The LDS Church creates it's second stake in the Middle East

Bahrain

On November 14th, the Church organized its second stake in the Middle East. The Manama Bahrain Stake was organized from the Manama Bahrain District and the Abu Dhabi Stake and includes the following two congregations in non-sensitive countries: the Kuwait Ward and the Bahrain Branch. The new stake likely has four or more wards in Saudi Arabia. The Church does not report the number and location of its congregations in Saudi Arabia due to its sensitive presence in the country. The Church in the Arabian Peninsula has experienced steady membership and congregational growth within the past decade due to Latter-day Saints relocating to the region for employment purposes. The Church originally divided the Abu Dhabi Stake (originally called the Manama Bahrain Stake and before that the Desert Springs Stake) in 2011 to create the Manama Bahrain District.

• From ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com

In the 1990's the only stake was called the Arabian Peninsula Stake. The single stake moved to Manama Bahrain in the early 2000's then downgraded to a district when the stake center was moved to the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi Stake) in 2011. Now there are two full functioning stakes there.

Stakes in the Arabian Peninsula / Middle East

Wow ! 

There is one stake in India and one in Armenia.

Phoenix Arizona Temple Dedicated November 2014

The Phoenix Arizona Temple was dedicated on November 5th, 2014 by President Thomas S. Monson.

It is the Church's 144th operating temple. The Phoenix Arizona Temple will be the fifth temple built in Arizona with one more in progress (Tuscon).

The Phoenix Arizona Temple measures 58,000 sq. ft. has 2 ordinance rooms and 4 sealing rooms.

My family and I went to the open house. I have now visited 40 Temples (39 in the US)

The Phoenix Arizona Temple serves members from 16 stakes based in Metro Phoenix and North Central Arizona

Coverage of the dedication service can be found on lds.org

More information and maps and pictures can be found at www.ldschurchtemples.com/phoenix/

The LDS Church created 9 new stakes in Sept, Oct 2014

The LDS Church created 9 new stakes in September and October 2014 (6 were in the US)

Two new stake were created in the Philippines.  There are 93 Stakes in the Philippines and 2 temples and 1 temple in progress. This makes the 5th new stake this year. 

One new stake was created in Brazil.  There are 253 Stakes in Brazil and 6 temples and 2 temples in progress. This was the 4th new stake this year. 

One new stake was created in Pennsylvania.  There are 12 Stakes in Pennsylvania and a first temple in progress. This was the 1st new stake this year. 

Two new stake were created in Texas.  There are 63 Stakes in Texas and 4 temples. This makes the 4th new stake this year. 

One new stake was created in Arizona.  There are 97 Stakes in Arizona and a 5 temples and one in progress. This was the 2nd new stake this year. 

One new stake was created in Arkansas.  There are 7 Stakes in Arkansas and no temples. This was the 2nd new stake this year. 

One new stake was created in Missouri.  There are 16 Stakes in Missouri and 1 temple. This was the 1st new stake this year. 

45. Pittsburgh Pennsylvania West - Sept. 7th, 2014

46. Davao Philippines West - Sept. 14th, 2014

47. Escalante Philippines - Sept. 14th, 2014

48. Lubbock Texas North - Sept. 14th, 2014

49. Goiânia Brazil South - Sept. 21st, 2014

50. Queen Creek Arizona West - Sept. 21st, 2014

51. Woodlands Texas - October 12th, 2014

52. Bentonville Arkansas - October 26th, 2014

53. Monett Missouri - October 26th, 2014

From ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com, later confirmed at www.deseretnews.com/faith/lds-church-news

There are now 3,109 stakes worldwide, with 1,539 in the US (49.5%) and 1,570 outside the US.

The LDS Church created 6 new stakes in July & August 2014

The LDS Church created 6 new stakes in June 2014 (2 were in the US - FL & Utah)

One new stake was created in Guatemala.  There are 43 Stakes in Guatemala and 2 temples. First new stake this year.

One new stake was created in Chile.  There are 75 Stakes in Chile and 1 temple and 1 in progress. 1st new stake this year.

One new stake was created in Brazil.  There are 253 Stakes in Brazil and 6 temples and 2 in progress. this is the 4th new stake this year.

One new stake was created in Republic of Congo.  There are now 2 Stakes in Republic of Congo.

One new stake was created in Utah.  There are 574 Stakes in Utah and 14 temples and 3 in progress. this is the 8th new stake this year.

One new stake was created in Florida .  There are 28 Stakes in Florida and 2 temples. This is the 2nd new stake this year.

39. Huehuetenango Guatemala Central - July 6th, 2014
40. Boynton Beach Florida - August 17th, 2014
41. Draper Utah Suncrest - August 17th, 2014
42. Coquimbo Chile - August 31st, 2014
43. Ipatinga Brazil - August 31st, 2014
44. Makelekele Republic of Congo - August 31st, 2014

From ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com, later confirmed at www.deseretnews.com/faith/lds-church-news

There are now over 3,100 stakes worldwide, with US (49.5%).

The LDS Church created 13 new stakes in June 2014

The LDS Church created 13 new stakes in June 2014 (2 were in the US - both Utah)
I don't remember a month with this many new stakes created

Two new stakes were created in Utah.  There are now 572 Stakes in Utah, 6 new this year and 14 temples, with 3 under construction.  37.4% of all stakes in the US are in Utah. CA has 157 and ID has 128, AZ has 96.

One new stake was created in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).  There are now 6 Stakes in Cote d'Ivoire, 1 this year and 0 temples.

One new stake was created in Argentina.  There are now 72 Stakes in Argentina. 1 this year and first since 2011. Argentina is struggling with inactivity, so this is a good sign. 1 temple, 1 under construction.

One new stake was created in Mexico.  There are now 227 Stakes in Mexico. 1 this year, 12 temples and 1 under construction.

One new stake was created in the Jamaica.  This is the first Stake in the Jamaica.

One new stake was created in Thailand.  There are now 3 Stakes in Thailand.

One new stake was created in Zimbabwe.  There are 6 Stakes in Zimbabwe. 1 this year and 0 temples. There are 8 new stakes in Africa this year, bringing the total to 86 (10.2% increase) in the US there are 15 new stakes (0.99% increase) - Asia was next with 4 (2.5% increase)

One new stake was created in Germany.  There are 15 Stakes in Germany. This is the first stake since 1987 and only the third stake this year in all of Europe  (Italy & Albania). Germany has 2 temples.

Two new stakes were created in Nigeria.  There are now 25 Stakes in Nigeria, 3 this year and 1 temple.  (11 more stakes than South Africa which is building a second temple)

Two new stakes were created in the Philippines.  There are now 90 Stakes in the Philippines, 2 this year 2 temples and 1 under construction.

26. Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Niangon South - Jun. 1, 2014
27. Buenos Aires Argentina Chacabuco - June 1, 2014
28. Kingston Jamaica - June 8th, 2014
29. Bangkok Thailand North - June 15th, 2014
30. Dumaguete Philippines - June 15th, 2014
31. Harare Zimbabwe South - June 15th, 2014
32. Hooper Utah Pioneer Trail - June 15th, 2014
33. Ibadan Nigeria - June 15th, 2014
34. Lerma México Stake - June 15th, 2014
35. Taguig Philippines - June 15th, 2014
36. Friedrichsdorf Germany - June 22nd, 2014
37. Enugu Nigeria - June 29th, 2014
38. Riverton Utah Western Springs - June 29th, 2014

From ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com, later confirmed at www.deseretnews.com/faith/lds-church-news

There are now 3,090 stakes worldwide, with 1,531 in the US (49.5%) and 1,559 outside the US.

The church is on track to create 75 stakes this year, or 1.47 a week. That would require approximately 5 chapels to be built each week.  It has been 16 years since the church created over 60 stakes. In 1998, 81 stakes were created, next best was 60 stakes in 2012.  While membership growth rate increases have slowed, stake growth has increased, perhaps signaling that the missionary number increase is helping with activity rates ? ? ?

Sorry too many new stakes this month for me to create the maps I enjoy, but you can get boundaries at lds.org/maps, after signing in.

The Church creates its first stakes in Cambodia & Jamacia

The Church now operates stakes in 83 countries and an additional 5 areas or territories.

This includes 14 new countries that created their first stake in the last 4 years since United Arab Emirates in Apr 2011

Cambodia created both it's first stake and second stake at the same time - Phnom Penh Cambodia North & South (3077 & 3078) on May 25th, 2014.
Jamaica created the stake called Kingston Jamaica on June 8th, 2014 (number 3080)

75	United Arab Emirates	Abu Dhabi Stake (2910)	15-Apr-2011
76	Indonesia	Jakarta Indonesia (2923)	22-May-2011
77	Russia	Moscow Russia (2926)	5-Jun-2011
78	Cape Verde	Praia Cape Verde (2962)	29-Apr-2012
79	India	Hyderabad India (2967)	27-May-2012
80	New Caldonia (France)	Noumea New Caledonia (2968)	27-May-2012
81	Botswana	Gaborone Botswana (2987)	4-Nov-2012
82	Sierra Leone	Freetown Sierra Leone (3000)	2-Dec-2012
83	Armenia	Yerevan Armenia	16-Jun-2013
84	Togo	Lome Togo (3048)	8-Dec-2013
85	Albania	Tirana Albania (3059)	9 Mar-2014
86	Micronesia	Pohnpei Caroline Islands (3062)	16 Mar-2014
87	Cambodia	Phnom Penh Cambodia North & South (3077)	25-May-14
88	Jamacia	Kingstown Jamaica (3080)	8-Jun-14

During the time President Monson has been the Prophet, (2008-2014) 19 countries have grown enough to have their own stake. That compares to:
Spencer W. Kimball  26 countries (1974 - 1985)
Gordon B. Hinckley 15 countries (1995 - 2008)
David O. McKay 15  countries (1951 - 1969)
All other Prophets had 4 or less, most (seven prophets) had no new countries with a first stake.

Map of Cambodia Stakes:

It's a long trip to either Hong Kong, China or Manilla temple in The Philippines

Map of Jamaica Stake:

Closest temple is over in the Dominican Republic (or Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rico or Panama ?)

Maps from lds.org/maps and www.ldschurchtemples.com/maps

The LDS Church created 10 new stakes in May 2014

The LDS Church created 10 new stakes in May 2014 (3 were in the US)

One new stake was created in Texas.  There are now 61 Stakes in Texas, 2 this year and 4 temples.

One new stake was created in Hawaii.  There are now 16 Stakes in Hawaii, 1 this year and 2 temples.

One new stake was created in North Dakota.  There are now 3 Stakes in North Dakota. The Membership in North Daktoa has grown 44.2% in 4 year. Exceeding church growth in Africa.

One new stake was created in Italy.  There are now 10 Stakes in Italy. Italy has had 5 stakes (doubling) since 2008 and a temple under construction in Rome.

One new stake was created in the Dominican Republic.  There are now 20 Stakes in the Dominican Republic, 1 this year and 1 temple.

One new stake was created in Ecuador.  There are now 36 Stakes in Ecuador, 1 this year and 1 temple.

One new stake was created in Nigeria.  There are now 23 Stakes in Nigeria, 1 this year and 1 temple.  (9 more stakes than South Africa which is building a second temple)

One new stake was created in Cape Verde.  There are now 3 Stakes in Cape Verde, 1 this year and 1 in 2013 and it's first 2012.

Two new stakes was created in Cambodia.  These are the first 2 Stakes in Cambodia. (closest temple is either Hong Kong or Manilla)

16. Frisco Texas Shawnee Trail - May 4th, 2014
17. Kahului Hawaii West - May 4th, 2014
18. Minot North Dakota - May 4th, 2014
19. Florence Italy - May 11th, 2014
20. Santo Domingo Dom. Rep. Independencia - May 18, 2014
21. Guayaquil Ecuador Juan Montalvo - May 18, 2014
22. Umuahia Nigeria - May 18th, 2014
23. Fogo Cape Verde - May 25th, 2014
24. Phnom Penh Cambodia North - May 25th, 2014
25. Phnom Penh Cambodia South - May 25th, 2014

From ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com, later confirmed at www.deseretnews.com/faith/lds-church-news

There are now 3,078 stakes worldwide, with 1,529 in the US (49.6%) and 1,549 outside the US.

Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple Dedicated May 2014

The Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple was dedicated on May 5th, 2014 by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

It is the Church's 143rd operating temple. The Fort Lauderdale Temple will be the second temple built in Florida.

The Fort Lauderdale measures 28,000 sq. ft. The next closet temple, in Orlando Florida is 2.5 times larger at 70,000 sq ft. built in 1994 - the 46th temple.

Coverage of the dedication service can be found on lds.org

More information and maps and pictures can be found at www.ldschurchtemples.com/fortlauderdale/

The six Florida stakes in the new temple district

It is 215 miles from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale

It is 435 miles from Orlando to Atlanta, GA

The LDS Church created 2 new stakes in April 2014

The LDS Church created 2 new stakes in April 2014 (both were in the US)

One new stake was created in New York City.  There are now 16 Stakes in New York and 2 temples.

One new stake was created in Utah.  There are now 570 Stakes in Utah and 14 temples (with three more under construction.)

14. Lynbrook New York - April 13th, 2014
15. Bluffdale Utah South - April 20th, 2014

From ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com, later confirmed at http://www.deseretnews.com/faith/lds-church-news

There are now 3,069 stakes worldwide, with 1,526 in the US (49.8%) and 1,543 outside the US.

The Lynbrook New York stake is personally gratifying to me. My parents moved to New York in 1960 and there was just one stake covering about 12 million people in the "tri-state" area.  Now there are 15 stakes and one district.  When I was a youth, I lived in a branch, that then became a stake. It is amazing. We were in the London Temple District but Salt Lake City was easier to get to. Now there is the Manhattan temple in what used to be my stake center and temples being built in both Hartford, CT and Philadelphia, PA

Stake	Temple District	Create date	State
New York New York Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	9-Dec-1934	NY
Morristown New Jersey Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	28-Feb-1960	NJ
Hartford Connecticut Stake	Boston Massachusetts Temple	18-Sep-1966	CT
East Brunswick New Jersey Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	26-Mar-1967	NJ
Plainview New York Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	20-Aug-1967	NY
Albany New York Stake	Boston Massachusetts Temple	8-Jun-1969	NY
Yorktown New York Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	30-Apr-1978	NY
Caldwell New Jersey Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	12-Apr-1981	NJ
New Haven Connecticut Stake	Boston Massachusetts Temple	30-Aug-1981	CT
Brooklyn New York Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	14-May-1991	NY
Scotch Plains New Jersey Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	15-Sep-1996	NJ
Newburgh New York Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	2-Mar-1997	NY
Westchester New York Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	9-Nov-1997	NY
Paterson New Jersey District	Manhattan New York Temple	16-May-1999	NJ
Queens New York Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	21-Nov-2004	NY
Lynbrook New York Stake	Manhattan New York Temple	13-Apr-2014	NY

Here is a map of the Lynbrook stake (East part of Queens and Western Long Island)

Lynbrook boundaries in thick light blue, other stake boundaries in green - gospel rolls forth. The LDS church doubles about every 18-20 years, so in my lifetime (born 1964), it has grown seven-fold from 2.2 million to 15.2 million.

The Bluffdale Utah South stake is right at the point of the mountain on the west side of I-15 and is a short driving distance to four temples.