Additional Updated Estimates for Future Temple-related Events

Hello. As I was getting to work several hours ago on updating my potential timeline for future temple-related events, I became aware of some feedback I had received on questions related to that subject. What I learned has me convinced that, unless the Lord wills it, we will likely not see any other groundbreakings this year. Instead, the next two or three years will be jam-packed with temple-related events.

I have also revisited my thoughts, such as they are, regarding temples that are or will soon be undergoing renovation. The massive changes have made it necessary to post a major revision to my temple construction progress report. Over this next week, I will be taking time to totally rework my estimates for the potential time-frame of future temple-related events based on this new information. While that is a work in progress, I wanted to share what I learned and the adjustments I have felt impressed to make. They follow below.

Any who would like to and are able to give feedback should feel free to do so. If there are still issues in that regard, you can let me know via my contact information on my blogger profile. This complete overhaul has been wonderful to work on. Enjoy!

Temple Construction Progress Update (current as of 6/18/17)

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 has an open house ongoing (with a dedication set for August); 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; 2 others are undergoing renovation; another 4 have a renovation closure date set, with 2 others set to close early next year (the actual dates will be set closer to the time); 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 temple-related news and will post those as I hear of them. For now, this is a correction from what I had previously reported.

Construction completed; open house tours underway:

157. Tucson Arizona Temple: Public open house tours underway (will run until June 24, Sundays excluded); dedication scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.

Construction nearing completion; dedication scheduled:

158. Meridian Idaho Temple: Interior finish work underway; laying sod and planting trees; dedication scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.

159. Cedar City Utah Temple: Exterior lighting tests underway; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.

                                                      

Under Construction (completion anticipated next year):

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior and exterior work progressing; installing art glass windows; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

161. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Attaching insulating block and laying brick over south and west walls; 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: With the temples above, they will more than likely be dedicated in a different order than they currently are. New information that came to my attention during the late night hours when the 17^th became the 18^th points to Kinshasa, a comparatively smaller edifice, being dedicated first, followed by Barranquilla, then Rome, which, as we know, has been subject to many delays. I will not be reordering these temples until we know more, but the change in my line of thought will be reflected on my newest estimated timeline for future temple-related events. Just wanted to note that.

163. Concepcion Chile Temple: Scaffolding removed from north wall; cladding progressing on west and south walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: The new information referenced above indicates that the completion of this temple will happen closer to the middle of the year than the end of it. Until that becomes more definite, I will not be changing my completion estimate above. However, the change will be noted on the latest version of the possible timeline for future temple-related events. I will pass along any updates as I receive them.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Preparing to pour upper façade walls of temple; scaffolding going up around upper level of missionary housing; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.

NOTE: This temple’s completion estimate, as noted in previous reports, has been changed to take place during the latter part of next year. While I still feel that a dedication might take place sometime in late November or early December, that will depend entirely on what happens between now and then. I will keep an eye out for any developments and continue to make any adjustments needed.

Under construction, completion anticipated within the next 2-3 years:            

165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Tower base walls poured; scaffolding removed; completion anticipated sometime during early 2019.

166. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Preparing to pour footings for foundation; surrounding property being cleared and graded; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: As previously noted in my latest reports, since the Winnipeg Temple has not yet had construction begin, unless that changes anytime soon, this temple will likely be dedicated first. More to come once more is known.

168.  Lisbon Portugal Temple: Pouring temple foundation walls; meetinghouse exterior walls nearly finished; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

169. Arequipa Peru Temple: Footings poured; setting concrete forms for foundation walls; 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; acquiring building permits; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: As mentioned above on the note about the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple, unless progress is reported soon on Canada’s newest temple, it seems clear that Rio will be finished first. Once earnest construction begins (or, if it has already begun, once more is known about its’ progress), all we do know is that construction will take approximately 20 months (1.67 years) to complete. It may also be possible that this temple will not be finished and dedicated until after the dedications of all other temples listed above. While I daily hope for news on this temple, until more is known, a more definitive completion time-frame is hard to pin down.

Undergoing Renovation (rededication anticipated within the next year or so):

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

NOTE: As noted previously, this temple was originally anticipated to be completed and rededicated sometime before the end of this year. As the renovation has progressed, that estimate was pushed back to early next year, and finally to mid-2018. Given that this is a Utah temple, I have felt that the Jordan River Utah Temple rededication might very well be among the first temple related events next year. I am constantly and regularly studying this matter and will provide any updates once I become aware of them.

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

NOTE: While we know that renovations are often completed more quickly than new temples are, this temple is outside the US, so it is more than likely that a rededication may not take place until either the summer or early fall of next year. As more information comes in regarding when that rededication might take place, it is more than likely that my estimates will continue to change.

Renovations Scheduled (official closure dates announced):

112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: Until this renovation begins in three months, a completion estimate will be hard to pin down. That said, we do know that the rededication is anticipated sometime during 2019, and I am still confident that we will see the Oakland California Temple (which will close next February) rededicated first. Adjustments will be made again once more is known.

80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: Once the renovation of this temple is underway, it will be easier to predict its completion, and that projection will likely change a lot depending on what happens during the renovation process. Until that time, we do know that this temple is anticipated to be rededicated in 2019. And since this is a temple within the United States, the time-frame estimate above seems fairly sound.

18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

NOTE: With Japan time well ahead of South American and United States time, the Tokyo closure will more than likely occur prior to that of the two temples above. That said, until the renovation process is underway, a time-frame for completion is anyone’s guess. All we know for the moment is that this temple will be rededicated sometime during 2020. I am still convinced that we will not see a rededication for this temple until well after the rededication of the Washington DC Temple, which will close in around 8 months.

95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on October 14, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: Despite the fact that this temple will be the last of the four that we know will close this year for renovation, what we do know is that US temple renovations are almost always completed more quickly than those for their international counterparts. Once the renovation is underway, a better completion estimate will be easier to make. Until then, I think it is safe to predict that this temple will be the second one rededicated in 2019.

Temples that have a renovation closure announced, but no official date made known yet:

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

NOTE: This temple will likely have a more specific closure date identified before the end of this year. Until that time, and until more is known about the renovation, I am still confident that this temple will be rededicated prior to the rededication of the Asuncion Paraguay Temple.

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

NOTE: It seems more than likely that a more exact closure date for this temple will be made known before the end of this year. Until the renovation process is well underway, a potential or exact completion time-frame is difficult to ascertain. But it does seem almost certain that this temple’s rededication will precede that of the Tokyo Japan Temple by several months.

NOTE ON FUTURE GROUNDBREAKINGS: As noted above, with the additional information that I received in the late hours when the 17^th became the 18^th, it has once again become necessary to revise and alter my estimates for future groundbreakings. While I still hope that we may have at least one or two more before the end of this year, that does not seem to be as likely as I hoped it would even 24 hours ago. Based on what I know, I am adjusting my estimates again. If and when more information is available, these estimates will change yet again. In the meantime, I have also learned that 2018 may be a big year for groundbreakings. These new estimates reflects the latest information.

Announced:

170. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

NOTE: With a site confirmed for this temple earlier this year, I have been advised that construction preparation will likely take at least a year. So it is almost certain that this temple’s groundbreaking will be the first of many for 2018. If and when more is known, ongoing adjustments will be made.

171. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

NOTE: While it has not yet been confirmed, preconstruction for this temple reportedly began in March of this year. In view of the indication from the contractor (who is also overseeing the Arequipa Peru Temple project) that a year would be needed to prepare the site prior to a groundbreaking ceremony, it seems logical that a groundbreaking will take place during the first six months of next year, at earliest. As developments unfold, adjustments will be made accordingly.

172. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

NOTE: Unless any problems arise, it is more likely than not that the confirmation of the site location by local priesthood leaders (in the northern section of the city, by an arm of Paranoa Lake) will indeed be that temple’s location. Since site identification is a big part of the initial process, it is not impossible to believe that a groundbreaking for this temple will be held shortly after the one-year anniversary of the temple’s announcement. It is also very possible that construction on this temple may not commence for 2 or 3 years. Until more is known, the time-frame above seems to be a safe prediction.

175. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-2018.

NOTE: This temple, also announced just this year, has already had a site identified. The Church’s Philippines Facebook page reports that the temple will be built in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. As noted above, finding a site is a big part of the initial efforts to get such temples built. Unless complications arise, it is not impossible to believe that this temple could have a groundbreaking next year sometime. And we also know that the second Lima Peru Temple had its official name announced within 3 weeks of the temple announcement, so an official name for this temple is only a matter of time. Until more is known, this timeframe seems reasonable.

176. Saratoga Springs Utah: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: As Utah County temples have been known to progress rapidly from announcement to groundbreaking to dedication, and as we know that the Church owns several acres of land in this city, a site announcement is just a matter of time, with a groundbreaking likely to follow shortly after that. And I would not be at all surprised if an official site announcement comes before the end of this year, which would in turn necessitate another adjustment to this estimate.

177. Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: While several sites are reportedly under consideration for this temple, the most likely one has been annexed into the city of Pocatello. If an official site confirmation comes at any point during the next year or so, a groundbreaking could follow shortly thereafter. Until more is known, it seems wise to adjust this estimate. I would not be at all surprised if a groundbreaking for this temple happens sooner or later than indicated above. I will adjust this estimate again as that becomes necessary.

178. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: If member speculation (regarding an existing Church office building being reconstructed and renovated into a multi-purpose building housing those same Church offices in addition to a meetinghouse and a temple) is confirmed at any point within the next year, it is not hard to believe that a groundbreaking could follow at around this time. Until more is known, that is an update from what I previously indicated.

178. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: While Elder Kevin S. Hamilton said last year that a site announcement and groundbreaking for this temple would take place during the early months of this year, nothing has happened since that time. Until more is known, I have felt it wise to place this temple here on this list.  If and when developments do occur, I will change this again.

179. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could happen sometime during mid-2019

NOTE: While there has been an almost seven-year delay preventing progress on this temple, the end of those delays has put this temple in the planning and approval phase. While some have said that a groundbreaking for this temple could happen between late 2017 and early 2018 or, at latest, late next year, there is enough that is not known about this temple that makes me think we might only see a groundbreaking for this temple during the middle part of 2019. I will be more than happy to adjust this estimate if developments progress more rapidly than I believe they will. Until that time, this seems to be a safer estimate.

179. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: The Church, as noted on numerous occasions in the recent past, is progressing well in Africa, and the announcement of 3 temples for that continent within the last 2½ year is evidence of that. The citizens in the Ivory Coast have been particularly very receptive to the gospel, and the Church has taken root well there. I have even heard from some who say the Ivory Coast could get another temple or two within the next 5-10 years. In terms of this first temple for that nation, I would not be surprised if a groundbreaking for this temple happened earlier or later than indicated above. I will keep an eye out for developments and adjust my estimates accordingly.

180. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: Ecuador’s 14-year wait between the announcement of its first temple and its groundbreaking is not anticipated to be repeated for this temple announced for the Ecuadoran capital city. While I personally am hoping the Quito Saints will not have to wait until the middle or latter part of 2019 for this temple’s groundbreaking, with no developments anticipated soon, this seems to be a safe projection.

181. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: Unless something changes in the next little while, it seems almost certain that this temple will not have a groundbreaking before the other announced Brazilian temple. The Lord has been known to surprise us, so I can’t entirely rule out the possibility that this temple will have a groundbreaking prior to that one, but until more is known, we might not see a groundbreaking for this temple until this time.

182. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

NOTE: Barring a drastic change or something unexpected happening, it seems entirely likely that Kenya’s first temple will be the last one of those currently announced to have a groundbreaking. However, the Church continues to grow well in Africa, so I can’t rule out the possibility of it happening sooner than indicated above. Until more is known, though, I will be sticking with this estimate.

                                                                                                          

ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: Temple announcements within the last three years have come during the April General Conference. They may happen at any time the First Presidency feels inspired to make them, but that has been the pattern since 2015. I also know that sites have been procured for future temples in Managua Nicaragua (which seems most likely, as it is the first of the top ten countries with the strongest LDS presence that does not yet have a temple, and such a temple was proposed by Elder Nelson in 2012), Auckland New Zealand, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, Bentonville Arkansas, and Missoula Montana (which was proposed by Elder Bednar sometime in 2014). I have been told by many that an official announcement will happen once unit growth and activity in temples within such areas warrants those announcements. If there have been any other sites purchased elsewhere, they have not yet been made known. We also know that several potential temples have been proposed in several locations around the world by many of our prophets and apostles. Hopefully the next several years will be full of temple-related developments. You can depend on my reporting on those developments as I become aware of them.

                                                                                                           

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.