Updated Estimates for Future Temple Events: Part One—Overview and Scheduled/Anticipated Events Through 2021

Hello again, everyone! Given the temple progress that has occurred within the last 7 weeks or so, and how much has changed regarding future estimates for known temple events. I thought it would be wise to present those latest updates. For the first time, this will be done in two parts. This first one will discuss those events scheduled or anticipated to occur between now and the end of 2021. The second part will deal with events anticipated between 2022 and 2024. The first part of that information follows below.

In order to not disturb the flow thereof, 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.

2019:

Sunday November 3: Private rededication of the Asuncion Paraguay Temple (confirmed)

Note: On May 21, 2019, the First Presidency announced the one-week open house and one-session private rededication for this temple. Subsequently, on October 11, an article about the beginning of the temple open house noted that Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be presiding thereat.

Monday November 4: St. George Utah Temple Renovation Closure (confirmed)

Note: This temple’s renovation was announced on January 25, 2019. Given the fact that seismic and systemic updates are anticipated to occur, I have set a preliminary general completion estimate of late 2022-early 2023.

Friday November 15-Friday November 22: President Nelson’s Southeast Asia Ministry Tour (confirmed)

Note: On October 9, 2019, this third 2019 leg of Church President Russell M. Nelson’s ongoing Global Ministry Tour was announced. The prophet will travel with his wife, Wendy W. Nelson, and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Katherine J. Christofferson, with stops planned in Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and Indonesia. It does not seem out-of-the-question to believe that more information could be provided for the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple, and that there could be some scouting for future temple locations in one or two of the other stops.  

Sunday November 17: Private rededication of the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple (confirmed)

Note: On May 3, 2019, the First Presidency also announced the one-week public open house for this temple, which will be privately rededicated in one session on this date by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Saturday November 30: Groundbreaking for the Puebla Mexico Temple

Note: I had heard from my Church member contact in Mexico that the groundbreaking for this temple would occur in November. I had thought at that time that the groundbreaking might be held on Saturday November 9 or 16. But the First Presidency announced on September 24, 2019 that this temple’s groundbreaking would be held on this date, and that Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela, President of the Mexico Area of the Church, would preside thereat. I will be offering my estimate for the completion of this temple later on in this document.

December 15: Dedication for the Arequipa Peru Temple (167th operating temple)

Note: On May 21, 2019, the First Presidency also announced the dedication of this temple.  Given the aforementioned past precedent, any apostle could preside over this temple dedication, with the only question being which of the 15 is most likely to actually do so. Insofar as I am aware, I know of no current apostle who has direct ties to Peru. So at this point, the prospect is too difficult to call. But I would imagine it could be any of the Spanish-speaking apostles.

Sunday December 29: Salt Lake Temple Renovation Closure (confirmed)

Note: On April 19, 2019, President Nelson announced renovation plans for the Salt Lake Temple, identifying this date for its’ closure. I will offer an estimate for its’ completion (which is anticipated in early-to-mid 2024) later in this document. 

Final note on 2019: Groundbreakings have been held so far this year for the Urdaneta Philippines, Bangkok Thailand, Pocatello Idaho, Yigo Guam, Praia Cabo Verde, San Juan Puerto Rico, Quito Ecuador, Lima Peru Los Olivos, Belem Brazil, and Saratoga Springs Utah Temples, with the groundbreaking for the Puebla Mexico Temple having been scheduled as well. Based on what I have heard, it seems likely that 1-3 other temples might also have a groundbreaking before the end of 2019, namely: Harare Zimbabwe, Nairobi Kenya, and Bengaluru India Temples. Even if not all of them have a groundbreaking occur in 2019, many of them will likely have groundbreaking arrangements announced before the end of this year.

2020:

Sunday February 16: Dedication of the Durban South Africa Temple (168th operating temple; confirmed)

Note: On June 18, 2019, the First Presidency officially announced the open house and dedication information for this temple. The only question is who may preside at this temple’s dedication. Given that there will be far fewer temple dedications and rededications in 2020 than there were in 2019, it would not surprise me if a member of the First Presidency or senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was sent to dedicate this temple, with Elder Renlund accompanying the more senior apostle.

Saturday & Sunday April 4 & 5: 190th Annual General Conference

Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.

Late April-early May: Dedication of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple (169th operating temple)

Note: Although I had been hoping the dedication of this temple would take place sooner than this, given the fact that, as of late October 2019, there has been no announcement of the schedule for the open house and dedication of this temple, it seems more likely than not that the dedication could occur at around this time. And as noted above on the Durban South Africa Temple, given that only a handful of temple dedications and rededications will be occurring during 2020 (in contrast to 2019), it seems probable that a member of the First Presidency or senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate this temple, with Elder Soares accompanying the more senior apostle.

Late May-early June: Rededication of the Tokyo Japan Temple

Note: In view of the 2020 Summer Olympics being held in this city between mid-July and early August, I am reasonably certain the Church will want to have this temple rededicated prior to the Olympics so as not to steal the focus away from that. Any senior apostle (from President Nelson to Elder Christofferson) could preside at the rededication of this temple.

Saturday & Sunday October 3 & 4: 190th Semiannual General Conference

Note: Temple announcements are always possible, so it is not hard to believe that a few could be announced during this General Conference.

Mid-to-late October: Dedication of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple (170th operating temple)

Note: During August 2019, many sources available to me changed the general completion estimate for this temple to mid-to-late 2020. Given that fact, and through regauging the progress (and lack thereof) for this temple, an adjustment to this more specific estimate seems appropriate.

Late October-early November: Rededication of the Washington DC Temple 

Final note on 2020: Based on what I have heard, 2020 seems as though it will be another big year for temple groundbreakings. I am specifically keeping my eyes open for information on the following temples: Brasilia Brazil, Greater Manila Philippines, Richmond Virginia, Layton Utah, Feather River California, Tooele Valley Utah, Auckland New Zealand, and San Pedro Sula Honduras Temples. But it would not at all surprise me in any way if other temples have a groundbreaking during 2020 as well, including some for which there is currently not a lot of information available.

2021:

Mid-February: Rededication of the Mesa Arizona Temple

Saturday & Sunday April 3 & 4: 191st Annual General Conference

Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.

Mid-to-late April: Dedication of the Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple (171st operating temple)

Note: At the groundbreaking for this temple (which occurred on November 8, 2018), Elder Neil L. Andersen, who presided at this event and gave his remarks in French, noted that construction of the temple was anticipated to take around two years. Additionally, as previously noted, many sources available to me from which I gather temple information have noted that this temple’s completion might not occur until early 2021. For that reason, I am moving my previous estimate for this temple’s dedication to this point.

June: Rededication of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple 

Mid-September: Dedication of the Praia Cabo Verde Temple (172nd operating temple)

Saturday & Sunday October 2 & 3: 191st Semiannual General Conference

Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.

Mid-to-late October: Dedication of the Yigo Guam Temple (173rd operating temple 

Mid-November: Dedication of the Pocatello Idaho Temple (174th operating temple)

December: Dedication of the Quito Ecuador Temple (175th operating temple)

Final note on 2021: If, as anticipated, several more temples are announced in 2019 and 2020, and any which have not yet had a groundbreaking have that occur within that same time period, that in turn will multiply the number of known temple events which will likely occur in 2021 and the years beyond. As more is learned about future temple renovations, that will also have an impact on the number of future events.