Major Temple Progress Report Update

Hello, all! I was just checking out the Church websites I daily check, and I got a HUGE surprise when I went onto the LDS Church Temples website. Those temples slated for completion in either 2018 or 2019 have been reordered to reflect the progress on these new temples and have been downgraded to be completed in 2019. Here's a look at what changed:

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 7/31/16)

Current Temple Status: 150 operating, 16 under construction (5 scheduled for dedication), 11 announced (2 groundbreakings anticipated to be announced soon), 4 undergoing renovation (1 scheduled for rededication).

Dedication scheduled:

151. Sapporo Japan Temple: Open house concluded; preparing for dedication, which is on Sunday August 21, 2016.

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: By-invitation tours underway; public open house scheduled August 10-September 9; dedication scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Accepting reservations for public open house, which is scheduled August 19-September 10; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Open house tickets available beginning Wednesday August 17, 2016 at 10:00 am; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Granite being attached to front façade; temple president’s residence progressing; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Exterior cladding of visitor’s center wing nearing completion; stained glass installation underway; courtyard pavers laid; completion estimated sometime in mid-2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Angel Moroni placed on July 20, 2016; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Pouring parking lot curbing; installing temporary glass on window openings; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Scaffolding removed from dome; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion estimated sometime in the first half of 2018.

161. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Building the substructure; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

162. Concepcion Chile Temple: Exterior walls poured; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

163. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; building permit sign posted; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

Rededication scheduled:

33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication scheduled on Sunday September 4, 2016.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; installing marble trim; repainting fence; rededication estimated sometime in early 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in mid-2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated to begin in October 2016.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; announcement of groundbreaking pending and not likely to take place until after the Summer Olympics.

169. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

173. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

174. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

175. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

176. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

177. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose number 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 number may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose number may change based on the order in which their future groundbreakings are announced.

Red text denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

Thoughts?

The Church's statement on the political unrest in Turkey

The Church has issued a formal statement based on what has happened in Turkey and how this will effect Turkish missionary work going forward. To read that statement, click here, Enjoy!

Slight revamp and expansion of list of soon-to-be announced temples

Based on the most excellent feedback I am getting on all these lists, I have made changes, corrections, and additions. Hope you enjoy reading this list as much as I enjoyed making it. Let me know what you think. Before posting the list, I notice that a lot of people were suggesting temples that were already on the list, either as an official choice or an alternative location. Please remember to look in both places to ensure your idea has not already been covered. As always, feedback is most gratefully appreciated and will be most warmly welcomed. Here's the list:

Temple Predictions:

3+ temples announced in any of the following cities and states:

Nicaragua (Managua); Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby); Arkansas (Bentonville); Puerto Rico (San Juan); Kiribati (Tarawa); Sierra Leone (Freetown); Uganda (Kampala); Kenya (Nairobi); Montana (Missoula); Utah (Tooele/Layton/Lehi/Kaysville); Hungary (Budapest); Nigeria (Lagos); Bolivia (La Paz); South Dakota (Rapid City); Mexico (Puebla); Chile (Valparaiso); Idaho (Pocatello); New Zealand (Auckland); Philippines (Davao); Scotland (Edinburgh); Virginia (Richmond); Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar); Spain (Barcelona); Wyoming (Cody); Brazil (Brasilia/Belo Horizonte); Argentina (Neuquen); Ghana (Kumasi).

Alternative locations: Ivory Coast (2nd and possibly 3rd temples; may be needed due to extreme growth in the area); Kasai or other DR Congo region (Kasai proposed in 2016 by Neil L. Andersen; may be needed due to extreme growth in the area); Vilnius Lithuania (proposed in 1993 by M. Russell Ballard); Maracaibo Venezuela (proposed in 1999 by Gordon B. Hinckley); Singapore (proposed in 2000 by Gordon B. Hinckley); 2nd Southwest Salt Lake Valley temple (proposed in 2005 by Gordon B. Hinckley; more than likely because land has already been purchased for it); alternate dark-horse locations: Orem/Heber/Price Utah; Maputo Mozambique, Oslo Norway; Antananarivo Madagascar . NOTE that the Nairobi Kenya temple was proposed in 1999 by Gordon B. Hinckley and that the Managua Nicaragua temple was proposed by Russell M. Nelson in 2012.

Planned Parenthood in Utah steals a beloved trademarked symbol of the Church

In a recent line of condoms, the Utah division of Planned Parenthood has received complaints from the LDS Church for the illegal and unauthorized use of the CTR symbol. This action is drawing fire from the Church because the symbol is trademarked. Legal action is no doubt pending. To read more about this, click here. Thanks.

Church's First Swedish General Authority, Per G. Malm, passes away

Sad news tonight from the Church. Elder Per G. Malm, the Church's first Swedish General Authority, passed away from complications of cancer. To read more about this remarkable man's life, as well as details of his passing, please click here. Thanks.

Yet Another Temple Progress Update

Here's yet another update on temple construction progress.

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 7/25/16)

Current Temple Status: 150 operating, 16 under construction (5 scheduled for dedication), 11 announced (2 groundbreakings anticipated to be announced soon), 4 undergoing renovation (1 scheduled for rededication).

Dedication scheduled:

151. Sapporo Japan Temple: Open house concluded; preparing for dedication, which is on Sunday August 21, 2016.

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: By-invitation tours underway; public open house scheduled August 10-September 9; dedication scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Accepting reservations for public open house, which is scheduled August 19-September 10; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Open house tickets available beginning Wednesday August 17, 2016 at 10:00 am; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Granite being attached to front façade; temple president’s residence progressing; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Exterior cladding of visitor’s center wing nearing completion; stained glass installation underway; courtyard pavers laid; completion estimated sometime in mid-2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Angel Moroni placed on July 20, 2016; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Pouring parking lot curbing; installing temporary glass on window openings; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Scaffolding removed from dome; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion estimated sometime in the first half of 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Exterior walls poured; completion estimated sometime during 2018.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

163. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; building permit sign posted; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

165. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Building the substructure; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

Rededication scheduled:

33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication scheduled on Sunday September 4, 2016.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; installing marble trim; repainting fence; rededication estimated sometime in early 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in mid-2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated to begin in October 2016.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; announcement of groundbreaking pending and not likely to take place until after the Summer Olympics.

169. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

173. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

174. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

175. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

176. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

177. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose number 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 number may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose number may change based on the order in which their future groundbreakings are announced.

Red text denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

Multipurpose Church-news post

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, has been busy during the July apostolic recess. Among the highlights, he visited the Rome Italy temple site, presented a check for the Church to a worldwide hunger organization, and visited refugees in Athens, Greece.

In other Church news, as part of the pioneer day celebration, Elder M. Russell Ballard served as the grand marshal of the Days of '47 KSL Parade. This is significant because the role of grand marshal has typically been filled by a member of the Church's First Presidency. But it makes sense that with President Uchtdorf travelling and President Monson reportedly not in good health.

In other Pioneer Days news, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis of the Seventy spoke at the sunrise Pioneer Day devotional. Click here for the details of that speech.

In the meantime, the King's Singers were the featured guests at the Pioneer Day Concert for the Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. To read about the concert, please click here.

Thanks for tuning in for this Church news update. Until I post again, all the best!

Another temple update

Hello, all! Just went over my personal temple construction progress update and I realized that I missed some things. Here's the updated list, as of today.

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 7/23/16)

Current Temple Status: 150 operating, 16 under construction (5 scheduled for dedication), 11 announced (2 groundbreakings anticipated to be announced soon), 4 undergoing renovation (1 scheduled for rededication).

Dedication scheduled:

151. Sapporo Japan Temple: Public open house tours underway; dedication scheduled on Sunday August 21, 2016.

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Accepting reservations for public open house; dedication scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Accepting reservations for public open house; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Laying sod and planting trees; installing art glass windows; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Granite being attached to front façade; temple president’s residence progressing; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Exterior cladding of visitor’s center wing nearing completion; stained glass installation underway; courtyard pavers laid; completion estimated sometime in mid-2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Angel Moroni placed on July 20, 2016; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Pouring parking lot curbing; installing temporary glass on window openings; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Scaffolding removed from dome; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion estimated sometime in the first half of 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Exterior walls poured; completion estimated sometime during 2018.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

163. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; building permit sign posted; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

165. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Building the substructure; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

Rededication scheduled:

33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication scheduled on Sunday September 4, 2016.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; installing marble trim; repainting fence; rededication estimated sometime in early 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in mid-2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated to begin in October 2016.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; announcement of groundbreaking pending and not likely to take place until after the Summer Olympics.

169. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

173. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

174. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

175. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

176. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

177. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose number 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 number may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose number may change based on the order in which their future groundbreakings are announced.

Red text denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

President Uchtdorf visits the Rome Italy Temple

As the Church News reported this weekend, President Uchtdorf has been busy during this July apostolic recess. Not only did his return to his native Germany and Czechoslovakia, but he also visited the site of the Rome Italy temple. He urged the Saints in Rome to continue praying for the swift completion of the temple, saying that though it is taking a while to complete the temple (ground was broken for it in 2010), the Church wanted to be sure that the construction process was handled right. He spoke of the historical significance of having a temple in Rome. Click here to read more about his reaction to visiting the temple site. Thanks to you all for your interest and support,

Another Temple Progress Report Update

Based on the wonderful new information available today on the LDS Church temples website, I am posting with an updated list of temple progress. Enjoy!

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 7/21/16)

Current Temple Status: 150 operating, 16 under construction (5 scheduled for dedication), 11 announced (2 groundbreakings anticipated to be announced soon), 4 undergoing renovation (1 scheduled for rededication).

Dedication scheduled:

151. Sapporo Japan Temple: Public open house tours underway; dedication scheduled on Sunday August 21, 2016.

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Accepting free reservations for public open house; dedication scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Accepting free reservations for public open house; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Laying sod and planting trees; installing art glass windows; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Granite being attached to front façade; temple president’s residence progressing; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Exterior cladding of visitor's center nearing completion; stained glass installation underway; courtyard pavers laid; completion estimated sometime in mid-2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Angel Moroni placed on July 20, 2016; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Pouring parking lot curbing; installing temporary glass on window openings; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Scaffolding removed from dome; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion estimated sometime in the first half of 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Exterior walls poured; completion estimated sometime during 2018.

162. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; building permit sign posted; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

163. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

165. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Building the substructure; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

Rededication scheduled:

33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication scheduled on Sunday September 4, 2016.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; installing marble trim; repainting fence; rededication estimated sometime in early 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in mid-2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated to begin in October 2016.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; groundbreaking may be announced soon and scheduled sometime after the summer Olympics.

169. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

173. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

174. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

175. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

176. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

177. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose number 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 number may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose number may change based on the order in which their future groundbreakings are announced.

Red text denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

Conglomoration of Church news

The Church News this weekend ran an article about Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, newly called in April as the Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency. It was very good to read that article. Click here to read that article. I was especially anxious to read about her because she is the daughter of Elder Harold G. Hillam, who at one time served as a General Authority Seventy.

Another reason I had for wanting to get to know a bit more than I do about Sister Cordon is that, if my calculations are correct, she will be the featured speaking representative of the new Primary General Presidency at the General Women's Session of October General Conference. I suppose there is a possibility that they might just have the three female auxiliary presidents speak at the Women's Session because they haven't spoken together in that meeting since the first one was held in April 2014.

Of the two scenarios, though, I think I will stick with my prediction that Sister Cordon will be the only representative of the Primary to speak at the General Women's Meeting, since it is more than likely that the new Primary General President, Joy D. Jones, will be asked to give her first talk during General Conference during either the Saturday or Sunday Morning Sessions of the October General Conference.

In other news, Francis M. Gibbons, who served for 16 years as secretary to the First Presidency during the tenures of the presidencies of Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball and (for a few months) Ezra Taft Benson, and then served as a general authority seventy for , died in his sleep at the age of 95.

One interesting thing I learned from reading Brother Gibbons' obituary was that after his release as a general authority (he was only released during his lifetime, though the article now describes him as an emeritus General Authority Seventy), he served as patriarch at large to the Church, and in this capacity, he particularly gave patriarchal blessings at Church headquarters to those individuals who lived outside the boundaries of any stakes.

To read an overview of this remarkable man's life, please click here.

In the meantime, Francis M. Gibbons, who served for 16 years as secretary to the First Presidency during the tenures of the presidencies of Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball and (for a few months) Ezra Taft Benson, and then served as a general authority seventy for , died in his sleep at the age of 95.

One interesting thing I learned from reading Brother Gibbons' obituary was that after his release as a general authority (he was only released during his lifetime, though the article now describes him as an emeritus General Authority Seventy), he served as patriarch at large to the Church, and in this capacity, he particularly gave patriarchal blessings at Church headquarters to those individuals who lived outside the boundaries of any stakes.

To read an overview of this remarkable man's life, please click here.

In the meantime, during their recent tour of Europe, the Tabernacle Choir recreated the 1955 photo of a tour the choir took in Europe. It was great to read about that experience. For the full story, click here.

Steven W. Owen, Young Men General President, recently spoke to Boy Scouts and their leaders at a yearly retreat. For an account of what transpired there, please click here.

Elder Patrick Kearon, who serves as president of the Church's Europe Area, issued a statement recently expressing condolences and support to and urged others to pray for all those affected by the French cargo truck tragedy. To read what he said, click here.

The Church recently  updated the Spanish version of the scriptures to fix translation errors and to implement changes made to English scriptures and incorporate them into the Spanish standard works. To read about what was done with that translation, please click here. Thanks to you all for your interest and support.

And finally, Devin G. Durrant, First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, spoke to BYU graduates and their families this week on the importance of listening to the right voice. For a full account of his remarks, click here.

Thanks to you all for your readership and interest.

List of temples that may be announced soon increases to 30, with alternates suggested

Based on feedback on the excellent LDS Church Growth blog, I have added the following locations to my list: Tooele and Sandy Utah, Cody Wyoming, and Richmond Virginia. This brings to 25 the total of temples that I feel are most likely to be announced in October. The complete list follows. Thanks for your interest and support!
Nicaragua (Managua); Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby); Arkansas (Bentonville); Puerto Rico (San Juan); Kiribati (Tarawa); Sierra Leone (Freetown); Uganda (Kampala); Kenya (Nairobi); Montana (Missoula); Utah (Tooele/Layton/Lehi/Sandy); Hungary (Budapest); Nigeria (Lagos); Bolivia (La Paz); South Dakota (Rapid City); Mexico (Puebla); Chile (Valparaiso); Idaho (Pocatello); New Zealand (Auckland); Philippines (Davao); Scotland (Edinburgh); Virginia (Richmond); Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar) ; Spain (Barcelona); Wyoming (Cody); Brazil (Brasilia); Argentina (Neuquen); Ghana (Kumasi).

Alternative locations: Ivory Coast (2nd and possibly 3rd temples; may be needed due to extreme growth in the area); Kasai or other DR Congo region (Kasai proposed in 2016 by Neil L. Andersen; may be needed due to extreme growth in the area); Vilnius Lithuania (proposed in 1993 by M. Russell Ballard); Maracaibo Venezuela (proposed in 1999 by Gordon B. Hinckley); Singapore (proposed in 2000 by Gordon B. Hinckley); 2nd Southwest Salt Lake Valley temple (proposed in 2005 by Gordon B. Hinckley; more than likely because land has already been purchased for it); as dark horse choices, Oslo Norway and Sandy Utah. NOTE that the Nairobi Kenya temple was proposed in 1999 by Gordon B. Hinckley and that the Managua Nicaragua temple was proposed by Russell M. Nelson in 2012.

Updated temple progress report

Because so much is happening on the temple news front I am once again posting an updated temple progress report. Enjoy! Feedback is, as always, appreciated.

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 7/20/16)

Current Temple Status: 150 operating, 16 under construction (5 scheduled for dedication), 11 announced (2 groundbreakings anticipated to be announced soon), 4 undergoing renovation (1 scheduled for rededication).

Dedication scheduled:

151. Sapporo Japan Temple: Public open house tours underway; dedication scheduled on Sunday August 21, 2016.

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Accepting free reservations for public open house; dedication scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Accepting free reservations for public open house; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Laying sod and planting trees; installing art glass windows; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Granite being attached to front façade; temple president’s residence progressing; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Planting trees, shrubs, and flowers; installing some art glass; completion estimated sometime in mid-2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Angel Moroni placed on July 20, 2016; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Pouring parking lot curbing; installing temporary glass on window openings; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Scaffolding removed from dome; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion estimated sometime in 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Exterior walls poured; completion estimated sometime during 2018.

162. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; building permit sign posted; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

163. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

165. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Building the substructure; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

Rededication scheduled:

33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication scheduled on Sunday September 4, 2016.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; installing marble trim; repainting fence; rededication estimated sometime in early 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in mid-2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated to begin in October 2016.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; groundbreaking may be announced soon and scheduled sometime after the summer Olympics.

169. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

173. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

174. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

175. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

176. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

177. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose number 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 number may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose number may change based on the order in which their future groundbreakings are announced.

Red text denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

My meeting with Kelly Services/How Great Shall Be Your Joy

As arranged, I went to ROI Solutions today to meet with the Kelly Services representative. When I got there, I was told I needed to wait. While I was waiting, I happened to notice a jacket on a hanger at the front desk. The jacket looked very familiar to me. Then I realized why: it was my jacket. I had left it behind at work during the fall and never got it back. I was glad to see that it was still intact. I wasted no time in informing the front desk that it was mine and taking it back into my possession. It was a delayed but welcome answer to the prayers we had said about it. I was able to take it out to the car to Amy.

When I got back in, Kayla informed me that Matt (the Kelly Services rep) was tied up with a client in Provo and that she would call me to come back and meet with him as soon as he got there. So, we went home. I kid you not: We had no sooner pulled into the driveway of the trailer when the phone rang. It was Kayla, reporting that Matt was back at ROI and waiting to meet with me. So, we went back.

Matt and I had a lovely and upfront chat. He asked about how I had liked that job (which I did, very much), what kind of new job I was looking for (he asked about sales and thanked me for honestly telling him I wouldn't like or do well with a sales job), what my pay was (he mentioned he would try to find me a better-paying opportunity) and my preferred work shift (I indicated to him that I preferred to work in the evenings so I had my mornings and afternoons free to see the doctor).

He also asked me if I had any restrictions or limitations as far as my health went. I candidly told him that I was struggling with a few things and that this might at times make my attendance at work spotty. I told him in the same breath, though, that I had been told that when I was there, I was one of the most on-task people ever. He thanked me for my candor, said he didn't see my health as a roadblock to finding a good fit for me and that he'd work to quickly do so. He was pleased when I told him I would also be doing some looking on my own and that I had in fact applied for one position already. He promised to e-mail me later today to update my resume and my record with Kelly Services, including my new address. So I am just waiting to hear from him.

In the meantime, I was checking into a few things online, and I came across a Facebook message from an old friend I made in my parent's ward. He spoke of the fact that he had been divorced and for a while had turned bitter against the Church as a result of the way the divorce went down. Then one day, he heard a voice in his head, telling him that I had so much more reason to be bitter against the Lord than he himself did, and I was faithfully living the gospel. The thought came to his mind: "What's your excuse?" While he was sorting all of this out, he's kept an eye out for my Facebook posts about my posts here on this blog. He said it touched him how focused I was on all the good things that are going on with the Church. This led him to embrace fully once again the gospel he had turned his back on for a while. He closed by thanking me for my example.

This was great to hear about. I sometimes wonder if my blog is making a difference for anyone, and, though I've been told by many people that they appreciate my example of living the gospel in the midst of deep trials, I never have felt very profoundly that anything I'm doing is having a positive effect on anyone. It made me feel good to hear from my friend that I at least made a difference in his life.

As I pondered over the message from my friend, the words of a couple of scriptures combined into one thought came powerfully to the forefront of my mind. "And if it so be that ye should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that ye have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"

I feel like Alma and the sons of Ammon to glory in my God, not because I am anything unique or special, but because others have been positively impacted by my example. I greatly treasure my association with all of my brethren and sisters in the Lord's kingdom. And I feel that I better understand now what it means to have a "fulness of joy."

That each of us may live in such a way as to enable us to be blessings for and make differences in the lives of the people we are surrounded by daily is my humble prayer as I close this blog post in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

25 Temples Most likely to be announced in the most likely announcement order

I am reposting my list of the 25 most likely temples that may be announced. This time, I have put them in the order in which I feel they will be announced. Enjoy!

Nicaragua (Managua); Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby); Arkansas (Bentonville); Puerto Rico (San Juan); Kiribati (Tarawa); Sierra Leone (Freetown); Uganda (Kampala); Kenya (Nairobi); Montana (Missoula); Utah (Lehi); Utah (Layton); Hungary (Budapest); Nigeria (Lagos); Bolivia (La Paz); South Dakota (Rapid City); Mexico (Puebla); Chile (Valparaiso); Idaho (Pocatello); New Zealand (Auckland); Philippines (Davao); Scotland (Edinburgh); Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar); Spain (Barcelona); Brazil (Brasilia); Argentina (Neuquen); Ghana (Kumasi).

Top 25 temples that may be announced soon

Based on comments from Steven Kent, I have increased the number of temples that may be announced soon from 20 to 25. I feel fairly confident in these sites either being imminent or in the near future. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Steven!

Refined list of cities that may receive a temple soon.
1. South America (1. Managua Nicaragua 2. La Paz Bolivia. 3. Puebla Mexico. 4. Valparaiso Chile. 5. Brasilia Brazil 6. Neuquen Argentina)
2. Pacific (1. Port Moresby Papua New Guinea 2. Tarawa Kiribati. 3. Auckland New Zealand 4. Ulaanbaatar Mongolia)
3. Caribbean (1. San Juan Puerto Rico)
4. Africa (1. Freetown Sierra Leone 2. Kampala Uganda. 3. Nairobi Kenya. 4. Lagos Nigeria 5. Kumasi Ghana)
5. USA (1. Bentonville Arkansas. 2. Missoula Montana. 3. Lehi Utah. 4. Layton Utah 5. Pocatello Idaho 6. South Dakota Rapid City)
6. Europe (1. Budapest Hungary 2. Edinburgh Scotland 3. Barcelona Spain)

I find it really difficult to think about cutting this list further. I think I will go with all of them as possibilities. 20 temples is not that many. Let me know if there are any glaring oversights. Thanks.

Interesting Life Development

I called the ROI Solutions front desk today to find out when I could bring in my termination paperwork. When I talked to Kayla Crawford, the main receptionist, both in phone and in person, what she said blew me away completely. Apparently the only reasons they hadn't offered me another position with ROI were that they didn't know my schedule, and they were under the impression I had refused to meet with Kelly Services. I was quick to assure Kayla of my interest in continuing my job at ROI, and she told me if I would come to ROI tomorrow @ 10, I could meet with Kelly Services and would likely be put directly into another campaign. This means that I could start a new job as soon as Monday. What an unexpected blessing! I will keep you all posted. Thanks for your interest and support.

Temple Progress Update

Hello, all! Just wanted to let you know of the latest strides made in temple construction progress. As usual, any major changes are now highlighted in red. Enjoy!

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 7/19/16)

Current Temple Status: 150 operating, 16 under construction (5 scheduled for dedication), 11 announced (2 groundbreakings anticipated to be announced soon), 4 undergoing renovation (1 scheduled for rededication).

Dedication scheduled:

151. Sapporo Japan Temple: Public open house tours underway; dedication scheduled on Sunday August 21, 2016.

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Accepting free reservations for public open house; dedication scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Accepting free reservations for public open house; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Laying sod and planting trees; installing art glass windows; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Granite being attached to front façade; temple president’s residence progressing; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Planting trees, shrubs, and flowers; installing some art glass; completion estimated sometime in mid-2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Stained glass windows being installed; pouring parking lot curbing and installing light poles; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Pouring parking lot curbing and installing light poles; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Scaffolding removed from dome; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion estimated sometime in 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Exterior walls poured; completion estimated sometime during 2018.

162. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; building permit sign posted; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

163. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in either 2018 or 2019.

165. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Building the substructure; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

Rededication scheduled:

33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication scheduled on Sunday September 4, 2016.

 Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; installing marble trim; repainting fence; rededication estimated sometime in early 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in mid-2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated to begin in October 2016.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; groundbreaking may be announced soon and scheduled sometime after the summer Olympics.

169. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

173. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

174. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

175. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

176. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

177. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose number 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 number may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose number may change based on the order in which their future groundbreakings are announced.

Red text denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

Utah's Ninja Newscaster

KSL recently ran a story narrated by Dave McCann and featuring his co-anchors on the 10 pm newscast, Deanie Wimmer and Mike Headrick. The purpose of the story was to determine who was Utah's Ninja Newscaster. Anyone familiar with NBC's American Ninja Warrior will by now know what such a competition usually entails. For those who don't know, what happened is this: Deanie and Mike went head-to-head competing in several obstacle courses. Though Deanie had more nimbleness and was quick, the title of Utah's Ninja Newscaster went to Mike because he got all the way through the course due to his large arm muscles. Dave, Deanie, and Mike joked with meterologist Kevin Eubank that a rematch was needed, perhaps getting Dave in on it this time. It was fun to watch. If you'd be interested in seeing that and reading more about it, please click here.

What an awesome news story!

More on how the new Russian law will affect missionaries and the Church's progress

KSL ran a story yesterday on how the new Russian law will affect missionaries serving in Russia. Missionaries will now be referred to in public and private as "volunteers" They will be referred to as such in both public and private. Instead of saying "My son is a missionary in Russia" people will say "My son volunteers in Russia for our C hurch." For more on this, click here. Thanks.

More Work on the List of Soon-to-be-announced temples

As those who follow this blog are aware, I've been posting A LOT lately about temples that may soon be announced. As you will recall, I narrowed my list down to 20 temples that I listed last time in geographical order. Now I am posting this time to list them in order of relevant likelihood. And again, please feel free to notify me if you disagree with this order or with any of the 20 I've selected.

1.      Nicaragua (Managua)

2.      Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby)

3.      Puerto Rico (San Juan)

4.      Kiribati (Tarawa)

5.      Sierra Leone (Freetown)

6.      Uganda (Kampala)

7.      Kenya (Nairobi)

8.      Arkansas (Bentonville)

9.      Montana (Missoula)

10.  Utah (Lehi)

11.  Hungary (Budapest)

12.  Bolivia (La Paz)

13.  Mexico (Quezon City)

14.  Chile (Valparaiso)

15.  New Zealand (Auckland)

16.  Philippines (Davao)

17.  New Zealand (Auckland)

18.  Nigeria (Lagos)

19.  Idaho (Pocatello)

20.  Scotland (Edinburgh)

Thoughts?

Apostolic Travels During July Recess/We Honor the Pioneers

As many of you may know, July is the one month of the calendar year that the leading Brethren (primarily the apostles) take off to spend time with their families, as their ecclesiastical duties don't allow them that much time to do so the rest of the year. As we have seen by what has happened with Church growth, this July has been one in which many stakes have been created. Additionally, on Facebook, Mormon Newsroom reported President Uchtdorf recently taking time to return to his native Europe to be with family. One of the things he is doing while in Europe is touring the temples announced or under construction. That was neat to hear about.

Then, I just found out that Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Angel's game on Friday July 15. The pitch was caught by Elder Ruben Acosta, an Area Seventy. To read more about this fun night, please click here.

That's the latest going on in apostolic news.

In the meantime, Brother Tad R. Callister, Sunday School General President, spoke on how we can honor our pioneer ancestors by the way we live. To read more about the event in which he spoke and what he said, click here.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. Thanks for your readership, friendship, and interest.

Down to the top 20 most likely temples/Feedback appreciated.

I have been working on whittling down my list. I have gotten the list down to 20. I have done the list by world region.

I hope to refine the list further to the top seven or so. Let me know if you disagree with any of my choices or if you feel there are any glaring oversights.

Refined list of cities that may receive a temple soon.
1. South America (1. Managua Nicaragua 2. La Paz Bolivia. 3. Quezon City Mexico. 4. Valparaiso Chile. 5. Brasilia Brazil)
2. Pacific (1. Port Moresby Papua New Guinea) 2. Tarawa Kiribati. 3. Auckland New Zealand. 4. Quezon City Philippines)
3. Caribbean (1. San Juan Puerto Rico)
4. Africa (1. Freetown Sierra Leone 2. Kampala Uganda. 3. Nairobi Kenya. 4. Lagos Nigeria)
5. USA (1. Bentonville Arkansas. 2. Missoula Montana. 3. Lehi Utah. 4. Pocatello Idaho)
6. Europe (1. Budapest Hungary 2. Edinburgh Scotland)

I find it really difficult to think about cutting this list further. I think I will go with all of them as possibilities. 20 temples is not that many. Let me know if there are any glaring oversights. Thanks.

Substantial posts by Matthew Martinich

Matthew Martinich reported on his blog that the Reaching the Nations Church growth almanacs are now on sale at amazon.com for a substantial price reduction. They are less than $2.00 each. I wasted no time in purchasing my Kindle copies of these landmark volumes. Please click here to read the information on how to purchase those volumes. He also announced plans to publish an update of those volumes hopefully at some point this year.

In the comments on that post, many stake and ward creations are made known.

Additionally, more new stakes and districts have been created. Please click here for details. This only strengthens my case for a second temple in Nigeria and a 2nd and possibly 3rd one for the Ivory Coast. Thanks so much to all of you for your interest and support.

Whittling down the list of cities that might get a temple soon for my October General Conference Predictions

Hello, all! I am trying to whittle down the list of cities that may get a temple soon. I am asking for your help because I want to fine-tune my predictions. I will post a new copy of that list. I am looking to whittle it down to perhaps the 15 most likely locations. Let the process of elimination begin!  Any feedback would be appreciated. Here's the list as it now stands, followed by some comments.

1. Managua Nicaragua Temple (proposed in 2012 by Elder Russell M. Nelson; note that Nicaragua is the nation with the strongest LDS presence that doesn't have a temple in any phase; note also that Rick Satterfield, webmaster of the most excellent LDS Church Temples site, has informed me that a temple site has been purchased in this city for when membership warrants it )

2. Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby; note that Papua New Guinea is the nation with the second strongest LDS presence that doesn't have a temple in any phase; note that this is another location for which Brother Satterfield said a potential temple site has been purchased when membership warrants it. )

3. Puerto Rico (San Juan; note that Puerto Rico is the nation with the third strongest LDS presence that doesn't have a temple in any phase

4. Russia (Moscow; the Church seems to really be expanding in Russia; note that Russia is the nation with the fourth strongest LDS presence that doesn't have a temple in any phase)

5. Kiribati (Tarawa; note that Kiribati is the nation with the fifth strongest LDS presence that doesn't have a temple in any phase)

6. Sierra Leone (Freetown; may be announced soon due to extensive Church growth in Africa; note that Sierra Leone is the nation with the sixth strongest LDS presence that doesn't have a temple in any phase)

7. American Samoa (Pago Pago; note that American Samoa is the nation with the seventh strongest LDS presence that doesn't have a temple in any phase)

8. Uganda (Kampala; may be announced soon due to extensive Church growth in Africa; note that Uganda is the nation with the eighth strongest LDS presence that doesn't have a temple in any phase)

9. Cambodia (Phnom Penh; please note that Cambodia is the nation with the ninth strongest LDS presence that doesn't have a temple in any phase; I favor this location because my brother-in-law served his mission there)

10. Nairobi Kenya Temple (proposed in 1998 by President Gordon B. Hinckley; note that Kenya is the nation with the tenth strongest LDS presence that doesn't have a temple in any phase)

11. Bentonville Arkansas (According to my team leader at work who served a mission in that region and who follows Church milestones there religiously (pun intended), a lot for a temple has already been purchased there and an announcement of that temple will happen when Church growth warrants it. How soon that will be remains to be seen.)

12. Montana (Missoula; identified by Elder David A. Bednar as a potential temple site)

13. Southwest Salt Lake Valley Temple (proposed in 2005 by President Gordon B. Hinckley; the site has already been purchased and an official announcement will happen when Church activity warrants it)

14. DR Congo (Kasai region/Likashi; recent extensive and expansive growth in the DR Congo seems to bear out the inevitability of a second and even third temple for this region. A temple for Kasai region was publicly proposed by Elder Neil L. Andersen in February of this year)

15. Hungary (Budapest; the difficulty in getting to the Kyiv Ukraine temple, along with growth in the area, makes it a good candidate for a temple)

16. Nigeria (Lagos/Benin City)

17. Ghana (Kumasi)

18. Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar; I favor this location because a good friend served his mission there. The growth of the Church there may be indicative of the need for a temple.)

19. Bolivia (La Paz; I favor La Paz because my favorite bishop, a close friend, served his mission there. He shared a little bit of Bolivian culture with our ward during his service as bishop because, in addition to giving each returning missionary their plaque, at the conclusion of their service, he also gave them a Bolivian abrasso)

20. South Dakota (Rapid City; I favor this location because my dad served his mission there)

21. New Zealand (Auckland)

22. Indonesia (Jakarta; a site I favor because a good friend served his mission there)

23 Wyoming (Cody; makes more sense for a potential temple than Cheyenne)

24. Idaho (Pocatello; the one major city in Idaho that does not already have a temple)

25. Spain (Barcelona, which seems more likely as a temple site than Malaga, where a good friend served her mission; note that I feel there will be a temple in both cities in the future)

26. Tooele Utah (a somewhat overlooked site that makes sense)

27. Heber Utah  (could be a dark horse choice, as it would be unexpected but needed)

28. Mapleton Utah (another site that could benefit from a temple; how likely it is remains to be seen)

29. Scoland (It was brought to my attention that Ireland or Scotland would be a good location for a temple. Of the two, I think Scotland is more likely, and Brother Satterfield agrees with me; though it's admittedly another dark horse candidate.)

30. Czech Republic (Ostrava; I’m sure President Uchtdorf would love to see a temple in his homeland)

31. Lehi Utah (I favor this location because my wife grew up there and it seems to be expanding at an astonishing rate, including the LDS presence)

32. Texas (El Paso/Corpus Christi/Fort Worth; of the three I don't know which I favor more or might be more likely: El Paso has more of a Church presence, but Corpus Christi is a region familiar to my mom who served part of her mission there and a good friend of mine served her mission in Fort Worth , so any one of the three would be good)

33. Austria (Vienna; I favor this location because my wife served her mission there)

34. Norway (Oslo; another dark horse choice)

35. Guatemala (Guatemala City (2nd temple))/San Cristobal)

36. Mexico (Mexico City (2nd temple))/Quezon City)

37. Chile (Santiago (2nd temple))/Valparaiso)

38. Philippines (Manila (2nd temple))/Quezon City/Davao

39. Argentina (Buenos Aires (2nd temple)/Bellville/La Plata)

40. Brazil (Sao Paulo (2nd temple)/Belo Horizonte/Brasilia (Note on Brasilia: Brother Satterfield has told me he thinks this is a very likely possibility)

41. Ivory Coast (One or two additional temples; might be needed due to extensive growth in the area)

42. Honduras (San Pedro Sula)

43. India (New Delhi; temple publicly proposed by Neal A. Maxwell in June 1992)

44. Lithuania (Vilnius; temple publicly proposed by M. Russell Ballard in May 1993)

45. Venezuela (Maracaibo; temple publicly proposed by Gordon B. Hinckley in August 1999)

46. Singapore (temple publicly proposed by  Gordon B. Hinckley in January 2000)

47. Vietnam (Hanoi; may be a bit early for a temple; but the odds for it are increased by the fact of Vietnam granting official recognition to the Church earlier this year, especially as any Vietnamese Church members are travelling a long distance to the nearest temple.

My observations about this list:

1. Managua Nicaragua and Port Moresby have already had a site identified, as have Bentonville Arkansas and perhaps also Missoula Montana (The former is definite, the latter is heresay). Therefore, these are in the top four in my mind.

2. I would probably get rid of the possibility of a Russian temple for the moment simply because of the religious restrictions imposed by President Putin.

3. Of the seven temples that have been announced since last year's end of the two-year hiatus in temple announcements, none have been in the US (including Utah), 2 have been in Africa (Abidjan Ivory Coast and Harare Zimbabwe,) 1 in the Pacific (Bangkok Thailand), 1 in a European-owned island (Port-au-Price Haiti) and 3 from South America (Lima Peru Los Olivos, Belem Brazil, and Quito Ecuador). I therefore can see where, especially with growth in Africa and South America, more temples may be announced there. It has been a while since we saw a temple announced in Europe, which makes the ones in Spain, Ireland and Hungary likely, though I could be wrong.
4. It is very rare to only have two temples in construction in Utah (Cedar City Utah is anticipated to be completed next year, and Jordan River is being renovated). This makes another Utah temple likely. What I'd like to see there is a narrowing-down to about two or three Utah cities that are most likely for a temple announcement.
5. Some observations about the cities for which I predicted a 2nd temple: I would probably go for a temple in other cities before a 2nd for any of the cities above. The announcement of the Lima Peru Los Olivos temple makes a 2nd temple for these cities likely, but if I had to narrow it down, I would say this:
a. Brasilia in Brazil has been particularly mentioned to me.
b. So has Valparaiso in Chile.
c. Quezon City or Davao seems likely for the Philippines.
d. Quezon City seems most likely for Mexico.
e. Villa Nueva may be a more likely possibility for Guatemala than a second Guatemala City temple. or the one I proposed for San Cristobal.
6. I would likely trim down this list to the top 15-20, then refine it further as conference approaches.
Thoughts?