BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Groundbreaking Ceremony Announced for the Naga Philippines Temple

Hello again, everyone! This afternoon, the First Presidency officially announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the Naga Philippines Temple, which will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026, with Elder Steven D. Shumway of the Philippines Area Presidency presiding thereover.  The groundbreaking announcement follows the temple's announcement in October 2022, and the temple's site announcement and exterior rendering release in February of this year, 

This will be the second temple to have a groundbreaking in August, following the August 1 groundbreaking for the Santos Brazil Temple that was announced last Tuesday. I hope that these back-to-back groundbreaking announcements that have taken place over the last two weeks, with their ceremonies also coming on back-to-back Saturdays, will be the beginning of a potential string of week-by-week groundbreaking announcements followed by week-by-week ceremonies. 

I also wouldn't be shocked if the Church announces multiple groundbreakings in the coming weeks, whether or not they have more than one announced per week. With this announcement, the Church has scheduled the ninth groundbreaking for 2026. By the second week in August of last year, the Church had 12 groundbreakings take place. So hopefully 2026 can eventually keep pace with (or surpass) 2025 in temple groundbreaking. I am grateful for today's announcement and the opportunity to share it with you all here.

I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Opening Arrangements Set for the San Luis Potosi Mexico Temple; Groundbreaking Set for the Santos Brazil Temple; Preliminary Details Released for the Caldwell Idaho and Greenville South Carolina Temples

Hello again, everyone! In view of Memorial Day being observed yesterday, I had theorized that the next new major temple developments would be announced today. That theory proved to be correct, with the First Presidency announcing updates for 4 temples in the Americas: opening arrangements for the San Luis Potosi Mexico Temple;  a groundbreaking for the Santos Brazil Temple, and the preliminary details for the Caldwell Idaho and Greenville South Carolina Temples. There's a lot to get into, so let's jump right in:

We start with the San Luis Potosi Mexico Temple. A media day will be held on Wednesday, September 21, with tours for invited guests over the next two days. The public is invited to tour the temple between Thursday, September 24, and Saturday, October 10, 2026, except for Sunday, September 27 and the weekend of the October 2026 General Conference (Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4). The dedication will take place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, with Elder Dale G, Renlund presiding thereat. 

At first, the timing of that dedication baffled me a little. In Latin American nations, the Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1 and 2. But then it occurred to me that there is no better way to honor one's kindred dead than to dedicate a space wherein those dead have the opportunity to be redeemed, if they choose to accept it. I am glad we got that dedication announcement, although I was hoping for one or two others as well.

Let's move on to the Santos Brazil Temple's groundbreaking. It will take place on Saturday, August 1, under the direction of Elder Ronald M. Barcellos of the Brazil Area Presidency. This follows the temple's announcement in April 2022, (the San Luis Potosi Mexico Temple was announced during that same General Conference). The site confirmation occurred the following November. No exterior rendering has been released for that temple yet, but hopefully that's coming down the pike soon.

The timing for the groundbreaking also surprised me (I had thought it was a little too far out), but then I realized August 1 is just two months away. I had just recently adjusted my groundbreaking estimate for this temple to early 2028, but clearly, I was off on that. And Elder Barcellos is conducting this groundbreaking on the same day his assignment as a member of the Brazil Area Presidency formally begins (though I suspect all GA Seventies serving abroad in area presidencies will be in place a day or two before those assignments become effective.

That said, let's move on to the site location confirmations and preliminary details for the newest Idaho and South Carolina Temples.  A 19.2-acre site located at the southwest corner of W Orchard Ave. and S. Florida Ave., Canyon County, Idaho, will be home to the Caldwell Idaho Temple. That sacred edifice will be rooghly 82,000 square feet, quite a bit larger than I thought it would be. An adjacent meetinghouse and ancillary buidling will also be included in the project.

As for the Greenville, South Carolina, Temple, the 18,850-square-foot, single-story temple will rise on an 8.8-acre site at the south intersection of Independence Boulevard/Ponders Road and Roper Mountain Road, Greenville, South Carolina. No other facilities appear to be included for this temple, but I will note that both of these temples were announced by President Nelson in Aprill 2025. I will also have files wiith further analysis psoted in the comments below.

I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Opening Arrangements Announced for the Cody Wyoming and Wichita Kansas Temples; Preliminary Details Released for the Rosario Argentina Temple; and Preliminary Site Work Underway for the Couer d'Alene Idaho Temple

Hello again, everyone! The First Presidency has released the opening arrangements for the Wichita Kansas Temple and the Cody Wyoming Temple and the preliminary details for the Rosario Argentina Temple, in addition to acknowledging that  preliminary site work is underway for the Couer d'Alene Idaho Temple. There's a lot to get to, so let's get going!

A media day for the Wichita Kansas Temple will take place on Monday, September 21, with tours for ivited gues the next couple of days. The public open house will run from Thursday, September 24, through Saturday, October 10 (excluding Sunday, September 27 and General Conference weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4). The dedication of that temple will follow on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM (with a rebroadcast at 2:00 PM), under the direction of Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Meanwhile, for the Cody Wyoming Temple, a media day is set for Monday, August 24, with tours for invited guests the next two days. The public open house will run from Thursday, August 27, through Saturday, September 12 (excluding the Sundays of August 31 and September 7). The temple dedication will follow on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM (with a rebroadcast at 2:00 PM). The presiding official for the Cody Wyoming Temple dedication will be announced closer to the time, so it could be a member of the First Presidency.

As for the Rosario Argentina Temple, the edifice will rise on a 1.59-acre (6400 m2) site bordered by Santiago bis, Alvear and Güemes streets in Rosario City, Santa Fe, Argentina. The size and site parameters will be announced at a later time. As for the Couer d'Alene Idaho Temple, the Newsroom notes the following information:

"Preliminary utility and infrastructure work to support the future Coeur d'Alene Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now underway following approvals from the City of Coeur d'Alene.

"City approvals allow the Church to begin initial site preparation work, including grading and the installation of underground utility infrastructure such as water, sewer, and electrical service connections to the city’s existing systems. Design work on the temple continues, and a date for an official groundbreaking ceremony has not yet been announced."

So, there you have it. The latest temple news, delivered a little later than usual, but the Newsroom is back up, and that's the important thing. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates.

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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: New Temple Announced in Otavalo Ecuador

Good evening, everyone! I am pleased to share that Ecuador's third temple has been announced in Otavalo. The announcement came courtesy of South America Northwest Area President Elder Juan Pablo Villar. The announcement was made this evening in a devotional with Latter-day Saints in that city. The First Presidency announcement of that temple, read by Elder Villar, is as follows:

"We are pleased to announce the construction of a temple in Otavalo, Ecuador. The specific location and timing of the construction will be announced later. This is a reason for all of us to rejoice and express gratitude for such a significant blessing — one that will allow more frequent access to the ordinances, covenants and power that can only be found in the house of the Lord.”

Although Elder Villar read the announcement, the devotional in question was presided over by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who may have apostolic oversight of the South America Northwest Area. Elder Renlund was joined at the devotional by his wife, along with Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife. This may have been one of Elder Palmer's final assignments before he is granted emeritus status on August 1.

I am overjoyed at this announcement. A temple for Otavalo was on my list of near-term prospects, so I am grateful that it was announced. The total number of temples now rises to 385, and this is the third temple announced under the new method instutited by Church President Dallin H. Oaks. I had thought and said when the last temple was announced last month that we might not get another announcement until August or so, and I am elated that I was wrong in that assertion.

These updates will be reflected in relevant documents, to which I will link in the comments section below. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 

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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 

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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Rendering Provided for the Rapid City South Dakota Temple

Hello again, everyone! The First Presidency has released the rendering for the Rapid City South Dakota Temple today. The release of the rendering follows the site announcement in late February of this year and the temple's original announcement by President Russell M. Nelson in the April 2025 General Conference. The rendering speaks for itself. I am grateful for this update on a personal level, as my dad served in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission.

Since that is the only temple update today, I will let the rendering speak for itself. If any of you have anything to share about it, feel free to do so in the comments section below. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 

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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Opening Arrangements Announced For the Montpelier Idaho Temple

Hello again, everyone! As anticipated, the First Presidency announced another temple dedication today. This pertains to the Montpelier Idaho Temple. Let's get right into the relevant details:

A media day will take place on Tuesday, September 8, followed by VIP/private tours the next day. The public will be invited to tour the temple between Thursday, September 10, and Saturday, September 26 (excluding the Sundays of September 13 and 20).  The temple dedication has been set to occur on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with a rebroadcast at 2:00 PM, with both the dedication and its rebroadcast being made available to all units in the temple district. 

As has been the trend for several other temples, the presiding apostle has not been identified. That is usually indicative that a member of the First Presidency will fill that assignment. When that has been the case, it has usually been either President Oaks or President Eyring. With those apostles being in their 90s, their health situations are less predictable, which is why the assignment has likely been made, but the confirmation of who will preside will only be confirmed closer to the time.

This is the second dedication set to occur on October 18, the other being the previously announced dedication of the Managua Nicaragua Temple. With daylight saving time in effect during the dedication windows for these two temples, they will be simultaneously dedicated, marking only the second time this has happened under the prophetic administration of President Oaks (the first time will occur on the first Sunday in June with the dedications of the Yorba Linda California and Willamette Valley Oregon Temples occuring simultaneously).

Given that this is the second dedication set for October 18, most sources to which I have access list the Managua Nicaragua Temple before the Montpelier Idaho Temple in the queue. So we now have another dedication on the books. I did want to mention that I find it somewhat odd that the dedication of the Montpelier Idaho Temple was set before we got operning arrangements for the considerably smaller temples in San Luis Potosi Mexico, Pago Pago American Samoa, Torreon Mexico, and Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temples.  

But it may be that temples in the United States are easier to furnish and finish than temples outside the United States. With that in mind, we might even see the Smithfield Utah Temple dedication announced before any of those 4 smaller temples. And whenever arrangements are announced for those 4 smaller temples, the opening arrangements will likely be shorter public open houses and dedications sandwiched between those already scheduled. It will be interesting to see it all unfold.

I am grateful to see all these temple dedications announced and scheduled. Hopefully, we see more dedications scheduled over the coming weeks. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 

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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: First Presidency Releases An Updated Rendering for the Buenos Aires City Center Argentina Temple

Hello again, everyone! The First Presidency has released an updated exterior rendering for the Buenos Aires City Center Argentina Temple. The size, parameters, and temple site location remain unchanged. I do not have much personal insight into what has changed with the updated rendering due to my personal visual perception issues, but if any of you have any insights on that, I'd welcome your comments. No reason was given for the changes in question, so that's largely up for debate, unless the updated rendering will lead to a swifter approval for the temple in question, which will be built within an existing building.

It appears there is no other temple news for this week, which I find unusual, but not necessarily unsettling or concerning. So we will await the next major temple construction announcement next week.

I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Opening Arrangements Set for the Ephraim Utah Temple & Groundbreaking Announced for the Springfield Missouri Temple

Hello again, everyone! The First Presidency has set opening arrangements for the Ephraim Utah Temple and a groundbreaking ceremony for the Springfield Missouri Temple. Let's get righton into the details: The media day for the Ephraim Utah Temple will be held on Monday, August 31, 2026, with invited guests touring the temple on Tuesday, September 1. The public open house will follow between Wednesday, September 2 and Saturday, September 19, excluding the Sundays of September 6 and 13. 

The temple dedication will follow on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM local time (with a reboradcast at 2:00 PM). Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will preside thereover. Elder Rasband brought the announcement of the Ephraim Utah Temple to the Saints in that district, so it is fitting that, in the absence of President Nelson, Elder Rasband will dedicate this temple. Interestingly enough, Elder Rasband will dedicate this temple one week before he presides over the previously announced dedication of the Managua Nicaragua Temple.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Springfield Missouri Temple wll take place on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Elder Aroldo V. Cavalcante of the United States Southeast Area Presidency will preside at the temple groundbreaking. I had theorized that Springfield Missouri might be one of the next temples to have groundbreakings, so I'm grateful I was proven to be correct in that theory.

As a result of today's announcement, I have updated my documents showing current apostles' temple dedications during President Oaks' prophetic administration and my side-by-side comparison of temple groundbreakings in 2025 vs. 2026. As another interesting fact, the groundbreaking for the Springfield Missouri Temple will take place before the groundbreaking for the Missoula Montana Temple, although both will occur on the same day. And the side-by-side comparison of temple groundbreakings shows we are not currently keeping pace with last year, though I suspect strongly that that will change in the near term.

The Church News has also covered the Ephraim dedication and the Springfield groundbreaking. I am pleased to have been able to provide this analysis for you all. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING NEWS: First Presidency Announces New Young Women Age Group Names

Good morning, everyone! On the heels of last night's stunning temple announcement for Marsyville Washington, the First Presidency has released new names for young women classes that replace the Beehive, Mia Maid, and Laurel names that were "retired" for Young Women in 2018.

The new young women class names are Builders of Faith for those turning 12 or 13, Messengers of Hope for those turning 14 or 15, and Gatherers of Light for those 16 and older. The First Presidency offers the following explanation of the respective class names:

"A Builder of Faith helps build God’s kingdom through her faith in Christ, steadfast witness, and actions that uplift and encourage others (see Ephesians 2:20)."

"A Messenger of Hope carries Christ’s message of hope to the weary, speaking peace, sharing comfort, and lifting hearts through the power of the Spirit (see Mosiah 18:8–9)."

"A Gatherer of Light trusts divine guidance and draws strength from covenants as she seeks, gathers, and reflects God’s light (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:24)."

These new class names are wonderful developments. The official First Presidency letter also includes a great list of FAQs regarding what the name changes mean, when (and how) the changes will be implemented, whether new class presidencies need to be called, the difference between an age group and a class, who attends ward youth council, how adult leaders are assigned to groups, and how age group progression will occur each year. 

It was further noted that bishoprics can act to reorganize classes ASAP, but that some changes in age groups, classes, or class presidencies may need to wait until June 1, 2026, to be reflected on the Church's LCR (Leader & Clerk Resources) System. This was another stunning development I couldnot have foreseen. But I am grateful for it.

It struck me that the description of these young women age group names matches up fairly well with the duties and responsibilities of the corresponding age groups of the Aaronic Priesthood Quorums. So this may be a way for the Church to put young women classes or groups on more equal footing with their Aaronic Priesthood counterparts.

I am grateful for yet another inspired change. I testify that these changes are inspired by the Lord, as I felt that confirmed to me very strongly as I first read the news. These agegroup names will prepare the young women for future service opportunities in the Releif Society and elsewhere in the Church. I know that is true.

I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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..

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: First Presidency Announces Marysville Washington Temple

 Good evening, everyone! This evening, as some of you may already be aware, the First Presidency announced a new temple to be built in Marysville Washington this evening. The First Presidency announcement was read by Elder Hugo E. Martinez of the United States West Area Presidency, during a devotional in the Marysville Washington Stake. The full text of the First Presidency announcement follows below: 

"We are pleased to announce the construction of a temple in Marysville, Washington, The specific location and timing of the construction will be announced later. This is a reason for all of us to rejoice and express gratitude for such a significant blessing — one that will allow more frequent access to the ordinances, covenants and power that can only be found in the house of the Lord." 

This announcement continues a pattern laid out by President Oaks at the dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple: a member of the area presidency, as authorized, reads the announcement in the area in which the temple in question will be built. There are now 384 temples worldwide, and this will be the seventh temple in Washington State. 

And this unexpected announcement comes just over 4 months after the first such temple announcement (for Portland Maine). Couldd this suggest a pattern for when we might expect the next new temple to be announced? If so, then the third temple announced under President Oaks' presiding direction could be announced in August of this year. I for one am hoping to see the next announcement sooner than that, but time will tell.

The Church News has not yet reported on this update, but when they do, that report will be shared in the comment section below. In any case, this announcement makes it clear that this is indeed the new method of announcing temples that, as President Oaks stated, will be observed for as long as he has any say in such matters.  I still don't think that this additional temple announcement will be all we get this week. But time will tell. 

I invite you all to keep watch on this blog during the 2:00 PM MDT hour for my analysis of anything else that is announced. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 

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.

BREAKING NEWS: 2026 Area Leadership Assignments Announced; Changes in Area Presidency Designations Noted

Hello again, everyone! The First Presidency has announced area leadership assignments that will be effective August 1. In conjunction with that announcement, it has also been noted that, going forward, only the area presidents will be designated as such. This means that the others assigned to the area presidency are basically all area assistants now. Additionally, 9 of the 26 area presidencies will now be comprised of three area assistants and the area president, for a total presidency size of 4.

Those 9 areas with 4-member presidencies are as follows: Africa West, Brazil, Mexico, Pacific, United States Central, United States Northeast, United States Southwest, United States West, and Utah. It has additionally been noted that, for the first time in recent memory, the leadership of the Middle East/Africa North Area is comprised entirely of general authority seventies. Therefore, the Eurasian Area is now the only area of the Church entirely served by area seventies.

The Church News has also covered this announcement. Further analysis from me will follow as soon as I can put that analysis together. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: First Presidency Announces Next Major Temple Construction Update

Hello again, everyone! Today, in a stunning announcement, dedications have been announced for the Belo Hiroizonte Brazil, Miraforeks Guatemala City Guatemala, and Managua Nicargua Temples, with groundbreaking announcements set for the Missoula Montana Temple. There is a lot to get into, so let's dive right in!

We start with the Belo Hironte Brazil Temple. A media day will take place on Wednesday, July 10, followed by two days of tours for invited guests. The public open house will follow between Saturday, June 13-Saturday, June 27, excluding the Sundays of June 14 and 21.  The dedication will follow on Sunday, August 16, with the presiding apostle to be named later. The dedicatory session will take place at 10:00 AM, with a rebroadcast at 2:00 Belo rizonte time (7:00 AM and 11:00 AM Utah time) and will be broadcast to all units in the temple district.

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The media day for the Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple will take plce on Monday, August 24, with VIp tours taking place over the next two days. The public open house will follow between Thursday, August 27, and Saturday September 12, excluding the Sundays of August 30 and September 6. Elder Gerrit W. Gong will preside at the temple's dedication on Sunday, October 11, 2026. at 10:00 AM *with a rebroadcast at 2:00 PM, both Central Standard time, as Gauwmala doesn't observe Daylight Saving time)

And the media day for the Maugua Nicaragua Temple will be held on Monday, September 7, with emdia days following on the next two days. The public open house will take place between Thursday, September 10, and Saturday, September 26 (excluding the Sundays,of September 13 and 20). The temple dedication will follow on October 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM, under the presiding direction of Elder Ronald A. Rasband. Managua time is equivalent to utah time, at least currently.

Ground will be broken for the Missoula, Montana Temple on Saturday, June 6, 2026. United States Central Area President Jose A. Teixdira will preside thereover. Annolunced by President Nelson in April 2023, the groundbreaking announcement follows the Monday November 4, 2024, with the exterior rendering relenased on on Monday, December 23, 2024.

Links to my updated docuemtns will be shared ASAP later this afternoon or evening. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

First Quarter 2025 Temple Construction Progress Review

Hello again, everyone! As the first quarter of 2025 draws to a close, I am pleased to provide a look back at temple construction progress during this quarter. This report shows where things stood at the beginning of the year, and this report shows where the temple construction progress stands at the end of this quarter. There have been several pretty significant updates during this quarter. And looking ahead to the second quarter of 2025, there is a lot to which we can look forward.

I am assuming that will continue to include Monday orTuesday announcements most weeks. So to the best of my ability, I will try to continue to share updates on that front here as soon as possible. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 

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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING NEWS: First Presidency Adjusts Sunday Meeting Schedules

Good evening, everyone! Tonight, the First Presidency announced a major adjustment to the Sunday meeting schedule. Effective September 6, 2026, the Church block will consist of a 1-hour Sacrament Meeting, a 5-minute transition to classes, 25 minutes of Sunday School, and 25 minuttes of Elders' Quorum/Relief Society.

Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson noted the following: “Gathering weekly in every class helps deepen gospel learning by connecting it more closely to personal and family study. It also enhances the spiritual support that members get. Though the schedule looks different, the amount of time spent learning together remains the same.”

Sunday School classes will continue to use "Come, Follow Me". Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Young Women groups will be taught from "For the Strength of Youth." And adults will continue to learn from General Conference talks in Priesthood/Relief Society.

Of the new scheduled, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson stated: “There is additive strength that comes when we meet each week to counsel, learn, and support one another, When we gather in His name, the Spirit is there to teach us, testimonies are strengthened, and we lift each other in discipleship. This weekly time for connection will help us draw closer to the Savior and each other. We find joy in walking the covenant path together.”

Of strenghtening worship in Sacrament Meeting, the news release states: "While the length of sacrament meeting remains unchanged, leaders are encouraged to deliberately consider ways to strengthen the quality of worship and help sacrament meeting become more central in the lives of Latter-day Saints. Members are invited to seek meaningful ways to enrich their own worship experience. Sacrament meeting is a time of joy, reverence, and welcoming fellowship centered on the Savior Jesus Christ.

"The fifth Sunday in August 2026 will be dedicated for preparation and discussion by youth, their parents, and their leaders. Additional preparation and discussion for members will take place during the second hour on September 6, 2026. Resources, training materials, and answers to common questions will be made available in the coming weeks."

I am grateful for this landmark adjustment and testify that it is inspired by the Lord. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Renderings Released for the Vienna Austria & Culiacán Mexico Temples

Hello again, everyone! As anticipated, the First Presidency made its customary Monday announcement at the top of this 2:00 PM MDT hour. Today, the renderings were released for the temples in Vienna Austria and Culiacán Mexico, and a new location was announced for the Charlotte North Carolina Temple.

We start in Vienna Austria, where the site location was announced in late October 2021 and the temple was originally announced the previous April. The release of this exterior rendering means a lot to my wife, who served in the Mission (which also covered parts of Germany).  Groundwater has been measured at that temple site, but grass has been resown over the boreholes in question. I don't know how close the Vienna Austria Temple might be to a groundbreaking, but I have promised my wife I will find a way to get her back there when the temple in question is dedicated, which may be 4-5 years out.

We now turn to the Culiacán Mexico Temple. The release of its' exterior rendering follows the site location confirmation in mid-February of last year, which in turn followed that temple's announcement in October 2021. Given the size of the edifice in question (around 10,000 square feet), it may or may not wind up being a modular temple. Given that temples in Mexico generally get approvals faster than European temples, I think the construction will only take 2-3 years once it's underway, unless this temple is modular, in which case it may only take 18-21 months to construct.

No reason was given for the altered site location of the Charlotte North Carolina Temple. The temple's original site was announced in late May 2023, following that temple's original announcement in April 2023.  The single-story edifice of approximately 30,700 square feet will now rise at 5926 Mathews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Unless there is a later change, it will retain the Charlotte name.

So far, for the 106 announced temples, 1 has a groundbreaking scheduled, site locations have been confirmed for 56 more (all but 16 of which have also had renderings released), and 50 other temples are awaiting confirmation of any official information. So the queue of announced temples is moving along nicely. That said, I had hoped another temple dedication or two or one or two groundbreakings would be announced.

But I am not disappointed in the news that we got pertaining to these three temples, and hopefully, with one more Monday left prior to General Conference, we will see temple dedications and/or groundbreakings announced. Whatever happens in that regard, you can count on my covering it. In the meantime, I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I can after I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates.

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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Exact Dates Noted for Salt Lake Temple Open House

Hello again, everyone! In the latest update on the Temple Square renovation, the precise dates have been released for the open house of the Salt Lake Temple. That open house will run from Wednesday, April 7, through Friday, October 1, and for the first time in open house history, the tours will run 7 days per week, Sundays included. It's wonderful to have this information confirmed.

We do not yet know when the temple will be rededicated, but I anticipate that the dedicatory sessions may be held for at least a week, and that there will be enough dedicatory sessions for each apostle to conduct at least one. Based on information available to me, my newest projections for that dedication window are Sunday, May 21, to Saturday, May 27, 2028. 

Again, that's just my personal estimate, based on what I have been able to ascertain on my end. Nothing official has been confirmed, nor will it be until closer to when the open house either begins or ends. Until official sources confirm, correct, or clarify this, that is no more and no less than my own personal estimate, based on known factors.

I will be interested to see what happens as we get closer to the open house for the Salt Lake Temple. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 

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.

BREAKING NEWS: First Presidency Broadens Sunday School Leadership Opportunities, Among Other Updates to the Church Handbook of Instruction

Hello again, everyone! I am pleased to report that, effective immediately, the First Presidency has broadened Sunday School leadership opportunities.  Going forward, a man or a woman may be called as Sunday School presidents in wards and branches. If a man is called, the entire presidency must be men as well, and if a woman is called, the entire presidency must be women. Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson was quoted as follows on this change:

“This important change gives bishoprics additional options as they prayerfully consider who should lead the effort of teaching and learning in their wards. At the time of our call as Sunday School leaders in 2024, the First Presidency gave us a charge—as they have done with previous presidencies—to improve teaching and learning in the Church. There are many capable women and men who can help strengthen gospel instruction and foster spiritual growth.”

This comes as one of many recent adjustments reported to the Church's general handbook. This update was first announced in a First Presidency letter dated today. I am grateful for this inspired adjustment and can attest that, as soon as I read the announcement, I felt the spiritual confirmation that it is the right change at this time.

I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Opening Arrangements Announced for the Cleveland Ohio Temple

Hello again, everyone! Contrary to my previous assertion that, aside from the Lindon Utah Temple media day, there would be no other major temple news, the First Presidency recently announced the opening arrangements for the Cleveland Ohio Temple. 

My assumption is that the main reason the Church is already announcing this update is because the Cleveland Ohio Temple is smaller and is in the United States, which makes those arrangements easier to set than the opening arrangements for their comparatively larger counterparts in both the United States and elsewhere in the world. That being said, let's get right into the relevant details:

The temple will host a media day on Monday, June 15, 2026, followed by two days of tours for invited guests, with the public open house following between Thursday, June 18, and Friday, July 3. The dedication of the temple will occur under the presiding direction of Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM local time, with a rebroadcast at 2:00 PM. 

Both the dedication and its rebroadcast will be carried to all units in the new temple district. The dedication is occurring sooner than I expected, although I had correctly surmised that at least one other temple dedication would be set to occur before the previously announced dedication of the Phonm Penh Cambodia Temple. I still think it is likely that at least one additional temple dedication will also be set to occur before the dedication of Cambodia's first temple at the end of August. But we'll have to see what's announced next week.

I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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.

If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Opening Arrangements Announced for the San Diego California and Phnom Penh Cambodia Temples

Hello again, everyone! Today, the First Presidency announced opening arrangements for the San Diego California  and Phnom Penh Cambodia Temples. Let's get right into the details: We start with the San Diego California Temple. A media day will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, with tours for invited guests the following two days. The open house will then occur from Thursday, June 18 through Saturday, July 11, 2026. The temple rededication will follow on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with the presiding apostle to be named at a later time. The dedicatory session will be held at 10:00 AM local time, with a rebroadcast at 2:00 PM to all units in the temple district.

Meanwhile, the media day for the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple will be held on Wednesday, August 12, with invited guest tours the next two days. The public open house for this comparatively smaller temple will be held for a week between the Saturdays of August 15 and 22. The temple dedication will follow on Sunday, August 30, 2026, with Elder Patrick Kearon presiding thereover. The 10:00 AM dedicatory session will also be rebroadcast at 2:00 PM local time to all units in the temple district.

I am not surprised that the open house for the San Diego California Temple is almost a month long, and the temple's rededication was around the time I htought it would be. I am also not shocked that the presiding apostle was not named at this time. That means the odds are very good that it could be rededicated by a member of the First Presidency, though I don't know whether any of them have connections to San Diego. In the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I believe that Elder Quentin L. Cook has some connection to the San Diego area, but I could be mistaken on that.

But I was surprised that the open house for the first temple in Cambodia will only last a week, and that the temple dedication in question will not take place until the end of August. Ihad projected it would occur on August 2, 9, or 16. I was only off by two weeks from the latter end of that estimate, but it still surprised me. I am cautiously optimistic that the mid- to late August windows for both of these events might mean that we could get other new temples dedicated in early to mid-August (August 2, 9, or 16). That might be a good window for the Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple. But time will tell on that.

I am glad that two more temples have had opening arrangements announced. I hope for other opening arrangements tobe announced later this month, along with perhaps some groundbreakings, exterior renderings, and/or site location confirmations later this month as well. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them.

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 all such 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.

If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING NEWS: 12 Additional New Hymns Released

Hello again, everyone! Breaking news from the Church was reported a short time ago: the release of 12 new hymns that will be included in Hymns—For Home and Church. The selections are as follows: 

“Joyfully Bound” 

“My Covenants”

“When I Am Baptized” (current children's song with updated lyrics

“The Power of the Holy Ghost”

“Elijah and the Still, Small Voice”

“Jesus Is My Shepherd”

“My Song in the Night”

“This Is My Father’s World”

“Build an Ark”

“Love Will Bless Our Home”

“Lord, Accept Our Humble Fast”

“Long Ago, Within a Garden”

The new releases in Hymns—For Home and Church now total 72 in English, French, Spanish, and  Portuguese, with some of those hymns already being released in other languages. Aside from "When I Am Baptized", I am only familiar with "My Song in the Night" and "This Is My Father's World", courtesy of the many times those songs have been performed by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during "Music & the Spoken Word". But I look forward to learning these newest selections.

And speaking thereof, since many of the new selections are based on Old Testament stories, the new release of hymns includes comments from Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson, in addition to comments from Primary General President Susan H. Porter. President Johnson offered the folllowing suggestions for implementing these newhymns in our daily lives:

Memorize the lyrics.

Listen to the prerecorded songs throughout the day.

Teach from and sing together as a family.

Sing enthusiastically at home and church.

Invite someone to play or sing as part of a lesson at church.

Aside from these notes, I will let the new releases speak for themselves otherwise. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such 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. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates. 

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.