Year-end Review of 2017 Temple Progress

Hello again, everyone! A little earlier than I thought I would be able to, I am posting what will likely (but may not turn out to be) my final post for 2017. In this post, we will be taking a look back at the differences between the first temple construction progress report I published on this blog this year, and the one that is updated with the latest information I could find as of this New Year's Eve. It is wonderful to see the massive progress that has taken place in terms of temple construction developments, and I hope you will all enjoy reading about them. Those reports follow below, with the older version appearing first. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time, and for your continued interest in all I have "sounded off" about on this blog. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best, pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do, and extend my most fervent wishes that each of you will have a happy, healthy, and safe new year ahead in 2018.

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 1/3/17)
Current Temple Status: 155 operating; 1 scheduled for dedication; 11 under construction; 1 scheduled for rededication; 2 undergoing renovation; 10 announced; (NOTE: Up to 3 additional temples may soon have a groundbreaking announced).

Dedication scheduled:

156. Paris France Temple: Exterior lighting system operating; interior work underway; scheduled to be dedicated on Sunday May 21, 2017.

Under Construction:

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Light fixtures hung; interior trim underway; completion anticipated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Fencing progressing; entrance plaza created; landscaping areas defined; hanging drywall; completion anticipated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Pouring walkways; erecting fencing; installing art glass windows; hanging drywall; completion anticipated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work progressing; completion anticipated sometime in early-to-mid 2018.

161. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Building the exterior walls; completion anticipated sometime in early-to-mid 2018.

162. Concepcion Chile Temple: Attaching building wrap to exterior walls; adding landscaping structures; completion anticipated sometime in mid-2018.

163. Durban South Africa Temple: Pouring temple foundation; setting rebar for missionary housing walls; palm trees planted along entrance road; completion anticipated sometime in mid-2018.

164. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Pouring walls for steeple base; completion anticipated sometime between late 2018 and early 2019.

165. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; completion anticipated sometime between late 2018 and early 2019.

166. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Second floor exterior walls poured; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.

167. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Excavation underway for temple and utility building; structural framing going up for meetinghouse; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.

Scheduled for rededication:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; finish work underway; rededication scheduled for Sunday June 4, 2017.

Undergoing Renovation:

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime between late 2017 and early 2018.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; some exterior stone removed; foundation exposed; old meetinghouse razed; rededication anticipated sometime between early and mid 2018.

Announced:

168. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Approval and construction preparation phase; official site announcement anticipated in early 2017, with the groundbreaking anticipated to take place shortly following the site announcement.

169.  Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Governmental approval phase; preliminary environmental license issued in November 2016; groundbreaking pending.

170. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; groundbreaking pending.

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. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Stalled in planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.
174. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

175. Quito Ecuador 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 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 denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

NOTE ABOUT FUTURE TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION: I have previously referenced the statement made by Elder Larry Y. Wilson, who serves as the Temple Department Executive Director, to the effect that 80 temple locations are under active consideration for an announcement during the next 15 years. That statement, made in late April 2017, means that we could have around 260 temples in various stages by late April 2032. Whether or not all of those temples are announced by that time, it appears more than likely that the Church could have 200 of those temples in operation 2 years prior to that, as the Church marks its 200^th anniversary (on Saturday April 6, 2030). The Church would just need to complete the 23 in various stages and announce and complete 18 others in the 12.26 years between now and then, which works out to roughly 3.34 new temples that will need to be dedicated every year. Given the fact that the Church will be maintaining at least that average for the next 2 or 3 years, it seems very likely that there will be 200 operating temples by that 200^th anniversary, if not more.

CURRENT TEMPLE STATUS: The Church has 182 temples in various phases. There are 159 in operation, with an additional 10 that are in various phases of construction. There is 1 other which had a groundbreaking at the beginning of December 2016 and for which construction is anticipated to begin at some point during the first half of 2018. In terms of temples undergoing renovations, 1 has a rededication scheduled during the middle of next year; 1, which sustained weather-related damage, was first closed for restoration, which has now become a full renovation process, with its’ completion and an private dedication anticipated early next year; 1 other temple is anticipated to have its rededication next year (likely during its’ final quarter); and 4 additional temples recently closed for renovation as well. There are also 5 others that are set to close within the first half of next year, all of which have had their closure dates confirmed. The remaining 12 are announced (with either a site announcement or groundbreaking pending).

Under Construction; completion estimated during 2018:

160. Concepcion Chile Temple: Finalizing stone cladding; installing millwork and hanging light fixtures; pouring curbing and parking; completion estimated sometime during tithe latter half of 2018.,

NOTE: On December 30, 2017, I once again changed my thoughts about when this temple’s dedication could be held. I now believe that may occur on either Sunday September 16 or 23. As the next four or five months pass, we will know how reasonable that estimate might be, and I will make any subsequent adjustments that may be needed.

161.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Erecting decorative fence; installing lamp posts; adding plants and laying sod; completion estimated sometime during late 2018.

NOTE: On December 1, 2017, this temple was moved ahead of the Kinshasa DR Congo Temple. Then its’ construction status was updated on December 27 of that same year. In view of these developments, I am even more convinced that the dedication of this temple could (and likely will) occur on either Sunday November 11 or 18. If the process of finishing this temple’s construction is delayed for any reason whatsoever, that could push it back to mid-December, but for now, I feel confident in that estimate, and not just because of what the study about the DR Congo’s climate showed.

Temples that may be completed sometime during either late 2018 or early 2019:

162. Rome Italy Temple: Scaffolding removed from towers; interior work progressing; completion estimated sometime during late 2018-early 2019.

NOTE: In view of my desire to speak and think optimistically on temple time-frames, I have recently shared my opinion that, with the completion estimate delayed for Kinshasa until early 2019, we could see this temple dedicated on either Sunday December 9 or 16. But there is also a more than likely possibility that while construction on this temple could be completed by the end of 2018, the dedication might not follow until the early months of 2019. I am keeping my eyes open for any information in this regard, and I will pass any updates along ASAP.

Under construction, completion estimated during 2019:

163. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Hardscaping underway; plastering exterior walls; moisture barrier added to eaves; completion estimated sometime during early 2019.

NOTE: Based on the fact that this temple is not anticipated to be dedicated until early 2019, I have felt that an altered estimate of mid-February would be appropriate for that event. As 2018 progresses, we will know more about how reasonable that might be, and any further adjustments can be made as they might be needed.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Installing and waterproofing roof decking; backfilling foundation; setting roof trusses on housing facility; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: According to new information I found about the year-round climate, and because of the many temples estimated to be rededicated during this same time period following their renovation, I have changed my estimate for this temple’s dedication to either late May or early June. I will post any further revisions to this estimate as I make them.

165. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Site grading and excavating for foundation; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: With full-scale construction now underway, and knowing that a 12-18 month time-frame has been suggested for the completion of this temple, I have felt that the dedication could follow in mid-June 2019. If this temple consistently progresses in its’ construction, that would obviously necessitate an adjustment to that estimate, but for now, it seems to be a safe initial projection.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Steeple base walls poured; meetinghouse cladding progressing; completion estimated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: With this temple having been moved up twice on this list in the last couple of weeks, after reevaluating the potential time-frame for its’ dedication, I now offer early-to-mid August as a revised estimate for that event. As 2018 progresses, we will know how reasonable that might be, and I will make any adjustments that might be needed.

167. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Cupola framework installed atop temple; planting palm trees around temple parking; completion estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: Given the need to reevaluate the potential time-frame within which this temple could be dedicated, I have felt that could occur in early-to-mid September. Within the next year, more will be known about how accurate that might be, and any adjustments can be made as they are needed.

Temples estimated to be completed sometime during late 2019-early 2020:

168. Arequipa Peru Temple: Interior work started; steeple framework being assembled; completion estimated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

NOTE: Given the fact that this temple has been progressing fairly steadily, I feel confident that its dedication could occur prior to the end of 2019, and if that does happen, I have felt it could occur in mid-November. As the next 18 months pass, more will be known about how reasonable that might be, and any adjustments can be made as they are needed.

Temples estimated to be completed sometime during 2020:

169. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Pouring upper walls of temple; completion estimated sometime during early 2020.

NOTE: When this temple’s completion estimate was changed yet again on December 28, 2017, that made it necessary for me to rethink what I have previously shared in terms of a more specific time-frame. Based on that adjusted estimate and what I have found in studying the Rio de Janeiro climate, I now believe we will see the dedication in mid-March 2020. As the next 18-20 months pass, we will know more about how reasonable that estimate might be, and any further adjustments can be made as they are needed.

Construction pending:

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; plans being slightly modified; full-scale operations estimated to begin sometime during the first half of 2018; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

NOTE: This temple has not progressed since its’ groundbreaking over a year ago. It is currently estimated that full-scale efforts could begin once winter 2018 clears, perhaps in April or May. And while it is unknown if the modification of the plans for this temple will change the 20-month estimate the Church provided for this temple, if all goes well, I could see the dedication of this temple taking place during mid-May 2020. I will be keeping an eye out for developments related to this temple and will post any adjustments I make to this estimate as that becomes necessary.

Scheduled for rededication:

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; open house tickets available beginning Monday February 12 @ 10:00 AM MST; rededication scheduled for Sunday May 20, 2018.

Undergoing renovation (in view of damage incurred by a natural disaster; estimated to be reopened in a few months):

97. Houston Texas Temple: Closed for renovation (following damage incurred by flooding); estimated to reopen in early 2018, following a private rededication ceremony.

NOTE: Based on the fact that this temple’s renovation is primarily for the completion of restoration efforts following flooding, and because the First Presidency has indicated the process will only take a few months to complete, it is my feeling that the private rededication could take place on either Sunday April 15 or 22. I will be posting any updates to this estimate as they are needed.

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

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; basement addition concrete waterproofed; rededication estimated sometime during late 2018.

NOTE: In view of the completion estimate for this temple being pushed back yet again on December 30, 2017, it appears that the earliest we could see this dedication is the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2018. With that in mind, I am revising my estimate for that event, which I now believe could be held on either October 14 or 21. I will keep an eye on these developments and will pass along any additional adjustments to this estimate as they are needed in the future.

Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated sometime during 2019):

80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Closed for renovation; structural framing installed for steeple; rededication estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: With the other adjustments I have made, it seems wise to adjust this temple’s completion estimate to sometime during mid-to-late April. But that will depend on how things progress. If I see anything that gives me a reason to adjust my thinking on this, I will pass that along.

95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Closed for renovation; marble cladding removed; rededication estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: With the confirmed alteration of this temple’s exterior look (which will match that of the Memphis Temple), it seems entirely possible that a rededication could take place sometime during late April-early May. As this renovation progresses, I will pass along any alterations to this estimate.

112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: With the confirmation that this temple has closed and that its exterior look will likely be altered in a similar way as in Memphis and Oklahoma City, I am reasonably certain that the rededication could take place in mid-May. Ass with anything else, I will be sure to pass along any adjustments I make to that estimate.

Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated sometime during 2020):

18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

NOTE: As has been noted previously regarding this temple, it is undergoing renovation primarily to upgrade and update electrical and mechanical systems. Since it is also a comparatively smaller one from the Kimball-era of small temples, it is easy to assume and to assert that a dedication could happen in mid-to-late April 2020. As with everything else, I will be sure to pass along any updates to this estimate as I make them.

Temples Scheduled for Renovation (scheduled to close during 2018; closure dates confirmed):

68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Sunday January 7, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: Through a comment on my blog on December 5, 2017, the exact closure date for this temple was confirmed. Additionally, while I also know Church members in North Carolina who said that this temple’s renovation will not involve an expansion, it is possible that part of the renovation process will be changing its exterior to look like the temples in Memphis and Oklahoma City. If that is the case, then the rededication may be held sometime during early-to-mid September 2019. I will pass along any new information as I find out about it.

94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Sunday January 28, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: On December 4, 2017, I was able to confirm the date above as the official date for this closure. While much is unknown about what this process will involve, if this temple’s exterior look is changed to what has already been confirmed for the Memphis and Oklahoma City Temples, a subsequent rededication could occur during mid-to-late September 2019. As the renovation process gets started, we will know more about how reasonable that estimate might be, and any subsequent adjustments that are needed will be made.

13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Monday February 19, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: With this renovation process for this temple set to begin in less than two months, we know that the primary purpose of it is to upgrade electrical and mechanical systems and bring them up to code. Until the renovation process is well underway, we may not know for a while when to anticipate its completion. With the Church’s statement that this temple will be dedicated before the end of 2019, I feel safe in estimating that the rededication could take place in mid-November. If that process is delayed at all, I could also see the rededication pushed back into early 2020. I will keep an eye out for information in this regard and will pass along anything I find out.

16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Sunday March 4, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

NOTE: With what is currently known about this temple’s renovation (having confirmed the exact date, and also knowing that it is mainly to upgrade and update the mechanical and electrical system), in taking the larger size of this temple into account (which will extend the process), a 32-month estimate seems appropriate. That would put this temple’s rededication sometime during mid-November 2020. As the next year unfolds, more will be known, and any adjustments will be provided.

7. Mesa Arizona Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Sunday May 20, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

NOTE: On December 5, I was able to confirm the official date for this temple’s renovation closure. Because this temple has been previously renovated, I am sticking with my initial estimate of 26 months for that process, which would put its rededication at some point in early-to-mid September 2020. Within the next year, this process will be well underway, and more will be known about any adjustments that may need to be made. Until then, it seems to be a sound adjustment to what I have previously stated.

NOTE ON ANNOUNCED TEMPLES: While I once felt confident in projecting potential groundbreaking estimates for these announced temples, on October 28, 2017, I determined that it would be best to simplify this section by listing these temples in their announced order, with the exception of those that are farther along. Then on November 10, 2017, I took another look at new information on these temples and reordered them further. I will keep an eye out for any developments and reorder this list again as often as that becomes necessary going forward. Additionally, where I have felt it would be appropriate, I have provided notes about some of the factors that may affect how soon future groundbreakings will occur. Since we already know that 2018-2020 are going to be busy years for temple-related developments, it would not surprise me at all if, in view of Elder Wilson’s statement referenced above, we have at least ten more announced during that same time, nor would it surprise me if many of the temples in this section progress to a groundbreaking (and perhaps even a dedication) during that time as well. I am keeping an eye on all of this and will let you know once I find out more information.

Announced temples:

171. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: As previously noted, the contractor for this temple said that a year of preliminary work would be needed prior to this temple’s groundbreaking. If, as previously indicated, that year began in March 2017, this temple could easily have its groundbreaking in the early-to-middle part of next year.

172. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning and approval; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017.

NOTE: This temple is this far up on the list because it has had a site identified and inspected. How soon a groundbreaking might happen is unclear. But since a site has been identified and inspected, it may be sooner rather than later.

173. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official name announcement.

NOTE: As with the Brasilia temple, this temple is in this position on this list because a site has been identified. An official name is estimated to be announced for this temple at some point in the near future. How soon a groundbreaking might happen is anyone’s guess. But with a site identified already, it may be sooner rather than later/

174. Pocatello Idaho Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: In mid-November, I learned more about the process this temple is undergoing. While the planning and zoning commission voted in favor of the proposed land and subdivision development, the city council will also need to vote on that decision. And until the Church announces something officially, the actual site location is anyone’s guess, with three or four potential sites that could easily accommodate the temple. I am keeping my eye on all of this and will post an update as I become aware of more information.

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

NOTE: If, as some members have speculated, an existing Church office building is reconstructed into a multi-purpose building that will serve as not only an office building, but a chapel and the temple as well, and if that is confirmed, we could easily see a groundbreaking for this temple sooner rather than later.

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

NOTE: This temple, announced in October 2010, has been subjected to numerous delays. While I hope to see a groundbreaking for it sooner rather than later, there could be more delays in store for this temple. That said, the reports I have received indicate that a site announcement and groundbreaking could occur in short order next year. If that does happen, we could see a groundbreaking sooner rather than later.

177. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement.

178. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: While the first Ecuadoran Temple had a 14-year waiting period between its announcement and its subsequent groundbreaking, this temple is not estimated to take anywhere near that long between its 2016 announcement and whenever its groundbreaking occurs. As with everything else, I am keeping my eye out for devel

179. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: Shortly after this temple was announced (in April 2016), Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, who presides over the Church in the Africa Southeast Area, stated that a site announcement and groundbreaking would occur in short order during 2017. Since that time, no progress has been made in that regard. Hopefully that will change soon.

180. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement.

181. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; media event held June 14, 2017.

NOTE: While the media event is a good initial step for providing information on this temple, in his remarks at this event, Elder Sitati (our native Kenyan GA Seventy, who also has a role as an Assistant Executive Director of the Temple Department (both of which make it understandable that the Church would ask him to represent them for the event), Elder Sitati indicated that it usually takes the Church 2-3 years after an announcement to locate a suitable site (whether owned by the Church or not) plan and conduct a groundbreaking, and start the construction progress. With that in mind, it may be 2019 or 2020 before the groundbreaking occurs for this temple. I hope we will not have to wait that long to have all of that happen for this temple, but time will tell.

182. Saratoga Springs Utah Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: Though Utah temples (particularly those in Utah County) have been known to have a site announcement, groundbreaking, and construction process much more quickly than temples elsewhere, until a site is announced, it has felt wise to have this temple at this spot on this list. As soon as anything changes in that regard, I will pass such news along.

ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: As I have repeatedly emphasized, Elder Wilson stated in late April 2017 that the Church had a list of 80 potential temple sites that are under active consideration for a subsequent announcement during the 15 years following that statement.

Unless the First Presidency elects to do so between now and then, General Conference in April 2018 would be the next opportunity for such announcements. And though not all of the 80 currently on the list will go on to be announced within that time, and while others may be added to that list in the coming years, with 14 years remaining, if anywhere close to 80 temples are announced, that works out to around 6 new temples per year. I am keeping an eye on all of this, and will be sure to post any additional news once I hear of it.

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.

Special note regarding this report: Because of the numerous temple developments which have occurred this year, none of the elements included in the first report still applied for this last one.