In that regard, as already noted, the 85+ that Elder Wilson said are anticipated to be announced within the next 15 years means that we are likely to see at least a few temples announced during every General Conference for the foreseeable future, as well as perhaps a few being identified here and there between each April and October. For my part, I will do my best to keep on top of all of those ongoing developments as they happen, and will pass along reports of the latest news in that regard, as well as ongoing updates to my projected timeline for future events.
For now, in the absence of new developments, I have a few things to finish up. Here is the list I have come up with. I appreciate the chance to put it up again right now, and look forward to the discussion of my selections. As always, I have listed them first by the geographical area of the Church under which they fall, then by likelihood within that area. I am constantly looking for potential sites to add when I am not busy with other things, so if there are any glaring omissions, please let me know. Posts such as this always seem to have increased interest and comments. Enjoy! As always, thanks for the privilege of your time.
Temple Predictions:
3+ temples announced in any of the following locations:
NOTE: Since it is difficult at best to know where the Lord feels a need for a temple and temple locations are not as cut-and-dried as I have originally believed them to be, I am doing a preliminary list, which I will refine as the time for General Conference draws closer. I will look forward to seeing what happens with those possibilities, if any are announced at all. So far between 2015 and this year, the 12 newest temples were announced during the April General Conference. If any temples are announced, there may only be a few. But that is just my own opinion. So far between 2015 and this year, the 12 newest temples were announced during the April General Conference. If any temples are announced, there may only be a few. But that is just my own opinion, and the Lord has been known to prove me wrong. I continue to hope for temple announcements during every General Conference, and nothing is set in stone.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: After thinking further about those temples I feel are most likely in the near future, I first narrowed down then expanded these selections again. I am again listing them by the geographical area of the Church under which they fall and then by likelihood within each of those areas.
Africa Southeast: Antananarivo Madagascar; Lubumbashi DR Congo
Africa West: Lagos Nigeria; Kumasi Ghana; Freetown Sierra Leone; Praia Cape Verde
Asia: Phomn Penh Cambodia; Jakarta Indonesia; Ulaanbaatar Mongolia; Singapore Hyderabad/Rajahmundry India
Brazil: Belo Horizonte; Salvador
Central America: Managua Nicaragua; San Pedro Sula Honduras; Guatemala City Guatemala (2nd temple)
Europe:Budapest Hungary; Vienna Austria
Mexico: Puebla; Queretaro; Mexico City (2nd temple)
North America Central: Missoula Montana; Green Bay Wisconsin; South Dakota Rapid City
North America Northwest: Salem Oregon
North America Southeast: Bentonville Arkansas
North America Southwest: Fort Worth Texas; Flagstaff Arizona; Henderson Nevada; Joplin Missouri
Pacific: Auckland New Zealand; Port Moresby Papua New Guinea
Philippines: Davao/Cagayan de Oro
South America Northwest: Valparaiso Chile; Neuquen Argentina; Maracaibo Venezuela; Santa Cruz/La Paz Bolivia; Iquitos Peru
Utah North: Layton Utah
Utah Salt Lake: Tooele Utah
Utah South: Mapleton Utah
Notes about potential temple sites:
1. For the Africa Southeast Area, the two possibilities listed seem to be the most likely ones. With the growth of the Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a second temple seems imminent, even without knowing how the one that will be dedicated in Kinshasa will affect any potential future temples. While Elder Neil L. Andersen proposed a temple for the Kasai region, Lubumbashi seems more likely. As always, I will pass any new information along as I become aware of it.
5. While I said when posting my last list of possibilities that any new European temples might be put on hold until the Church evaluates how the dedications of the Paris France and Rome Italy Temples and the rededications of the temples in Freiberg and Frankfurt Germany have affected temple attendance for European Saints, in going over the current and future districts, I was reminded that I had heard from several people that Budapest Hungary would be the next European temple. And Vienna Austria makes sense in terms of President Monson's expressed goal to have every member within 200 miles of a temple. Until more information is known, these additions seemed to be sound.
7. In the Pacific, I know that these two cities have been mentioned to me as having sites purchased, and once Church growth and temple activity from these areas warrant an official announcement for them, it will happen. Of the two, Auckland seems more likely.
8. While Church growth in the United States has stagnated somewhat of late, except in the “Mormon corridor” of Idaho, Utah, and Arizona, I have heard at one time or another that each of the temples I listed above could potentially be possible. In the course of recent deeper research on the matter, I recalled that many of these cities have been mentioned to me at one point or another as very likely possibilities. As part of my efforts to expand my predictions, I decided to include these cities again on this list. Until I know more about US growth, these seem to be sound changes. I also know, as I have previously noted, that land has been set aside in Bentonville Arkansas and Missoula Montana for future temple sites, with an official announcement anticipated once unit growth and activity in the current temple districts warrant that happening.
9. As a state that is constantly expanding its outreach, Utah has 18 temples either in operation or in various stages of construction. Layton and Tooele have often been mentioned to me by name as possibilities. In the course of my study, I learned that Mapleton may be a good possibility as well. And there are any number of others that may also be announced. I didn’t want to go overboard with Utah possibilities, but if there are any strong contenders I am missing, I will hopefully be able to add them in the future.
Final note: As with everything else I put together, these are no more than my own thoughts, feelings, and observations based on the research I have done and the reports I have received. I hope that is absolutely understood and accepted. No one can know the mind of the Lord relating to His Church except those authorized to receive revelation regarding their own spheres of responsibility. While I am always gratified when my predictions turn out to be correct, I am even more appreciative of the many times developments do not take place as I project they will. At the end of the day, the Lord is the only one who can determine best how to further His work, and He manifests His will to those authorized to lead the Church and make decisions. Just wanted to end on that note.
Part of this post is over a white background and hard to read. otherwise it's a great post.
ReplyDeleteI have fixed that problem. Thanks, Chris!
DeleteI have also entertained the idea of a second temple in Cache Valley, probably Smithfield in the coming 15 years or so. A while back Matt's blog listed Price Utah as an option for a temple. I think Tiawan will get a second temple. It has added a four new stakes in the last three years and had one of the smallest temple in the church with little to no room to expand. I wonder if Tonga will get a second temple and maybe one in American Samoa. Many of us remember a few years ago when President Hinkley announced that land was aquired for a temple in Southwest salt lake valley.
ReplyDeleteI looked at Cache Valley for a possible temple site. I didn't find anything compelling enough, at least in terms of the factors I was considering, to warrant adding a temple for that area. I might revisit that again. Price and Smithfield may be good candidates. I will look at both. I will likewise look at Taiwan, Tonga, and American Samoa. I am also aware of President Hinckley's announcement of the temple in the Southwest Salt Lake Valley for which land had been acquired, with an announcement to follow at the appropriate time. Many have claimed that announcement has happened already. I don't buy that at all. The announcement is still pending. The only question is, to which land plot might President Hinckley have been referring? I know the Church has quite a few land plots set aside in different parts of the world for future temples. It will be awesome to see such things unfold. Thanks, Chris!
DeleteAt one time I thought a temple would be built in Spanish Fork soon. Then the temple was built in Payson. I thought the same as you that a temple was eminent for Lehi but then a temple was announced for Saratoga Springs. These were essentially for the same potential district. I was just off by several miles. I just placed my prediction more centrally located where actual official announcement was more on the edge of the district. Reminds me of when I was growing up I. St. George Utah. The temple was built originally on the outskirts of town, but as the community has grown around it, it became the center of town.
ReplyDeleteI always believed and hoped for a temple in Payson, as my family lived there until 1998, but I never thought it would happen in my lifetime. The case for a Lehi temple seemed compelling, but I am not disappointed that there will be one in Saratoga Springs. And I am also somewhat familiar with the St. George temple, as my parents got married there. Nice to hear of some of the history there. Thanks for the ongoing comments, Chris!
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