During his years as a member of the Council of the Twelve, President Ezra Taft Benson organized several stakes that were the first in the countries in which they are located.
Among stakes created by President Benson were the Tokyo Stake, first in Japan and in Asia, March 15, 1970; Manila Stake, first in the Philippines, May 20, 1973; Belfast Ireland Stake, first in Northern Ireland, June 9, 1974; Copenhagen Denmark Stake, first in Denmark, June 16, 1974; Helsinki Finland Stake, first in Finland, Oct. 16, 1977; Santa Cruz Bolivia Stake, first in Bolivia, Jan. 14, 1979; Asuncion Paraguay Stake, first in Paraguay, Feb. 25, 1979; Vienna Austria Stake, first in Austria, April 20, 1980; San Juan Puerto Rico Stake, first in Puerto Rico, Dec. 14, 1980; and Milan Italy Stake, first in Italy, June 7, 1981.President Benson also organized two stakes at locations significant in Church history. He created the 1,000th stake in Nauvoo, Ill., Feb. 18, 1979; and the Kirtland Ohio Stake Oct. 16, 1983.
