible for these changes in LDS growth trends. For example, members have appeared to minimally utilize the Mexico City Mexico Temple even though the Mexico City Mexico Temple has one of the largest temple districts in the world with approximately 80 stakes.
The Church in Mexico began to consolidate wards and stakes with smaller numbers of active members as early as 2011 and 2012 although most of these changes occurred in 2017. The Church first began widespread consolidations in Mexico in Guadalajara where two stakes and 17 wards/branches were discontinued in late 2011 and in 2012. These changes have appeared to have had a positive effect on growth as four new wards/branches have since been organized in Guadalajara after these initial consolidations occurred. Moreover, the Church has reported significant improvements in the functionality and strength of the Church in Guadalajara since these changes occurred. The Church reported significant ward/branch consolidations in Chilpancingo, Ciudad Obregón, Culiacán, Juchitán, Mazatlán, Puebla, Salina Cruz, and Tijuana during 2017 albeit these changes necessitated the discontinuation of stakes only in Ciudad Obregón and Mazatlán. However, there has been significant variability in the magnitude of ward/branch consolidations in Mexico during 2017 and 2018. For example, the Church discontinued approximately half of its wards/branches in the Tampico/Madero metropolitan area and in the city of Minatitlán, whereas only 10-20% of wards/branches were discontinued in other major cities such as Monterrey or Puebla. Furthermore, no stakes were discontinued when ward/branch consolidations occurred in Puebla. To the contrary, one new stake and one new district were organized as part of the restructuring of stakes and congregations.
Despite the bleak picture presented by recent trends in national stake and congregational growth, the Church in Mexico has experienced steady growth in several locations which appear unlikely to experience future consolidations or only a minimal number of consolidations, such as Cancún, Querétaro, Mérida, Orizaba, and Xalapa. Variability in growth trends and church strength/stability has also appeared affected by crime and economic opportunities. Nevertheless, the recent trend in nationwide congregation and stake consolidations does not appear to be over as there appear many wards/stakes in the Mexico City area and other cities in northern Mexico that appear vulnerable to closure.
Stakes discontinued in Mexico during the past 1-2 months include:
- Coatzacoalcos México Puerto
- Madero México Ampliación
- Minatitlán México
- Minatitlán México Tecnológico
- Monterrey México Morelos
- Monterrey México Paraíso
- Tampico México Chairel
The Madero México Ampliación Stake was organized in 2001 and had six wards prior to its consolidation with the Madero México Stake. The Madero México Stake had seven wards before the consolidation occurred. There are now five wards and two branches in the Madero México Stake. The Tampico México Chairel Stake was organized in 2000 and had six wards prior to its consolidation with the Tampico México Stake. Four of the wards in the original stake were discontinued. The Tampico México Stake now has five wards and two branches. As a result of these changes, the number of stakes in the Tampico/Madero metropolitan area decreased from five to three.
The Minatitlán México Stake was organized in 1977 and had six wards prior to its discontinuation. The Minatitlán México Tecnológico Stake was organized in 1997 and had six wards and one branch prior to its discontinuation. The two Minatitlán Stakes were merged into the Minatitlán México Tecnológico District, which has seven branches. This marks the first time in LDS history where the Church in a city with two stakes has had both of its stakes discontinued and merged into a single district. In contrast, the Church has usually discontinued only one of its two stakes in a city where there are two stakes.
The Monterrey México Morelos Stake was organized in 1980 and had five wards prior to its consolidation with the Monterrey México Anáhuac Stake and the Monterrey México Mitras Stake. Two of the wards in the original stake were discontinued. The Monterrey México Paraíso Stake was organized in 1978 and had six wards prior to its consolidation with the Monterrey México Los Angeles Stake and the Monterrey México Roma Stake. Three of the wards in the original stake were discontinued. As a result of the discontinuation of these two stakes, the number of stakes in Monterrey decreased from 12 to 10.
Analysis:
The decision by the Church to discontinue seven stakes and more than 50 wards/branches in several cities in Mexico during the past 1-2 months does not indicate a sudden drop in church attendance or member activity/convert retention rates. Rather, these changes were likely many months or years in planning due to many wards in these cities with few active members and emphasis from the area presidency for better utilization of meetinghouse space. Data from returned missionary and local member surveys indicate that many, if not most, of the wards discontinued during the past 1-2 months in Mexico had between 40-100 active members. Church leaders in the Mexico Area have also focused on the creation of wards that have at least 100 active members in order to better utilize LDS meetinghouse space to conserve costs and to establish larger wards that provide more opportunities for fellowship and socialization. The creation of wards with more active members has also appeared motivated to address challenges with leadership burnout or difficulties with quality church leadership on a local level.
Most concerning with these developments has been the lack of success of strengthening wards/branches in many cities in Mexico during the last 5-10 years despite a significantly increased missionary presence in many areas. For example, the number of missions in Mexico increased from 24 in 2011 to 34 in 2013, and decreased to 32 in 2018. However, there has now been no net increase in the number of stakes since 2011 and a decrease of 67 wards/branches during this time even though church membership has increased by 162,184 (or 12.7%) from 1,273,199 to 1,435,383. Thus, the Church in Mexico has appeared to experience the lowest "real growth" productivity of any country in the world with a significant LDS presence (i.e. more than 100,000 members) during the 2010s. Local church leaders and returned missionaries indicate low member-missionary participation, poor collaboration between church leaders and full-time missionaries in regards to proselytism and reactivation efforts, and low participation by many active members in fulfilling callings and meeting other member responsibilities (such as regular temple attendance) have appeared primarily responsible for these changes in LDS growth trends. For example, members have appeared to minimally utilize the Mexico City Mexico Temple even though the Mexico City Mexico Temple has one of the largest temple districts in the world with approximately 80 stakes.
The Church in Mexico began to consolidate wards and stakes with smaller numbers of active members as early as 2011 and 2012 although most of these changes occurred in 2017. The Church first began widespread consolidations in Mexico in Guadalajara where two stakes and 17 wards/branches were discontinued in late 2011 and in 2012. These changes have appeared to have had a positive effect on growth as four new wards/branches have since been organized in Guadalajara after these initial consolidations occurred. Moreover, the Church has reported significant improvements in the functionality and strength of the Church in Guadalajara since these changes occurred. The Church reported significant ward/branch consolidations in Chilpancingo, Ciudad Obregón, Culiacán, Juchitán, Mazatlán, Puebla, Salina Cruz, and Tijuana during 2017 albeit these changes necessitated the discontinuation of stakes only in Ciudad Obregón and Mazatlán. However, there has been significant variability in the magnitude of ward/branch consolidations in Mexico during 2017 and 2018. For example, the Church discontinued approximately half of its wards/branches in the Tampico/Madero metropolitan area and in the city of Minatitlán, whereas only 10-20% of wards/branches were discontinued in other major cities such as Monterrey or Puebla. Furthermore, no stakes were discontinued when ward/branch consolidations occurred in Puebla. To the contrary, one new stake and one new district were organized as part of the restructuring of stakes and congregations.
Despite the bleak picture presented by recent trends in national stake and congregational growth, the Church in Mexico has experienced steady growth in several locations which appear unlikely to experience future consolidations or only a minimal number of consolidations, such as Cancún, Querétaro, Mérida, Orizaba, and Xalapa. Variability in growth trends and church strength/stability has also appeared affected by crime and economic opportunities. Nevertheless, the recent trend in nationwide congregation and stake consolidations does not appear to be over as there appear many wards/stakes in the Mexico City area and other cities in northern Mexico that appear vulnerable to closure.
Monday, July 2, 2018
Monday, June 25, 2018
History of the Church in West Africa Video
Click here to watch a 46-minute video regarding the establishment of the Church in each country in West Africa. This video was created to commemorate three milestones: the 40th anniversary of the the 1978 Revelation regarding Blacks and the Priesthood, the 30th anniversary of the creation of the first stake in West Africa, and the creation of the 100th stake in West Africa. Furthermore, the video provides membership information for several countries where no LDS membership information is provided on www.mormonnewsroom.org. This data appears current as of April 2018 as this was the last time membership, congregation, and organization data were provided on the Africa West Area website. These countries include:
- Senegal - 74 members
- Guinea - 56 members
- Mali - 42 members
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
New Stakes Created in Nigeria (2) and Brazil; New Districts Created in Ghana and Liberia
Nigeria
Two new stakes have been created in Nigeria.
The Asaba Nigeria Stake was organized from the Nigeria Asaba District on June 10th. The Asaba Nigeria District was originally created in 2006. Information on which seven branches became wards in the new stake remains unavailable. The Asaba Nigeria Stake is the Church's fourth new stake organized within the boundaries of the Nigeria Benin City Mission since January 2018. There are now two stakes in Delta State.
The Aba Nigeria Umuola Stake was organized on June 10th. Information on which congregations are assigned to the new stake remains unavailable. However, it appears that the stake was organized from a division of the Aba Nigeria Ogbor Hill Stake which had 10 wards and 5 branches prior to the creation of the new stake. There are now four stakes in Aba where the Church's sole Nigerian temple operates. There are now six stakes and one districts in Abia State.
There are now 50 stakes and 15 districts in Nigeria. The Church in Nigeria now ties with Canada as the country with the eighth most stakes worldwide. Members report that the 100th stake in West Africa will be organized this Sunday in Nigeria in the Ukat Aran area. Several additional stakes will likely be organized in Nigeria before the end of 2018 or in 2019 such as in Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Warri, Aba, and Port Harcourt. See below for a map of stakes, districts, and missions in Nigeria.
Brazil
A new stake was created in Ceará State, Brazil. The Fortaleza Brazil Dunas Stake was created from a division of the Fortaleza Brazil Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Guararapes, Jardim das Oliveiras, Mucuripe, Nova Aldeota, and Tancredo Neves Wards. There are now 16 stakes in the Fortaleza metropolitan area - the second most stakes in a metropolitan area in Brazil.
There are now 271 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.
Ghana
A new district was created in the Ghana Kumasi Mission. The Bibiani Ghana District was organized from the following three former mission branches: the Bibiani Estates, Gyedi, and Sefwi Bekwai Branches. The Church first established a presence in Bibani in 2012. The original Bibiani Branch reported that essentially all of its members were active a couple years ago. Two of the branches function in Bibiani, whereas one of the branches meets in Bekwai.
There are now 23 stakes and 10 districts in Ghana.
Liberia
The Church organized its first district outside of Monrovia on June 10th. The Kakata Liberia District was organized from two former mission branches with nearly 500 people in attendance. The new district includes the following three branches: Kakata 1st, Kakata 2nd, and Kakata 3rd Branches. The Kakata 3rd Branch was organized on the same day as the new district.
There are now four stakes and one district in Liberia.
Two new stakes have been created in Nigeria.
The Asaba Nigeria Stake was organized from the Nigeria Asaba District on June 10th. The Asaba Nigeria District was originally created in 2006. Information on which seven branches became wards in the new stake remains unavailable. The Asaba Nigeria Stake is the Church's fourth new stake organized within the boundaries of the Nigeria Benin City Mission since January 2018. There are now two stakes in Delta State.
The Aba Nigeria Umuola Stake was organized on June 10th. Information on which congregations are assigned to the new stake remains unavailable. However, it appears that the stake was organized from a division of the Aba Nigeria Ogbor Hill Stake which had 10 wards and 5 branches prior to the creation of the new stake. There are now four stakes in Aba where the Church's sole Nigerian temple operates. There are now six stakes and one districts in Abia State.
There are now 50 stakes and 15 districts in Nigeria. The Church in Nigeria now ties with Canada as the country with the eighth most stakes worldwide. Members report that the 100th stake in West Africa will be organized this Sunday in Nigeria in the Ukat Aran area. Several additional stakes will likely be organized in Nigeria before the end of 2018 or in 2019 such as in Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Warri, Aba, and Port Harcourt. See below for a map of stakes, districts, and missions in Nigeria.
Brazil
A new stake was created in Ceará State, Brazil. The Fortaleza Brazil Dunas Stake was created from a division of the Fortaleza Brazil Stake. The new stake includes the following five wards: the Guararapes, Jardim das Oliveiras, Mucuripe, Nova Aldeota, and Tancredo Neves Wards. There are now 16 stakes in the Fortaleza metropolitan area - the second most stakes in a metropolitan area in Brazil.
There are now 271 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.
Ghana
A new district was created in the Ghana Kumasi Mission. The Bibiani Ghana District was organized from the following three former mission branches: the Bibiani Estates, Gyedi, and Sefwi Bekwai Branches. The Church first established a presence in Bibani in 2012. The original Bibiani Branch reported that essentially all of its members were active a couple years ago. Two of the branches function in Bibiani, whereas one of the branches meets in Bekwai.
There are now 23 stakes and 10 districts in Ghana.
Liberia
The Church organized its first district outside of Monrovia on June 10th. The Kakata Liberia District was organized from two former mission branches with nearly 500 people in attendance. The new district includes the following three branches: Kakata 1st, Kakata 2nd, and Kakata 3rd Branches. The Kakata 3rd Branch was organized on the same day as the new district.
There are now four stakes and one district in Liberia.
Thursday, June 7, 2018
New Stakes Created in Brazil, Georgia, Guatemala, and the Philippines; New District in Armenia; Stake Discontinued in Germany; Districts Discontinued in Brazil, Germany, and Ukraine
Brazil
A new stake was organized in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil on May 20th. The Santa Cruz do Sul Brazil Stake was organized from the Rio Grande do Sul Brazil District (originally organized in 1994) and Cachoeira do Sul Brazil District, and portions of the São Leopoldo Brazil Stake. Information on which congregations are assigned to the new stake is currently unavailable although it may be as many as 10 congregations. The Cachoeira do Sul Brazil District was organized in 1986 and included four branches before it was consolidated with the newly organized Santa Cruz do Sul Brazil Stake.
There are now 25 stakes and 6 districts in Rio Grande do Sul State, and 270 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.
Georgia
A new stake was organized in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Coal Mountain Georgia Stake was organized from the Sugar Hill Georgia Stake and the Roswell Georgia Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Coal Mountain, Dahlonega, Fowler Park, Laurel Springs, Pilgrim Mill, and Sharon Springs Wards, and the Blairsville and Murphy Branches. There are now 10 stakes in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
There are now 17 stakes in Georgia.
Guatemala
A new stake was organized in western Guatemala. The Sololá Guatemala Stake was organized from the Sololá Guatemala District. Most of the seven branches in the former district, which was organized in 1979, appear to have become wards although information on which branches became wards remains unavailable. The new stake is located within the homelands of the Kaqchikel people. There are now four stakes located within the Kaqchikel homelands.
There are now 49 stakes and 14 districts in Guatemala.
Philippines
A new stake was organized in Mindanao, Philippines. The San Francisco Philippines Stake was organized from the Trento Philippines District (organized in 1999). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Prosperidad, San Francisco, Santa Josefa, Trento, and Veruela Wards, and the Rosario Branch. The new stake marks the first time in over two decades since a district has become a stake in Mindanao. There are now 12 stakes and 17 districts in Mindanao.
There are now 102 stakes and 73 districts in the Philippines.
Armenia
A new district was organized in northern Armenia on April 15th. The Vanadzor Armenia District was organized from a division of the Yerevan Armenia District. The new district includes three branches: Alaverdi (member group recently organized as a branch), Gyumri, and Vanadzor. Additionally, a member group may also continue to operate in Margahovit. The decision to divide the Yerevan Armenia District, which used to be stake from 2013-2016, suggests that the mission may be exploring opportunities for leadership development and outreach expansion in northern Armenia, and/or there are no realistic prospects for the Yerevan Armenia District to become a stake again in the foreseeable future. There are now two districts in Armenia.
Germany
One stake and two districts were discontinued in northern Germany during May 2018. The Neumünster Germany Stake (organized in 1981) was discontinued and consolidated with the Hamburg Germany Stake, marking the first time in LDS history that the Church has ever discontinued a German-speaking stake. Additionally, the only two districts in Germany, the Oldenburg Germany District and the Neubrandenburg Germany District, were discontinued. Retained branches in the former Oldenburg Germany District were reassigned to the Hamburg Germany Stake and the Hannover Germany Stake, whereas retained branches in the Neubrandenburg Germany District were reassigned to the Berlin Germany Stake. Emphasis on reducing the amount of members needed to fill leadership positions in order to free resources and reduce member burnout appeared primarily responsible for the changes. For example, most of the branches involved in the changes reported less than 20 active members for two or three decades. More information on the changes can be found here (NOTE: article is in German).
There are now 14 stakes in Germany.
Ukraine
The Church discontinued the Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine District (originally organized in 1999, discontinued in 2011, reinstated in 2016) and reassigned its branches to the Kharkov Ukraine District. It appears that the change may have been made in preparation to create a second stake in Ukraine.
There are now four districts and one stake in Ukraine.
A new stake was organized in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil on May 20th. The Santa Cruz do Sul Brazil Stake was organized from the Rio Grande do Sul Brazil District (originally organized in 1994) and Cachoeira do Sul Brazil District, and portions of the São Leopoldo Brazil Stake. Information on which congregations are assigned to the new stake is currently unavailable although it may be as many as 10 congregations. The Cachoeira do Sul Brazil District was organized in 1986 and included four branches before it was consolidated with the newly organized Santa Cruz do Sul Brazil Stake.
There are now 25 stakes and 6 districts in Rio Grande do Sul State, and 270 stakes and 38 districts in Brazil.
Georgia
A new stake was organized in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Coal Mountain Georgia Stake was organized from the Sugar Hill Georgia Stake and the Roswell Georgia Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards and two branches: the Coal Mountain, Dahlonega, Fowler Park, Laurel Springs, Pilgrim Mill, and Sharon Springs Wards, and the Blairsville and Murphy Branches. There are now 10 stakes in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
There are now 17 stakes in Georgia.
Guatemala
A new stake was organized in western Guatemala. The Sololá Guatemala Stake was organized from the Sololá Guatemala District. Most of the seven branches in the former district, which was organized in 1979, appear to have become wards although information on which branches became wards remains unavailable. The new stake is located within the homelands of the Kaqchikel people. There are now four stakes located within the Kaqchikel homelands.
There are now 49 stakes and 14 districts in Guatemala.
Philippines
A new stake was organized in Mindanao, Philippines. The San Francisco Philippines Stake was organized from the Trento Philippines District (organized in 1999). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Prosperidad, San Francisco, Santa Josefa, Trento, and Veruela Wards, and the Rosario Branch. The new stake marks the first time in over two decades since a district has become a stake in Mindanao. There are now 12 stakes and 17 districts in Mindanao.
There are now 102 stakes and 73 districts in the Philippines.
Armenia
A new district was organized in northern Armenia on April 15th. The Vanadzor Armenia District was organized from a division of the Yerevan Armenia District. The new district includes three branches: Alaverdi (member group recently organized as a branch), Gyumri, and Vanadzor. Additionally, a member group may also continue to operate in Margahovit. The decision to divide the Yerevan Armenia District, which used to be stake from 2013-2016, suggests that the mission may be exploring opportunities for leadership development and outreach expansion in northern Armenia, and/or there are no realistic prospects for the Yerevan Armenia District to become a stake again in the foreseeable future. There are now two districts in Armenia.
Germany
One stake and two districts were discontinued in northern Germany during May 2018. The Neumünster Germany Stake (organized in 1981) was discontinued and consolidated with the Hamburg Germany Stake, marking the first time in LDS history that the Church has ever discontinued a German-speaking stake. Additionally, the only two districts in Germany, the Oldenburg Germany District and the Neubrandenburg Germany District, were discontinued. Retained branches in the former Oldenburg Germany District were reassigned to the Hamburg Germany Stake and the Hannover Germany Stake, whereas retained branches in the Neubrandenburg Germany District were reassigned to the Berlin Germany Stake. Emphasis on reducing the amount of members needed to fill leadership positions in order to free resources and reduce member burnout appeared primarily responsible for the changes. For example, most of the branches involved in the changes reported less than 20 active members for two or three decades. More information on the changes can be found here (NOTE: article is in German).
There are now 14 stakes in Germany.
Ukraine
The Church discontinued the Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine District (originally organized in 1999, discontinued in 2011, reinstated in 2016) and reassigned its branches to the Kharkov Ukraine District. It appears that the change may have been made in preparation to create a second stake in Ukraine.
There are now four districts and one stake in Ukraine.
Updated Country Profile - Slovenia
Click here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Slovenia.
Friday, June 1, 2018
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