How did a simple administrative unit become such a vital part of the Latter-day Saint movement? Today we are standing in front of the LDS Stake House. This place represents a key element in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is more than just a building. It is a center of community and faith.
The term stake comes from the Book of Isaiah. It suggests strengthening the foundations. It means enlarging the place of thy tent. Strengthen thy stakes. This concept reflects how the church grows. It expands its reach.
The first stake was formed in Kirtland Ohio in 1834. Joseph Smith was the president. Another stake followed in Missouri. By 1839 the central stake was in Nauvoo Illinois. William Marks was president. After Joseph Smith’s death in 1844 the stakes were discontinued. This happened as many members moved to the Salt Lake Valley.
Brigham Young led the Saints westward. They traveled by wagon and handcart. In 1847 the Salt Lake Stake was established. Joseph Smith’s nephew John Smith became president. By Young’s death in 1877 there were 20 stakes. These included about 250 wards.
New stakes form as congregations grow. When districts become stakes they are no longer led by a mission president. Often new stakes divide existing ones. Creating a stake requires enough priesthood holders. They must be able to fill leadership roles. The geographical area of a stake varies. It depends on membership density. In Utah a stake might cover only a few square miles. Elsewhere it could span thousands.
By 2012 the church had 3000 stakes worldwide. In 2019 the LDS Church reported 3437 stakes. The stake serves as an intermediate level. It bridges individual congregations or wards. A stake needs at least five wards to form. Most stakes have five to ten wards. The United States and Canada require 3000 members. Other areas need 1900 members. A stake must have at least 99 active tithe-paying priesthood holders.
Each stake is led by a stake president. Two counselors assist him. Together they form the stake presidency. A stake high council also assists them. It has twelve members. The stake presidency and high council handle administration. They also deal with judicial matters. The stake president receives the title president.
In areas without enough congregations a district forms. The mission president selects a district president. The district president may have counselors. A district council might form too. They share duties with the mission presidency.
Stake organizations mirror those at the ward level. These include Relief Society Primary Young Men Young Women and Sunday School. Stake-level leaders oversee ward leaders. They organize stake-wide activities. Stake specialists plan sports or drama programs. These activities benefit from larger numbers. They would be difficult for a ward alone. Youth dances and conferences are often coordinated between stakes.
All stake leaders are lay members. They serve without pay. Stake presidents typically serve for seven to eleven years.
Each stake holds a stake conference twice a year. The President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles directs it. The stake president organizes the conferences. A general authority or area seventy may preside. The conferences conduct stake business. This includes appointing stake officers. Counsel and guidance come from the stake presidency. Speakers include the stake presidency and invited members.
The general session is usually on Sunday. It might be in a local tabernacle. If at the stake center there may be multiple sessions. A session for adults is often held Saturday evening. A priesthood leadership session also takes place. Large stakes might hold multiple conference sessions. These accommodate members in distant areas.
Multi-site stake conferences are more common now. It is harder for general authorities to visit each stake. Satellite broadcasts from Salt Lake City address this. General authorities deliver sermons to designated stakes. Each stake adds its own hymns prayers and business. This format helps geographically large stakes. It allows them to hold conferences in more than one location.
Within each stake one meetinghouse becomes the stake center. This building is usually the largest. Or it is centrally located. The stake center hosts stake conferences meetings and activities. It also contains offices for stake business. In the past stake tabernacles were used for large events. Stake offices were in a stake house. In areas with fewer members the stake house served as both.
The LDS Stake House stands as a testament. It shows community leadership and faith. It is not just a building. It is a symbol of unity and growth.