Hello again, everyone! The First Presidency announced the next major temple construction updates today. The exterior renderings have been released for the Birmingham England, Lone Mountain Nevada, and McKinney Texas Temples, and the site location and preliminary information have been confirmed for the Vancouver Washington Temple. Let's break down the details:
While I will let others more qualified than myself share their observations on the exterior renderings in question, I did want to note some general observations about them on my end. The Birmingham England Temple was announced in April 2022, with its' site location and preliminary information released in December 2023.
The Lone Mountain Nevada and McKinney Texas Temples were both announced in October 2022; the site location and preliminary information for Lone Mountain were released two months later, while the site location and preliminary information for McKinney were confirmed in December 2023. The release of these renderings now gives me hope that groundbreakings for each of these temples might soon follow.
That brings us to the Vancouver Washington Temple. Announced in October of last year, the temple will rise on a 15.11-acre site located at the Northwest corner of SE 20th Street and SE Bybee Road intersection, Vancouver (Camas), Washington. Plans call for a multi-story temple of approximately 43,000 square feet.
Today's update on the Vancouver Washington Temple means that, of the 95 currently announced temples, 43 have not yet had any official information confirmed. That means that 52 have had sites confirmed, 2 of which have also had groundbreakings scheduled. I think that, because we have had so many exterior renderings released just since the beginning of this year, the Church may be queuing up a bunch of temples for groundbreakings.
I am not concerned at this point about any "backlog" of temples that have not yet moved to have a groundbreaking. As I've previously mentioned, my preference would be for the Church to take extra time procuring approvals rather than rushing through that process and running into complications getting those temples to a groundbreaking and on to construction.
While I was incorrect about any groundbreakings being set today, I'm glad I was correct in my theory that more exterorior renderings and site confirmations would occur. I continue to monitor any and all Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples updates and will be sure to pass word of those along to you all as they cross my radar.
In the meantime, that does it for now. All comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated on any post at any time, as long as the offered feedback is made per 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.
Please subscribe if you liked what you read here and would like to be informed of newly added posts and comments. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
The Church News has also covered the exterior renderings released and site location confirmed today. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteCurrently 8 site announcements shy of 300 temples (dedicated, renovation, construction, site confirmed). My most anticipated site announcements are:
ReplyDelete1. Dubai United Arab Emirates
2. Wichita Kansas
3. Springfield Missouri
4. Hamburg Germany
5. Missoula Montana
6. Colorado Springs Colorado
7. Tacoma Washington
8. Culiacan Mexico
There are also currently 20 temples with renderings released that many very well will have groundbreakings in perhaps the latter half of the year. I think that Tarawa, Cleveland, Austin, Cody, and Bakersfield are near locks to have construction commence this year.
I am also anticipating renderings for Vitoria, Charlotte, and Cagayan de Oro in the near future.
Hey, Noah! Unless the information I have is in error, the site location for the Wichita Kansas Temple was already confirmed on June 20 of last year. If I'm in error on that, reporting it here on that date was a big mistake on my part. There are 8 US temples and 4 temples outside the US that I'm watching for official information.
DeleteAccording to information I received, the site clearings for Victoria and Cagayan de Oro may not be indicative of an intent to break ground soon. We also have 3 temples with sites confirmed 3 years ago that haven't had groundbreakings. I.n the near term, I'm told we can expect groundbreakings for the Tampa Florida, Austin Texas, and Cleveland Ohio Temples. In fact, Austin is a confirmed lock for a June groundbreaking. I expect potential action soon on Tarawa Kiribati, Cali Colombia, and Cape Town South Africa.
The Church seems to be alternating site announcements, exterior renderings, and groundbreaking announcements on some form of rotation, so we could see more groundbreakings next week. I think 1-3 temples could have groundbreakings before General Conference.
I think it may be another month or two before we see the next dedications set, so with 5 Mondays between now and General Conference, there are options for what announcements we'll see. I'm looking forward to what's ahead. Thanks, Noah, for stopping by to share your thoughts. I always appreciate hearing from you.
Vitoria. Autocorrect strikes again.
DeleteThat's correct. I got mixed up with Wichita and Tulsa since they are relatively close to each other zoomed out on a map.
DeleteThanks for that clarification, Noah! That makes sense. I'm hoping we get confirmation of the sites for the 8 US temples announced between last year and this year. As I said, I'm also watching at least 4 ,locations outside the US as well for more information on the near term. It also seems likely that 2-4 other temples could be dedicated before Casper's October dedication. I'm hoping that, with 3 Utah temple dedications set currently that 1 or 2 temples could be announced in the Utah Area in April. Thanks again, Noah!
DeleteThat's correct, Wichita's site confirmation was last year. :) I am hoping that it is one that will have a rendering released soon and, perhaps, a groundbreaking this year. I am also hoping that the next U.S. state(s) that currently have no temples (either in operation or announced) will have one announced sometime this year. I know Iowa is a top candidate and there has been talk of a site purchased recently for it, but there could also be other surprises. So far, President Nelson has announced temples for three states that previously had no temple prior to 2018: Virginia, Arkansas, and Kansas. Virginia now has had three temples announced.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am anticipating possible groundbreakings this year for the temples you both mentioned and hopefully more. It will be exciting to see what happens.
Eric, thanks for taking time to share your thoughts. I can confirm that the Church has purchased land in Iowa for a temple. The only question is how soon such a prospect might be announced. And I have a strong feeling that when such a temple is announced, it might be known as the Mount Pisgah Iowa Temple, since thaat name has significance to Church history. As I mentioned above, I anticipate at least a few more groundbreakings will be announced before the April 2024 General Conference.
DeleteAs an additional note, I mentioned on the Church Growth Blog recently that I am projecting a 16/19 split for new temples announced in April and October, for a total of 35 new temples this year. I think at least 1 state that has not had a temple announced will get one this year, but I'm hoping that's the case for a few other states as well.
I fully believe we will see double-digit groundbreakings and dedications this year and every year for the foreseeable future, which will keep the queue constantly in flux. I look forward to seeing what happens with temple construction this year. As I mentioned previously, I was not anticipating the San Luis Potosi Mexico Temple groundbreaking would occur in March, so I think we will see other surprise groundbreakings as well.
I'm glad that the Church is seemingly alternating between combinations of site confirmations, exterior rendering releases, and the setting of groundbreaking arrangements week-to-week. Insofar as I am aware, we don't have any other federal holidays falling on a Monday until Memorial Day in May, so Monday announcements are a lock every Monday at 2:00 PM in Utah between now and the end of May. Thanks, Eric, as always, for taking time to comment. It's always a privilege to hear from you.
Here is one more report on the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square's ongoing tour in the Philippines, which was also covered in this report. The Church News also shared a report on Elder Neil L. Andersen's ongoing ministry in the Philippines, where he attended many of the Choir's performances. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteThe Newsroom and the Church News have shared updates on both Elder Andersen's ministry in the Philippines and the Tabernacle Choir's tour. According to the Church News, the Choir attended a special Sacrament Meeting featuring remarks by Elder Andersen, Elder Steven R. Bangerter (Philippines Area President) and President Michael Leavitt, President of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.The Church News also reported on 3 new and 16 reorganized stake presidencies. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteWith the 182nd anniversary of the formation of the Relief Society coming up on March 17, the Relief Society General Presidency has launched a new Relief Society Worldwide social media channel. This channel will allow members of that General Presidency and the members of their general advisory council to publish content specifically for the women in the Church. This follows the creation of similar specific channels for Young Women and Young Men. And this week's edition of the Church News podcast has also been released. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has published another report on the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square's ministry in the Philippines. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Newsroom has shared 4 new reports: The wives of Church leaders visiting West Africa ministered to women leaders; news media in the Philippines helped to expand the Choir's reach during their tour, the Tabernacle Choir sang on the Philippine Senate floor, and a joint effort by the Church and URDA is bringing aid to displaced indiviuals who have sought shelter in Lebanon.
DeleteMeanwhile, the Church News provided a preview of what's coming up at RootsTech 2024, shared a summary of remarks given by Elder Jose A. Teixeira of the Presidency of the seventy at this week's Ensign College devotional, and shared a report on the ministry of Elders Bednar and Kearon in West Africa. My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has also highlighted 6 interfaith efforts from Church leaders and members worldwide, and provided a summary of this week's BYU-Hawaii devotional. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd an unexpected update has been provided on the status of the Bakersfield California Temple. I'm hopeful that temple might be another that is close to a groundbreaking. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Thursday, the Church News has released the biographies of 8 incoming new temple leader couples. These presidents and matrons will begin their service in September, or when the temples are dedicated. Of the incoming presidents, 3 are currently patriarchs and temple sealers; 1 is a temple sealer, Sunday School teacher, and former area seventy (M. Keith Giddens); 1 is a temple sealer and Elders' Quorum presidency counselor (who formerly served as a temple presidency counselor: he is also the son of former GA Seventy L. Lionel Kendrick); 1 is a temple worker who formerly served as an MTC president; 1 is a biishopric counselor and temple ordinance worker (who will be the first president of the new Mendoza Argentina Temple); and 1 is a branch presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker (who will be the first president of the new Coban Guatemala Temple).
DeleteI would just add here that while I focused on the current and past callings of the presidents, they have served individually and together with their wives in a variety of callings. The number of new temple presidents called this year now totals 16. As previously mentioned, I'm keeping a list of these changes. That list now includes the Helsinki Finland Temple (for which new leaders were called last year, but who have not yet been feature in the Church News), 14 additional new temples for which the first leaders could be called in 2024, and a new total of 55 currently-operating temples or temples that have undergone, are undergoing, or will undergo renovations in the near term. So that's a total of 70 temples I'm watching for new leaders this year. Feel free to follow along on that list as subsequent updates are made to it.
In the interim, the Church News also noted how givers and receivers alike have been blessed by the 2023 Giving Machines, which were part of the Church's "#LighttheWorld" Initiative. Meanwhile, the Newsroom has reportedd on how the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square's visit to the Philippines served to spread the hope of Jesus Christ throughout that nation. The Newsroom also reported on a meeting of Melbourne Muslims with leaders of the Church at the Melbourne Grand Mosque. My thanks once again to you all.
As has been noted, on Saturday, the Manhattan New York Temple will close for renovations. And Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is currently ministering in northern England.And the Newsroom has covered the update on the Giving Machines. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteIn conjunction with RootsTech, which kicked off today and will go through Saturday, organizers of the event have announced an option to collaborate with relatives to build and fill out family trees. This feature will also allow relatives to share names of deceased ancestors for temple ordinance work more easily. A new First Presidency letter reiterates the directive that, on Easter Sunday, only Sacrament Meeting is to take place, with an encouragement to invite friends of other faiths or no faith to that meeting. And a new Church News video highlights an invitation from the Relief Society General Presidency (Camille N. Johnson, J. Anette Dennis, and Kristin M. Yee) for women to participate in the upcoming Relief Society broadcast that will feature messages from that presidency and from Church President Russell M. Nelson. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has shared one new report. Additionally, status updates have been noted thus far today on the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Mendoza Argentina Temples. I will be sure to pass any additional Church News, Newsroom, or Church of Jesus Christ Temples updates to you all here as I learn about them. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Newsroom has summarized Elder Ulisses Soares' recent 10-day ministry in Mexico. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteHello again, everyone! On this Friday, the Church News has shared the biographies for 16 new mission leaders. With these latest 16 biographies shared today, only 16 of the 144 new mission leaders called have not yet been featured in the Church News.
DeleteOf the 16 new couples featured today, all have served individually and together in a wide variety of assignments in the Church. And of the 16 incoming presidents, 1 is a Young Men president for a regional special needs activity program; 1 is a stake high councilor and former area seventy (Fernando P. Del Carpio); 1 is an Elders’ Quorum President and former area seventy (Aaron Wi Repa); 1 (along with his wife) is a service mission leader; 1 is a mission presidency counselor; 4 are current stake presidents (1 of whom is a temple ordinance worker); 1 is a temple ordinance worker and former stake president; 1 is a stake presidency counselor; 2 are stake high councilors (1 is also a self-reliance specialist); 1 is a stake communications director; 1 is a stake self-reliance specialist, Sunday School teacher, and temple ordinance worker; and 1 is currently a bishop.
Canadian Latter-day Saints are helping to a historic black cemetary. The Church News featured an article on RootsTech 2024 keynote speaker Henry Cho. And the latest edition of "This Week on Social" has also been published.
In the newest installment, the following general Church leaders had social media content featured: Elders David A. Bednar, Neil L. Andersen, Gary E. Stevenson, and Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; the entire Relief Society General Presidency (President Camille N. Johnson and Sisters J. Anette Dennis and Kristin M. Yee) on "Relief Society Worldwide"; the entire Young Women General Presidency (President Emily Belle Freeman and Sisters Tamara W. Runia and Andrea Munoz Spannaus) on "Young Women Worldwide" (where they encouraged their followers to also follow "Young Men Worldwide"); Sister Amy A. Wright, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency; Sunday School General President Mark L. Pace; and Brother Bradley R. (Brad) Wilcox, First Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency (posting on "Young Men Worldwide").
With no updates from the Newsroom, the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site has noted some changes in the queue of temples anticipated to be completed at some point this year. That queue used to look like this:
Early-to-mid 2024: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania; Mendoza Argentina
Mid-2024: Deseret Peak Utah; Antofagasta Chile; Abidjan Ivory Coast
Mid-to-late 2024: Farmington New Mexico
Late 2024: Alabang Philippines; Burley Idaho;
Late 2024-early 2025: Auckland New Zealand; Syracuse Utah; Elko Nevada; Grand Junction Colorado
Following the changes, it now looks like this:
Early-to-mid 2024: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania; Mendoza Argentina; Deseret Peak Utah
Mid-2024: Antofagasta Chile; Abidjan Ivory Coast
Mid-to-late 2024: Farmington New Mexico
Late 2024: Alabang Philippines; Auckland New Zealand; Burley Idaho;
Late 2024-early 2025: Syracuse Utah; Elko Nevada; Grand Junction Colorado
The biggest changes are earlier completions for the Deseret Peak Utah and Auckland New Zealand Temples. My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has published several new reports on RootsTech, for a total of one, two, three, four, five, six. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAn update has been noted on the status of the Neiafu Tonga Temple. Additionally, based on the newest updates for temples anticipated to be completed in the next couple of years, I have recategorized them. I now have 3 temples that are nearly completed, 3 nearing completion, and 6 approaching completion, with another 7 estimated to be completed by the end of 2025. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Saturday, RootsTech Discovery Day was held, featuring a video of the late President M. Russell Ballard. I was fortunate to be able to watch it live remotely. The Newsroom and the Church News provided summaries of that event. The Church News also shared new reports about RootsTech. Today is also the birthday of Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, in honor of which the Church News paid tribute.Church News editor Sister Sarah Jane Weaver writes about the lessons taught by BYU-Hawaii about diversity and unity.The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square livestreamed a concert in the Philippines, which was viewed by thousands. And because the Choir has not yet returned from their tour, the Music & the Spoken Word brodcast from Sunday November 5, 2023 will be reaired tomorrow. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteAn update has been noted on the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple. Though the completion estimate for it has not changed, it has been noted that the landscaping and interior work are nearly completed, so I have moved it up on my list with the San Pedro Sula Honduras, Tallahassee Florida, and Salvador Brazil Temples into the category of "Nearly Completed". Also, the Manhattan New York Temple has officially closed for its' renovation process. It is expected to be completed sometime in 2027, currently between the Stockholm Sweden and Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temples. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteTwo additional reports have been provided about RootsTech. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Sabbath Day, the Church News has shared a few new reports: genealogists gifted FamilySearch CEO Steve Rockwood his personal familial genealogy. The top 9 developments covered by the Church News this week were recapped in "In Case You Missed It: Week in Review". Significantly, with everything else that needed to be highlighted from the last week, no mention was made of the major temple updates from Monday. And with this week's "Come, Follow Me" study from the Book of Mormon set to focus on 2 Nephi 20-25, teachings from Church leaders and scholars about those passages were also shared. My thanks once again to you alll.
DeleteAnd another young missionary of the Church has passed away. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has also covered that missionary's death. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Monday, with less than an hour before the next anticipated major temple construction announcement, the Church News has shared a few new reports, highlighting Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson's ministry in Belgium, one newlywed's journey to emotional resiliency, Elder Neil L. Andersen's remarks to Arizona high school students, a look back at RootsTech 2024, and one new report from RootsTech.
DeleteMeanwhile, Elder D. Todd Christofferson is ministering in Croatia and the Church has made a donation to help hungry migrant children in Colombia. I will be back within the hour with analysis on whatever today's temple construction update is. My thanks once again to you all.