Hello again, everyone! This afternoon, in a First Presidency announcement, the groundbreaking arrangements and the exterior rendering have been released for the Wichita Kansas Temple. The Wichita Kansas Temple was originally announced in April 2022, with the site confirmed in June of last year. Ground will be broken for this 9,950-square foot single-story temple on Saturday, September 7, with Elder Steven R. Bangerter, who will begin serving as First Counselor in the North America Central Area Presidency one month prior, on August 1, presiding at that service.
I will let others more qualified than myself comment on this news as they may choose to do so. I would only add a couple of things: I have updated my side-by-side comparison of temple groundbreakings this year vs. last year and my document showing the announced temples for which no information has been officially confirmed yet. These latest updates indicate that the Church is on track to have a high number of temple groundbreakings occur this year.
And if all of those with a groundbreaking scheduled can promptly begin construction thereafter, that, in turn, will increase the number of temples likely to be completed by sometime in 2028. So I look forward to any additional groundbreakings that might be announced over the next few weeks. It's also worth noting that we are probably a month or two minimum out before we get word of the next scheduled temple dedication(s). I think we are likely to see at least one temple dedication announced in the fall, with such announcements picking up as we hit winter here in Utah.
Stay tuned for more information, analysis, and discussion of all of these developments. For my part, 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 news about the groundbreaking for the first temple in Kansas. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteYoung single adults worldwide have responded with excitement and gratitude following last week's announced adjustments to YSA and SA congregational designations. And the Church's first Brazilian General Authority Seventy, Elder Helio da Rocha Camargo, has passed away at the age of 98. One of his sons, Milton Camargo, will conclude his service as First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency on August 1. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Tuesday before Pioneer Day is observed in Utah tomorrow, the Church News has shared one new report. And updates have been noted in the queue of temples anticipated to be completed within the next year.
DeleteThis is where the relevant temples stood in the queue yesterday when I last checked, along with their associated general estimates:
Mid-to-late 2024: Antofagasta Chile
Late 2024: Grand Junction Colorado; Farmington New Mexico; Abidjan Ivory Coast
Late 2024-early 2025: Elko Nevada; Burley Idaho
Early 2025: Auckland New Zealand; Alabang Philippines
Early-to-mid 2025: Nairobi Kenya; Syracuse Utah
Mid-2025: Harare Zimbabwe; Phnom Penh Cambodia
With the changes made to that queue today, things now stand as follows:
Mid-to-late 2024: Antofagasta Chile
Late 2024: Abidjan Ivory Coast; Auckland New Zealand; Grand Junction Colorado; Farmington New Mexico
Late 2024-early 2025: Elko Nevada
Early 2025: Burley Idaho; Nairobi Kenya
Early-to-mid 2025: Alabang Philippines; Syracuse Utah
Mid-2025: Harare Zimbabwe; Phnom Penh Cambodia
Since I just discovered these changes a short time ago, I will have to again reevaluate my more specifically-offered estimates and post any updates with my next temple construction progress report, which in this case may require a special edition in a new post. Stay tuned for more on all of this as I figure it out. My thanks once again to you all.
The latest edition of the Church News podcast featured Clyde Williams of the Correlation Department, who described his career outside Church Correlation, and then delved into his insights about the Church Correlation Department itself. Among what he shared was this from the Church Handbook: "The Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles constitute the Correlation Committee of the Church." He went on to say that Elders David A. Bednar and Ulisses Soares now serve on the Correlation Executive Committee. So that was apparently another change made after President Holland was set apart as the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. With Elder Andersen taking Elder Bednar's former assignment as the Chairman of the Temple and Family History Executive Council, I had wondered what they had Elder Bednar doing. Now we know. This podcast episode was particularly significant to me, and I endorse its' content (whether you read the text or listen to it) as well worthy of your time. The Church News also featured an article about the oldest congregation that still exists in the Church today. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Newsroom released one additional update, which speaks for itself. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has generated a special section for "Pioneer Day" stories. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteIncluding this latest update. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Wichita Temple is expected to only take the Salina Stake from KC's Temple district, which currently has 10 stakes. I do believe that by the time this Temple is completed, there will be an additional stake created to replace Salina in the district, as it is the district outside of the rockies/pacific with the most units per stake, with an average of 9 wards & 1 branch. I'd imagine a coordinated split would occur amongst the Independence, Liberty, and Far West Stakes, as they are currently the largest in the Temple district. The Liberty Stake currently uses the newer meetinghouse by the Temple in Northern KC as the Stake Center, while the old one in Liberty could become the Stake Center for a new Stake.
ReplyDeleteGreat observations, Noah! I like the way you laid that out and hope your projections come to pass as you said. I always appreciate hearing from you. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts on this.
DeleteAs my wife and I are still dealing with the minor cold/flu we caught, I took the day off from commenting here yesterday. I had started to compose a comment with the updates in question here, including the relevant clickable links, but the system timed me out before I could publish the comment. So what I'm going to do is just post the web addresses of the relevant reports, starting with the Church News first, then the Newsroom:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/history-archive/2024/07/24/saints-by-sea-byu-library-familysearch-history-ocean-database/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2024/07/24/2034-olympic-winter-games-announced-salt-lake-city-utah-2002-lds-church/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2024/07/24/elder-evan-a-schmutz-sunrise-service-no-sacrifice-too-great-pioneers/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2024/07/24/valerie-walton-pioneer-day-stories-endure-to-the-end/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2024/07/24/photos-days-of-47-pioneer-day-parade-2024-stake-floats-photos/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/07/24/2024-days-of-47-parade-pioneer-day-elder-bednar-grand-marshal/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2024/07/25/finnish-member-mia-kemppaala-journey-of-faith-book-of-mormon-personal-revelation/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/07/25/finding-faith-after-floods-rio-grande-do-sul-brazil-elder-gerrit-gong/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2024/07/25/missionaries-sing-us-national-anthem-at-colorado-rockies-baseball-game/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2024/07/25/justserve-volunteers-food-drives-utah-texas-arizona/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2024/07/25/help-break-2-guinness-world-records-at-2024-utah-area-young-single-adult-conference/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/06/05/president-nelson-100th-birthday-invitation-church-leaders-social-media-posts/
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-statement-2034-winter-olympics
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-bednar-grand-marshal-pioneer-day-parade-2024-days-of-47
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/munich-council-of-religions-accepts-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints
My thanks once again to you all.
Here is one more report from the Church News:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2024/07/25/sister-j-anette-dennis-byu-idaho-graduation-vision-of-eternal-home/
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Friday, the Church has obtained official recognition in Azerbaijan. Elder Ronald A. Rasband visited the South America Northwest Area.The Church completed another humanitarian project in Uganda. And the latest edition of "This Week on Social" featured posts from the following general leaders:
DeletePresident Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency; Elders Dieter F. Uchtdorf (from whom two posts were shared), David A. Bednar, D. Todd Christofferson, and Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Sister Kristin M. Yee, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency (via Relief Society Worldwide); Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency (via Young Women Worldwide); Primary General President Susan H. Porter and her First Counselor, Sister Amy A. Wright; Brothers Bradley R. (Brad Wilcox and Michael T. Nelson, the respective First and Second Counselors in the Young Men General Presidency. My thanks once again to you all.
Temple construction status updates were provided on Friday for the Auckland New Zealand and Burley Idaho Temples. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Saturday, the Church News covered the news about Azerbaijan, introduced shared the message that was originally given by Lloyd Newell and will be given again by Derrick Porter. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteSorry. A link was missing. The above text should read: "introduced Brother Chad H. Webb, the incoming First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency and shared the message". My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThis evening, I am pleased to be able to report that full-scale renovation efforts are finally getting underway at the Kona Hawaii Temple. Hopefully that temple's demolition and reconstruction will soon follow. It is currently anticipated to be completed sometime in 2026, though I have set the estimate for the rededication of that temple to late 2026-early 2027. And a new update on the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple indicates it may be one more step closer to a groundbreaking. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Sabbath Day, Scott Taylor took a mid-year look at major temple construction milestiones. Church members have shared how they are recipients of efforts to "reach out to the one". The latest edition of "In Case You Missed It: Week in Review" recapped the top 10 developments covered by the Church News this week. Teachings from Church leaders have provided contest for the "Come Follow Me" study for the week (which will be Alma 36-38). And the Church News also shared a report on Latter-day Saints in the Olympics. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThis morning, the First Presidency announced the creation of a new medical school at NYU+Provo, which will collaborate with various hospitals and clinics here in Utah. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteI meant BYU-Provo above. Sorry for the typo. And I don't know if this morning's announcement will mean no major temple construction announcement this afternoon at 2:00 PM MDT. But if such an announcement is made, I will be sure to cover it here. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe First Presidency announced that BYU will start a Medical School with emphasis on the International and Humanitarian needs of the church. https://www.ksl.com/article/51082528/church-of-jesus-christ-announces-plans-for-medical-school-at-byu-
ReplyDeletehttps://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/07/latter-day-saint-first-presidency-announces-new-medical-school-at-byu/
Deletehttps://www.deseret.com/faith/2024/07/29/byu-medical-school-annnounced-by-church-of-jesus-christ/
ReplyDeleteI commented on this with official Church resources above. But thanks for the additional resources to make sure we were all aware of this update. I always appreciate hearing from you, Chris!
DeleteThe Church News has shared one additional report, which speaks for itself. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteThe announcement stated an international focus. I wonder if they international students or other students could begin online through BYU Pathway or take prerequisites online before moving to Provo to finish.
ReplyDeleteHey, Chris! I'm not sure what to anticipate as far as this update goes. I think that yesterday's announcement was just to notify the public of the Church's intent to build the medical school, and that there will be many other details that will be announced as plans progress on this project. I'd expect further announcements will clarify any additional FAQs about this, including the ones you raised in your comments. Depending on how fast things move, ground could be broken for the new school in the next few months, construction could follow for 2-3 years (during which time the Church will be looking to secure faculty and staff for the school), followed by a dedication of the facilities. So we may be looking at this being a few years out before any such questions are answered. It will be interesting to see what happens there. Thanks, as always, for taking time to comment, Chris! I always appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteOn this Tuesday, the Church News has shared two new reports. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteThe latest edition of the Church News podcast has been released. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has featured highlights of Latter-day Saints in the Olympics. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAlthough there are no temple construction status updates, the Church Temples site did adjust up the completion estimate for the Nairobi Kenya Temple. Now, instead of being the second temple (after Burley Idaho) to be completed in early 2025, it is the second estimated to be completed in late 2024-early 2025 (after Elko Nevada), and Burley is now the only one currently estimated to be completed in early 2025. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteToday is President Susan H. Porter's birthday. The Church News posted this tribute in her honor. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThr Church News also shared this report yesterday that I somehow missed. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has also shared two new reports. In addition, there has been another major shift in the queue of temples under construction. This document shows where things stood yesterday, while this one shows where things stand now with the shifts that have been noted. To my knowledge, nothing has changed in terms of the status of the affected temples, but their estimates have been adjusted as reflected in that document. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteA status update has been provided for the Lone Mountain Nevada Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Thursday, the Newsroom and the Church News have shared the first batch of chapters of the "Teachings of President's of the Church: Russell M. Nelson". The Church will release batches of chapters every few months. They will not be released sequentially. This marks the first time teachings from any Church President have been released while the prophet in question is still living. And with today being August I, the General Authority. Seventies turning 70 this year have officially become emeritus, the changes in the Presidency of the Seventy are effective, and the new Sunday School General Presidency has officially begun serving. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe new area leadership assignments are also effective today. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has shared another new report. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteA new status update has been noted for the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has shared this update. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteFrom Elder Kevin Duncan’s Twitter account:
ReplyDeleteBefore temples are dedicated for their sacred purpose, the public is invited to see the beauty of the temple and learn about the commitments we make there with God. Come and see inside an upcoming temple open house:
Pittsburgh PA - Aug 2024
Mendoza Argentina - Aug 2024
San Pedro Sula, Honduras Sep 2024
Casper WY - Sep 2024
Salvador, Brazil - Aug 2024
Deseret Peak, UT - Sep 2024
Tallahassee, FL - Nov 2024
Coming in 2025:
Antofagasta, Chile
Auckland, NZ
Abidjan Ivory Coast
Nairobi, Kenya
Burley, ID
Farmington, NM
Syracuse, UT
Grand Junction, CO
Alabang, Philippines
Lindon, UT
Bahía Blanca, Argentina
Elko, NV
Harare, Zimbabwe
Davao, Philippines
Yorba Linda, CA
Interesting. Good to know. I checked this post out myself, and also noticed that he said that the Smithfield Utah Temple will only be done in mid-2026, as a lot of interior work remains. To whom may I offer thanks for this information?
DeleteFor those interested, that update can be found here. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteInteresting, the list seems to be in chronological order, and not by region or alphabetically. Three glaring differences from this post and other sources are the inclusion of the Yorba Linda California Temple (currently estimated to complete construction in mid-2026) and the absence of the Ephraim Utah & Phnom Penh Cambodia Temples (both currently estimated to complete in mid-2025). If the post is indeed accurate, I imagine the open houses for the Bahia Blanca Argentina and Davao Philippines Temples will be held at the end of the year, with the dedications occuring in January 2026. 2025 would conclude with a total of 215 dedicated temples. At least 6 of these temples will remain closed for renovation (Kona Hawaii, Salt Lake, Stockholm Sweden, Provo Utah Rock Canyon, Manhattan New York, and Orlando Florida - Anchorage Alaska wouldn't count as closed for renovation). The San Diego California Temple will also likely be rededicated next year, and I suspect news for the Logan Utah Temple renovation isn't too far off. If these calculations are accurate, at the start of 2026, there will be 208 temples in operation and 7 closed for renovation. This does not take into account other temples that could close next year, which I'd guess is quite likely. Any of the small Hinckley-era temples could certainly get updates or even an Anchorage-style reconstruction. I also would not be shocked to see closures for the Los Angeles California and/or Seattle Washington Temples, as they are currently the oldest temples that have not been rededicated (68 and 44 years respectively).
DeleteThe church could certainly reach 300 dedicated temples by the bicentennial anniversary, but construction would have to begin on another 50 temples (along with the Heber Valley Utah Temple lawsuit concluding) between September 2024 and very early 2027. It seems doable with 53 sites confirmed, albeit efforts are currently stalled for Cody, McKinney, and Bakersfield (I could be mistaken, but I believe the church got over the hurdle for the Lone Mountain Nevada Temple). With 47 other temples in planning and design, and certainly more to be announced in General Conference, a sizeable portion of the needed 50 groundbreakings could still take place this year. Without new groundbreakings, the church is on pace to reach 249 temples (250 once the Heber Valley Temple begins construction, hopefully by the end of this year) by the start of 2028. A lot still needs to happen to get to 300.
Hey, Noah! Thanks for sharing your observations and thoughts. The list certainly does seem to be in chronological order. I heard a report that President Nelson told the Special Projects Division that he didn't want temple announcements to amount to IOUs, so that suggests major action will be taken on temples over the next little while. I think we will likely see at least a couple more groundbreakings occur in September, and then multiple ones occurring in October-December from what I have heard.I have also heard that the Church is looking to use more modular components, which will also accelerate the pace of temple construction. If the Special Projects Division is able to find other ways to accelerate approvals, that will increase the number of groundbreakings in the coming years, which may add up to more than 300 operating temples by the bicentennial anniversary. I remain optimistic about that. Time will tell. But I think the Church can make it happen. Just my observations, for whatever they are worth. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts, Noah! I always appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteOn this Friday, the Church News has shared a few new updates: First up is a summary of Latter-day Saints in Day 7 of the Olympics.A Latter-day Saint teen competed in the Ulitmate Frisbee championships. And the latest edition of "This Week on Social" was also published. The newest installment in that ongoing series shares posts from the following general Church leaders:
ReplyDeletePresidents Dallin H. Oaks and Hemry B. Eyring, the respective First and Second Counselors in the First Presidency; Elders Dieter F. Uchtdorf (from whom two posts were shared), Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen (from whom two posts were shared), and Ulisses Soares, all of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson; Sisters Tamara W. Runia and Andrea Munoz Spannaus, the respective First and Second Counselors in the Young Women General Presidency; Primanry General President Susan H. Porter and her respective First and Second Counselors, Sisters Amy A. Wright and Tracy Y. Browning; and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund.
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Saturday, the Church News has shared a few new updates. First, with an introduction to Brother Gabriel W. Reid, the new Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, the Church News has officially shared biographies for every newly-sustained leader during the April 2024 General Conference. Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman and Church Historian and Recorder Elder Kyle S. McKay provided keynote addresses during the Utah Area YSA Conference. Mary Richards shared a lesson she learned while accompanying Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his wife, Sister Kathy J. Christofferson on a May visit to Latter-day Saints in Madagascar. And as has been the case for the last several weeks, Brother Derrick Porter will share a message previously given by Lloyd Newell. Again, I am glad to see Brother Porter easing into his new assignment. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church of Jesus Christ Temples site has provided several updates on the temple construction queue. This document shows where things stood as of yesterday, and this one shows where things stand now with all of the applicable changes. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAside from the time-frame shifts, status updates have been noted on the following temples: Antofagasta Chile, Auckland New Zealand, Nairobi Kenya, Grand Junction Colorado, Lindon Utah, Bahia Blanca Argentina, Elko Nevada, Yorba Linda California, and Phnom Pehn Cambodia. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteNot sure how I missed this, but the Newsroom has shared one additional update. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Sabbath Day, the Newsroom has provided two updates, while the Church News has shared one, two, three, four, five, six, seven updates. Conspicuously absent is the customary "In Case You Missed It: Week in Review". My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Monday, just about 1.5 hours from the next anticipated major temple construction announcement, the Church News has shared this update. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe 2:00 PM hour is nearly concluded, and the Church has not announced any major temple construction updates yet. Therefore, I assume we won't be getting such an announcement this week. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThat being said, the Newsroom did publish one new report. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd the Church News published the latest edition of "In Case You Missed It: Week in Review". My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News also provided one other report. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd a new update has been provided for the Anchorage Alaska Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteA new update on the Cleveland Ohio Temple indicates that the temple will be another that uses the modular components. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteHere is one other new report from the Church News. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteNew construction status updates have been reported on the Riberao Preto Brazil and Salt Lake Temples. My thanks once again to you all.
Delete