Major Temple Developments Reported

This weekend, much has changed in terms of temple construction progress. First of all, a photograph submitted to the LDS Church Temples website shows that construction began in earnest last week on the Arequipa Peru Temple. This is an excellent sign, and means that we now only have one temple in the "construction pending" status: the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple. The one and only thing holding up construction there is a really bad Canadian winter. As seasonal changes in Canada coincide with when that happens in the United States, construction in Winnipeg could commence in earnest anytime between now and the end of June. In the meantime, we do also know that the construction of the Arequipa Peru Temple could be concluded in late 2019 or early 2020.

Additionally, I was overjoyed to find out from many sources that the Urdaneta Philippines Temple is no longer stalled in its progress towards a groundbreaking. While some reports indicate a site announcement and groundbreaking could take place sometime later this year, it seems more reasonable to assume that at least the groundbreaking will happen next year. But it does look like the Harare Zimbabwe Temple will be the next to have a groundbreaking, and that the Urdaneta Philippines Temple groundbreaking could follow within fairly short order.

This meant that I had to completely revise my estimates for when future groundbreakings will take place. So what I have done is put at the top of the announced section those temples that either have a site confirmed or a potential site identified, downgrading others for later on. And I am very excited that, contrary to what I had supposed, the Urdaneta Philippines Temple will not be the last one to have a groundbreaking or the last one to be dedicated.

This also meant that I needed to revisit my estimated timeline by which future temple-related events are most likely to happen. I am still working on that, trying my best to research every nuance as thoroughly as I can. And I will do my best to post the results of that research later on this week as I am able to.

Before the day is over today, I also hope to post a long-overdue update on the latest apostolic statistics. I will see how things go. In the meantime, my updated temple construction progress report follows. Enjoy, and let me know what you think. I look forward to the feedback.

Temple Construction Progress Update (current as of 4/16/17)

Current Temple Status: 155 operating; 4 scheduled for dedication; 9 under construction; 1 more has construction pending, and may commence construction in May or June of this year; 1 scheduled for rededication; 2 undergoing renovation; 6 renovations scheduled; 13 announced. NOTE: With two groundbreakings having already taken place this year, we could see several others before too much longer. For all of the announced temples that have not yet had a groundbreaking, I offer my best-guess estimate for when that might happen, to which I have recently made adjustments and corrections. One correction is noting that we might only see one other groundbreaking this year, though it seems that one is not as imminent as I originally was led to believe.

Dedication scheduled:

156. Paris France Temple: VIP/media tours started April 7; accepting reservations for public open house (which will run from Saturday April 22-Saturday May 13 (excluding the Sundays of April 23 and 30 and May 7)); dedication scheduled for Sunday May 21, 2017.

157. Tucson Arizona Temple: Monument sign being installed; interior finish work underway; accepting reservations for public open house beginning Monday May 15, 2017; (which will run from Saturday June 3-Saturday June 24 (excluding the Sundays of June 4, 11, and 18)); dedication scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.

158. Meridian Idaho Temple: Monument sign installed; architectural finishes being installed; dedication scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.

159. Cedar City Utah Temple: Planting flowers; interior paint and millwork installation underway; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.

Under Construction:

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: Concrete block set in place for base of tower; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

162.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Exterior walls sheathed with rigid foam insulation; stoe cladding underway; 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; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Scaffolding erected in preparation for second-level exterior walls; floor slab poured for missionary housing; 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.

165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Erecting structural framing for temple tower; completion anticipated sometime during early 2019.

166. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction barrier erected; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

168.  Lisbon Portugal Temple: Pouring footings for temple foundation; structural framing continues for meetinghouse; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

169. Arequipa Peru Temple: Construction trailers on site; construction barrier erected; completion anticipated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

Construction pending:

167. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; awaiting commencement of full-scale operations, which may occur in April or May 2017 (construction currently delayed by a very bad Canadian winter); completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: Construction on this temple is expected to begin in earnest anytime within the next two months. That construction is anticipated to last 20 months (1.67 years). Right now, it seems that either this temple or the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple could be interchangeable in terms of their future completion. Once construction commences on this temple, I will feel more confident in trying to figure out which of the two will be completed first. Until that time, since work has begun in earnest on the Rio temple, I have tentatively put it ahead of this one.

Rededication Scheduled:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Renovation completed; accepting reservations for public open house, which will run from Saturday April 22-Saturday May 20 (excluding the Sundays of April 23 & 30 and May 7 & 14); rededication scheduled for Sunday June 4, 2017.

Undergoing Renovation:

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; building basement addition for new baptistry; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to mid-2018.

Renovation Scheduled:

80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in October 2017; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in October 2017; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in October 2017; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in November 2017; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in February 2018; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in March 2018; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

                                                                  

NOTE: In view of the fact that we have already had two temple groundbreaking events so far this year, it is entirely possible that we might see site announcements and groundbreakings for other temples in the near future. That said, it is interesting to consider that, while some of those groundbreakings might be more likely than others, ultimately, it is more difficult than I originally believed to try and pinpoint how soon those groundbreakings are likely to take place. Wanting to be as conservative in my estimates as I am able to be, I have adjusted some things. As always, I would be gratified to hear of such events happening much sooner than anyone expects. But for the moment, it seems wise to make some adjustments. Thanks.

Announced:

170. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Approval and construction preparation phase; official site announcement anticipated later this year; groundbreaking may follow shortly thereafter.

NOTE: While the site announcement is pending, Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, who serves as the president of the Church’s Africa Southeast Area, has said that it will be announced later this year and that a groundbreaking would be anticipated sometime shortly thereafter. It is therefore not impossible to believe that this temple could have a groundbreaking sometime between mid-and-late 2017

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking pending.

NOTE: On Sunday March 12, while presiding at a stake conference for the area in which the first Haitian temple will be built, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles officially confirmed that, just as members in the area had speculated, the plot of land behind an existing meetinghouse on the Route de Freres (French for “The Route of Brothers”) had been purchased as the official site for this temple. Since site confirmations generally precede groundbreakings by roughly a year, it is more than likely that a groundbreaking could be held sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

172. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Awaiting government approval and official site announcement.

NOTE: Given the fact that the delays preventing this temple from progressing seem to be over, there have been reports that a groundbreaking could happen for this temple as soon as later this year. However, the nature of such reports are vague and uncertain enough that it could be pushed back to next year. Speaking optimistically, I would revise my estimate to say that, if progress continues unhindered, a groundbreaking could happen on this temple by early-to-mid 2018.

173. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Announced April 2, 2017; planning phase; site confirmed.

NOTE: As official site confirmations are not now done at the general Church level as much as they used to be previously, it is most likely that the site confirmed by priesthood leaders, which is located in the northern section of the city, near an arm of Paranoa Lake, will be the official site for the temple. This increases the likelihood that a groundbreaking for the temple could be held sooner rather than later, perhaps by mid-2018. If that happens, then it would be the first time in almost 20 years that the Church had three temples simultaneously under construction in Brazil.

174. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Announced April 2, 2017; planning phase; site confirmed.

NOTE: The Church’s Philippines Facebook page has stated that this temple will be built on the southern side of the Manila metropolitan area in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Because this statement essentially constitutes a site confirmation, it is very possible that we might see a groundbreaking for this temple by mid-2018, if not before. I will be keeping my eye out for developments as they happen and will revise my estimate as I am able to. If this groundbreaking happens as estimated, then we would have two temples simultaneously under construction in the Philippines for the very first time in Church history. Additionally. it is also not unreasonable to believe that the Church will be releasing an official name for this second temple for the capital city of the Philippines, as the official name for the second temple in Lima Peru was released within 3 weeks after it was announced. So I have no doubt that will happen for this temple. More to come once more is known.

175. Pocatello Idaho: Announced April 2, 2017; planning phase; probable site identified and annexed into Pocatello City.

NOTE: While many sites are reportedly under consideration for this temple, the most likely one is a 10-acre plot of land next to the Pocatello Idaho Highland Stake Center. If that is determined to be the right site for it, and if that is confirmed, we could see a groundbreaking for this temple by or before mid-2018, especially as US temples usually get started and finished so much sooner than temples elsewhere. Since so much is unknown currently about this temple, this seems like a safe revised estimate.

176. Saratoga Springs Utah: Announced April 2, 2017; planning phase.

NOTE: As the Church owns several acres of land in Saratoga Springs, there are several sites that might do well for Utah County’s newest temple. Temples in Utah in general and specifically in Utah County are so widely accepted and used that getting them started is just a matter of time. It is therefore entirely possible, especially if a site is confirmed anytime soon, that a groundbreaking could happen by mid-to-late 2018. Again, that will all depend on how quickly things progress with this temple.

177. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: While local speculation is that an existing building that houses Church offices might be renovated and repurposed into a multi-purpose edifice that would house not only Church offices, but a meetinghouse and the temple as well (in similar fashion to what has been done for the Manhattan New York and Hong Kong China temples, it could very well be that we could see a groundbreaking for this temple sometime in mid-to-late 2018, if the site is confirmed through any means anytime soon. I will be keeping an eye on developments with this temple and will revise my estimate if needed once more is known.

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

NOTE: The official name of this second temple for Peru’s capital city (released less than three weeks after it was announced) seems to indicate that it will be built in the Los Olivos district. That being the case, it is not hard to believe that we might see a groundbreaking for this temple sometime during early 2019.

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 at least two 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: Announced April 2, 2017; planning phase.

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. It will be announced at the right time); 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.