Stokes Sounds Off: REVISITED: Updated Sections of My Temple Construction Progress Report

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Saturday, October 19, 2019

REVISITED: Updated Sections of My Temple Construction Progress Report

Hello again, everyone! For my 1,800th post on this blog, published just one week ago today, I provided a look at 2 updated sections of my temple construction progress report. Since that time, new information has come to light which has led me to revisit those updates. So my purpose in posting again now is to share the revisions I have made to those sections. Again, for temples which may be considered as being in a "Groundbreaking anticipated" status, the timing of any such events is subject to either confirmation, denial or correction as that comes through official announcements from the First Presidency.
And as I have also repeatedly indicated in relation to this and all other predictions I have provided and will note in relation to any I will provide in the future, I will be just as happy when any of my predictions prove anywhere near correct as I will when the Lord surprises me by what He inspires the Brethren to announce in this respect. I am working solely on logic, reason, and imperfectly-conduct research, while the Brethren always have been and always will be inspired by the Lord in the decisions and announcements they make in this and any other respect.

For any one of you that do not yet have that testimony for any reason, I'd again encourage you to act upon Moroni's promise, and to remember the Lord's key guidance from the Doctrine and Covenants. As for myself, what Alma the Younger said here sums up my feelings on that subject pretty well. That being said, the two relevant revisited sections of my temple construction progress report follow below. In order to not disturb the flow of that information, I will end here as I always do:

That does it for now. 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, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.

Groundbreaking anticipated: 183. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement; President Nelson visited potential site on April 17, 2018; groundbreaking anticipated in late 2019. Note: Aside from the information noted above, in mid-November of last year, Elder Andersen visited with Zimbabwe’s Vice President, and indicated to him that the Church was hoping to begin construction on the Harare temple in late 2019. Therefore, barring anything unexpected, it seems more likely than not that a groundbreaking could occur at around this time. 184. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement; construction contract awarded; groundbreaking could occur in late 2019-early 2020.. Note: Although a construction contract for this temple was awarded 1-3 months ago, since only 2.5 months remain in 2019, and since no additional information (including an official site announcement and rendering) has been released yet, it has seemed wise to update my estimate to this point. 185. Bengaluru India Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking could occur in late 2019-early 2020. Note: On May 19, 2019, Bishop Dean M. Davies, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, visited members of the Bengaluru India stake and told them that the Church hoped to release the information about the site location and design for this temple before the end of 2019. Given that there are just 2.5 months remaining in 2019, and that nothing related to this temple has been announced, I felt it wise to readjust my estimate for this temple to around this time. 186. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning and approval phase; property fence installed around temple site; groundbreaking could occur in early 2020. Note: On September 1, 2019, I was advised that the concept plans for this temple were floating around social media. If those plans are verified as official, a groundbreaking could easily occur within this period of time, if not sooner. 187. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking could occur in early 2020. Note: Based on what is and is not known presently about this temple, it seems probable that a groundbreaking for it could be fit in during this window, if all goes well. 188. Richmond Virginia Temple: Planning and approval phase; official renderings released on August 28, 2019; groundbreaking anticipated in spring 2020. Note: Two days after the renderings for this temple were released, an article printed in one of the Henrico County newspapers indicated that Church officials were planning to break ground for this temple during spring 2020. Accordingly, I have updated this estimate to this point. 189. Layton Utah Temple: Planning and approval phase; official exterior rendering released on October 8, 2019; groundbreaking could occur in mid-2020. Note: Given the fact that this temple will be built in Utah, where temples usually see an earlier groundbreaking than many of their international counterparts, among other adjustments, it seemed wise to move my general estimate for this temple’s groundbreaking to this point, though I could see it occurring earlier or later depending on how quickly the necessary arrangements can be made, or whether those arrangements are delayed. 190. Feather River California Temple: Planning and approval phase; official rendering released and site location announced on September 26, 2019; groundbreaking could occur in mid-2020. Note: Since temples in the United States typically see an earlier start to their construction than their international counterparts (although not as quickly as their counterparts in Utah), it has seemed wise to move this temple and update the associated general estimate for its’ groundbreaking to this point. Depending on what happens over the next few months, I could see a need to readjust this temple’s position among the others and its’ estimate, which I will be sure to do. 191. Tooele Valley Utah Temple: Planning and approval phase; site location officially confirmed on September 25, 2019; groundbreaking could occur in mid-2020. Note: Because this temple is reportedly being fast-tracked, if the plans for it also receive rapid approval, a groundbreaking could easily follow within this time, if not sooner than that. 192. Auckland New Zealand Temple: Planning and approval phase; site location confirmed on May 21, 2019; groundbreaking could occur in mid-to-late 2020. 193. San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple: Planning and approval phase; site acquired (location not yet officially confirmed); groundbreaking could occur in mid-to-late 2020. Announced Temples (for which more information is needed before I provide a groundbreaking estimate): 194. Managua Nicaragua Temple: Planning and approval phase; potential site acquired; awaiting official confirmation. 195. Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple: Planning and approval phase; potential site acquired; awaiting official confirmation. 196. Moses Lake Washington Temple: Planning and approval phase; potential site acquired; awaiting official confirmation. 197. Bentonville Arkansas Temple: Planning and approval phase; potential site acquired; awaiting official confirmation. 198. Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple:: Planning and approval phase; potential site acquired; awaiting official confirmation. 199. Salta Argentina Temple: Planning and approval phase; potential site identified. 200. Mendoza Argentina Temple: Planning and approval phase; potential site identified. 201. Salvador Brazil Temple: Planning and approval phase; potential site identified. 202. Antofagasta Chile Temple: Planning and approval phase; potential site identified. 203. Washington County Utah Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official city (and site) announcement. 204. Lagos Nigeria Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 205. Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 206. Davao Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 207. Pago Pago American Samoa Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 208. Okinawa City Okinawa (Japan) Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 209. Neiafu Tonga Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 210. Budapest Hungary Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 211. Freetown Sierra Leone Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 212. Orem Utah Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 213. Bacolod Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 214. McAllen Texas Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 215. Coban Guatemala Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 216. Taylorsville Utah Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement. 217. Russia Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official city (and site) announcement.

10 comments:

  1. Hello again, everyone! Acting President M. Russell Ballard and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were joined by Elder Randall K. Bennett, who presides over the North America Northeast Area of the Church, as they visited Sharon Vermont, birthplace of President Ballard's great-great-uncle, the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Church News has shared the following report on that:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2019-10-18/president-ballard-declares-his-witness-of-the-prophet-jospeh-smith-in-the-place-he-was-born-164526

    As always, my ongoing thanks to you all for your continued interest and support.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello again, everyone! Ground was broken this morning at 11:00 AM as scheduled for the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple, and the Newsroom has provided a report on that today:

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/ground-broken-for-utah-rsquo-s-18th-temple

    Also, given the time difference between Utah and Asuncion Paraguay, the open house for that temple is set to wrap up less than 3 hours from now. And another Church News article has been published, this one expanding on the details of the visits Elders Ronald A. Rasband and Ulisses Soares recently made to Arizona and Texas:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2019-10-19/immigrant-welcome-centers-in-texas-and-arizona-bring-faith-government-leaders-to-work-together-for-human-dignity-164578

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello again, everyone! Within the last hour, KSL's newscast has had two featured reports on the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple groundbreaking. In the second of those reports, which aired just a few moments ago, the on-site reporter addressed common questions: When and how soon might construction begin, and within what time-frame is a completion and dedication anticipated? For the first answer, the reported noted that construction crews intend to start work on the temple early next week, so it will not be in the "Full-scale construction pending" status for very long. Regarding the second question, Church leaders indicated the speed of construction will depend on a variety of factors, over a few of which the Church has little to no control. They also noted that, in general, temples nowadays are being built at a slightly accelerated pace than they have been in the past, and for that reason, a new standard construction time-frame of 18-24 months is offered for most temples. 18 months sounds a little fast to me, especially for a larger temple such as this one. But I could see construction wrapping up in mid-2022, if not sooner, so I have set that as a new preliminary estimate for the temple's completion, but will be more than happy to move that up if and when the need arises as the construction process gets underway and if it continues at a steady pace.

    In the meantime, I have reanalyzed my previously-offered general estimates for the completion of temples which are either under construction or have full-scale construction pending. Based on that reanalysis, I have made the following adjustments:

    Mid-to-late 2021: Pocatello Idaho & San Juan Puerto Rico Temples (right now, I feel the Pocatello temple may be completed ahead of San Juan, but that could change).
    Late 2021-early 2022: Quito Ecuador Temple (that could change as well, depending on how quickly or slowly progress is made).
    Early 2022: Urdaneta Philippines Temple.
    Early-to-mid 2022: Belem Brazil Temple.
    Mid-2022: Saratoga Springs Utah Temple.
    Mid-to-late 2022: Puebla Mexico and Lima Peru Los Olivos Temples (may be interchangeable until significant progress is made on either temple).
    Late 2022-early 2023: Bangkok Thailand Temple.

    These are the adjustments that appear to make sense for now, but as progress is or is not made on these temples in the future, they are subject to change. In the meantime, my thanks again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. And the Church News has now provided a report on the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple groundbreaking:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2019-10-19/saratoga-springs-utah-temple-groundbreaking-164323

    Once again, my thanks to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Also, given the relevant time differences, I can now confirm that the open house for the Asuncion Paraguay Temple wrapped up around 40 minutes ago, and that the youth devotional in Frankfurt Germany was held 6-7 hours ago, and the first rededicatory session for the temple will be held in around 6.25 hours. A report on the youth devotional is still forthcoming, and may only be provided tomorrow, either separately from or included with the report on the temple's rededication, which, given the time difference, could be provided between 6:00-8:00 AM Utah time tomorrow morning. I will be sure to bring those reports to you here ASAP. In the meantime, my ongoing and continued thanks to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  6. And although the Church originally released mini-biographies of the new area seventies sustained last October via the official Newsroom, the Church News has published still short but slightly more substantial biographies for them:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2019-10-19/general-conference-october-2019-area-seventies-lds-mormon-164282

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello again, everyone! The Church's Newsroom has provided an article with more details on this weekend's ministry trip to the North America Southeast Area of the Church made by President Ballard and Elder Christofferson, and the Church's official blog has, aside from posts about the recent historic General Conference, shared two others recently that inspired me. You can find this content at the web addresses that follow. Again, my thanks to you all.

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-ballard-addresses-new-england-latter-day-saints

    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/blog/an-invitation-to-my-sisters-draw-upon-the-power-that-is-yours?lang=eng

    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/blog/give-me-this-mountain-faith-after-losing-a-child?lang=eng

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello again, everyone! On this Sunday afternoon, I wanted to note that the Church's official Newsroom has shared a report on this weekend's rededication of the Frankfurt Germany Temple, over which Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf presided as scheduled. He was accompanied by Elder Patrick Kearon of the Presidency of the Seventy, who currently assists Elder Uchtdorf in overseeing the Europe and Europe East Areas of the Church, the entire Europe Area Presidency (Elders Gary B. Sabin, Massimo De Feo, and Erich W. Kopischke), and each of the wives of these Brethren. Surprisingly, it doesn't appear as though either the Executive Director of the Temple Department or any of his current assistants were in attendance, but perhaps that is less crucial for a temple rededication than it is when a temple is originally dedicated. In any case, you can find the Newsroom's official report at the following web address:

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/latter-day-saint-apostle-rededicates-frankfurt-germany-temple

    A Church News report will likely follow later today, which I will share ASAP after I become aware of it. In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The following Church News articles covering the rededication of the Frankfurt Germany Temple, over which Elder Uchtdorf presided today, may be of interest to at least some of you:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2019-09-12/elder-uchtdorf-frankfurt-temple-open-house-160066

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2019-10-20/frankfurt-germany-temple-youth-elder-uchtdorf-164658

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2019-10-20/frankfurt-germany-elder-uchtdorf-temple-rededication-164740

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  9. Also, Church News editor Sarah Jane Weaver provided a look at her theory for what might make the April 2020 General Conference unique. She noted that, instead of having the sessions of that conference originate from remote locations (especially places where the important events of the early restoration of the Church occurred), rather, what is taught during the General Conference will be uniquely related to those important events, highlight the impact thereof on the global Church today, and providing a look at how those events might influence the continued future of the Church.

    While I would love to see General Conference originate from early Church history sites, I do concur with Sister Weaver in one respect: that the location of General Conference every six months in general, and that of the upcoming April 2020 General Conference will not matter much or make a difference to any of us at all if focusing on the location thereof detracts from our focus on what will be said and done during that General Conference.

    That has always been the case, it is the case for this upcoming General Conference, and it will similarly be the case for every other General Conference the Church holds going forward. We have an invitation from the prophet of the Lord, and for each of us, following the recommendations of that invitation will be the best and most crucial thing we can do to prepare for General Conference, not just the upcoming one, but for every subsequent one thereafter. Sister Weaver's article is well worthy of your time and attention, and can be found at the following web address:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2019-10-20/general-conference-october-2019-president-nelson-bicentennial-164417

    In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete

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.

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