News Story

Young Single Adult Stake Formed in Lethbridge, Alberta

The first young single adult stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints outside the United States was formed in Lethbridge, Alberta, on August 27, 2017. It is composed of young single adult wards (congregations for those between the ages of 18 and 30) from stakes in Taber, Lethbridge, Raymond, Magrath, Fort Macleod and Cardston.

The creation of the stake was presided over by Elder Vern P. Stanfill, a General Authority Seventy from Salt Lake City, Utah, who was assisted by Elder James E. Evanson, an Area Seventy who resides in Lethbridge, Alberta. Eric R. Wilde of Lethbridge was sustained as the president of the newly created stake, with David L. Orr of Fort MacLeod as first counsellor and A. Clayton Leavitt of Cardston as second counsellor.

Approximately 2,500 young single adult members of the Church live in southern Alberta; of these, over 1,600 will be members of the new stake.

The stake is centred in Lethbridge, Alberta, where the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College, along with a strong Church institute of religion, attract many young single adults from across Canada. Many additional young single adult members live and work in the city and surrounding rural communities. These young single adults represent both multi-generational Mormon families and new converts from throughout the area.

Over 700 young single adults from southern Alberta attended the conference to create the new stake. They were reminded of the blessings of having priesthood leadership focused on them as they prepare for many important life moments. The new stake presidency is enthusiastic about the possibilities of spiritual growth, missionary work, re-activation efforts and social connections among these young single adults.

There are now 50 stakes and three districts in Canada.

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.