Stokes Sounds Off: 02/17/22

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Thursday, February 17, 2022

POTENTIAL BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Several Temple Locations Added to Google Maps or Classic Maps; Release of Official Information Imminent?

Hello again, everyonne! On the Church Growth Blog, there have been periodic mentions of details of new temples being added on the Church's Classic Maps page. Most often, those mentions occur when recently-dedicated temples are added to show their corresponding temple districts. But periodically, a new tidbit can be gleaned about other temples that are in various phases of planning and approval. And it is on that front that I am providing this report of potential breaking temple news. 

Several new comments on the most recent thread of the Church Growth Blog provide information about temples that have recently been added to Classic Maps. Each of these temples is currently in an "Announced" status, where no official information has been released by the Church. So those temples being added in the very recent past might suggest that they are temples to watch for the near future for potential announcements, including (but not limited to) site and/or location confirmations, exterior renderings released, and groundbreakings scheduled (or already having privately taken place). 

The first of those mentioned, Managua Nicaragua, has a location that is verified only by Google Maps, not by the Church's Classic Maps page.  But since a site was reportedly acquired for that temple a while ago, and since it is the third of three Central American temples previously referenced in past comments here from Patzicia, who provided accurate information about the timing of the release of site information, exterior renderings, and groundbreaking announcements before those announcements were eventually made, the fact that it is listed on Google maps gives me hope that something official could be coming down the pike soon.

The same situation applies to the Lagos Nigeria Temple. We know, courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site, that property was acquired for that temple not long after its' announcement, and although the Google Maps information is not also reflected on Classic Maps, hopefully that means something will happen with that temple sooner rather than later. The Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple is similarly listed on Google maps, but also shows up on Classic Maps in the same spot. It will be up to the Church to confirm that is indeed the location, but it seems more likely than not.

Similarly, Google Maps provides information on the location of the Rexburg North Idaho Temple, for which a member living in that region has confirmed the information is accurate. We also have an indirect confirmationon the location of the Rexburg North Idaho Temple, which follows the early October report about the family who deeded the land for the temple over to the Church. Unless something major chages, that will be the location of the temple in question.

And finally, I had mentioned in the past that I received feedback shortly after the announcement of the Russia temple that the only cities under active consideration were Moscow, Saratov, and St. Petersburg. Subsequently, I learned from someone privy to the information that Moscow was the only location under active consideration. And given that the headquarters for the Europe East Area offices are located in Moscow, it would not shock me if the temple in Russia was not only based in Moscow, but also included ancillary facilities with offices and residences for the area and mission presidency members.

So I was not shocked by a recent statement on the Church Growth Blog that Classic Maps showed the probable location of the Russia Temple, which, if true, will likely mean the name of that temple will be the Moscow Russia Temple. I was in the middle of an overhaul on my temple construction progress report anyway in view of new analysis I did on the likely timing for temple dedications and rededications for the next two years, so updates were necessary either way.

That being said, I want to be absolutely clear when I say that until the Church makes official announcements on any of these 5 temples, any information from anywhere else, including even the Classics Maps site, is subject to change, clarification or correction. When the time is right for each of these 5 temples (or any others) to move forward in the queue, that will occur. The Lord is in control of His work, and He manifests His will concerning any aspect thereof through His chosen prophet today, President Russell M. Nelson.

But these latest updates also mean that there will likely be even more temple news to cover in the coming months than I originally believed. To the best of my ability, I will track all of these developments and pass word of those along to you all here as I become aware thereof. In the meantime, 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.

I hope any of you who would like to share anything will take your opportunity to “sound off” in the comments below. 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.