Updated estimates for announced temples

Hello, all! As I may have mentioned previously, I am regularly evaluating temple-related developments and checking frequently for any news on that front. The results of that study, along with some feedback I have received recently, have led me to once again alter my thinking on how soon announced temples might progress to groundbreaking. I will be sharing those revisions in a minute.

First, I want to make it absolutely clear (if it is not so already) that any temple development is subject to the Lord's will and timing, and to any local or political factors that may affect that timing. I also want to acknowledge upfront that I know temples within the US generally have their construction commence more quickly than their international counterparts. But part of the study I have done has involved calculating the average time-frames between temple announcements and groundbreakings in all areas of the world, and my study has led me to conclude that such time-frames are not always cut and dried as they might seem to be.

These updated estimates, such as they are, are the best I have been able to compile based on what is presently known, but at the end of the day, until they are verified and confirmed by the Brethren, they are merely my own thoughts, based on my own study, and as such, may or may not be accurate. It wouldn't surprise me to see any or all of these potential future events happen sooner or later than indicated here.

I enjoy studying the day-to-day developments on this front, so as more information comes to light, these estimates will be adjusted. Until that time, I welcome any feedback anyone might have, if you are able to offer it. If not, please let me know by contacting me through my blogger profile. Thanks for taking time to read this. Here are the updates. Enjoy!

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

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: For the three 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: Scaffolding removed from north wall; cladding progressing on west and south walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

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 full-scale construction commencement is still pending on this temple, all that we know at the moment is that construction will take roughly 20 months (1.67 years) once it commences in full, and that this temple is being built to serve just the one stake in Winnipeg for the moment. Until construction starts in earnest, the completion date is hard to pin down. That full-scale construction may have already started, but that is difficult to ascertain. With the information known right now, mid-2019 is a very rough estimate for this temple’s completion. It would not surprise me in the least if this temple is not dedicated until 2020. Adjustments will be made once more is known. For now, this is an update from what I had previously reported.

           

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: On June 14, the LDS Church Temples site changed the completion estimation for this renovation to mid-2018. Since we know that temples in the US, particularly renovations, are usually finished more quickly than their international counterparts or new temples, it is unclear for the moment which temple-related event is most likely to happen first. I am doing my best to analyze these developments and will pass along any updates as soon as I can.

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

NOTE: On June 14, the LDS Church Temples site changed the completion estimation for this renovation to mid-2018. Since we know that renovations are generally completed more quickly than new temples, whether within the US or elsewhere, it is hard at the moment to try and figure out what the actual sequence of events may be for next year. I am analyzing these developments as quickly as possible and will be sure to post with any updates ASAP.

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: This temple, the first alphabetically among those set to close on this date, will likely not have a rededication until after that of the Oakland California Temple, which will close in around 8 months.

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

NOTE: Since renovations of US temples are almost always completed before those of their counterparts outside the US, and since we also know that this temple will be rededicated sometime in 2019, until the renovation is underway and the process unfolds, this seems to be a safe projection.

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

NOTE: From what I have been able to find out, Japan time is ahead of any US or South American time zones, so it will likely be the first one to close, and is only on the list where it is because it is the last alphabetically. Until the renovation of this temple is underway, a definitive time-frame for its completion is hard to pin down. It is almost certain, however, that the rededication for this temple will not take place until after that of the Washington DC temple, which will close for renovation in nine months or less.

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

NOTE: While this temple is the last of those set to close for renovation this year, because it is a US temple, it seems very likely that a rededication will take place at some point in the summer or fall of 2019. That estimate will likely change once the renovation process is underway.

                                                                                            

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: As mentioned above, this temple will more than likely be rededicated prior to the rededication of the Asuncion Paraguay Temple. Until more is known, that seems to be a safe assumption.

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

NOTE: While the completion estimate for this temple will likely change as the process gets underway in 9 months or less, it is almost certain that the rededication for this temple will precede that of the Tokyo Japan Temple.

NOTE ABOUT FUTURE GROUNDBREAKINGS: While it seemed at one point that the Church might schedule as many as four groundbreakings before the end of this year, I have learned that groundbreakings in general are much harder to predict than I originally believed. While I hope that some temples will have a groundbreaking much more quickly than estimated here, that will be up to the Lord and the Brethren to decide, based on what happens with the planning for these temples, along with any other obstacles that might need to be cleared. I have also been advised by several people that 2018 will likely be a big year for groundbreakings and many other temple-related developments. I will be keeping an eye out for these developments and make sure to report any changes as I learn of them and will also be making any necessary changes as I become aware of them. Until that time, the changes I have made follow below.

Announced:

170. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Approval and construction preparation phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.

NOTE: While Elder Kevin S. Hamilton stated last year that a site announcement for this temple would be followed shortly after by a groundbreaking this year, nothing has been reported at all since then. There is therefore a more than likely chance that nothing will be done on this temple until sometime next year. I am continuing to keep an eye out for any change here and will adjust things as a need arises. If a site announcement happens within the next couple of months, a groundbreaking could happen shortly thereafter. Until more is known, an exact date is hard to pin down.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.

NOTE: Since we had a site confirmation for this temple in March, a groundbreaking could take place before the end of this year. But I wouldn’t be surprised at all if nothing happens for this temple until next year. Once more is known, I will pass that along.

172. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could happen sometime during mid-to-late 2017.

NOTE: Progress on this temple was stalled for several years. While this October will mark seven years since this temple was announced, and while those delays are now over, it is anyone’s guess whether a groundbreaking will happen for this temple either this year or next year. More to come once more is known.

173. 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: In view of the clarification that preconstruction began for this temple last March, it seems apparent that a groundbreaking will not happen until early next year, at earliest. Once more is known, I will pass that along.

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

NOTE: Unless complications arise, the site identified by local priesthood leaders will be the location of this temple. Since site procurement is the longest part of the process, it could very well be that a groundbreaking will be held for this temple next year. Unless and until more is known, that is an update from previous reports. If and when that changes, I will be making adjustments on this.

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

NOTE: With the probable site for this temple having been identified by the Church’s Facebook page for the Philippines, it is not at all hard to believe that we could have a groundbreaking for this temple late next year. And since an official name was announced for Lima Peru’s second temple within 3 weeks of that temple’s announcement, it seems more than likely that the official name for this temple will be announced sooner rather than later. As soon as I find out any news about this temple, I will pass that along.

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

NOTE: While all that is known about this temple currently is that the Church owns several acres of land in the community, a specific site has yet to be identified. Because this temple is in Utah County, where the Church is strong, it is not hard to believe that this temple could have a groundbreaking during the time-frame indicated above. If it does happen at around this time, that would hold true to the average time-frames within which other Utah County Temples have gone from announcement to groundbreaking. As more information is known, this estimate will likely change.

177. Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: While US temples almost always progress quickly from announcement to groundbreaking to construction to dedication, particularly those in the Mormon corridor, unless and until an official site is confirmed, a more particular time-frame for a groundbreaking is almost impossible to anticipate. I will be making any adjustments as things develop.

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

NOTE: If at any point during the next year or so the Church confirms member speculation that an existing Church office building will be rebuilt and renovated into a multipurpose edifice that will serve as a meetinghouse and temple as well as housing those Church offices, a groundbreaking could happen sooner than indicated here. Until more is known, it seems best to be conservative.

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

NOTE: While the Church has grown quickly in the Ivory Coast, and while I have heard from several people that this rapid growth may lead to one or two more Ivory Coast temples being announced within the next 20-30 years or so, if not before, a site has yet to be identified for this first temple in that nation. If that does happen within the next year or so, this groundbreaking could very well take place at around this time. Adjustments will be made once more is known.

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

NOTE: Ecuador’s first temple had a 14-year period between its announcement and subsequent groundbreaking. Since that time, Ecuador has progressed rapidly in the spreading of the gospel. While I would hope this second temple for Ecuador’s capital city would not have to wait another two years for a groundbreaking, until more is known, 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: As noted above relating to the temple for Brazil’s capital city, that temple has already essentially had a site confirmed, though it was announced one year after this one. Unless something changes, the Brasilia Temple will be the first to have a groundbreaking. But it is not impossible to believe that this temple, to be built in Belem, could have a groundbreaking within a year or so of the one for Brasilia. Until more is known, I am trying to be cautious in my estimates.

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

NOTE: Unless any of the temples above are delayed more than anticipated, it is very likely that we might not see a groundbreaking for this temple until the time indicated above. Once any new information comes to my attention, I will do my best to revise this estimate. Until that time, this seems to be a safe projection.

                                                                                                          

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.