Thursday, December 29, 2011

Several New Case Study Essays Posted

In coordination with David Stewart at cumorah.com, we have posted nine church growth case studies which examine specific topics in relation to LDS Church growth.  Case studies currently posted examine the following topics and are provided with links to the articles:
We are in the process of editing and writing case studies on the following topics:
  • Outreach efforts among the Tzotzil Amerindians
  • Unofficial groups of investigators meeting under the LDS Church's name
  • Failed efforts to expand outreach in Greece
  • The impact of changing area policies on LDS growth
  • Meetinghouse construction and LDS growth
  • Projecting LDS membership growth
  • LDS growth among the Miskito of Nicaragua
  • Unreached islands in the Philippines
  • Comparing LDS growth trends in Hong Kong and Singapore
  • Methods of LDS Outreach in Muslim nations
Corrections, comments, and questions are welcomed.  We are also welcoming suggestions for future topics.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Baghdad Iraq Military District Discontinued

In conjunction with the withdrawal of United States military personnel from Iraq, the Church has discontinued the Baghdad Iraq Military District.  Formed in late 2009, the district met the needs of military members in Iraq meeting in six branches and up to several dozen groups at one time.  Five of the six branches have been discontinued with the closure of the district; only one branch continues to operate (I Z Military Branch).

Members in the Middle East report that there have been a handful of Iraqi Christians who have joined the LDS Church in other nations such as Jordan.  It is unclear whether any active Iraqi Latter-day Saints live in Iraq at present.  The Church does not proselyte in Iraq and no missionaries are assigned.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Two New International Districts in China

Two new districts were created last Sunday in China for foreigners residing in the country.  The Central China International (English) District was organized from the Beijing China International (English) District and includes two branches in Xian and Qinghao and a third district branch that was renamed the Central China International (English) Branch.  The Shenzhen China International (English) District was also organized from the Beijing China International (English) District and includes two branches in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.  Long distances between branches and district headquarters appears the primary reason for the organization of these two small districts.  Each of these two districts appear to also accommodate several groups of members residing in additional cities which remain too small in numbers to merit the organization of their own branches.  There are now four international districts in mainland China.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Recent Church Growth News

Missionaries serving on Gaua Island, Vanuatu

Missionaries have recently begun serving on the island of Gaua in northern Vanuatu.  With only a few thousand inhabitants, Gaua becomes one of the least populated islands in the country to have had an LDS presence established.  The number of missionaries assigned to Vanuatu has increased dramatically within the past couple months to as many as 30 at present.  A single group meets in Gaua which missionaries report has recently been approved to become an independent branch.

Growth in Sierra Leone

Several new branches and groups have been recently organized in Sierra Leone.  Missionaries report that in Kenema three congregations have begun meeting whereas a year ago there was only one branch.  Currently assigned to the Bo Sierra Leone District, Kenema is likely to become its own district in the near future.  A new branch was created less than a month ago in Freetown (Belliar Park Branch) and a couple new groups also begun meeting in the Freetown area.

Accelerated congregational growth in Venezuela

Over the past year congregational growth has accelerated in Venezuela with new wards and branches often being organized on a monthly basis.  Convert retention and member activity rates appear higher than most Latin American nations as membership growth rates remain moderately low notwithstanding increases in new wards and branches.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Senior Missionary Couples Temporarily Leave the DR Congo Kinshasa Mission

Due to political instability caused by the recent presidential election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the LDS Church has withdrawn its non-African senior missionary couples serving in the DR Congo in the DR Congo Kinshasa Mission and is currently housing them in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Senior missionary couples serving in nearby Cameroon and the Republic of Congo - two nations also part of the DR Congo Kinshasa Mission - appear unaffected.  It is unclear whether the mission president has also withdrawn from the country or whether senior missionary couples were withdrawn from the DR Congo Lubumbashi Mission.  Almost the entire full-time missionary force is staffed by native Congolese members and it is unclear whether these missionaries are under lock down or continue to proselyte in the Kinshasa area.

The current situation does not appear likely to significantly disrupt the growth of the Church in the DR Congo.  However if political instability and violence interfere with the activities of local and native full-time missionaries for extended periods of time and mission leadership become unable to communicate with local church leaders, reduced church growth may result within the next year.

Friday, December 9, 2011

District Discontinued in Argentina

A district was recently discontinued in Argentina.  Formerly comprising four branches in the Chaco area of Argentina, the General Jose de San Martin Argentina District was combined with stakes in Resistencia and Formosa.  The El Colorado and San Martin Branches now pertain to the Resistencia Argentina Stake whereas the Pirane Branch pertains to the Formosa Argentina Stake.  The Campo Medina Branch is no longer assigned to a district or stake and reports directly to the Argentina Resistencia Mission. 

Northern Argentina near the Paraguay border has experienced the most drastic congregation consolidation in the country over the past few years as many small branches have closed.  There are now 71 stakes and 36 districts in Argentina.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

New District in Malaysia

A new district was created in West Malaysia last Sunday.  The Johor Bahru Malaysia District was organized from the Singapore Stake and includes two branches in the Johor Bahru area.  The organization of a new district with only two branches has been very unusual over the past five years for the Church as a whole as such districts often have extremely limited priesthood leadership manpower and tend to draw large amounts of resources from individual branches within the district.  The organization of a district for the two branches in Johor Bahru may indicate prospects for the organization of additional branches within the near future.  Currently in Malaysia the Miri East Malaysia District also has only two branches at present but this district also includes three groups in Miri and Brunei. 

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Stakes Likely to Split Outside the United States and Canada

Below is an updated list of LDS stakes with large numbers of congregations that may split to create new stakes in the near future.  The previous list from January 2011 can be found here.

AFRICA
  • Accra Ghana Adenta (9 wards, 4 branches)
  • Benin City Nigeria Ihogbe (11 wards)
  • Benin City Nigeria Ikpokpan (10 wards)
  • Benin City Nigeria New Benin (15 wards) 
  • Brazzaville Republic of Congo (9 wards, 4 branches)
  • Bulawayo Zimbabwe (8 wards, 5 branches, 1 group)
  • Katuba Democratic Republic of Congo (10 wards, 2 branches)
  • Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo (10 wards)
  • Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of Congo (11 wards)
  • Roodepoort South Africa (12 wards, 6 branches)
  • Takoradi Ghana (10 wards)
  • Tema Ghana (13 wards)
ASIA
  • Butuan Philippines (10 wards, 1 branch)
  • Cavite Philippines (10 wards, 1 branch)
  • Singapore (10 wards, 2 branches)
CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
  • Alajuela Costa Rica (10 wards, 2 branches)
  • Chimaltenango Guatemala (10 wards, 3 branches)
  • Fesitranh Honduras (9 wards, 4 branches)
  • La Ceiba Honduras (10 wards)
  • Managua Nicaragua (10 wards)
  • San Jose Costa Rica La Paz (11 wards, 1 branch)
  • Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Ozama (10 wards)
EUROPE
  • Milan Italy (10 wards, 2 branches)
MEXICO
  • Amecameca Mexico (10 wards, 1 branch)
  • Celaya Mexico (11 wards)
  • Chalco Mexico (10 wards)
  • Chilpancingo Mexico (10 wards, 5 branches)
  • Ciudad Victoria Mexico (10 wards, 1 branch)
  • Coatzacoalcos Mexico Puerto (13 wards)
  • Colonia Juarez Mexico East (11 wards)
  • Culiacan Mexico (10 wards, 1 branch)
  • Jalapa Mexico (10 wards)
  • 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 Tecamac (11 wards)
  • Mexico City Tepalcapa (11 wards)
  • Mexico City Valle Dorado (11 wards, 1 branch)
  • Oaxaca Mexico Monte Alban (10 wards, 3 branches)
  • Puebla Mexico Nealtican (12 wards, 1 branch)
  • Salta Mexico Republica (11 wards)
  • Veracruz Mexico Villa Rica (10 wards, 1 branch)
  • Villahermosa Mexico Gaviotas (10 wards, 1 branch)
OCEANIA
  • Ha'apai Tonga (9 wards, 5 branches)
  • Liverpool Australia (11 wards)
  • Newcastle Australia (10 wards, 2 branches)
  • Nuku'alofa Tonga (10 wards)
  • Apia Samoa West (10 wards)
  • Pesega Samoa (10 wards)
  • Savaii Samoa (12 wards)
SOUTH AMERICA
  • Brasilia Brazil Alvorada (10 wards, 2 branches)
  • Buenos Aires Argentina Castelar (10 wards)
  • Cochabamba Bolivia (11 wards, 1 branch)
  • Cochabamba Bolivia Jaihuayco (10 wards)
  • Fortaleza Brazil Litoral (9 wards)
  • Godoy Cruz Argentina (10 wards, 2 branches)
  • Guayaquil Ecuador Pascuales (10 wards, 1 branch)
  • Joao Pessoa Brazil Rangel (9 wards, 1 branch)
  • Juiz de Fora Brazil (11 wards)
  • Jujuy Argentina (10 wards, 3 branches)
  • La Paz Bolivia Miraflores (12 wards, 1 branch)
  • La Plata Argentina Villa Elvira (10 wards, 2 branches) 
  • Lima Peru Canto Grande (10 wards)
  • Lima Peru Villa Salvador (10 wards)
  • Luque Paraguay (10 wards, 3 branches)
  • Montevideo Uruguay East (12 wards)
  • Quito Ecuador Chillogallo (11 wards)
  • Santa Cruz Bolivia Canoto (11 wards)
  • Santa Maria Brazil (10 wards, 1 branch)

New Stake in Nigeria

A new stake was created in Nigeria.  The Port Harcourt Nigeria East Stake was created and becomes the third stake in Port Harcourt and the 18th in Nigeria.  The first stake in Port Harcourt was organized in 1990 followed by a second stake in 2003.  Congregational information will be posted under "comments" once it becomes available. 

Monday, November 28, 2011

First District Created in the Solomon Islands

Missionaries report that the first LDS district in the Solomon Islands was organized yesterday.  The Honiara Solomon Islands District includes the three branches on Guadalcanal (Burns Creek, Honiara, White River) and a group meeting on Malaita in Fauabu.  The Church dedicated the islands to missionary work in 1987 and the first LDS presence was established in 1995 when missionaries were assigned and began holding sacrament meetings.  A single branch met in Honiara, Guadalcanal until 2010 when two new branches were created in the Honiara area.  Full-time missionaries were recently assigned off of Guadalcanal for the first time in Fauabu, Malaita where a small group of approximately 40 members and investigators meet.

The creation of the new district is a major achievement for the Church that indicates maturing local leadership and good convert retention considering two of the three branches in the islands were organized just last year and the number of priesthood leaders is sufficient to staff branches and a district.  With nearly 600,000 inhabitants, the Solomon Islands is the third most populated nation in Melanesia after Papua New Guinea and Fiji yet has the lowest percentage of Latter-day Saints in Oceania among nations and territories with an LDS presence (approximately one member per 2,000 inhabitants).  Prospects appear favorable for continued outreach expansion but will hinge on increasing the number of full-time missionaries assigned due to few members in the islands.  More efficient LDS missionary activity will also require the translation of LDS materials into Solomons Pijin.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Two New Stakes in Utah

Two new stakes were recently created in Utah, the Saratoga Springs Utah Crossroads Stake and the Santa Clara Utah Heights Stake.  The Saratoga Springs Utah Crossroads Stake was organized from the Saratoga Springs Utah and Saratoga Springs Utah South Stakes whereas the Santa Clara Utah Heights Stake was organized from the Santa Clara Utah Stake.  I will provide congregational information for the two new stakes once it becomes available.  There are now 558 stakes in Utah.

So far this year there have been 57 new stakes organized; the largest number of new stakes created in a single year since 1998 when 84 new stakes were organized.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

New Stakes in Colombia and Utah

Colombia

A new stake was organized in the Bogotá area.  The Bogotá Colombia La Libertad was created from the Soacha Colombia and Bogotá Colombia Kennedy Stakes and includes the following six wards and one branch: The Bosa, Casablanca, La Libertad, Patiobonito, Piamonte, and Roma Wards and the Tintal Branch.  The Soacha Colombia Stake now has five wards whereas the Bogotá Colombia Kennedy Stake has six wards.  Notwithstanding rapid congregation growth in the Bogotá area during the 1990s when the number of stakes doubled from four to eight, congregational growth in the 2000s was very slow and limited primarily to the Soacha area.  The new stake becomes the first new stake organized in the Bogotá area since the Soacha Colombia Stake in 2003.  There are now 29 stakes and 12 districts in Colombia.

Utah

A new stake was created in Utah.  The Farmington Utah West Stake was created from the Farmington Utah and Farmington Utah Oakridge Stakes and includes the following seven wards: The Farmington Pointe, Farmington Ranches 1st, Farmington Ranches 2nd, Farmington Ranches 3rd, Farmington Ranches 4th, Hunters Creek, and Quail Crossing Wards.  There are now five stakes in Farmington and 556 in Utah.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Stake Discontinued in Utah

A stake was discontinued in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Organized in 1943, the Salt Lake Park Stake was discontinued and four of its five wards (First, Legrand, Tenth, and Thirty First) were transferred to the Salt Lake Sugarhouse Stake.  The Salt Lake Valley 1st (Deaf) Ward was transferred to the Salt Lake Granite Stake. 

2011 has been an unprecedented year for stake consolidations in Utah.  Only five stakes were discontinued in Utah in the 2000s yet in 2011 six stakes have been discontinued in the state (Blanding Utah West, Salt Lake Mount Olympus North, Taylorsville Utah West, Bennion Heights Utah, West Valley Utah, and Salt Lake Park).  Stake consolidations have been long overdue in the Salt Lake City area as active members have steadily relocated to suburban communities or elsewhere over the past several decades resulting in dwindling numbers of congregations in operating stakes.  Stakes operating in areas of Salt Lake City bound by I-215 up to the downtown area appear most vulnerable to consolidations in the near future as many stakes have six or fewer wards.  The rate at which congregations have closed in the older areas of Salt Lake City has not appeared to have significantly changed over the past decade.

Currently there are 555 stakes in Utah; an increase of nine since the beginning of 2011.  Of the 15 new stakes created in Utah in 2011, 10 were YSA stakes.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Stake Discontinued in Panama

For the first time a stake has been discontinued in Panama.  Organized in 1998, the San Isidro Panamá Stake consisted of five wards and one branch and was consolidated with the neighboring San Miguelito Panamá Stake which had only four wards.  Congregation consolidations have occurred regularly throughout Panama and recently have occurred in the Panama City area.  The LDS Church reached a high of 112 congregations in 2001 and today there are 73 congregations nationwide; a decrease of 39 units in only a decade.  Low member activity and convert retention rates appear primarily to blame for this major contraction in LDS outreach and congregations.  Additional stakes may be consolidated if additional wards and branches are closed.  There are now seven stakes and five districts in Panama.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

New Stakes in the Philippines and Venezuela

Philippines

Full-time missionaries serving in the Philippines Cauayan Mission report that the Tuguegarao Philippines Stake divided to create a second stake in the city of Tugegarao last Sunday.  Prior to the division of the stake, there were 10 wards and 3 branches in the stake.  Earlier this year, two additional stakes were created in the country in Santiago and Makati.  There are now 83 stakes and 85 districts in the Philippines.

Venezuela

The fourth new stake to be created in Venezuela in 2011 was organized a couple Sundays ago.  The Cabimas Venezuela Stake was organized from the Ciudad Ojeda Venezuela Stake and includes the following five wards and two branches: The Buena Vista, Cabimas, La Rosa, Los Laureles, and Los Medanos Wards and La Rita and Punta Gorda Branches.  The Ciudad Ojeda Venezuela Stake now has five wards and one branch.  Currently no other stakes in the country appear close to splitting although a couple districts may become stakes in the near future.  There are now 33 stakes and eight districts in Venezuela.  Of the 33 stakes operating at present, 17 have been created since 2001; nearly a 100% increase within only decade.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

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).

Monday, October 24, 2011

New District in Taiwan

A new district was organized in Taiwan.  The Chia Yi Taiwan District was created from the Tainan Taiwan and Chung Hsing Taiwan Stakes and includes the following six branches: The Chia Yi 1st, Chia Yi 2nd, Hsin Ying, Hu Wei, Taipo, and Tou Liu Branches.  Of these six branches, four were wards in their previously assigned stakes.  The LDS Church has experienced stronger growth than most missionary-minded Christian denominations in Taiwan within the past few decades but continues to struggle with low member activity and convert retention rates.  The new district appears unlikely to become a stake within the near future until additional congregations are organized and operating units increase in the number of active members.  No stakes in Taiwan appear close to dividing within the near future.  Taipei Taiwan West Stake is now the stake with the most congregations in the country with nine wards and one branch.

There are now 11 stakes and two districts in Taiwan.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

New Stakes in Alabama, Peru, and the Philippines; New District in Peru

Alabama

The LDS Church's seventh stake in Alabama will be organized at the end of October according to members living in the Huntsville area.  The Madison Alabama Stake will be organized from the Huntsville Alabama Stake and include seven congregations.  The new stake will be the first new LDS stake organized in Alabama since the Dothan Alabama Stake in 1986.

Peru

Last Sunday a new stake was created in Arequipa and a new district was created in Casma.  The Arequipa Perú Paucarpata Stake was organized from the Arequipa Perú Manuel Prado Stake includes six wards.  The new stake becomes Peru's 98th stake and the seventh stake in the city of Arequipa.  Prospects appear very favorable for a temple announcement for Arequipa within the near future.  In northern Peru, the Casma Perú District was organized from the Chimbote Perú South Stake and appears to consist of five branches in the southern coastal areas of the Ancash Region.  There are now 23 districts in Peru.

The Philippines

A new stake was created in northern Luzon in Santiago last Sunday.  The Santiago Philippines North Stake was organized from the Santiago Philippines Stake and includes the following five wards: The Baluarte, Ramon, Rizal 1st, Rizal 2nd, and Santiago 3rd Wards.  Congregational growth has increased throughout the Northern Luzon region within the past year as several new wards have been organized in the largest cities and several branches have matured into wards.  There are now 82 stakes and 85 districts in the Philippines.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Recent Church Growth News

First LDS branch organized in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

The first LDS branch was recently organized in Uvira, DR Congo.  The Uvira Branch becomes the first LDS branch ever organized in the entire eastern or northern areas of the country.  Beginning in 2008, the Church has begun to organize new branches in previously unreached cities such as Gandajika, Kakanda, Kasumbalesa, Kipushi, Matadi, and Mwene-Ditu but with the exception of Matadi all of these cities are located within a day's drive from a city that already had an LDS congregation.  The organization of the new branch in Uvira was made possible by the opening of Burundi to missionary work one year ago and the diligence of local members in the Uvira area to cross the border and frequently attend church services in Bujumbura.

New branches in Malaysia; new ward in Singapore

Three new branches have recently been organized in Malaysia: The Cheras, Kota Kinabalu 2nd, and Masai Branches.  The Cheras Branch was organized in Kuala Lampur and the Masai Branch was organized in the Johore Bahru area.  A ninth ward in the Singapore Stake was also recently organized.  With ongoing congregational growth in the region, Singapore appears to be a likely candidate for a future temple within the next decade especially when districts in Malaysia mature into stakes. 


Rapid membership growth in Uganda

Full-time missionaries serving in the Uganda Kampala Mission report that the mission has so far in 2011 baptized over 1,600 converts, breaking previous records for the number of converts baptized in a single year since the mission was organized in 2005.  Convert retention appears moderate but particularly high in cities which recently had branches organized (Gulu, Lira, Masaka, Mbale, and Njeru).  Several senior missionary couples have recently been assigned to these cities and are providing valuable humanitarian and development work in addition to often working with church administrative affairs in these newly created branches.  Some of these congregations have over 150 attending church services on Sundays.

Malawi to be dedicated for missionary work

On the heels of the organization of the new Zambia Lusaka Mission and the creation of several new branches and groups in Malawi, members report that Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve will visit Malawi and offer a formal dedicatory prayer for the nation.  Malawi currently pertains to the Zambia Lusaka Mission and LDS congregations operate in Blantyre (4), Lilongwe (3), and Liwonde.  With nearly 16 million inhabitants, Malawi appears a very favorable nation to have its first LDS mission organized in the near future.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Translations of LDS Materials and the Book of Mormon Approved for the Kamba Language

Missionaries serving in Kenya report that the First Presidency has recently approved the translation of basic church materials and the Book of Mormon into Kamba.  Spoken by over four million native speakers, Kamba is currently the language with the 48th most speakers without LDS materials.  At present, the Church has not officially translated any materials into Kamba although senior missionaries reported that local members have made some unofficial translations of the sacrament prayers to facilitate comprehension among elderly members who have difficulty listening to the prayers in English.  The Church has held a strict standard for baptizing new converts in Kenya and several other African nations over the years by requiring members to pass their baptismal interviews in their country's respective national languages.  Within the past couple years, the Church has become more flexible in permitting converts to join the Church despite low levels of competency in English or their national language if it is determined that they will likely remain active.  The decision to translate church materials the scriptures into Kamba is a major development which will likely increase growth and testimony development among many Kamba-speaking Latter-day Saints.

Currently, Kamba-speaking Latter-day Saints are concentrated in the Kilunga Hills which are located approximately 50 miles southeast of Nairobi.  Four branches function in the Kilunga Hills and each have exhibited good convert retention and member activity rates.  One of the most recently organized branches - the Matini Branch - has nearly 300 attend church services at present.  The total number of Kamba-speaking Latter-day Saints may currently number over 1,000.  Prospects appear very favorable for a district to be organized for the four branches in the area as they do not pertain to a stake or district at present.

It is unclear when translations of LDS materials and scriptures will be available in Kamba, but based on the time table for other languages translations of basic materials may be available within the next year and the Book of Mormon may be available by 2015.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Five New Temples Announced

Barranquilla, Colombia

The Barranquilla Colombia Temple will become the LDS Church's second temple in Colombia following the dedication of the Bogotá Colombia Temple in 1999.  Distance from the Bogotá Colombia Temple and the organization of several new stakes within the past decade in northern Colombia appear contributing factors influencing the decision to announce a second temple for Colombia notwithstanding the Bogotá Colombia Temple operating below capacity.  Currently there are 28 stakes and 12 districts in Colombia.

Durban, South Africa

The Durban South Africa Temple will become the LDS Church's second temple in South Africa, making South Africa the only African nation with more than one LDS temple.  Past mission presidents have shared the vision of a temple in Durban for several years notwithstanding only two stakes functioning in the city.  The future temple will likely service Lesotho and Swaziland in addition to western South Africa, bringing the total of stakes and districts in the prospective temple district to as many as five and three, respectively.  The new temple appears likely to be a small temple due to few stakes and districts in the surrounding region.

Kinshasa, DR Congo

The first temple in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo was announced.  Prior to the temple announcement, the DR Congo was the country with the second most Latter-day Saints without a temple.  LDS Church growth in the DR Congo has outpaced most nations in Africa and currently there are five stakes in Kinshasa and one across the Congo River in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.  Due to rapid congregational and membership growth combined with good retention and member activity, it is likely that as many as ten stakes may function in Kinshasa alone by 2015.  Other stakes in the DR Congo are distant from Kinshasa, but the new temple will significantly reduce travel times and logistical issues.  With the new temple announcement, prospects appear higher for the opening of a missionary training center in Kinshasa to train new missionaries in Central French-speaking Africa.  The new temple will also likely service some additional Central African nations.

Provo, Utah

A second temple built from the shell of the fire-damaged Provo Tabernacle was announced this morning.  The new temple will alleviate the busy Provo Utah Temple which services BYU and the MTC in addition to stakes from Provo to Payson.  The new temple becomes Utah's 16th temple.


Star Valley, Wyoming

The first LDS temple in Wyoming was announced.  Due to most of Wyoming's LDS membership residing within close proximity of the state border, no temple had been announced for many years notwithstanding 16 stakes functioning since 1984.  The future temple will likely serve members in only in two stakes (Thayne and Afton) but may also serve stakes in central and southwestern Wyoming.

New Temples Announced

This morning President Monson announced five new temples in the following locations:
  • Barranquilla, Colombia
  • Durban, South Africa
  • Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Provo, UT (second temple built from former Provo Tabernacle)
  • Star Valley, Wyoming
With the announcement of five new temples, this brings the total of LDS temples worldwide to 166. 

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

New District in Mexico

A new district was recently created in southern Mexico.  The Chojolhó México District was organized from the San Cristóbal México Stake (organized in 2007) and includes several branches in rural communities north of the city of San Cristóbal.  Branches included in the new district were organized within the past few years and are located in areas populated primary by Tzotzil Amerindians who speak dialects of the Tzotzil and Tzeltal languages.  Full-time missionaries reported a couple years ago that they began learning Tzotzil to teach locals about the Church.  The organization of the district appears to signify that local leadership has been developed to meet the demands of both branch and district responsibilities.  According to store.lds.org, there are three LDS materials available in Tzotzil: the Book of Mormon, Gospel Principles, and a family guidebook.

There are now 222 stakes and 36 districts in the LDS Church in Mexico.

New Stake in Peru; Stakes Discontinued in Arizona and Utah

Peru

A new stake was created in Lima, Peru two Sundays ago.  The Lima Perú Chaclacayo Stake was organized from the Lima Perú Chosica Stake and includes the following five wards and one branch: The Chaclacayo, Huaycan, Los Lomas, Moron, and Nana Wards and the Pariachi Branch.  There are now 97 stakes and 22 districts in the LDS Church in Peru.

Arizona

Previously comprising six wards, the Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake was recently discontinued and consolidated with the neighboring Mesa Arizona South Stake.  The Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake becomes the first LDS stake in the Mesa area to be discontinued.  As is the case in many older areas of the largest cities in the Western United States, the decreasing number of active Latter-day Saints in these communities appears to be the primary influence on the closure of the Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake.  Total LDS membership has likely declined for several years prompting the consolidation of the stake with the Mesa Arizona South Stake.

Utah

Previously comprising five wards and one branch, the West Valley Utah Stake was recently discontinued and consolidated with the neighboring Salt Lake Granger Stake.  The West Valley Utah Stake became the fourth stake in Utah to be discontinued this year and the third in the Salt Lake City area.  Causes for the discontinuance of the stake appear similar if not identical to the closure of the Mesa Arizona Pueblo Stake namely declining numbers of active members as members move out of the former stake's boundaries and an already small number of congregations within the small geographic area of the stake.  The West Valley Utah Stake appeared to have a geographic area of less than four square miles.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

LDS International Atlas Completed

In coordinating with David Stewart from cumorah.com, we have completed an up-to-date LDS International atlas that features the locations of congregations, stakes, districts, and missions worldwide using Google Maps.  The atlas was in development for a period of 18 months can be access at the cumorah.com website at the bottom of the left-hand column under "LDS International Atlas - Google Maps."  Use of the atlas is intended for educational purposes.  For information regarding meeting locations and times, visit the Church's official website at lds.org/maps.

Monday, September 19, 2011

District Discontinued in Armenia

Organized in 2008, the Yerevan Armenia South District was recently discontinued and consolidated with the Yerevan Armenia District.  Missionaries currently serving in Armenia report that the decision to consolidate the districts was in preparation for the organization of a future stake in Yerevan once a sufficient number of active Latter-day Saints is reached.  A district council consisting of 12 local members has also been organized in preparation for a stake high council to operate one day.

The decision to split the district in 2008 and to consolidate the two districts back into a single district in 2011 appear linked to changing area/mission policies and vision regarding current member needs, the development of additional leadership, and the encouragement and outlook of future growth.  A couple branches were also recently closed just prior to the consolidation of the districts, indicating ongoing challenges with member activity and convert retention issues.  Membership growth rates have also plummeted in recent years after nearly two decades of some of the strongest growth experienced by the LDS church in the former Soviet Union.

The LDS Church has experienced some of the greatest growth among nontraditional Christian denominations in Armenia during the last decade despite challenges retaining new converts due to low and inconsistent convert baptismal standards.  The emigration of active Latter-day Saints has also been a significant setback for establishing a stronger local leadership force.  Most Christian groups experience stagnant growth in Armenia today.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

LDS Statistical Map - Africa and Europe

I have been working on creating a statistical map to provide in-depth insight into LDS Church growth trends by nation/territory. Statistics provided for each nation include:

* Number of LDS members in 2010
* 2010 membership growth rate
* Percent membership growth since 2000
* Number of units (congregations)
* Number of temples
* Number of missions
* Number of stakes
* Number of districts
* Ratio of one Latter-day Saint per "x" inhabitants
* Change of ratio in LDS per inhabitants since 2000
* Percent of inhabitants reached by LDS congregations
* Number of unreached cities with over "x" number of inhabitants
* Estimated member activity rate
* Year of initial LDS Church establishment
* Year of country dedication for missionary work

Countries are color-coded to indicate whether there is an LDS temple and stake (red), a stake and no temple (yellow), a district and no stake or temple (green), or an LDS congregation and no district, stake, or temple (blue). Countries that have markers with dots indicate whether an LDS mission is headquartered in the country or not.


View Africa and Europe in a larger map

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

LDS Statistical Map - Western Hemisphere

I have been working on creating a statistical map to provide in-depth insight into LDS Church growth trends by nation/territory.  Statistics provided for each nation include:
  • Number of LDS members in 2010
  • 2010 membership growth rate
  • Percent membership growth since 2000
  • Number of units (congregations)
  • Number of temples
  • Number of missions
  • Number of stakes
  • Number of districts
  • Ratio of one Latter-day Saint per "x" inhabitants
  • Change of ratio in LDS per inhabitants since 2000
  • Percent of inhabitants reached by LDS congregations
  • Number of unreached cities with over "x" number of inhabitants
  • Estimated member activity rate
  • Year of initial LDS Church establishment
  • Year of country dedication for missionary work
Countries are color-coded to indicate whether there is an LDS temple and stake (red), a stake and no temple (yellow), a district and no stake or temple (green), or an LDS congregation and no district, stake, or temple (blue). Countries that have markers with dots indicate whether an LDS mission is headquartered in the country or not.

Below is a map of countries/territories in the Western Hemisphere provided with LDS statistics by country/territory.  I am still populating all of the statistical fields for these nations/territories as some of these remain blank.


View Western Hemisphere in a larger map

Stake Discontinued in Utah

A couple Sundays ago a stake was discontinued in the Salt Lake City area in Utah.  Formerly consisting of six wards, the Bennion Heights Utah Stake was discontinued and consolidated with the neighboring Bennion Utah and Bennion Utah West Stakes.  As part of the stake realignment, four wards were discontinued among the three stakes originally covering the area, including the Bennion 15th, Bennion Heights 4th, Bennion Heights 7th, and Ridgecrest 2nd Wards.  Currently the Bennion Utah Stake has eight wards and the Bennion Utah West Stake has seven wards and a branch.  There are 556 stakes and one district in Utah at present.

Friday, August 26, 2011

New Stake Organized in Argentina

For the first time since 2004, a new stake was created in Argentina.  The Buenos Aires Argentina Ramos Mejía Stake was organized from the Buenos Aires Argentina Aldo Bonzi and Buenos Aires Argentina West Stakes and includes the following seven wards: The Atalaya, Haedo 1st, Haedo 2nd, Los Pinos, Ramos Mejia, San Justo, and Tablada Wards.  The new stake is Argentina's 71st LDS stake and the 24th stake in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.  Unlike the LDS Church in other Latin American nations, steady congregational growth occurred in Argentina until the late 2000s.  For the past several years Argentina has experienced a steady decline in the number of LDS congregations primarily the result of the closure of dozens of branches.  The LDS Church reported 863 congregations in 2007 and currently operates approximately 826 congregations at present.  Notwithstanding the concerning trend of congregation consolidations, the organization of a new stake indicates that congregations and local leadership are stable in some areas of the country.

Full-time missionaries have also reported that a new stake will be organized in the near future in Mar del Plata. 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

New Stake to be Created in Peru in September

Missionaries serving in the Peru Trujillo Mission report that the Huaraz Perú District will become a stake next month, bringing the total of LDS stakes in Peru to 96.  Originally organized in 1989, the Huaraz Perú District currently consists of six branches. 

The number of stakes in the LDS Church in Peru will likely reach 100 within the next or two, making Peru the fifth country to ever have over 100 stakes.  Several stakes appear close to splitting in Lima and Arequipa and some districts may become stakes in the near future.

Monday, August 22, 2011

New District in Sierra Leone; New Stakes in Idaho

Sierra Leone

The Freetown Sierra Leone District was split yesterday to create a second district in the city, the Freetown Sierra Leone East District.  During the first session of the newly organized district there were over 1,000 in attendance.  Full-time missionaries report that plans to open additional cities to missionary work were recently postponed to coordinate with local priesthood leaders in establishing the first LDS stakes in the near future.  There are now three districts, 23 branches, and several groups meeting throughout the country.

Idaho

A new stake was organized in the Boise area based in Star from the Eagle Idaho and Meridian Idaho Paramount Stakes.  The Star Idaho Stake includes the following seven wards: The Beacon Light, Lochsa Falls, Silverleaf, Star 1st, Star 2nd, Star 3rd, and Verona Wards.

A new stake was organized in Rexburg named the Rexburg Idaho YSA 4th Stake.  The new stake includes seven wards and two branches in Rexburg and the Upper Snake River Valley.  There are now 123 stakes in Idaho.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

LDS Membership by Mexican State: 2010 Mexican Census

The Instituto Nacional de Información Estadística y Geográfica has recently published 2010 census results on religious affiliation in Mexico at http://www.inegi.org.mx/.  The census counted 314,932 self-identified Latter-day Saints in Mexico compared to 205,229 Latter-day Saints in 2000, a 53.5% increase over the decade whereas officially reported LDS membership statistics for Mexico reported 1,234,545 members in 2010 and 884,071 members in 2000, a 39.6% increase during the same time period.  Despite this increase in the number of members identifying as Latter-day Saints in the census, nearly 69% of the increase in membership between 2000 and 2010 reported by the LDS Church was unaccounted for in the 2010 census.  The percentage of members reported by the LDS Church who self identified on the 2000 and 2010 Mexican censuses slightly increased from 23.2% to 25.5%.

Below is a list of Mexican states ranked by the number of self-identified Latter-day Saints on the 2010 Mexican census.
  1. México - 44,015
  2. Distrito Federal - 28,440
  3. Veracruz - 24,063
  4. Puebla - 18,722
  5. Chihuahua - 16,493
  6. Nuevo León - 15,579
  7. Tamaulipas - 13,235
  8. Baja California - 12,712
  9. Hidalgo - 11,828
  10. Coahuila de Zaragoza - 11,698
  11. Sonora - 11,252
  12. Yucatán - 10,547
  13. Oaxaca - 10,222 
  14. Jalisco - 9,158
  15. Sinaloa - 8,672
  16. Chiapas - 8,501
  17. Morelos - 7,712
  18. Quintana Roo - 6,517
  19. Guanajuato - 5,588
  20. Guerrero - 5,584
  21. Tabasco - 4,691
  22. Durango - 4,314
  23. Michoacán - 4,192
  24. San Luis Potosí - 3,634
  25. Querétaro - 3,300
  26. Campeche - 3,133
  27. Aguascalientes - 2,265
  28. Baja California Sur - 2,006
  29. Tlaxala - 1,991
  30. Nayarit - 1,843
  31. Zacatecas - 1,632
  32. Colima - 1,393
The percentage of self-identified Latter-day Saints by state varied significantly on the 2010 census, with Yucatán (one member per 185 inhabitants) possessing the highest percentage of members whereas Michoacán (one member per 1,038) possessing the lowest.  Overall there was one Latter-day Saint per 357 inhabitants in Mexico as a whole according to the 2010 Mexican census.  One in 91 Mexicans is nominally affiliated with the LDS Church. 

Lastly, the map below provides the ratio of LDS members to the general population by Mexican state. Red indicates one member per 249 or fewer inhabitants, yellow indicates one member per 250-499 inhabitants, green indicates one member per 500-749 inhabitants, and blue indicates one member per 750 or more inhabitants.


View Percent LDS by Mexican State in a larger map

Friday, August 12, 2011

Both Districts in Bulgaria Discontinued

Both the Sofia Bulgaria and Plovdiv Bulgaria Districts were recently discontinued resulting in all remaining 11 LDS branches in the country reporting directly to the mission president.  The Bulgaria Sofia Mission is now the third LDS mission worldwide without a stake or district along with the Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk and Russia Vladivostok Missions.  The dissolution of both districts is a concerning development which has validated missionary reports of low member activity rates, very few convert baptisms, and an inadequate number of active priesthood holders to staff leadership for districts and branches.  The decision to close both districts was likely initiated by mission interests to help strengthen individual branches in Bulgaria with minimal assistance from full-time missionaries in administrative affairs. 

Bulgaria is now the country with the most Latter-day Saints without a stake or district.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Branches Discontinued in the Caribbean (Lesser Antilles)

Since 2009 the LDS Church has closed many of its branches in the Lesser Antilles, with some branches consolidating with neighboring congregations and others being downgraded to dependent branches or groups which are not reported by official LDS unit statistics.  This trend appears primary motivated by increasing standards for independent congregations to operate, such as requiring a local member to serve as a branch president, but is also largely attributed to low convert retention rates and few convert baptisms.  Inadequate numbers of active local priesthood holders in the region is a major concern which continues to stunt LDS Chuch growth prospects.

Below is a list of countries/territories in the Lesser Antilles which have experienced congregational decline in independent branches since 2008
  • Aruba (three in 2008, one at present)
  • British Virgin Islands (two in 2008, one at present)
  • Curacao (two in 2008, one at present)
  • Dominica (three in 2008, one at present)
  • Guadeloupe (seven in 2008, three at present)
  • Martinique (two in 2008, one at present)
  • Saba (one in 2008, none at present)
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis (two in 2008, one at present)
  • Saint Martin/Sint Maarten (two in 2008, one at present)
The below countries and territories have experienced no change in the number of congregations since 2008:
  • Antigua and Barbuda (one branch)
  • Barbados (four branches)
  • Bonaire (one branch)
  • Grenada (one branch)
  • Saint Lucia  (two branches)
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (two branches)
  • Trinidad and Tobago (five wards, seven branches)
  • United States Virgin Islands (two branches)
It is unclear exactly how many dependent branches and groups operate in the Lesser Antilles.  Senior missionaries serving in the West Indies Mission reported 16 dependent branches in the mission at the end of 2010.  It appears that between 10 and 20 dependent units operate in the Lesser Antilles today. 

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

LDS Church Growth in the United States: 2000 to 2010

Four different statistics are provided below for the LDS Church in the United States between 2000 and 2010:
  • States with the highest and lowest percentage growth in membership
  • States with the highest and lowest percentage growth in congregations
  • States with the highest and lowest numerical increase in membership
  • States with the highest and lowest numerical increase in congregations
As a whole LDS membership and the number of congregations increased by 18% in the United States during this period indicating that the number of congregations and church membership increased commensurately.  LDS membership increased by 935,755 and the total number of congregations increased by 2,059 nationwide.

States with the highest percentage growth in membership:
  1. District of Columbia - 87% - 2,382 members
  2. Tennessee - 44% - 45,574 members
  3. Iowa - 37% - 24,614 members
  4. Kentucky - 37% - 32,261 members
  5. Texas - 36% - 296,141 members
  6. North Dakota - 36% - 6,930 members
  7. Delaware - 35% - 5,814 members
  8. West Virginia - 35% - 16,710 members
  9. Arkansas - 34% - 27,559 members
  10. South Carolina - 33% - 36,947 members
States with the lowest percentage growth in membership:
  1. California - 2% - 763,370 members
  2. Oregon - 9% - 147,965 members
  3. New Hampshire - 10% - 8,231 members
  4. Michigan - 11% - 42,319 members
  5. Vermont - 13% - 4,384 members
  6. Massachusetts - 15% - 24,965 members
  7. Montana - 15% - 46,484 members
  8. Maryland - 16% - 40,854 members
  9. Wyoming - 16% - 63,069 members
  10. Rhode Island - 17% - 3,833 members
    States with the highest percentage growth in congregations:
    1. Delaware - 50% - 12 congregations
    2. Virginia - 33% - 195 congregations
    3. North Carolina - 32% - 154 congregations
    4. Texas - 29% - 577 congregations
    5. Tennessee - 29% - 98 congregations
    6. Idaho - 27% - 1,077 congregations
    7. Georgia - 27% - 151 congregations
    8. Alaska - 25% - 80 congregations
    9. Utah - 25% - 4,834 congregations
    10. Arizona - 25% - 801 congregations
    States with the lowest percentage growth in congregations:
    1. Louisiana - -18% - 51
    2. Connecticut - -6% - 32
    3. New York - -6% - 151
    4. Maryland - -5% - 78
    5. New Jersey - -3% - 59
    6. New Hampshire - 0% - 21
    7. Vermont - 0% - 12
    8. Rhode Island - 0% - 7
    9. Maine - 0% - 28
    10. South Dakota - 0% - 33
    11. District of Columbia - 0% - 3
      States with the highest numerical increase in membership:
      1. Utah - 280,341 members - 1,910,343 members
      2. Texas - 78,416 members - 296,141 members
      3. Arizona - 74,673 members - 387,950 members
      4. Idaho - 65,754 members - 414,185 members
      5. Washington - 38,290 members - 267,927 members
      6. Nevada - 27,063 members - 175,149 members
      7. Colorado - 26,865 members - 142,473 members
      8. Florida - 24,705 members - 136,549 members
      9. Virginia - 20,168 members - 89,297 members
      10. North Carolina - 19,033 members - 76,865 members
      States with the lowest numerical increase in membership:
      1. Vermont - 514 members - 4,384 members
      2. Rhode Island - 546 members - 3,833 members
      3. New Hampshire - 762 members - 8,231 members
      4. District of Columbia - 1,111 members - 2,382 members
      5. Delaware - 1,347 members - 5,184 members
      6. South Dakota - 1,592 members - 9,812 members
      7. Maine - 1,698 members - 10,684 members
      8. North Dakota - 1,828 members - 6,930 members
      9. Connecticut - 2,372 members - 14,990 members
      10. Massachusetts - 3,229 members - 24,965 members
        States with the highest increase in the number of congregations:
        1. Utah - 962 - 4,834
        2. Idaho - 229 - 1,077
        3. Arizona - 158 - 801
        4. Texas - 130 - 577
        5. Nevada - 60 - 323
        6. Washington - 49 - 522
        7. Virginia - 48 - 195
        8. Colorado - 45 - 289
        9. California - 43 - 1,361
        10. North Carolina - 37 - 154
         States with the lowest increase in the number of congregations:
        1. Louisiana - -11 - 51
        2. New York - -9 - 151
        3. Maryland - -4 - 78
        4. Connecticut - -2 - 32
        5. New Jersey - -2 - 59
        6. Vermont - 0 - 12
        7. Rhode Island - 0 - 7
        8. New Hampshire - 0 - 21
        9. District of Columbia - 0 - 3
        10. South Dakota - 0 - 33
        11. Maine - 0 - 28
        Below is a pie chart providing a breakdown of numerical increase in membership by state between 2000 and 2010.


          Tuesday, August 2, 2011

          Potential New LDS Missions

          Below is a list of potential locations for future LDS missions.  Prospective missions are provided with the estimated number of inhabitants serviced and the names of countries and administrative divisions which may be included.  Possible sites for future missions were deduced from the number of LDS units in current missions, congregational and membership growth trends, recent mission creation trends, prospects for future growth, member activity rates, the number of countries administered by current missions, the geographic size of current missions, and the size of the population within the prospective mission.  Like LDS temples, new LDS missions are announced by revelation from the First Presidency.  Population figures were obtained from the CIA World Factbook and www.citypopulation.de.

          • Angola Luanda - 13.5 million - Angola, Sao Tome and Principe
          • Brazil Campinas (second mission) - 5 million (estimate) Half of current Brazil Campinas Mission
          • Brazil Fortaleza (second mission) - 4 million (estimate) - Half of Ceare State
          • Brazil Natal - 3.2 million - Rio Grande do Norte State
          • Burundi Bujumbura - 21.6 million - Burundi, Rwanda
          • Cameroon Yaounde - 26.9 million - Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon
          • Democratic Republic of Congo Mbuji-Mayi - 40 million (estimate) - Central and northern DR Congo
          • Ethiopia Addis Ababa - 91.6 million - Djibouti and Ethiopia
          • Ghana Kumasi - 11.2 million - Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East, Upper West Regions
          • Guyana Georgetown - 1.5 million - French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname
          • Honduras San Pedro Sula (second mission) - 2 million (estimate) - Half of northern Honduras
          • Mexico Cancun - 2 million - Quintana Roo and eastern Yucatan States
          • Mexico Juchitan - 3 million (estimate) - Southwest Chiapas and Southeastern Oaxaca States
          • Mexico Poza Rica - 3 million (estimate) - Central Veracruz State
          • Mexico Toluca - 5-7 million (estimate) - Western Mexico State
          • Nigeria Benin City - 7.3 million - Delta and Edo States
          • South Africa Johannesburg (second mission) - 10 million (estimate) - Botswana; North West and Limpopo Provinces
          • Tanzania Dar Es Salaam - 42.7 million - Tanzania
          • Vanuatu Port Vila - 0.5 million - New Caledonia and Vanuatu

          Monday, August 1, 2011

          Cities in Latin America with the most inhabitants without an LDS temple

          1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 12.6 million - 10 stakes
          2. Belo Horizonte, Brazil - 5.75 million - 5 stakes
          3. Brasília, Brazil - 4.0 million - 5 stakes
          4. Medellín, Colombia - 3.68 million - 2 stakes
          5. Salvador, Brazil - 3.68 million - 4 stakes
          6. Puebla, Mexico - 2.85 million - 8 stakes
          7. Cali, Colombia - 2.83 million - 3 stakes
          8. Belém, Brazil - 2.18 million - 5 stakes
          9. Goiânia, Brazil - 2.15 million - 2 stakes
          10. La Paz, Bolivia - 1.96 million - 7 stakes
          11. Maracaibo, Venezuela - 1.96 million - 5 stakes
          Six of the 11 most populous cities in Latin America without an LDS temple are in Brazil.

            Friday, July 29, 2011

            Church Growth News - Recently Created New Branches

            New branch in Cambodia

            For the first time since 2004 a new Khmer-speaking LDS branch was organized in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  The Teuk Thla Branch was created in the Phnom Penh Cambodia North District, becoming the sixth branch in the district.  The Phnom Penh Cambodia South District has seven branches whereas the Vietnamese district has only three branches.  LDS missionaries report that the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission may baptize as many as 1,000 converts this year.  Church attendance numbers appear to have increased in many LDS congregations in Cambodia but low convert retention remains a serious challenge which appears to be the primary obstacle in preventing the creation of the nation's first stake.  Currently Cambodia is the nation with the most Latter-day Saints without a stake.  There are now 25 branches and five districts in the LDS Church in Cambodia.

            New branches in Malaysia

            Two new LDS branches were recently organized in Malaysia bringing the total of LDS branches in the country to 30. The Masai Branch was organized from the Johor Bahru Branch and both branches pertain to the nearby Singapore Stake.  The Masai Branch becomes the first Malay-speaking branch to be organized in West Malaysia since the Butterworth Branch a couple years ago.  In East Malaysia, the Kota Kinabalu Branch was divided and the Kota Kinabalu 2nd Branch was created.  Kota Kinabalu is now the first city in Sabah State with more than one LDS congregation.

            Congregational growth in northern Haiti

            Three new LDS branches were recently organized in the Fort Liberte, Pivert, and Vertieres Branches, bringing the total of branches in the district to nine. The creation of the three new branches marks a significant development in the growth of the LDS Church in Haiti as there have been no recent instances of as many new branches organized at the same time in Haiti.   Currently there are two stakes, two districts and 36 congregations in the country.

            New branches in Spain

            For the first time in several years, two new LDS branches were recently organized in Spain.  The Vic Branch was organized in northeastern Spain near Barcelona and the Huércal-Overa Branch was organized in southern Spain.  Unlike many Western European nations, the LDS Church in Spain has experienced only a slight decline in the total number of LDS congregations over the past decade.  Additional congregation organizations may indicate sustained improvement in convert retention and greater efforts by mission leaders to expand national outreach.

            Wednesday, July 27, 2011

            Countries and territories with the most Latter-day Saints without a stake or district

            A couple weeks ago I made a post providing a list of the 20 countries and territories with the most Latter-day Saints without a stake.  Each of the 20 countries and territories with the most Latter-day Saints without a stake have at least one district however.  Districts are generally comprised of three to ten branches and are like a simplified version of a stake but demand less administrative responsibilities from local leadership as mission or area presidents are responsible for these duties (such as Melchizedek Priesthood ordinations, temple recommend interviews, ect).  The formation and continued operation of a district generally signifies maturation in local church leadership, lays the foundation for a stake, provides greater administrative training opportunities for local leaders, and can better coordinate the organization of additional branches and groups.

            In this post I provide a list of the 20 countries and territories with the most Latter-day Saints without a stake or district.  Nine of the 20 nations and territories listed below once had districts operating but no longer do due to insufficient numbers of active priesthood holders, low member activity rates, congregation consolidations, or changes in mission or area policy regarding the operation of districts.  Membership and congregational statistics and the assignment of individual congregations are provided.  Countries and territories in italics once had an LDS district but have had their district discontinued.  The years during which a district operated is provided for nations which once had LDS districts.  LDS membership is estimated for some nations as official 2010 LDS membership figures were unavailable or appeared to be inaccurate for some nations.

            1. Botswana
            • 1,800 members (2010 est.)
            • 3 wards, 3 branches, 5 groups
            • Roodepoort South Africa Stake and South Africa Johannesburg Mission
            • Gaborone Botswana District (1992-1995)
            2. Cameroon
            • 1,003 members
            • 5 branches, 1 group 
            • Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa Mission
            3. The Bahamas 
            • 917 members
            • 3 branches
            • Jamaica Kingston Mission
            • New Providence Bahamas District (2002-2009) 
            4. Benin
            • 800 members (2010 est.)
            •  3 branches, 3 groups
            • Benin Cotonou Mission
            5. Lesotho
            • 747 members
            •  2 branches, 1 group
            • Bloemfontein South Africa District
            6. Greece 
            • 735 members
            •  5 branches
            • Greece Athens Mission
            • Athens Greece District (~1987-mid-1990s)
            7. Namibia 
            • 686 members
            • 2 branches
            • South Africa Cape Town Mission
            • Windhoek Namibia District (1991-1992)
            8. Macau
            • 673 members
            • 2 branches
            • China Hong Kong Mission
            9. Saipan (NMI)
            • 632 members
            • 1 ward
            • Barrigada Guam Stake
            10. U.S. Virgin Is.
            • 570 members
            • 2 branches
            • Puerto Rico San Juan Mission
            11. Curacao
            • 550 members (2010 est.)
            • 1 branch
            • Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission
            • Willemstad Curacao District (2004-2009) 
              12. Aruba 
              • 489 members
              • 2 branches
              • Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East Mission
              • Oranjestad Aruba District (2004-2009) 
              13. Saint Vincent
              • 483 members
              • 2 branches
              • West Indies Mission
              14. Palau
              • 443 members
              • 1 branch
              • Micronesia Guam Mission 
              • Palau District (late 1980s-mid-1990s) 
              15. C.A.R.
              • 427 members
              • 1 branch
              • Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa Mission
              16. Mauritius
              • 406 members
              • 2 branches
              • Madagascar Antananarivo Mission
              17. French Guiana
              • 368 members
              • 1 branch
              • West Indies Mission 
              • Cayenne French Guiana District (2009-2011) 
              18. Luxembourg
              • 296 members
              • 1 ward 
              • Nancy France Stake
              19. Niue 
              • 284 members
              • 2 branches 
              • New Zealand Auckland Mission
              • Niue District (discontinued in 2005)
              20. Turkey
              • 254 members
              • 4 branches 
              • Bulgaria Sofia Mission and Europe East Area Branch
              Of these 20 nations, Botswana is the only country which appears likely to have its first LDS stake organized instead of a district as most congregations are currently assigned to the Roodepoort South Africa Stake.  The LDS Church appears most likely to organize a district in Cameroon, Benin, and Lesotho among the remaining 19 nations list above.  The operation of at least three branches within a close proximity of each other will be required for districts to be organized in additional nations listed above.

                Tuesday, July 26, 2011

                Updated map of potential new temple sites


                View Potential New Temples in a larger map

                Possible future LDS temple sites provided in the above map were predicted by examining several factors which often contribute to the decision by the First Presidency to construct of an LDS temple, namely:

                1. Number of potential stakes and districts served
                2. Distance from the nearest LDS temple
                3. Temple attendance and member activity rates
                4. Perceived rates of future LDS Church growth
                5. The duration of an LDS presence and local sustainability
                6. Capacity and utilization of the nearest LDS temple
                7. Political stability and socioeconomic conditions

                Each of these seven points are reviewed below. The first three points are the primary factors in the decision to build a temple whereas the last four points are secondary factors. Revelation is the ultimate factor determining whether a temple is announced.

                1. Number of potential stakes and districts served

                The numerical size of LDS membership and number of LDS congregations, stakes, and districts in a given area is one of the strongest predictors of where new LDS temples are constructed. Currently the average LDS temple services 22 stakes and five districts. 43 LDS temples service nine or fewer stakes and 14 LDS temples service 50 or more stakes indicating that nearly 60% of LDS temples have between 10 and 49 stakes in their respective temple districts. LDS temples are almost always constructed in cities which have multiple stakes.

                2. Distance from the nearest LDS temple

                LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson has iterated in recent General Conference addresses that the Church has focused on constructing temples closer and closer to its members. Mileage is not the only factor in ascertaining distance as a predicting factor for new temple announcements. Travel times and accessibility are also important variables taken into account for determining where new temples are built. Mode of transportation and the crossing of international boundaries are additional factors which fall under the distance variable.

                3. Temple attendance and member activity rates

                Church leaders have stressed that the Church will not build additional temples to stand empty. The number of temple recommend holders and active temple-going Latter-day Saints in a given area are heavily taken into account for constructing additional temples. Many nations which overall have low member activity rates and very few endowed members often experience significant delays in the construction of temples notwithstanding a sizable LDS population.

                4. Perceived rates of future LDS Church growth

                Decisions to construct some LDS temples appear to be partially motivated by forecasts for future LDS Church growth. Some predicted future LDS temple sites have taken future church growth trends into account.

                5. The duration of an LDS presence and local sustainability

                Some LDS temples have been built in older LDS communities notwithstanding few LDS members if additional factors favor the construction of an LDS temple in a given location such as distance and member activity. The duration of an LDS presence has contributed to the construction of some temples in North America and Western Europe where LDS stakes have operated for 50 years or more.

                6. Capacity and utilization of the nearest LDS temple

                The physical size of the temple building and its capacity to serve patrons has contributed to the construction of temples often in areas where temples are heavily utilized. Once a temple reaches capacity as defined by being unable to schedule additional endowment sessions and other ordinance work for temple-going members, another temple within the temple district may be constructed and often in a location which reduces travel times and has a large enough body of temple-attending members to merit the construction of a temple.

                7. Political stability and socioeconomic conditions

                Nations which experience the greatest stability and highest standards of living are often more likely to have LDS temples constructed than in nations which are politically unstable and have low living standards. Consequently wealthier and more stable nations with comparatively few Latter-day Saints and moderate activity rates often have one or several LDS temples whereas some poorer and less stable nations with moderate or high activity rates have no LDS temples despite the same number of total members.

                Monday, July 25, 2011

                Table of Congregational Growth in the United States from 2000 to mid-2011

                *figures are estimates

                The LDS Church in the United States has experienced some of the most steady congregational growth trends in the world over the past decade as the number of congregations generally increases between 100 and 250.  The most rapid congregational growth in the 2000s occurred in the mid-2000s when the Church organized hundreds of new young single adult (YSA) units nationwide.  Congregational growth slowed in the late 2000s as membership growth rates slowed and fewer new YSA units were organized.  As of mid-2011 there has been virtually no increase in the number of LDS congregations in the United States since the beginning of 2011 due to the consolidation of likely around 50-75 YSA units in Utah and Idaho.  Excluding the number of YSA units consolidated this year, the LDS Church in the United States may increase by as many as 150 congregations in 2011.

                Click on the table to make it larger.

                Countries and Territories without an LDS presence

                One of the topics that Latter-day Saints frequently ask is, "in what countries is the LDS Church still not established?" Answering this question is not simple as a "presence" is difficult to define. For example, the LDS Church maintains independent congregations in several Middle Eastern nations which it publicly discloses yet no missionary activity occurs such as the United Arab Emirates. Other nations have several independent congregations led by local leaders yet the Church does not publicly publish its presence, such as Pakistan. Then there are other nations which have no independent congregations but have groups which operate under LDS congregations based in other countries (such as mission or area branches)

                Below is a map of countries and territories around the world which have no known Latter-day Saint congregations of any kind at present and which receive no known LDS mission outreach. Larger countries and territories are indicated by red polygons whereas smaller countries and territories are indicated by place markers. 29 countries and 12 territories appear to have no LDS congregations and receive no mission outreach.


                View Countries and Territories Without an LDS Presence in a larger map

                Saturday, July 23, 2011

                LDS Church News article on the organization of the Luputa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake

                Today the LDS Church News published an article highlighting successes for the LDS Church in the central Democratic Republic of the Congo.  The article can be found at http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/61190/Growth-of-Church-in-remote-central-Africa-is-remarkable.html.

                Friday, July 22, 2011

                Updated list of the states in the United States without a temple

                With the recent announcement of temples for Indianapolis, Indiana and Hartford, Connecticut I have updated the list of states in the United States without temples.  Currently 15 states and the District of Columbia do not have an LDS temple announced, operating, or under construction.  At the end of 2010 six percent of LDS membership in the United States resided in states without an LDS temple.

                1. Virginia
                •  89,297 members
                •  19 stakes
                • 196 congregations
                • Washington DC Temple
                2. Wyoming
                •  63,069 members
                • 16 stakes
                • 155 congregations
                • Billings Montana Temple (5 stakes), Ogden Utah Temple (5 stakes), Denver Colorado Temple (2 stakes), Idaho Falls Idaho Temple (2 stakes), Vernal Utah Temple (2 stakes)
                3. Kansas
                • 34,190 members
                • 7 stakes
                • 75 congregations
                • Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple (2 stakes), St. Louis Missouri Temple (2 stakes), Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple (2 stakes), Denver Colorado Temple (1 stake)
                4. New Jersey
                • 31,673 members
                • 5 stakes, 1 district
                • 59 congregations
                • Manhattan New York Temple (4 stakes, 1 district), Washington DC Temple (1 stake)
                5. Arkansas
                •  27,559 members
                • 5 stakes
                • 63 congregations
                • Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple (3 stakes), Memphis Tennessee Temple (2 stakes)
                6. Wisconsin
                • 24,496 members
                • 6 stakes
                • 69 congregations
                • Chicago Illinois Temple (5 stakes), St. Paul Minnesota Temple (1 stake)
                7. Iowa
                • 24,614 members
                • 7 stakes
                • 69 congregations
                • Nauvoo Illinois Temple (3 stakes), Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple (4 stakes)
                8. Mississippi
                • 21,217 members
                • 4 stakes
                • 43 congregations
                • Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple (3 stakes), Memphis Tennessee Temple (1 stake)
                9. West Virginia
                • 16,710 members
                • 4 stakes
                • 37 congregations
                • Washington DC Temple (2 stakes), Columbus Ohio Temple (1 stake), Louisville Kentucky Temple (1 stake)
                10. Maine
                • 10,684 members
                • 2 stakes
                • 27 congregations
                • Boston Massachusetts Temple (2 stakes)
                11. South Dakota
                • 9,812 members
                • 2 stakes, 1 district
                • 33 congregations
                • Bismarck North Dakota Temple (1 stake, 1 district), Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple (1 stake)
                12. New Hampshire
                • 8,231 members
                • 3 stakes
                • 21 congregations
                • Boston Massachusetts Temple
                13. Delaware
                • 5,184 members
                • 1 stake
                • 12 congregations
                • Washington DC Temple
                14. Vermont
                • 4,384 members
                • 1 stake
                • 12 congregations
                • Boston Massachusetts Temple
                15. Rhode Island
                • 3,833 members
                • 1 stake
                • 7 congregations
                • Boston Massachusetts Temple
                16. District of Columbia
                • 2,382 members
                • 0 stakes, 0 districts (the Washington DC Stake is headquartered in Kensington, Maryland)
                • 3 congregations
                • Washington DC Temple (located in Kensington, Maryland)

                  Most of these states do not had their own LDS temples due to close proximity to a temple in a neighboring state.  For example, all states without a temple with over 20,000 Latter-day Saints are serviced by temples in neighboring states which are near the state border, such as the Washington DC Temple for Virginia and the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple for Iowa.  Prospects appear most favorable for temple announcements in the near future in Virginia (Richmond or Virginia Beach), Wyoming (Evanston), and Arkansas (Rogers) among states which currently have no LDS temples.

                  Thursday, July 21, 2011

                  Rapid LDS Church Growth Restarts in Liberia

                  Full-time missionaries serving in the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission report a recent surge in convert baptisms and church attendance necessitating the creation of five new branches this weekend in the Liberia Monrovia Bushrod Island District.  As a result of the organization of the new branches, the number of branches will double in the district from five to ten.  Missionaries report that proposals are also underway for the organization of additional branches in the the neighboring Liberia Monrovia District to the south which currently has six branches.  Following the creation of the five new branches there will be 18 LDS branches in Liberia.

                  The LDS Church experienced rapid church growth following its initial establishment in Liberia in the late 1980s as the number of branches increased from two in 1988 to eight in 1990.  By 1995, two districts functioned in Monrovia which were consolidated to create the Monrovia Liberia Stake in 2000.  Church growth slowed dramatically in the 2000s as the number of congregations remained unchanged for nearly the entire decade and annual membership growth rates dropped to as low as 2.6%.  In 2007, the stake was discontinued and the two districts were reorganized due to persistent challenges maintaining local leadership and low member activity rates.  Within the past couple years, full-time missionaries have reported a greater maturation of local leadership, success from reactivation efforts, and higher convert retention due to increased stewardship and focus from the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission.  Since its organization in 2007, the mission has increased the number of full-time missionaries serving in Liberia, reintroduced non-African missionaries, and also just assigned the first full-time sister missionaries to Monrovia.  Missionaries were also assigned to Kakata and Harbel for the first time recently and the Monrovia Liberia District may become a stake in the near future.

                  The organization of five new branches within a single district at the same time is very uncommon. The only other area of the world in which the LDS Church has experienced as prolific of congregational growth within a small geographical area as the Monrovia Liberia Bushrod Island District is in Papua New Guinea in two newly organized districts based in Sogere and Suki. Long-term progress in retaining converts and improving member activity rates in Liberia will be manifest by the organization of a stake within the next few years, steady increases in the number of congregations, and increasing numbers of local members serving full-time missions.

                  Below is a map of LDS branches in Liberia at present from a newly-created LDS International Atlas which we will be launching on cumorah.com in the near future.


                  View Branches in Liberia in a larger map

                  Wednesday, July 20, 2011

                  Increased Rate of the Number of Stake Organizations in 2011

                  The pace at which new LDS stakes have been organized in 2011 has increased compared to the pace of stake organizations in other years over the past decade.  No other year has experienced as many new stakes organized within the first six months of the year as 2011 since 1998 when the number of LDS stakes increased by 81 for the entire year.  The annual change in the number of stakes operating in the Church ranged from a high of 47 in 2009 to a low of -5 in 2002.  Currently the number of stakes has increased by 37 during 2011; a greater increase than all but four years for the LDS Church in the 2000s.  At present 42 stakes have been created and five stakes have been discontinued in 2011.  The increased rate of stake organizations in 2011 has been primarily attributed to the creation of ten new young single adult (YSA) stakes in Utah and the maturation of nine districts into stakes rather than the creation of new stakes from preexisting stakes.  Notwithstanding the accelerated pace at which new stakes have been organized this year, the number of new stakes organized remains far below many years of more rapid growth between the late 1970s and late 1990s when the number of stakes regularly increased by over 50 a year and at times over 100.  Increased church growth  for the LDS Church may be demonstrated if the pace at which new stakes is organized continues to hold steady for the remainder of 2011 and in the coming years as certain standards for the number of active members are required for stakes to operate.  However the rate at which new congregations are organized appears to be only a third of the rate at which membership is growing, suggesting that inactivity and retention challenges for new converts persist.

                  A list of the number of LDS stakes operating at the end of every year from 1975 to 2007 can be found here.  The number of stakes in the Church increased by 28 in 2008, 47 in 2009, and 31 in 2010.

                  Monday, July 18, 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

                  Saturday, July 16, 2011

                  New Stake in the Dominican Republic; District Discontinued in Ukraine

                  Dominican Republic

                  A new stake was organized in the northern Dominican Republic.  The Navarette Dominican Republic Stake was organized from the Navarette Dominican Republic District and includes the following five wards and branch: The Esperanza, Mao 1st, Mao 2nd, Navarette 1st, and Navarette 2nd Wards and Sabaneta Branch.  The new stake once comprised two separate districts based in Navarette (3 branches) and Mao (4 branches) until these were consolidated into a single district sometime in the mid-2000s.  There are now 19 stakes and nine districts in the Dominican Republic.  Several additional districts appear close to becoming stakes, including districts based Azua, Barahona, and San Pedro de Marcoris.

                  Ukraine

                  A district was discontinued in Ukraine.  The Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine District was discontinued and branches in the former district are now directly administered by the Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk Mission.  At one time the district consisted of four branches in the city of Dnepropetrovsk and two in Zaporizhzhia.  Within the last couple years the two branches in Zaporizhzhia were consolidated into a single branch and one of the four branches in Dnepropetrovsk was closed.  Full-time missionaries serving in the mission report that the discontinuation of the district was prompted to allow local leadership serving in district responsibilities to focus their efforts strengthening individual branches.  Few convert baptisms and mediocre member activity rates have contributed to ongoing inactivity and leadership challenges in central Ukraine.  Notwithstanding these challenges in central and eastern Ukraine, the LDS Church in Ukraine appears to have the highest member activity rates in Ukraine (32%) among Eastern European nations with at least 500 nominal Latter-day Saints.  The Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk and Russia Vladivostok Missions are the only LDS missions worldwide which have no stakes or districts due to few members, low activity rates, and very limited numbers of local members capable of serving in leadership positions.

                  Friday, July 15, 2011

                  LDS Temple Announced for Paris, France

                  Earlier today LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson announced plans for the Church to construct its first temple in France in the capital city of Paris.  The first proposal for an LDS temple in France was made by President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1998 when he visited with French members and stated that membership in France had reached the needed numbers and maturity to merit the construction of a temple but that the Church was unable to allocate land (see Ensign article).  Rumors have been ongoing for over a decade regarding potential land purchases and speculation as to where a temple would be constructed.  Prior to today's announcement, France was the country with the second most Latter-day Saints without an LDS temple after Nicaragua.

                  At the end of 2010 there were 35,960 Latter-day Saints on church records in France.  Currently there are nine stakes, one district, and 110 congregations.  LDS Church growth trends in France have been relatively stagnant over the past decade as the number of LDS congregations declined in France from 125 to 110 and annual membership growth rates generally ranged from 1% to 1.5%.  France is better reached by the LDS Church than most Western European countries as 47% of the French population resides in cities with LDS congregations (compared to 41.5% for the region).  The LDS Church in France ties with Spain for the country in Western Europe with the third lowest estimated member activity rate (24%).  For more information on church growth trends, LDS Church history in France, and the outlook for future growth visit the France country profile written by me and David Stewart.

                  Currently there are 161 LDS temples announced, operating, or under construction.  With the announcement of the Paris France Temple, there are now 15 temples in Europe announced, operating, or under construction.  The official statement by the Church can be found here.

                  Wednesday, July 13, 2011

                  Updated list of the countries with the most Latter-day Saints without a stake

                  The recent organization of the first LDS stakes in Guam, Indonesia, and Russia has necessitated an updated list of the countries around the world with the most Latter-day Saints without an LDS stake. For a stake to be organized, there must be at least 120 active, tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders and at least five congregations which have enough active members and leadership manpower to become wards. Local leaders and members also must exhibit a certain degree of self-sustainability without reliance on the mission president or mission and area leadership. Below is a list of the top 20 countries with the most members without a stake.  The list from April 2009 can be found here

                  1. Cambodia
                  10,530 members
                  5 districts
                  24 branches

                  2. China (mainland)
                  10,000 members (estimate)

                  3. India
                  9,188 members
                  7 districts
                  36 branches

                  4. Sierra Leone
                  8,907 members
                  2 districts
                  23 branches

                  5. Cape Verde
                  7,456 members
                  3 districts
                  18 branches

                  6. Malaysia
                  7,314 members
                  7 districts
                  28 branches

                  7. Jamaica
                  5,721 members
                  2 districts
                  20 branches

                  8. Liberia
                  5,447 members
                  2 districts
                  13 branches

                  9. Mozambique
                  5,392 members
                  2 districts
                  19 branches

                  10. Guyana
                  5,016 members
                  1 district
                  13 branches

                  11. Vanuatu
                  4,354 members
                  3 districts
                  26 branches

                  12. Micronesia
                  4,193 members
                  4 districts
                  20 branches

                  13. Belize
                  3,852 members
                  2 districts
                  11 branches

                  14. Romania
                  2,905 members
                  2 districts
                  17 branches

                  15. Armenia
                  2,888 members
                  2 districts
                  14 branches

                  16. Pakistan
                  2,600 members (estimate)
                  2 districts
                  10 branches

                  17. Zambia
                  2,587 members
                  2 districts
                  11 branches

                  18. Czech Republic
                  2,282 members
                  2 districts
                  14 branches

                  19. Bulgaria
                  2,206 members
                  2 districts
                  11 branches

                  20. Cook Islands
                  1,859 members
                  1 district
                  5 branches

                  Based on reports from full-time missionaries and members from around the world, the first stakes in Cambodia, India, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and Liberia appear likely to be organized in the near future as each of these nations have districts which are close to meeting the minimal standards for a stake to be organized. The organization of stakes is a possibility over the medium term in Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guyana, Belize, and Armenia as districts in each of these nations have enough congregations and total members to become stakes but lack the needed number of active members to warrant stake organizations. The first stakes in Malaysia, Vanuatu, Micronesia, Romania, Zambia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and the Cook Islands may be a possibility over the medium or long term as districts in these nations often have too few congregations to create a stake and not enough nominal members to become a stake as stakes generally require approximately 2,000 total members to operate. With approaching 2,000 Latter-day Saints, Botswana did not make the top 20 list but appears likely to become a stake in the near future due to strong local leadership in Gaborone, a potential stake including the entire country, and the recent opening of additional cities to missionary work and subsequent strong membership growth.

                  Monday, July 11, 2011

                  Countries of the World by Estimated Member Activity Rate

                  The LDS Church counts the total number of church members on its records regardless of whether members maintain a current self affiliation with the Church or actively attend church. Below is a list of countries with the estimated member activity rates as defined by the percentage of LDS membership which regularly attends church. Member activity rates for the following nations were ascertained by missionary reports, seminary and institute enrollment numbers, and the ratio of members per congregation. Several nations listed do not have an official church presence. Membership in Middle Eastern nations is predominantly East Asian, North American, and European.

                  The worldwide activity rate for the LDS Church at present is estimated at 30% whereas the activity rate outside of the United States and Canada is estimated at 22.5%.

                  Burundi - 85%
                  Vanuatu - 82%
                  Kuwait - 80%
                  Rwanda - 80%
                  Nepal - 75%
                  Cuba - 75%
                  Turks and Caicos Islands - 75%
                  Oman - 75%
                  Saudi Arabia - 75%
                  Democratic Republic of the Congo - 75%
                  Saint Lucia - 70%
                  Djibouti - 67%
                  South Sudan - 67%
                  United Arab Emirates - 65%
                  Madagascar - 62%
                  China - 60%
                  Tuvalu - 60%
                  Afghanistan - 57%
                  Niue - 54%
                  New Caledonia - 53%
                  French Polynesia - 52%
                  Antigua and Barbuda - 50%
                  British Virgin Islands - 50%
                  Dominica - 50%
                  Saint Kitts and Nevis - 50%
                  Saint Martin - 50%
                  Sint Maarten - 50%
                  Brunei - 50%
                  Burma - 50%
                  Laos - 50%
                  Bosnia - 50%
                  Kosovo - 50%
                  Macedonia - 50%
                  Montenegro - 50%
                  Iraq - 50%
                  Palestine - 50%
                  Qatar - 50%
                  Bangladesh - 50%
                  Bhutan - 50%
                  Angola - 50%
                  Benin - 50%
                  Cameroon - 50%
                  Cote d'Ivoire - 50%
                  Kenya - 50%
                  Nigeria - 50%
                  Republic of the Congo - 50%
                  Tanzania - 50%
                  Nauru - 47%
                  Pakistan - 46%
                  Guadeloupe - 45%
                  Kazakhstan - 45%
                  Bahrain - 45%
                  Jordan - 45%
                  Ethiopia - 45%
                  Namibia - 45%
                  Swaziland - 45%
                  Andorra - 45%
                  Martinique - 43%
                  Malawi - 43%
                  American Samoa - 41%
                  United States - 40%
                  Bonaire - 40%
                  Cayman Islands - 40%
                  Grenada - 40%
                  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - 40%
                  Indonesia - 40%
                  Slovakia - 40%
                  Turkey - 40%
                  Botswana - 40%
                  Mauritius - 40%
                  Iceland - 40%
                  Malta - 40%
                  Switzerland - 40%
                  New Zealand - 40%
                  India - 39%
                  Mozambique - 38%
                  Togo - 38%
                  French Guiana - 37%
                  Lithuania - 37%
                  Sierra Leone - 37%
                  Finland - 37%
                  Tonga - 36%
                  Samoa - 36%
                  Mongolia - 35%
                  Moldova - 35%
                  Gabon - 35%
                  Ghana - 35%
                  Denmark - 35%
                  Ireland - 35%
                  Luxembourg - 35%
                  Norway - 35%
                  Papua New Guinea - 35%
                  Singapore - 35%
                  Malaysia - 35%
                  Canada - 34%
                  Solomon Islands - 33%
                  Bermuda - 33%
                  Suriname - 33%
                  Lebanon - 33%
                  Zimbabwe - 33%
                  Cook Islands - 32%
                  Aruba - 32%
                  Slovenia - 32%
                  Ukraine - 32%
                  South Africa - 32%
                  Marshall Islands - 32%
                  Sri Lanka - 31%
                  Micronesia - 30%
                  Barbados - 30%
                  Haiti - 30%
                  Cambodia - 30%
                  Macau - 30%
                  Belarus - 30%
                  Romania - 30%
                  Cyprus - 30%
                  Israel - 30%
                  Lesotho - 30%
                  Zambia - 30%
                  Netherlands - 30%
                  Sweden - 30%
                  Latvia - 29%
                  Austria - 28%
                  Germany - 28%
                  Northern Mariana Islands - 27%
                  Australia - 26%
                  Guam - 25%
                  Jamaica - 25%
                  Trinidad and Tobago - 25%
                  United States Virgin Islands - 25%
                  Georgia - 25%
                  Vietnam - 25%
                  Bulgaria - 25%
                  Czech Republic - 25%
                  Brazil - 25%
                  Cape Verde - 25%
                  Central African Republic - 25%
                  Liberia - 25%
                  Reunion - 25%
                  Belgium - 25%
                  Italy - 25%
                  Kiribati - 25%
                  France - 24%
                  Spain - 24%
                  Belize - 23%
                  Mexico - 23%
                  Uganda - 23%
                  Fiji - 22%
                  Albania - 22%
                  Estonia - 22%
                  Hungary - 22%
                  Bolivia - 22%
                  Bahamas - 20%
                  Curacao - 20%
                  Dominican Republic - 20%
                  El Salvador - 20%
                  Guatemala - 20%
                  Guyana - 20%
                  Armenia - 20%
                  Philippines - 20%
                  Taiwan - 20%
                  Thailand - 20%
                  Greece - 20%
                  Poland - 20%
                  Russia - 20%
                  Colombia - 20%
                  Ecuador - 20%
                  Peru - 20%
                  Costa Rica - 19%
                  Puerto Rico - 19%
                  Argentina - 19%
                  Honduras - 18%
                  Paraguay - 18%
                  Uruguay - 18%
                  United Kingdom - 18%
                  Japan - 17%
                  Serbia - 17%
                  Venezuela - 17%
                  Nicaragua - 16%
                  Croatia - 15%
                  Palau - 14%
                  Hong Kong - 14%
                  Panama - 13%
                  South Korea - 12%
                  Chile - 12%
                  Portugal - 12%