Hello again, everyone! Numerous updates have come in on the status of temples under construction or which are being renovated around the world, and this post will share those updates. Most notably, after not hearing any updates on the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple since shortly after the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site went down, there has finally be an update noted on it today.
Additionally, there has been major progress reported on a few of the temples undergoing renovation. As some of you may recall, almost two months ago, I switched the order in which the Raleigh North Carolina and Baton Rouge Louisiana Temples were listed on my personal temple construction progress report, due to the extensive progress reported on the latter and the comparatively far less significant progress reported on the former. As with anything else, I continue to keep an eye on reported developments and will be changing my thoughts on the previously-provided completion estimates as that becomes necessary.
Due to the voluminous nature of these developments, I will be posting my entire temple construction progress report. As always, new developments are noted in red text. That updated report follows below. So as not to disturb its' flow, I will end here and now as I always do. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated.
Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added content, please feel free to subscribe. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
Temple
Construction Progress (current as of 9/12/18)
Note about future temple construction: I have previously referenced the statement made by
Elder Larry Y. Wilson, who serves as the Temple Department Executive Director,
to the effect that 80 temples were on a list of locations that would be
considered for an official announcement within the 15 years following that
statement. And although we may not know whether or not those 80 locations have
been announced by late April 2032, it seems reasonable to believe that the
Church could (and likely will) have 200 operating temples by or before Saturday
April 6, 2030 (which will mark the Church’s bicentennial anniversary). In order
to do so, the Church would just need to complete the 30 temples in various
phases, and announce and complete 11 others in the 11.56
years between now and then, which could be done if 3.55
temples are dedicated each year. Although this year will see only 2
temple dedications, there are 5 or 6 anticipated in 2019, and at least 3 that
we know of so far the following year. So I am confident the Church will have at
least 200 in operation by that time, whether or not an official goal is made to
do so.
Current temple status: The Church has 189 temples in various phases. There are 159 in operation, while 1 other will
have its’ open house begin on Saturday; 2
more have a dedication scheduled; 8 others are in various phases
of construction. In terms of temples undergoing renovations, 10 temples are currently closed for
renovation (5 or 6 of which are anticipated
to be rededicated next year), and 1 other,
which closed for renovation in late 2017, is currently stalled in its’
renovation process. The remaining 19 are
announced, with at least 2 that to
have a groundbreaking by the end of 2018, while several others are likely to
have a groundbreaking in 2019 and the years following that.
Preparing
for public open house:
160. Concepcion Chile Temple: Preparing
for public open house (will go from Saturday September 15-Saturday October 13);
dedication scheduled to occur on Sunday
October 28, 2018.
Dedication
Scheduled:
161. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Exterior work completed; temple open house begins in roughly 2
months; dedication scheduled to occur on Sunday
December 9, 2018.
162. Rome Italy Temple: New
photographs posted on Facebook on September 12, 2018; dedication
scheduled to occur from Sunday March 10-Sunday
March 17, 2019.
Under construction, completion estimated
during 2019:
163. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple:
Installation of walkways continues; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid
2019.
Note: Having recently been reminded that this
temple (for the moment, at least) will not include an angel Moroni statue, it
is my feeling that we could see a dedication held in mid-April, unless it is
scheduled to occur prior to the already-scheduled dedication of the Rome Italy
Temple.
164. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Installation
of exterior lighting underway; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.
Note:
Given the recent massive number of updates which we have seen provided for this
temple, as long as it continues to steadily progress towards its’ completion, a
rededication could be set for mid-to-late May, following Mother’s Day.
165. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Exterior cladding underway; new photograph shared on Facebook
on September 12, 2018; completion estimated sometime during mid-2019.
Note: Although I have not found any updates for
this temple in the recent past, if it has progressed at a steady rate, the
dedication could be held for it in early-to-mid June. If I see information that
leads me to conclude that will happen sooner, I will alter this estimate.
166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: New
photographs shared on Facebook on September 12, 2018 show progress on exterior
stonework for temple; installation of lampposts underway at adjacent
meetinghouse; completion estimated sometime during mid-2019.
Note: Given the recent massive number of
developments reported for this temple on the LDS Church Temples page, if
construction continues at a steady rate, this temple could potentially be
dedicated in mid-to-late August. I will alter this estimate as needed once more
information is available.
167. Durban South Africa Temple: Multiple
updates reported on Facebook on September 12, 2018 (particularly, dome has been
added to tower); completion estimated sometime during mid-to-late
2019.
Note: As previously mentioned, on July 19, 2019,
the Church News identified the first president for this temple. Since we have
not yet heard about the first presidents for the Fortaleza or Lisbon temples,
there may be a possibility that this temple could be dedicated sooner than many
(myself included) have anticipated. Until more is known in that regard, I am
adjusting my previously-offered estimate to mid-October.
Temples estimated to be completed
sometime during 2020:
168. Arequipa Peru Temple: Stunning
new photograph posted on Facebook on September 12, 2018; completion
estimated sometime during early 2020.
Note: While this temple and the temples in Rio de
Janeiro and Winnipeg may, in some ways, be interchangeable in terms of their
future likely completion order, since this one seems to remain ahead for the
moment, it could be dedicated sometime between January and March, but perhaps on
the earlier side of that estimate, if progress continues at a steady rate.
169. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Exterior cladding
underway; article from a local newspaper shared on Facebook on July 30, 2018; completion
estimated sometime during early 2020.
Note: While I have not found a recent update on
this temple, if progress has continued steadily, a dedication could potentially
occur between February and April, but perhaps on the earlier side of that
estimate.
170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Speculative video of revised
design for temple shared on Facebook on August 27, 2018; completion estimated
sometime during early-to-mid 2020.
Note: Since there has been no change to the
20-month estimate in which this temple is anticipated to be completed,
full-scale construction could conclude in February or March, in which case a
dedication could follow between April and June. I will be keeping my eyes open
for anything that would necessitate a change in that estimate.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated
sometime during 2019):
41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; updated photograph
posted to Facebook on July 24, 2018; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.
Note:
Given the update noted above, I stand by my estimate that this temple could
either be rededicated in February (prior to the already-scheduled dedication of
the Rome Italy Temple) or in mid-to-late April. As more is known, if I need to
adjust my thinking on this estimate, I will do so.
95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Closed for renovation; angel Moroni statue reinstalled on September 10, 2018; rededication
estimated sometime during mid-2019.
Note: If the article about this temple’s renovation
process, which was posted on the LDS Church Temples Facebook site on the date
noted above, is any indication, then renovation efforts will conclude in April
or May, which means that a rededication could potentially occur in either June
or early-to-mid August, following the annual July recess for the General
Authorities.
80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Closed for renovation;
photograph posted on Facebook on July 24, 2018 shows progress on tower
cladding; rededication estimated sometime during mid-2019.
Note:
Although this temple has not progressed as consistently as the Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Temple, it has continued at a steady pace. With that in mind, this
temple could be rededicated in mid-September.
94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Closed for renovation; photograph
posted on Facebook on July 24, 2018 shows reshaped exterior of temple; rededication
estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
Note: Given the recent steady progress made on this
temple, and the comparatively less progress we have seen reported for the
Raleigh North Carolina Temple, I am making a bold new prediction that this
temple will be rededicated before that one, and that this could occur in
mid-to-late October.
68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Closed for renovation; window openings boarded up; scaffolding installed around
tower; preparation for stone cladding underway; cladding nearing completion on
east side; rededication estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
Note:
Given the lack of a report showing that this temple is making steady progress
in its’ renovation, and the relatively more substantial progress that has been
noted on the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple, as noted above, I moved this one
down on July 24, 2018. That said, this temple could be rededicated in either
mid-November or mid-December, assuming all goes well.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication
estimated sometime during late 2019-early 2020)
13. Oakland California Temple: Closed for renovation;
progress on exterior renovation shown in new photograph posted on Facebook on
August 27, 2018; rededication estimated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.
Note: As I have previously noted, this temple is
older, and is having its’ first renovation. With that in mind, depending on how
consistently we hear updates on its’ progress, a rededication could occur
anytime during December 2019-March or April 2020.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication
estimated sometime during 2020):
18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Closed for renovation;
construction of new annex building and interior renovations are underway; rededication
estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2020.
Note: If this temple continues to make consistent
progress, then we could see a rededication occur sometime during April-June,
though that may be pushed back to August if delays occur.
7. Mesa Arizona Temple: Closed for renovation; only a few trees and planter boxes preserved from temple
grounds; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late
2020.
Note:
On May 10, 2018, the Church released details of the renovation plans for this
temple. Exactly three weeks later, the Church released additional details of
plans to redevelop the area around the temple. Bearing in mind that this temple
has been renovated before, and that it is a somewhat older and larger temple,
its’ rededication could occur sometime between mid-August and late September.
16. Washington D. C. Temple: Closed for renovation; picture
update posted to Facebook on July 5, 2018; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2020.
Note:
Since this is an older and larger temple undergoing its’ first renovation, a
rededication could take place sometime between early October and mid-December.
Once more is known about this temple’s progress (or the lack thereof), I will
provide any adjustments to this estimate that may be needed.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication
estimated sometime during 2021):
11. Hamilton New Zealand Temple: Closed for renovation; photograph shared
on Facebook on August 27, 2018 shows massive attendance at the temple the day
before its’ renovation closure began; rededication may take place sometime
during early-to-mid 2021.
Note:
On July 24, 2018, the LDS Church Temples Facebook page confirmed that this
temple had closed for renovation. While the extent of the renovation plans
currently remain unknown (or at least uncertain), the temple may be subject to
a complete exterior and interior overhaul, which may involve an expansion.
Unless something occurs that delays this process, this temple could potentially
be dedicated in mid-to-late April 2021. As more is known, any adjustments that
are needed in terms of this estimate will be made.
Renovation process stalled; full-scale
work pending:
112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Closed for renovation; full-scale
renovation pending.
Note: Until formal renovation efforts are underway
for this temple, it will be difficult (if not impossible) to pinpoint both a
general and more specific completion estimate. Consequently, on July 24, 2018,
I removed any estimates from this temple. If I hear renovation efforts are
underway in the near future, I will then again add a general completion
estimate, and offer a more specific estimate as well. Either way, it does not
appear likely at this point that this temple will be rededicated in 2019, as
was originally announced.
Note
on announced temples: Although I have previously indicated that I was no longer
comfortable or confident enough to venture general or even more specific
time-frames for the groundbreakings of these temples, recent developments have made
it easier to surmise how soon such events might happen, so, on May 31, 2018, I
again added those estimates. As part of that process, I have once again
altered, where new information necessitated, the order in which these temples
are listed. That said, the timing of such events has always been up to the
Lord, who reveals His will in that regard to His prophets. Whether or not the
groundbreakings occur within the windows indicated here, I will embrace those
whenever they actually take place.
Announced temples:
171. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and
approvals; artist’s rendering released on March 19, 2018; groundbreaking may
take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
Note: With the site identified and the release of the artist’s
rendering, a groundbreaking for this temple may just be a matter of time. And
since this November marks the 52nd anniversary of Thailand’s
being dedicated for the preaching of the gospel, November may just be the month
in which this groundbreaking occurs.
172. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Site clearing
activities underway; artist’s rendering anticipated to be released in the near
future; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
Note: On July 6, 2018, the LDS Church Temples Facebook page reported the
developments noted above, and with that in mind, an artist’s rendering may be
released and a groundbreaking ceremony may be set at some point in the very
near future. What is unclear for the moment is how soon that might occur. While
I would anticipate that the Bangkok Thailand Temple, which is further along in
the process for now, might have a groundbreaking first, I am certain a
groundbreaking ceremony will be held for this temple by the end of this year.
As more is known, I will be able to offer a more precise estimate.
173. Saratoga Springs Utah Temple: Planning and
approval; designs underway; picture of presumed location shared on Facebook on
August 27, 2018; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late
2018-early 2019.
Note: Although a site confirmation is pending for this temple, because
designs are currently underway, and because this is a Utah County temple (since
temples in Utah always progress more swiftly than other temples elsewhere
within the US), on May 31, 2018, I moved this temple up on this list. Then, on
July 6, 2018, as a result of the developments relating to the Urdaneta
Philippines temple, I moved this one down and adjusted my general estimate for
its’ groundbreaking. I am not ruling out the prospect that the Church could
hold a groundbreaking for this temple before the end of 2018, so if I feel a
need to move this temple again in the near future, I will do so.
174. Pocatello Idaho Temple:
Planning and approval; site confirmed and artist’s
rendering released on September 6, 2018; groundbreaking anticipated sometime during early 2019.
Note: On the date mentioned above, with the site
confirmation and artist’s rendering, the official announcement also noted that
construction on the temple (which will take around 2-3 years) was anticipated
to begin at some point next year. I have therefore moved my estimate for that
process to early 2019, and could see a groundbreaking scheduled sometime
between late March and mid-to-late April.
175. Lima
Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting
official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.
Note: In March 2017, the contractor for this temple indicated that a
year of pre-planning would be needed for this temple site before a
groundbreaking could be held. While it is unclear when that year began (or if
that year has already passed), it seems safe to assume that the groundbreaking
for this temple could occur within the next year, if not sooner.
176. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning and
approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during mid-2019.
Note: Although an official site confirmation is pending, President
Nelson visited a probable location during his world tour in April 2018. If that
site location is officially confirmed in the near future, then a groundbreaking
could easily follow within the next 15 months or less.
177. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning and approval;
awaiting official site announcement; media event held June 14, 2017;
groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2019.
Note: During President Nelson’s recent visit to Kenya, a national
newspaper noted that the site for this temple had been selected, and that
because this temple was anticipated to be a smaller one, its’ dedication might
occur sometime during 2021. With that in mind, it is not hard to believe that
an official site announcement and groundbreaking could occur within the next
15-18 months.
178. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning and
approval; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017; groundbreaking
may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
Note: Although a site inspection occurred one year ago for this temple,
the prospective groundbreaking timeframes offered for the temples above
necessitates a change in my previously-offered thoughts about the imminence of
that groundbreaking. While I would hope that the Brazilian Saints would not
have to wait another 1.5 years for this temple’s groundbreaking, until more is
known, it seems wiser to be conservative in this estimate.
179. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning
and approval; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking may take
place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
Note: Although this temple may also be further along in its’ progress
towards a groundbreaking than other temples above it, in view of the factors
noted on the others above this one, it has seemed wiser to be more conservative
in my estimate for this temple’s future groundbreaking. Additionally, since getting
the Urdaneta Philippines Temple underway may be more of a priority for the
Church, this one may only have a groundbreaking within the next 16-19 months.
180. Layton Utah Temple: Announced April 1, 2018;
awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime
during late 2019-early 2020.
Note: While I would anticipate that, for this temple in Utah, its’
construction will likely get underway sooner than other temples on this list,
and while that could happen sooner than indicated above if the Church confirms
that the land that was bought in Layton two days before the temple was
announced in that city will serve as the site for that temple, it has
seemed wiser to be more conservative in my estimate for this temple’s potential
groundbreaking. I will be delighted to move it up on this list if I see a good
enough reason to do so.
181. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning and
approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during early 2020.
Note: This is the last of the three temples announced in April 2015
that may have a groundbreaking. The Church in the Ivory Coast has seen
sufficient enough growth that a second (and perhaps even a third) temple may be
announced to serve the Saints in this nation, but that may not occur until this
temple makes further progress. We have seen recent developments on other
temples in Africa, which gives me hope that this temple could have a
groundbreaking ceremony around the estimated time noted above, but time will
tell how accurate that might prove to be.
182. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning and approval;
awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime
during early-to-mid 2020.
Note: While the first Ecuadoran temple had a 14-year wait between its’
announcement and groundbreaking, with the progress the Church has made in South
America within the last two decades, this temple (to be built in the Ecuadoran
capital city) will likely not see a wait nearly that long. I personally hope
that this groundbreaking will occur sooner than indicated above, but until more
information is available, I have felt a need to be more conservative.
183. Richmond Virginia Temple: Announced April 1,
2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime
during early-to-mid 2020.
Note: Although an official site confirmation is pending for this
temple, a Virginia newspaper noted in mid-April 2018 that the Church had
procured several acres of land in Richmond sometime during 2015. If the Church
confirms in the near future that one of those plots will be the official temple
site, then a groundbreaking could easily occur within the next two years, but
possibly less, since temples in the US generally have construction begin well
in advance of their international counterparts.
184. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning and approval;
awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime
during early-to-mid 2020.
Note: Although this temple was announced one year before the Brasilia
Brazil Temple, that temple is further along in the approval process and will
likely therefore have its’ groundbreaking before that occurs for this temple.
In preparing these updated thoughts, it occurred to me that the Church may opt
to hold off on beginning construction of this temple until both the Fortaleza
and Rio de Janeiro Temples are dedicated. With that in mind, I have felt that
the groundbreaking could occur at around this time, but I will alter this
estimate as needed once more is known.
185. Managua Nicaragua Temple: Announced April 1,
2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during mid-2020.
Note: Since then-Elder Nelson had publicly proposed this temple in
2012, and President Nelson himself made the announcement, I would imagine the
Lord will allow him to be very much involved in the process of this temple’s
construction and eventual dedication. With that in mind, I could see a
groundbreaking occur within the next 24-27 months, but hopefully sooner if all
goes well.
186. Salta Argentina Temple: Announced April 1,
2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during mid-2020.
Note: While the time-frames offered for the temples above this one has
resulted in this temple’s estimate being delayed as well, it would not surprise
me if a groundbreaking for this temple happens sooner than estimated here.
187. Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple: Announced
April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take
place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.
Note: While I would anticipate that this temple will likely not have a
groundbreaking until significant progress has been made on both the Urdaneta
and greater Manila area temples, it is not impossible to believe that a
groundbreaking could occur for this newest Filipino temple within the next
2.5-2.75 years, but perhaps sooner if all goes well.
188. Bengaluru India Temple: Announced April 1,
2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during early-to-mid 2021.
Note: As previously noted, President Nelson had not originally intended
to announce a temple for India during the April 2018 General Conference, but
was inspired to do so the night before that conference began. Although India
may have some political obstacles that would need to be cleared before this
temple has a groundbreaking, I fully anticipate that the Lord could enable a
groundbreaking to occur within the next three years, but possibly
sooner, especially since President Nelson has also urged the members to
hurry and prepare so it can be built.
189. Russia: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting
official location and site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2021.
Note: Although both a specific city and a site location for this temple
have yet to be identified, President Nelson did have supervisory responsibility
for Eastern Europe for the last several years he was a member of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles. With that in mind, he may have connections that would
enable an acceleration of the process to get this temple built, which is why I
am being conservative in my offered estimate above, but will not in any way be
surprised if the Lord clears all obstacles to allow that to occur sooner than
indicated here.
Final note: If recent statements from Church leaders (regarding how
President Nelson’s legacy as a temple-building Church president will outpace
and overshadow the previous legacy set by President Hinckley) are any
indication, we may soon enter an era where the volume of temple-related
developments will be multiplied. As more is known in that regard, I will add
any needed elements to this report.
Key:
Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose numbers already exists (for
renovations), or is certain due to a scheduled dedication, as well as
information that is certain, such as dedication or groundbreaking dates.
Italicized
numbers and text denote
temples whose numbers may change based on the order in which future dedications
and groundbreakings are scheduled.
Underlined
numbers and text denote temples
whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval, and
groundbreaking.
Changes
since last report are highlighted in red.
