Stake

In the Mormon Church a stake is an administrative unit composed of multiple congregrations. A stake may be compared to a diocese in the Roman Catholic Church. The name "stake" derives from the phrase "stake in the tent of Zion" and is a reference to the stakes that upheld the Biblical tabernacle housing the Ark of the Covenant.

Brief History of Mormon stakes

The first stake in the Mormon Church was organized at in Kirtland, Ohio, on February 17, 1834, and Joseph Smith, Jr. was the first stake president. The second stake was organized in Missouri on July 3 of the same year, with David Whitmer as stake president. The Missouri stake was relocated to Far West, Missouri in 1836 and the Kirtland Stake dissolved in 1838. A stake was organized at Adam-ondi-Ahman in 1838 and abandoned later that year due to the events of the Mormon War. In 1839, the church's central stake was established at Nauvoo, Illinois and William Marks became stake president.

Currently in the Church there are more than 2,600 stakes and they are not limited to the Us but they have been created in many countries.

Stake Mission

As of 2002 stake missions no longer exist. The work that they did is now what the Bishop and Miassion Leader do to ensure that new converts are taken care of so that the missionaries are able to better utilize their time finding those who are ready to hear and accept the gospel. The members are now responsible for fellowshipping (making the new members feel welcome and accepted).