So as not to disturb the flow of that information, I will end here as I always do. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly-added content, please feel free to subscribe. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
Temple
Construction Progress (current as of 10/11/18)
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 temples were on a list of locations that would be
considered for an official announcement within the 15 years following that
statement. And although we may not know whether or not those 80 locations have
been announced by late April 2032, it seems reasonable to believe that the
Church could (and likely will) have at least 200 operating temples by or before
Saturday April 6, 2030 (which will mark the Church’s bicentennial anniversary).
Current temple status: The Church has 201 temples in various phases. There are 159 in operation, while the open house for 1 other is underway (which will conclude next weekend); 3 more have a dedication scheduled; and 7 others are in various phases of construction; 1 more has had a groundbreaking scheduled (and officially confirmed). In terms of temples undergoing renovations, 10 temples are currently closed for renovation (5 or 6 of which are anticipated to be rededicated next year), and 1 other, which closed for renovation in late 2017, is currently stalled in its’ renovation process. The remaining 30 are announced, several of which are likely to have a groundbreaking in 2019 and the years following that.
Current temple status: The Church has 201 temples in various phases. There are 159 in operation, while the open house for 1 other is underway (which will conclude next weekend); 3 more have a dedication scheduled; and 7 others are in various phases of construction; 1 more has had a groundbreaking scheduled (and officially confirmed). In terms of temples undergoing renovations, 10 temples are currently closed for renovation (5 or 6 of which are anticipated to be rededicated next year), and 1 other, which closed for renovation in late 2017, is currently stalled in its’ renovation process. The remaining 30 are announced, several of which are likely to have a groundbreaking in 2019 and the years following that.
During the October General Conference, President
Nelson also announced that many more operating temples will be renovated in the
near future, including several pioneer-era temples (most significantly the Salt
Lake Temple), and that more information will be released in the coming months
about which temples are closing, and what the renovations will involve and
entail.
Public open
house underway:
160. Concepcion Chile Temple: Public open house underway
(will conclude this Saturday); dedication scheduled to occur on Sunday October 28, 2018.
Note: On October 9, the Church announced that President Nelson,
accompanied by his wife and Elder and Sister Gary E. Stevenson, would preside
at the dedication of this temple, which will be the culmination of a South
American tour for the two couples.
Preparing
for public open house:
161. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Planting final flowers in flowerbeds; preparing for public
open house (which will begin in just over 4 weeks);
dedication scheduled to occur on Sunday
December 9, 2018.
Dedication
Scheduled:
162. Rome Italy Temple: Monument sign completed; flower beds being planted; dedication scheduled to occur from Sunday March 10-Sunday March 17, 2019.
162. Rome Italy Temple: Monument sign completed; flower beds being planted; dedication scheduled to occur from Sunday March 10-Sunday March 17, 2019.
163. Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Exterior lighting tests underway; laying
driveway and walkway pavers; planting trees and shrubs; dedication scheduled to
occur on Sunday April 14, 2019.
Under construction, completion estimated
during 2019:
164. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Exterior lighting tests
underway; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.
Note: I could potentially see this temple’s dedication announced
before 2018 ends. If that occurs, it would not shock me to see it set for
mid-to-late May.
165. Durban South Africa Temple: Finishing the temple tower
surfaces; tiling the roof, floors, and walls; finish work continues on
stairwells; completion estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
Note: Given the increased number of
progress reports we have seen on this temple recently, I could see a dedication
set for this temple in early-to-mid August.
166. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Stone cladding being added to exterior walls; completion
estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
Note: Depending on what occurs between
now and then, I could see a dedication for this temple set for mid-October.
167. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Stone cladding exterior
walls; installing lamp-posts; planting trees and shrubs; completion estimated
sometime during late 2019.
Note: Given the fact that the Church has scheduled
the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional for the second Sunday in December,
this temple could be dedicated during the first Sunday in December. If it
doesn’t happen that week, it may be done 2 or 4 weeks following that.
Temples estimated to be completed
sometime during 2020:
168. Arequipa Peru Temple: Stone cladding has reached tower
base; completion estimated sometime during early 2020.
Note: If this temple’s progress stays on
track, I could see its’ dedication occurring in mid-February.
169. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Spire
framework installed; stone cladding the exterior walls; completion
estimated sometime during early 2020.
Note: Given the fact that there have been
delays with this temple, I could see its’ dedication potentially occurring in
mid-April.
170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Plumbing and foundation work
underway for on-site chapel; completion estimated sometime during mid-2020.
Note: In view of the recent change to
this temple’s general estimate, I think we could either see its’ dedication
occur in either mid-August.
Groundbreaking scheduled:
171. Abidjan
Ivory Coast Temple: Preparing for groundbreaking; groundbreaking scheduled
for November 8, 2018; completion estimated sometime
during mid-to-late 2020.
Note: African members
report that they were advised by a letter from Church leaders that this temple
would have a groundbreaking on this date, and that Elder Neil L. Andersen would
preside at that event. That was subsequently confirmed through the Ghana
edition of the Church’s official Newsroom, and will almost certainly be
confirmed through the main Newsroom within the coming days. If I am correct
in assuming that this temple will take 18-24 months to construct, a dedication
could be held in mid-to-late August. As more information is made available, I
will make any adjustments to this estimate which may be needed.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated
sometime during 2019):
41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; reattaching cladding
to temple exterior; staircase poured for expanded parking area; completion
estimated sometime during mid-2019.
Note: Based on the recent adjustment to the general estimate for
this temple, I am thinking a rededication could be set for early-to-mid June,
and, as previously noted, I would anticipate that our native German apostle,
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, will be asked to return to his homeland to preside at
that event.
13. Oakland California Temple: Closed for renovation;
cleaning and repairing exterior walls; water features being upgraded; rededication
estimated sometime during mid-2019.
Note: When the Church of Jesus Christ
Temples website came back online, the general estimate for this temple was
adjusted to what is listed above. Additionally, a member living within this
temple’s district informed me personally that the completion of this temple
would occur sooner than many anticipated. For those reasons, I am venturing a
more specific estimate of mid-to-late August.
95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Closed for renovation; art
glass windows installed; stone cladding exterior walls; rededication estimated
sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
Note: Given the somewhat steady progress
which has been reported recently on this temple, I could see a rededication
occurring in mid-September.
80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Closed for renovation; stone
cladding continues on exterior walls; rededication estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
Note: If all goes well with this temple’s renovation, I could see a
rededication occurring in mid-to-late October.
68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Closed for renovation;
stone cladding continues; rededication estimated sometime during late 2019.
Note: Since this temple has seen a recent increase in its’
construction progress, I am thinking that a rededication could follow in
mid-November.
94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Closed for renovation; waterproofing
membrane applied to exterior; rededication estimated sometime during late 2019.
Note: Barring anything changing with this
temple’s general estimate, and on whichever Sunday (first or third) the
dedication is held for the Lisbon Portugal Temple, this temple’s dedication
would likely be held on the other Sunday, just before the Christmas holiday.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication
estimated sometime during 2020):
18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Closed for renovation; scaffolding
and debris netting put up around exterior; rededication estimated sometime during early-to-mid
2020.
Note: If all goes well with this temple’s
renovation process, I could see a rededication occurring in mid-to-late May.
16. Washington D. C. Temple: Closed for renovation; repairs
continue on temple spires; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.
Note: If this temple’s renovation progresses swiftly enough, a
rededication could occur in mid-November, though it is possible that the
rededication of the Mesa Arizona Temple could occur first.
8. Mesa Arizona Temple: Closed for renovation; grounds cleared; interior
work underway; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.
Note: As noted above, this temple’s rededication could occur before
that of the Washington D. C. Temple. But if anything unexpected occurs, then
this rededication could be held in mid-December.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication
estimated sometime during 2021):
11. Hamilton New Zealand Temple: Closed for renovation; dismantling
interior; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2021.
Note: Barring anything unexpected, if all goes well and swiftly for
this temple’s renovation process, I stand by my previously-offered estimate
that this temple could be rededicated in mid-April.
Renovation process stalled; full-scale
work pending:
112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Closed for renovation; full-scale
construction pending.
Announced Temples:
172. Urdaneta
Philippines Temple: Site preparation phase; construction barrier in place.
173. Pocatello
Idaho Temple: Laying asphalt for streets; site confirmed and artist’s rendering
released on September 6, 2018; groundbreaking anticipated in early 2019.
174. Saratoga
Springs Utah Temple: Government approval phase.
175. Bangkok
Thailand Temple: Artist’s rendering and site announcement released on March 19,
2018; groundbreaking pending.
Note:
Although the rendering and site location for this temple was one of the first
temple-related announcements of President Nelson’s prophetic administration,
unless and until verification is provided that the on-site office building has
been razed and that the site is cleared, it does not appear likely that the
Church will break ground on this temple this year.
176. Lima
Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
177. Nairobi
Kenya Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement;
media event held June 14, 2017.
178. Brasilia
Brazil Temple: Planning and approval phase; site inspected by Church engineers
on June 21, 2017.
179. Greater
Manila Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official name
announcement
180. Harare
Zimbabwe Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
181. Layton
Utah Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced April 1, 2018; awaiting
official site announcement
182. Quito
Ecuador Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
183. Richmond
Virginia Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced April 1, 2018; awaiting
official site announcement
184. Belem
Brazil Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
185. Managua
Nicaragua Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site.
186. Salta
Argentina Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced April 1, 2018;
awaiting official site announcement
187. Cagayan
de Oro Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced April 1,
2018; awaiting official site announcement
188. Bengaluru
India Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced April 1, 2018; awaiting
official site announcement
189. Russian Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced April 1, 2018;
awaiting official location and site announcement.
190. Mendoza
Argentina Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7, 2018;
awaiting official site announcement
191. Salvador
Brazil Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7, 2018; awaiting
official site announcement
192. Yuba
City, California Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7,
2018; awaiting official site announcement
193. Phnom
Penh Cambodia Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7, 2018;
awaiting official site announcement
194. Praia
Cape Verde Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7, 2018;
awaiting official site announcement
195. Yigo Guam
Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7, 2018; awaiting
official site announcement
196. Puebla
Mexico Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7, 2018; awaiting
official site announcement
197. Auckland
New Zealand Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7, 2018;
awaiting official site announcement
198. Lagos
Nigeria Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7, 2018;
awaiting official site announcement
199. Davao
Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7, 2018;
awaiting official site announcement
200. San Juan
Puerto Rico Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced October 7, 2018;
awaiting official site announcement
201.
Washington County Utah Temple: Planning and approval phase; Announced October
7, 2018; awaiting official location and 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.
Changes
since last report are highlighted in red.
Do you have any insight on the size of all the temples announced? During President Hinckley's time, several smaller temples were built. Are these small temples still being built?
ReplyDeleteHello, Dan, and thanks for taking time to comment. As far as your question goes, the size of these temples may vary. For instance, the Bangkok Thailand Temple, as evidenced by the artist's rendering, is anticipated to be a larger one which will take 3-4 years to build once it gets started.
ReplyDeleteThe Pocatello Idaho Temple, for which an artist's rendering has been released, is anticipated to be comparable in size to the temple recently dedicated in Meridian Idaho, and that one took 2-3 years to build as well.
For the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple, which is anticipated to split the current Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple district roughly in half, I would imagine that it will be around the same size. And of course, we know from the Ghana edition of the Church's official Newsroom page, which showed a rendering and confirmed the groundbreaking for the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, that that temple will be somewhat comparable in size to the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple, and thus may take around 18-24 months in its' construction.
That said, President Nelson's goal in announcing 19 temples this year alone seems to be to get temples closer to the people, and it appears that could be done through rapid construction of several smaller temples. I have confirmed through the sources I have available that the Church's Temple Department has been hiring and will continue to hire additional employees to accommodate a surge in temple construction.
Given the fact that there is now a backlog of 31 or 32 announced temples, perhaps the easiest way to deal with that backlog would be to build most of them as smaller temples that could easily be constructed and dedicated.
Will all of them be smaller temples? According to what I shared above, the answer would be no. But building smaller temples (such as Port-au-Prince Haiti and Abidjan Ivory Coast) may prove to be an easier and faster process in some areas where a larger temple would not be as practical. So many may wind up on the smaller side, but some (such as Bangkok Thailand, Pocatello Idaho, and Saratoga Springs Utah) will be on the more medium or larger side of that spectrum.
That said, I am grateful that I am not in charge of making those kinds of determinations. I have every confidence in the Temple Department, President Nelson, and his fellow apostles, and I have no doubt they will figure out the best and most effective way to deal with the current backlog, however that winds up being done. Hope these insights help, Dan, and thank you for taking time to comment.