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Thursday, May 25, 2017

Church News Updates include article about New GA Seventy Elder Taniela B. Wakolo

Hello! I am here again to report some Church news. This article shares the text of the dedicatory prayer for the Paris France Temple. The facts relating to the Paris France Temple are laid out in this article, although it should be noted that the groundbreaking date for this temple refers to the day when work formally started, as an actual groundbreaking did not take place. In this article, Elder Ballard shares a timely message with the young adults of the Church. This article introduces us to Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, who was sustained as a new General Authority Seventy last April. And then, from the Mormon Newsroom, we have this article, which details how Mormon History Day was observed recently in California.

That is all I have for now. Thanks for your readership and support.

Updated List of Temple Presidents that have been or might be called during 2017

Hello, all! With the callings of new temple presidents that were announced today, it has become necessary to post an updated list of those who have been or may yet be called. Enjoy! Let me know what you think.

New Temples whose presidents will begin serving later this year:
1.      Paris France (President announced in 2016; will begin formal service on May 21)
2.      Cedar City Utah (President  announced in March; will begin service on December 10)
3.      Tucson Arizona (President announced in March; will begin formal service on August 13)
4.      Meridian Idaho (President announced in April; will begin formal service in November 19)

Operating Temples whose president was changed earlier this year:
1.      Calgary Alberta (president changed sometime during March for an undisclosed reason, likely because the previous president died or became incapacitated)

General Note #1: The president of the Tokyo Japan Temple died during his active service in late April of this year. The Church has no doubt called one of his counselors as the new president so that the work of the temple can go on uninterrupted. Once I learn of that information, I will add that temple to one of the lists above.

General Note #2: Other operating temples, as has already been announced, will be getting a new president later this year as well, and if those changes take place as they did during my six-year service in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple, the new presidents will start their service on the first Monday or Tuesday of November, which fall this year on the 6th and 7th. Those temples that will have a new president this year include the following:
1.      Apia Samoa
2.      Logan Utah
3.      Vernal Utah
4.      Toronto Ontario
5.      Snowflake Arizona
6.      Phoenix Arizona
7.      Salt Lake
8.      Bern Switzerland
9.      Quetzaltenango Guatemala
10.  Louisville Kentucky
11.  San Diego California
12.  Mount Timpanogos Utah
13.  Madrid Spain
14.  Bogota Colombia
15.  Edmonton Alberta
16.  Newport Beach California
17.  Adelaide Australia
18.  Kona Hawaii
19.  Caracas Venezuela
20.  Bismarck North Dakota
21.  Mesa Arizona
22.  Columbia South Carolina
23.  Ogden Utah
24.  Lubbock Texas
25.  Guayaquil Ecuador
26.  Fort Lauderdale Florida
27.  Los Angeles California
28.  San Salvador El Salvador
29.  Manila Philippines
30.  San Antonio Texas

General Note #3: Temple presidents generally serve for around three years. With that in mind, I feel confident in predicting that the following temples may also have a new president announced:
1.      Baton Rouge Louisiana
2.      Buenos Aires Argentina
NOTE: The current president has been serving since this temple’s rededication in 2012. As that is well beyond the standard 3 years of service, it seems reasonable to assume that there will be such a change this year.

General Note #4: The presidents of the following temples would be marking their third year of service had they not closed previously for renovations. A new president may or may not be called this year for those temples.
1.      Freiberg Germany (Closed for renovation in 2014 and rededicated last year)
2.      Idaho Falls Idaho (Closed for renovation in 2015 and will be rededicated in less than a month)

General Note #5: The presidents of the following temples would be marking three years of service later this year if those temples were not closing for renovations within the next ten months. Therefore, there may or may not be a change.
1.      Asuncion Paraguay
NOTE: The current president has served since 2014, which means that this year would mark time for a charge. But this temple will close for renovation in October, one month before usual changes are made. As a subsequent rededication of this temple is anticipated sometime in 2019, it is more than likely that the Church will hold off on naming a new president until that time.
2.      Washington DC
NOTE: Though this temple president will have marked three years of service later this year, the temple will close for renovation next March. With that in mind, I could see the Church calling a new president this year for a few months prior to that renovation, or holding off on calling anyone until after the renovation is completed sometime during 2020.

General Note #6: The following two temples closed for renovations in the middle of their current president’s active service. Were it not for that, we would likely be seeing changes there as well.
1.      Jordan River (president has served since 2014; temple closed in 2015 and will be rededicated sometime next year, so a new president may not be called until sometime during 2020)
2.      Frankfurt Germany (president has served since 2013; temple closed in 2015 and will be rededicated sometime next year, so the president could be changed sometime within the next two years)

General Note #7: Temples that will most likely be dedicated during the early or middle part of next year and might therefore have their first presidents announced at some point during the fall of this year (since the first president of the Paris France Temple had its’ first: president called during the summer of 2016):
1.      Rome Italy
2.      Kinshasa DR Congo
3.      Barranquilla Colombia



Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Church News Update

The News and Events section of the Church website has recently undergone a massive update within the last couple of days. While I don't currently have time to post an analysis of all that news, I did want to post a link to where people can read about it themselves. Perhaps the most significant development, aside from the post about President Monson's recent decision to not take as much of an active role in Church leadership, is the scheduling of the first regional Face-to-Face event for the youth in the two geographic areas of Africa. The broadcast, which will feature Elder and Sister Renlund, will give them a chance to go back to the areas they grew to love so well as a result of their time in one of the Africa Area Presidencies. I also love Elder Renlund's self-effacing statement: "People usually like me more if they meet Ruth first." I have loved following how extensively the apostles have been traveling and talking lately, and that applies even more so with the increased role they will have in Church decisions in President Monson's stepping back. I have noticed particularly that even our newest apostles are hard at work filling a variety of assignments, and that speaks to how inspired their callings have truly been. More analysis will follow in the coming days on some stories. In the meantime, you will find the latest news here. Thanks. Comments are always welcome and appreciated.

Initial Predictions for the October 2017 General Conference

Hello, all! I have thought a great deal about my predictions for next General Conference (which I initially put together shortly after the last General Conference ended), and I have recently reworked some of them, more particularly the speaking order for General Authority Seventies. While I originally did not want to post them prematurely, now I am making an effort to make them the best they can be. Also in the works is a much-needed update on the latest apostolic statistics. More will come on that, which I hope to post by or before Sunday.

I am also trying to study developments in terms of likely temples and future temple-related developments. I know I have been promising to post my updated estimated timeline for those future events, but I am trying to make the current version the most researched one that I have ever done.

In terms of these predictions for the October Conference, I know for sure that my research in recent days has led me to reconsider some of the temples I have listed. I am leaving the list untouched for now because I want to ensure that there is adequate time for feedback on what you, my readers, feel are more or less likely possibilities. As with anything, I try to take such insights into account when fine-tuning things. And if there are any comments any of you have on any of these other predictions, please share that as well. I look forward to the discussion.

I would also be interested to hear anyone who has thoughts as far as what the update regarding President Monson might mean in terms of whether or not he will speak in future General Conferences. While a prophet not speaking as much, if at all, is not uncommon, it is unclear whether or not his decision means he will not attend future General Conferences. It is also not clear how much longer he might live. It is almost certain he will live to see his 90th birthday in less than three months (though unclear whether or not the Church will do anything special to mark this milestone birthday), he would reach some other milestones regarding his tenure as prophet and his age, to say nothing of his First Presidency moving up on the list of the five longest continuously serving ones, so much is unknown about how his decision will impact things like his speaking in General Conference.

And, in one way, this situation is unprecedented. President Monson voluntarily stepped back from active service, unlike Presidents Kimball and Benson, who were older and had no choice. It is certain that, if he does speak at all in subsequent conferences, his addresses will continue to be 10 minutes or less total in length, and will be given at the top of those sessions. But I could see him stepping back from even that and letting his counselors and the other 12 apostles speak a bit longer instead.

Additionally, I should note that, because I wanted to see what it might look like, I have put together a hypothetical prediction for the April 2018 General Conference. But since that will be largely determined by what happens between now and then, and specifically during the October General Conference, I am not posting that now nor will I until I see how October pans out.

As always, I look forward to the discussion. Here are those predictions:

October 2017 General Conference Predictions
Speaking Order (Text in brackets indicated what actually happened.)
Session
Conducting
Speaker
General Women’s
Joy D. Jones
Christina B. Franco


Sharon Eubank


Bonnie L. Oscarson


President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Saturday Morning
President Henry B. Eyring
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf


Bishop W. Christopher Waddell


Jean B. Bingham


Elder David A. Bednar


Elder Massimo De Feo


Elder O. Vincent Haleck


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Saturday Afternoon
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
President Henry B. Eyring
(Sustaining of Church Officers)


President Russell M. Nelson


Elder Dale G. Renlund


Elder Larry Y. Wilson


Elder Joni L. Koch


Elder Ian S. Ardern


Elder Quentin L. Cook


Elder Ronald A. Rasband
Saturday Priesthood
President Henry B. Eyring
President Thomas S. Monson


Elder D. Todd Christofferson


Elder Patrick Kearon


President Dieter F. Uchtdorf


President Henry B. Eyring
Sunday Morning
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
President Thomas S. Monson


Elder Robert D. Hales


Elder Juan A. Uceda


Neill F. Marriott


Elder Gary E. Stevenson


Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella


Elder Brian K. Taylor


President Henry B. Eyring
Sunday Afternoon
President Henry B. Eyring
Elder Neil L. Andersen


Tad R. Callister


Elder David F. Evans


Elder M. Russell Ballard


Elder Taniela B. Wakolo


Elder Jose L. Alonso


Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Changes in General Church Leadership
Presidency of the Seventy: Elders Donald L. Hallstrom and Richard J. Maynes released from the presidency, Elders Juan A. Uceda and Patrick Kearon sustained.
NOTE: These changes, announced on May 3, became effective on August 1. For that reason, they will likely be ratified by sustaining vote.
General Authority Seventies: Elders Stanley G. Ellis, Larry R. Lawrence, and W. Craig Zwick released as General Authority Seventies and granted emeritus status.
NOTE: Elder Ellis turned 70 in January this year, just as Elder Zwick did in June, and Elder Lawrence did in August, so it would make sense if these men were released and granted emeritus status.
RESULT:
Area Seventies: Releases and sustainings.
NOTE: It has been customary for most changes in area seventies to take place in April, when President Uchtdorf leads out in the sustaining vote, and for only a few to take place in October, when President Eyring leads out in the sustaining. Since we are talking about an October General Conference, it would make sense if only a few changes happened this go-round.
RESULT:

Temple Predictions:
3+ temples announced in any of the following locations:
NOTE: Since it is difficult at best to know where the Lord feels a need for a temple and temple locations are not as cut-and-dried as I have originally believed them to be, I am doing a preliminary list, which I will refine as the time for General Conference draws closer. I will look forward to seeing what happens with those possibilities, if any are announced at all. So far between 2015 and this year, the 12 newest temples were announced during the April General Conference. If any temples are announced, there will only be a few.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: As with the previous conference, these temples are grouped first by geographical area of the Church, then by likelihood within that area:

Africa West: Lagos Nigeria
Asia: Phnom Penh Cambodia; Jakarta Indonesia
Brazil: Belo Horizonte; Salvador
Central America: Managua Nicaragua NOTE: This temple was publicly proposed by then-Elder Russell M. Nelson in 2012, and land for this temple was reportedly purchased several years ago. An official announcement will follow when membership and temple activity in the area this temple district will cover warrant that. Nicaragua is also the first of the top ten countries without a temple in any phase.
Europe: Budapest Hungary; Vienna Austria
Mexico: Puebla Mexico
North America Central: Missoula Montana; (NOTE: Land for this temple was purchased several years ago, and it will be announced when membership and temple activity in the area this temple district will cover warrant that.); Green Bay Wisconsin
North America Northeast: Richmond Virginia
North America Northwest: Salem Oregon
North America Southeast: Bentonville Arkansas NOTE: Land for this temple was purchased several years ago, and both will be announced when membership and temple activity in the area these temple district will cover warrant that.
North America Southwest: Fort Worth Texas
Pacific: Auckland New Zealand; Port Moresby Papua New Guinea NOTE: Land for both of these temples was purchased several years ago, and will be announced when membership and temple activity in the area this temple district will cover warrant that. Of the two, Auckland is more likely, but Papua New Guinea is the second of the top ten countries without a temple in any phase.
South America Northwest: Santa Cruz Bolivia
South America South: Neuquen Argentina; Valparaiso Chile
Utah North: Layton Utah
Utah Salt Lake City: Tooele Utah

ADDITIONAL TEMPLE NOTES: As growth has stagnated in the US, it is unclear how many (if any) additional US temples might be announced. I would not be opposed to removing all but the ones that are most likely. And in terms of a temple for Austria, it makes sense in terms of President Monson's goal to have every member within 200 miles of a temple, but it is not likely because Austria is retrogressing rather than progressing in the gospel. So that would be an easy removal as well. Other than those, any one of them is fair game to happen or to be removed as a possibility. And if I have omitted or overlooked any possibilities, let me know that too. Maybe no temples will be announced this go-round at all, which would be in line with the fact that the last 12 temples were announced during April General Conference. But I am still including them just in case. Thanks. 

Temple Construction Progress Update

Hello! Given some minor developments in temple construction, I have felt to post the latest version of my report of that progress. Enjoy! I welcome and encourage any thoughts.

Temple Construction Progress Update (current as of 5/24/17)

NOTE: There will be a total of 182 operating temples once all of those announced, under construction, or undergoing renovation. Of those, we currently have 156 temples in operation;  1 is accepting reservations for its open house; 2 more have construction concluding and a dedication scheduled for later this year; 9 are under construction right now; 1 other has construction pending (groundbreaking was last year), and will commence construction ASAP; operating temple is preparing for its rededication; 2 others are undergoing renovation; 6 more will close for renovations already scheduled (with all of those closures happening within the next 10 months or less); and the remaining 13 are announced (with either a site announcement or groundbreaking pending)

NOTE: I learned over the weekend of May 12-15 that there is a possibility we could see more groundbreakings later this year. I will be keeping my eyes open for any developments in that regard and will post those as I hear of them. For now, this is a correction from what I had previously reported.

Construction completed; accepting reservations for public open house:
157. Tucson Arizona Temple: Preparing for open house; reservations will be accepted until June 24 (open house will run from Saturday June 3-24, excluding Sundays); dedication scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.

Construction nearing completion; Dedication scheduled:
158. Meridian Idaho Temple: Interior finish work underway; dedication scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.
159. Cedar City Utah Temple: Exterior lighting test begin; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.
                                                      
Under Construction (completion anticipated next year):
160. Rome Italy Temple: Angel Moroni installed on March 25, 2017; Christus and apostle statues installed at visitor’s center; installing art glass; completion anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2018.
161. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Steel roof trusses nearing completion; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
162.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Stone cladding underway on north and east walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: For the two temples above, they seem to be interchangeable in terms of which one might potentially be completed and dedicated first. I am trying to keep an eye on any and all developments and will adjust these estimates as necessary once more is known.
163. Concepcion Chile Temple: Exterior cladding progressing on north and west walls; first panel set around base of tower; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
164. Durban South Africa Temple: Majority of upper temple walls poured; preparing to pour upper floor of missionary housing; constructing walls for ancillary buildings; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: For the two temples above, they seem to be interchangeable in terms of which one might potentially be completed and dedicated first. I am trying to keep an eye on any and all developments and will adjust these estimates as necessary once more is known.

Under construction, completion anticipated within the next 3 years or less:
165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Erecting temple tower walls; completion anticipated sometime during early 2019.
166. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction barrier erected; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: In my mind, since this temple and the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple are slated for completion during the same general timeframe, the fact that work has not begun in earnest on the Canadian temple puts this Brazilian one ahead of Canada’s newest temple. But once construction begins in earnest in Winnipeg, things could change.  I will keep an eye on developments, and will try to make a better estimate when more is known.
168.  Lisbon Portugal Temple: Temple foundation work continues; structural framing for upper level of meetinghouse nearing completion; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
169. Arequipa Peru Temple: Tower crane erected; excavating for the foundation; completion anticipated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

Construction pending (anticipated to start anytime):
167. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; awaiting full-scale operations, which may start at any time (whenever the aftermath of the awful Canadian winter resolves itself); completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: Construction on this temple is expected to begin in earnest anytime. Once it does commence, it is anticipated to take 20 months (1.67 years) before it is dedicated. As noted above in regards to this temple and the Rio temple, since both are slated for completion during the same general timeframe (mid-2019), either could be completed first. I will keep an eye on things and adjust the order if and when necessary once more is known.

Preparing for rededication:
8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Preparing for rededication, which is scheduled for Sunday June 4, 2017.
                                                                  
Undergoing Renovation (rededication anticipated within the next year or so):
20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2018.
NOTE: I originally believed and was predicting that the rededication of this temple would be one of the first temple-related events of next year. But as I was recently reminded, it is more difficult to predict a time-frame for such events than it is to predict a probable time-frame for newer temples. I am keeping my eye out for developments on this front, and will be sure to pass along any updates.
41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; excavating for basement addition for new baptistry; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to mid-2018.
NOTE: As noted above, a probable time-frame for a temple’s rededication is harder to anticipate than I originally believed. While I personally hope to see this rededication sometime during next summer, time will tell whether or not that is reasonable to anticipate. I will update this information as I find out more.

Renovations Scheduled (all of which will start within the next 10 months or less):
80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: Renovations of US temples are usually completed more quickly than their international counterparts. With that in mind, along with the official closure date, this strengthens my argument for the completion estimate. As the renovation gets underway, we will know more, and then adjustments can be made ASAP.
18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in October 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.
NOTE: On Wednesday May 17, the LDS Church Temples website switched the order of temples listed for renovation, putting this between the Memphis Tennessee and Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temples. This indicates to me that we might see this temple close before the already-announced closure of the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple. More to come on that when more is known. In the meantime, we also know that renovations for temples outside the United States always take longer. With that in mind, it seems reasonable to surmise that we will not see a rededication for this temple until after the Washington DC Temple is rededicated.
95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on October 14, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: As noted above, US temple renovations are completed sooner than they are elsewhere. But it is also true that temples that close around the same time for renovation are rarely completed within the same time frame. Therefore, this seems to be a better estimate. As noted above, the fact that this temple and the Tokyo Japan Temple have switched places on the LDS Church Temples site seems to be a clear indication that the Tokyo closure will happen first. More to come once more is known.
112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in November 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: As this temple was the most recent among this scheduled renovation group to be dedicated, and as it is another that is projected to have a rededication during 2019, the time-frame above seems most likely for that to happen. It would not surprise me at all to see the Oakland California temple rededicated before this one. Time will tell.
13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: The renovation for this temple, the oldest of those scheduled for a renovation, is anticipated to be completed in 2019 sometime. The timeframe indicated above therefore seems reasonable, as is also the assumption that this temple will be rededication before the Paraguayan one.
16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in March 2018; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.
NOTE: This temple, the last one currently scheduled for renovation, is anticipated to be completed sometime during 2020. Because we know that US temple renovations are completed more quickly, it is relatively safe to assume that the rededication of this temple will happen sometime prior to that of the Tokyo Japan Temple.

NOTE: As mentioned above, last weekend, I learned that we might have as many as 4 temples that could potentially have a groundbreaking later this year. The chances are equally likely that no other groundbreakings will happen during the remainder of this year. As with every other temple-related development, I am doing my best to reevaluate things as more information comes to light, and I will be sure to pass along any updates. In the meantime, this is mostly just my own thoughts and impressions based on what I have learned and observed.

Announced:
170. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Approval and construction preparation phase; official site announcement anticipated later this year; groundbreaking may follow shortly thereafter.
NOTE: Given the statement from Elder Kevin S. Hamilton that a site announcement and subsequent groundbreaking would happen later this year, it is highly probable that we might see a groundbreaking any time during mid-to-late 2017. I could see that site announcement taking place before the annual July recess of the General Authorities, which would put the groundbreaking sometime around late August, during the time when weather warms up in Zimbabwe. While most site announcements precede groundbreakings by at least a few months, Elder Hamilton’s statement has led me to venture Saturday August 26 as the specific date, with the understanding that this date is more likely than not to be adjusted once more is known.
171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking pending.
NOTE: This temple, as noted previously, had a site confirmed by Elder Andersen in March of this year. It is therefore entirely likely that a subsequent groundbreaking could take place in mid-to-late 2017, with that announcement likely being made in conjunction with the groundbreaking for the Harare temple. And it seems safe to venture a specific date of Saturday September 16. Once more is known, I will adjust this estimate.
172. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government approval and official site announcement.
NOTE: With the delays that halted progress on this temple having finally come to an end, speculation is rampant to the effect that a groundbreaking could take place for this temple later this year, especially if a site is identified soon. It seems entirely possible. If the new information is correct, that is just a matter of time. It could very well be that such a groundbreaking could take place in mid-October, unless it is pushed back to sometime next year. With what is known at the moment, it seems possible to venture Saturday October 14 as that potential groundbreaking date, particularly because the October General Conference will be held the second-to-last and last Saturdays of September and on October 1. Adjustments will, of course, be altered as more information comes to light.
173. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: It was reported early this week that the same contractor who is overseeing the construction of the Arequipa Peru Temple would oversee the construction of this temple as well. He indicated a year would be needed to make plans for the site before any further progress was made. If that year is up by now, it is not unreasonable to believe that a site announcement could precede a groundbreaking in very short order. So it seems entirely possible that a site announcement could happen during mid-to-late 2017, and I am confident enough to venture a groundbreaking date of December 2, which would be right in the middle of the Peruvian summer months. This estimate will be adjusted once more is known. In the meantime, today confirmation came that this second temple for the Peruvian capital city will, as its name implies, be built within the Los Olivos district, in the northern section of that city.
174. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed.
NOTE: Knowing that this site has been confirmed by local priesthood leaders (it is located in the northern section of the city, near an arm of Paranoa Lake), we also know that a site confirmation is the hardest part of getting a temple built. Unless the site changes, it is becoming increasingly more likely that a groundbreaking will be held sometime during early-to-mid 2018. If the groundbreaking happens during that time, it will mark the first time in almost 20 years that the Church has had three temples simultaneously under construction in Brazil. I am keeping an eye on developments with this temple and will adjust this estimate as needed.
175. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official name announcement.
NOTE: Unless problems arise, the site identified by the Church’s Philippines Facebook page (on the southern side of the Manila metropolitan area in Alabang, Muntinlupa City) will more than likely be the official site. As finding a site is the most complex part of getting a temple built, it is very possible that we might see a groundbreaking for this temple by early-to-mid 2018. If the groundbreaking takes place during this time, then we would have two temples simultaneously under construction in the Philippines for the very first time in Church history. It is also anticipated that the Church will announce an official name for this temple in the very near future, as the name for the second Lima Peru Temple was announced within a month after the temple announcement. As with everything else, I am keeping an eye out for developments and will provide updated information when more is known.
176. Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation.
NOTE: A probable site has been identified but not yet confirmed. The LDS Church Temples site noted on May 12, 2017 a statement by Elder Larry Y. Wilson, the Temple Department Executive Director, that this temple is anticipated to be a larger edifice in the mold of the temple that will be dedicated later this year in Meridian. Once more is known officially regarding the site, it will be easier to make an adjustment as to how soon the groundbreaking might take place and how long construction might subsequently take. If it is true that this temple will be similar to Meridian, we might not see a groundbreaking any sooner than mid-to-late 2018. That said, I also recognize fully that temples in the US have typically always commenced construction faster than their counterparts outside the US, so it would not surprise me if this groundbreaking happened sooner than that. As always, I am keeping an eye on developments, and I will adjust this estimate as I am able to do so once more is known.
177. Saratoga Springs Utah: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: While it is true that temples in the United States (and particularly those in Utah County) get started much more quickly than temples elsewhere, it is also true that an official site confirmation is still pending. We do know, as previously noted, that the Church owns several plots of land in this city, so if one of them is chosen as the site, the groundbreaking could happen shortly thereafter. Until more is known, it seems wise to adjust my previous estimate for a groundbreaking to sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
178. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: As previously noted in other versions of this construction progress report, member speculation is that an existing building might be renovated and repurposed as Thailand’s first temple and also house Church offices and a meetinghouse as well. If that speculation is confirmed anytime soon, we might see a groundbreaking shortly after. In the meantime, it might be best to revise my previous estimate and say that a groundbreaking could take place in mid-to-late 2018. More to come once more is known.
179. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: The Church has seen substantial growth on the African continent in recent years. This is verified by the fact that, with the announcement of the 12 temples over the last three years during April General Conference, 3 (25%) of those have been in Africa. I would therefore hope that this temple, announced in 2015, would not have to wait too long for a groundbreaking, but I could see it happening sometime during early 2019, if not before.
180. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: While the first temple in Ecuador had a 14-year delay between its announcement and the subsequent groundbreaking (the second-longest such period in Church history), this temple is not nearly as likely to see such delays. The Church in South America has grown at an astonishing rate, and that is evidenced by the fact that 4 of the 12 temples announced most recently (25%) have been for South America. With the temples above most likely to have a groundbreaking first, it is very possible that we could see a groundbreaking for this time sometime during mid-2019, if not before.
181. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: South America, as noted above, has been very receptive to the gospel. As a result, more temples are coming to that continent. And while this temple has not yet had a site identified or confirmed, Brazilian temples typically have been built very swiftly. While I am hoping to see it sooner, and while I will be happy to adjust my estimate going forward if that is necessary, it seems wise for the moment to revise my estimate and say that we could see a groundbreaking during mid-2019, which would ensure that we will have two or three temples under construction in Brazil at least for the next couple of years. I will revise my estimate if and when I am able to do so.
182. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: It is becoming increasingly more likely that this African temple might be the last of the current bunch to have a groundbreaking. That said, with the Church growth that is occurring on the African continent, and with temples having gone up fairly quickly once a site is identified, I will revise my previous estimate and say that we will likely see a groundbreaking for this temple sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: Temple announcements are possible at any time, but the last twelve announcements have taken place during the April General Conference. I never want to rule out the possibility of announcements at other times, but that has been the pattern for the last three years. There have also been reports of several cities that have had a site purchased for a while now, and where an announcement might happen at any time. I know of at least five that have been identified to me by name: Managua Nicaragua, Auckland New Zealand, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, Bentonville Arkansas, and Missoula Montana. If other potential temples have had a site purchased, they have yet to be identified as such. The following temples have been publicly proposed by apostles at various and sundry times:  New Delhi India (in June 1992 by Elder Neal A. Maxwell; may not happen soon due to intense political and religious obstacles); Vilnius Lithuania (in May 1993 by Elder M. Russell Ballard, which may be more of a long-shot possibility); Maracaibo Venezuela (in August 1999 by President Hinckley, which is just waiting for the right conditions); Singapore (in January 2000 by President Hinckley, and is likely to be announced when the time is right); for the Southwest Salt Lake Valley (in October 2005 by President Hinckley; NOTE: While some contend that this temple announcement has already happened, verifiable sources widely available prove otherwise. A site is being held in reserve for that temple, and that location will be announced when membership and temple activity warrant that announcement); Managua Nicaragua (in January 2012 by then-Elder Russell M. Nelson; very likely at any time due to Nicaragua being the #1 of the top ten world countries without a temple); Missoula Montana (sometime in 2014 by Elder David A. Bednar during a stake conference in the area; while the report of this proposal has yet to be verified, the fact that there has been a purchase of a temple site seems to indicate that it is a most imminent possibility, though perhaps not as imminent as I once believed); and for the Kasai Region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (in February 2016 by Elder Neil L. Andersen). There are likely several other sites that the Church has purchased for a potential temple, but those have yet to be verified.
                                                                                                           
Key:
Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose numbers already exists (for renovations), or is certain due to a scheduled dedication, as well as information that is certain, such as dedication or groundbreaking dates.
Italicized numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.
Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval, and groundbreaking.
Red text highlights changes from the last posted temple progress report.