Stake (Mormonism)

Stake (Mormonism)

In Mormonism, a stake is an organizational unit composed of a number of wards, a ward being a single congregation. A typical stake encompasses two to five wards and is led by a Stake Presidency. The name "stake" is a reference to the stakes that upheld the tabernacle housing the Ark of the Covenant in Moses' time.

In addition to a Stake Presidency, each stake also has a body of twelve priesthood members called a Stake High Council. The council acts as a judicial body to try members accused of sin or apostasy, and to act as representatives of the Stake Presidency in local wards.

The geographical area encompassed by a stake varies from region to region based on membership density.