Blanding stakes combine

Two stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were combined into a single stake in Blanding on May 1.
Mike Redd was called to serve as the president of the combined Blanding Utah Stake, with Joe Hurst and Doug Christensen as counselors.
The reorganization was completed under the direction of Paul Sybrowsky and Craig B. Terry. Sybrowsky is a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of the church. Terry is an area authority.
An estimated 1,700 local members of the church participated in the meeting to combine the stakes. Redd had served as president of the Blanding West Stake for the past 4.5 years. The stake was dissolved at the May 1 meeting.
Lem Redd was released as president of the Blanding Stake, with Oliver Harris and Kay Shumway as counselors. Calvin Black was released as a counselor in the Blanding West Stake.
The new entity has 15 units, including eight wards in Blanding, one ward in Montezuma Creek, branches in Mexican Hat, White Mesa and Bluff, and branches for youth in detention, nursing home residents and for young single adults.
The Blanding West Stake was created on July 12, 1981. Preston Nielson, Donald Jack, Robert Bowring and Mike Redd served as president of the stake.
The original Blanding Stake was created on March 5, 1978, with Fred Halliday as president.