Hello again, everyone! While I am still planning on providing a look at temple progress which occurred in 2018 later today, I wanted to do a new post first to share some temple updates which have come to my attention within the last half-hour or less. Let's get right into all of that. First of all, I have previously referenced my belief that the Church will have at least 200 operating temples by (if not before) the 200th anniversary of the Church's reestablishment (which will be observed on Saturday April 6, 2030). With 39 temples to dedicate between now and then, as long as the Church dedicates an average 3.46 temples in each of the 11.26 years between today and that day, it will easily be done.
That said, while only 2 temples were dedicated last year, 3 temple dedications have already been scheduled to occur by the end of May 2019, and 3 others are anticipated to be dedicated in the remaining 7 months of next year as well. That brings me to discussing the first of those 3 temples, the one in Fortaleza Brazil, which has been under construction since early 2016. (Although a groundbreaking had been held for that temple in 2011, full-scale construction was stalled for almost 5 years after that). The latest information I have indicates that construction on that temple has concluded, and that the temple is being furnished and prepared for its' open house.
I haven't seen any official announcement of the dates for the open house and dedication of that temple, but it could be that we will see that announcement officially made anytime between Wednesday of this week and Sunday of next week, which would be the first major temple announcement in 2019. As far as I have been able to determine, there are no other further updates on new temples under construction. That said, I do have some updates on temples undergoing renovation, so let's talk next about those.
It has been noted that the work of cladding the Memphis Tennessee Temple in exterior stone has been completed. I would anticipate that announcements about the timing for the open houses and rededication of that temple and the Oklahoma City Temple, which may still be considered ahead of Memphis in terms of its' progress will also be forthcoming within the next 2-3 months or less. The one other update I have on temples undergoing renovation relates to the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple, where the process of installing lamp-posts on the temple grounds has begun.
Right now, in addition to the 6 temples which will be dedicated next year, and with a rededication also having been announced for the Oakland California Temple, there are up to 6 other temples currently undergoing renovation which could (and likely will) be rededicated next year. In 2020, 3-4 temples are already anticipated to be dedicated, and 3 temples closed for renovation are anticipated to be rededicated, with one other temple that is anticipated to be rededicated the following year.
If, as I am anticipating, several announced temples have a groundbreaking next year, that in turn will result in new temples that could be dedicated in 2020 and the years beyond. And President Nelson continues the process of planning renovations for other temples, which we may learn much more about in the early months of 2019. Since more has been said about President Nelson's temple-building plans lately, we are almost certain to see many more temples announced next year and the years that follow as well.
Whatever might happen in that regard, as I learn of it, I will be sure to pass it along. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments are made in accordance with the established guidelines. 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 (which should be coming within the next 4 hours or so and will highlight the major temple developments which occurred this year), I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Temple Construction Updates Noted
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
2 comments:
In addition to my life-long love for the subjects which I cover in the posts of this blog, I have long held the belief that we can disagree without becoming disagreeable. Differences of opinion are natural, while being disagreeable in expressing those differences is not. And in that sense, I have no desire to close the door on anyone who earnestly desires to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on subjects covered in the posts on this blog.
At the same time, however, I recognize that we live in a time when incivility, discourtesy, unkindness, and even cyber-bullying has regrettably become part of online interactions. With that in mind, while anyone who wishes can comment on anything if they choose to do so, I hereby reserve the right to immediately delete any comments which are critical, unkind, lack civility, or promote prodcuts, services, and values contrary to either the Church, or to the rules of online etiquette.
I'd also like to remind all who comment here that I try to respond personally to each individual comment as I feel is appropriate. Such replies are not meant to end the conversation, but to acknowledge earnest feedback as it is submitted.
And in order to better preserve the spirit and pure intentions for which this blog was established, I also hereby request that anyone not commenting with a regular user name (particularly those whose comments appear under the "Unknown" or "Anonymous" monikers, give the rest of us a name to work with in addressing any replies. If such individuals do not wish to disclose their actual given names, a pseudonym or nickname would suffice.
Any comments made by individuals who opt to not give a name by which they can ber identified may, depending on the substance and tone of such comments, be subject to deletion as well. I would respectfully ask that all of us do all we can to keep the dialogue positive, polite, and without malice or ill-will. May the Lord bless us all in our discussion of these important matters.
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We live in exciting times for the kingdom of God!
ReplyDeleteHello, and thank you for taking time to comment. I fully concur with the sentiment you expressed above. Particularly in terms of temple developments, we have heard much more about President Nelson's overall plans to increase the number of temples (and by extension, the access to which Church members worldwide have to their nearest temples). In a previous thread on this blog, someone cited a recent comment from an apostle to the effect that the plan is to take the current number, and add a zero to it. If we take a figurative interpretation of that statement (in terms of there being 161 temples currently in operation), then we are looking at 1,610 temples at some point. If we take a more literal view of that statement, then with 201 temples in various phases worldwide at present, the First Presidency may be looking at a goal closer to 2,010 temples. Either way, in whatever time-frame that might occur, it is almost certain the next few years will be filled with temple milestones of all sorts. And that is amazing to consider.
ReplyDeleteBut if we expand that to other aspects of the work, and not just temples, 2018 was an overall year for outstanding developments for the Church as a whole. And President Nelson was recently quoted as saying that if we think this year was exciting, wait until next year and the years that will follow. We also got his prescription for the future: "Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It's going to be exciting."
I also heard (but cannot personally substantiate) that in a recent meeting of the First Presidency, Presidents Oaks and Eyring were surprised to see President Nelson highlighting the timing of changes which will be implemented in the Church over the next 3 years or so. Reportedly, they marveled at how he can do that. All of this tells me that we have only barely scratched the surface of what's ahead for the Church. And that is all at once humbling, sobering, and inspiring. The big question is, are we ready for whatever will be coming down the line? I hope we are or will be.
President Nelson emphasized our individual and familial ability to receive revelation, so I hope part of that process will involve gaining or strengthening our testimonies of the prophetic mantle of President Nelson and that our 15 current apostles have been called of God for this period of time. As we undergo that process, then we will certainly be prepared for whatever lies ahead. Thanks again for taking time to comment.