Hello, everyone! The Church News this evening released this article describing how Hurricane Harvey has devastated Texas, including how it has impacted Church members. Among the highlights of the article are that all missionaries are safe and accounted for, some Church buildings have sustained damage, and that some Church units cancelled their block meetings yesterday to allow members to focus on cleaning up and helping their neighbors, both their fellow Saints and friends of other faiths. As I previously reported a day or two ago, the Church has made preparations to send aid to the state of Texas, and it is badly needed.
Connected to that storm, the Deseret News published this article about the Houston Texas temple being threatened by the storm, along with reiterating missionaries safety and the damage done to some meetinghouses. That article mentions that the Houston Texas Temple Presidency is requesting prayers for that temple and those who serve there. The temple closed before the devastation began, and it is unknown at present when it will be able to reopen.
To stay up-to-date with the latest on the storm, how it is affecting local members and missionaries, and how each of us can help the Saints in that area at this time, click here. Updates will be regularly shared at that link until the devastation and the storm both end.
The Church News also released this article about the featured guests scheduled for the next Face-to-Face event for LDS youth. While I am not familiar with any of these artists, I am grateful to hear how they have used their talents to spread their testimonies. The youth of the Church will be greatly blessed by the opportunity to ask these talented individuals the questions they have.
That does it for this Church News update. Comments are welcome and appreciated. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord bless you all.
On this blog, I, James Stokes, share insights and analysis covering the latest news and developments reported about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My specific emphasis and focus is on the ministry of our current apostles, General Conference, and up-to-date temple information. This site is neither officially owned, operated, or endorsed by the Church, and I, as the autthor thereof, am solely responsible for this content.
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Monday, August 28, 2017
Church News Articles Describe Devastation in Texas; Face-to-Face with Young LDS Musical Artists
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Minor Progress Reported on the Arequipa Peru Temple
Hello, all! This will just be a brief post to provide a minor update on the construction of the Arequipa Peru Temple. While I last reported that that temple was having rebar set for the main floor structural walls (as of yesterday), I got word today that rebar had expanded to the second floor structural walls. That was great to hear about, and I am happy to pass that minor update along. For now, any comments are welcome and appreciated, as they always are. Thank you for the privilege of your time, and until my next post, I wish you all the best.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Church Announces Removal of Restrictions on Who Can Serve As Temple Workers
Hello, everyone! Though this is somewhat older news (an article about it was originally published a few days ago), I was reminded of it just a few minutes ago and realized I hadn't focused on it in a blog post. This article, published in the Deseret News (the parent company of LDS Church News) describes how Church leaders have determined that both divorcees and single adult men over 30 years of age can serve as temple workers. This is somewhat big news. As a former temple worker myself, I remember how some of my former colleagues had to discontinue their temple service either because they reached the age of 30 or because, through no fault of their own, their marriages ended abruptly. This news especially touched me because I remember one particularly good brother who had served several years in the temple with his wife who had to be released because she found someone else. It was heartbreaking to hear about that. This news continues to demonstrate the Church making great strides to recognize that people in both of these unique situations may not always be so by choice. I applaud the Church's compassion in making this adjustment. Just wanted to note that, for what it may be worth to anyone. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Until my next post, I wish you all the best.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Average Age Update For the Apostles
Hello, everyone! Given how I am feeling right now (my wife and I have felt unwell all weekend, and I was unable to get up and get going until about an hour ago), I won't be able to do the promised full-scale update on apostolic statistics. I did, however, want to share an update on the average ages of the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the 15 apostles overall.
With President Eyring having marked his birthday last May, President Monson six days ago, and President Uchtdorf's birthday coming up in November, their total years of life experience have now reached 251.07 years, and that averages out to 83.69 years.
As we are all aware, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is ranked not by age as it was originally, but by date of call and ordination. The birthdays of our quorum members go from January (for Elder Christofferson) to December (for Elder Holland), and the busiest month for apostolic birthdays is August each year, when 5 (1/3) of our current 15 apostles celebrate their birthdays. With that in mind, the life experience of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve stands at a total of 902.82, with the average age of that Quorum standing now at 75.24 years.
With simple addition, we conclude that the total life experience of all 15 apostles stands just short of 1154 years (it will probably be just above that by next week), it now stands exactly at 1153.90, which averages out to 76.93 years.
While we can clearly see how the deaths of President Packer and Elders Perry and Scott in 2015 and the subsequent calls of Elders Rasband, Stevenson, and Renlund in October that year have lowered those averages substantially, there are still so many who claim that the Church should enact some kind of emeritus status for the apostles (I have heard both 85 and 90 floated around commonly). But the practice of apostles serving for life is divinely directed, as is the process by which Church administration passes from one group of apostles to the next. Since the Lord is the one who put that into place, He is the only one who can change it, and I can guarantee he never will. Elder Bednar spoke in 2015 about the importance of the practice of LDS apostles serving for life, and he shared at that time the valuable lessons he had learned from the last General Conference addresses of the following Brethren:
Presidents James E. Faust (who passed away on August 10, 2007), and Gordon B. Hinckley (who passed away on January 27, 2008), Elders Joseph B. Wirthlin (who passed on December 1, 2008),and L. Tom Perry (who passed away on May 30, 2015), President Boyd K. Packer (who passed away on July 3, 2015), and Elder Richard G. Scott (who passed away on September 22, 2015).
If an emeritus status had been enacted for any of these Brethren, we would have missed the wonderful lmessages they were able to share in their final conference talks. I remember how much I was touched by each of these final messages. There is a reason why the Brethren always have and always will serve for life. I testify that this is true. And, as I have mentioned more frequently of late on this blog, you can be sure that anyone who suggests anything else, unless they are the President of the Church or representing him, are not being moved upon by the spirit of the Lord. It will never happen.
I testify that this is true and leave this information and this post with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
With President Eyring having marked his birthday last May, President Monson six days ago, and President Uchtdorf's birthday coming up in November, their total years of life experience have now reached 251.07 years, and that averages out to 83.69 years.
As we are all aware, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is ranked not by age as it was originally, but by date of call and ordination. The birthdays of our quorum members go from January (for Elder Christofferson) to December (for Elder Holland), and the busiest month for apostolic birthdays is August each year, when 5 (1/3) of our current 15 apostles celebrate their birthdays. With that in mind, the life experience of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve stands at a total of 902.82, with the average age of that Quorum standing now at 75.24 years.
With simple addition, we conclude that the total life experience of all 15 apostles stands just short of 1154 years (it will probably be just above that by next week), it now stands exactly at 1153.90, which averages out to 76.93 years.
While we can clearly see how the deaths of President Packer and Elders Perry and Scott in 2015 and the subsequent calls of Elders Rasband, Stevenson, and Renlund in October that year have lowered those averages substantially, there are still so many who claim that the Church should enact some kind of emeritus status for the apostles (I have heard both 85 and 90 floated around commonly). But the practice of apostles serving for life is divinely directed, as is the process by which Church administration passes from one group of apostles to the next. Since the Lord is the one who put that into place, He is the only one who can change it, and I can guarantee he never will. Elder Bednar spoke in 2015 about the importance of the practice of LDS apostles serving for life, and he shared at that time the valuable lessons he had learned from the last General Conference addresses of the following Brethren:
Presidents James E. Faust (who passed away on August 10, 2007), and Gordon B. Hinckley (who passed away on January 27, 2008), Elders Joseph B. Wirthlin (who passed on December 1, 2008),and L. Tom Perry (who passed away on May 30, 2015), President Boyd K. Packer (who passed away on July 3, 2015), and Elder Richard G. Scott (who passed away on September 22, 2015).
If an emeritus status had been enacted for any of these Brethren, we would have missed the wonderful lmessages they were able to share in their final conference talks. I remember how much I was touched by each of these final messages. There is a reason why the Brethren always have and always will serve for life. I testify that this is true. And, as I have mentioned more frequently of late on this blog, you can be sure that anyone who suggests anything else, unless they are the President of the Church or representing him, are not being moved upon by the spirit of the Lord. It will never happen.
I testify that this is true and leave this information and this post with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Temple Construction Progress Update
Hello, everyone! While I have not had a good enough reason to post an update on temple construction since my last report (posted almost two weeks ago), between updating the notes on my latest report and the progress that has been reported, I wanted to share the latest version of that report today. It follows below. Comments are always welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Hope you are having a wonderful, inspiring Sabbath Day. Until my next post, I wish you all the best.
Temple Construction Progress Update
(current as of 8/27/17)
NOTE ABOUT FUTURE TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION: As I have noted in many
previous versions of this report, Elder Larry Y. Wilson, the Executive Director
of the Church’s Temple Department stated that 80 potential temple sites are
currently under active consideration for a subsequent announcement within the
next 15 years. While many of those temples make it to a subsequent
announcement, it is certain that a few of them could either be eliminated or
replaced, with others added. If we take Elder Wilson at his word, that means
that by sometime in 2032 (likely the end of that year), the Church could have
at least 260 temples in any phase of construction. That being the case, it
seems very safe to assume that the Church could easily have 200 operating
temples either by or before the 200th anniversary of the Church’s
restoration and reestablishment (which will take place on Saturday April 6,
2030). That will be easily doable if the Church dedicates 43 temples (the 25
currently in any phase and 18 new ones announced) in the 12.61 years between now and then, which works out to 3
or 4 temples that will need to be dedicated each year. For my part, I will be
keeping my eyes open for any developments and will pass such news along as I
hear of it.
CURRENT TEMPLE STATUS: 157 operating
temples; 2 more have
construction wrapping up prior to their dedications later this year; 9 others
are in various construction phases; 1 had a groundbreaking last
year, with full-scale construction anticipated in the very near future; 1 has a groundbreaking scheduled (which
will take place in just under three months; 1 temple has a rededication scheduled; 1 other is undergoing renovation (with completion anticipated next
year); another 4 have a renovation
closure date set for later this year, with 5
others set to close early next year (the actual dates for those 5 will be
set closer to the time); the remaining
12* are announced
(with either a site announcement or groundbreaking pending). TOTAL: 182 temples in any stage.
*NOTE: Though this number had been italicized in previous
versions of this report, I determined to put it in bold on August 6, 2017
because the number of announced temples is definite information, though it is
always subject to change in the future based on other temple announcements or
whenever groundbreakings will be set.
Construction nearing completion; dedication scheduled:
158. Meridian
Idaho Temple: Finalizing landscaping and interior work; open house reservations will be accepted beginning on Monday September 25,
2017 (with the open house set to run between October 21 and November 11); dedication
scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.
159. Cedar
City Utah Temple: Hanging interior light fixtures; installing art glass;
landscaping progressing; open house reservations will
be accepted beginning Monday October 2, 2017 (with the open house set to run
between October 27 and November 18); dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.
Under Construction (completion anticipated within the next 1-2 years):
160. Rome Italy Temple:
Interior and exterior work progressing; construction office trailers donated to
community organizations; office space relocated to patron housing; completion
anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
161. Kinshasa Democratic
Republic of the Congo Temple: Attaching roof decking; site grading of grounds
underway; concrete poured for baptismal font; completion
anticipated sometime during mid-to-late
2018.
NOTE:
Barring anything unexpected, I have felt it safe to assert my opinion that this
temple’s completion will likely be closer to the middle of the year than the
end of it, and I have felt that is especially true given that the three other
temples below this one will likely be completed as the year comes to a close.
If I get information that changes my thinking on this matter, I will pass it
along.
162. Concepcion Chile
Temple: Cladding progressing on tower and east and west walls; decorative fence
installation underway; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
163. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Pouring concrete curbing and walkways; preparing to clad
tower; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.
164. Durban South Africa
Temple: Preparing to pour temple roof slab; brick work
continues at missionary housing; waterproofing and backfilling entrance
buildings; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018-early 2019.
NOTE: In
studying this temple’s potential completion time-frame, I have become convinced
that the dedication for it will take place closer to the end of 2018 than the
beginning of 2019. If my thinking on that theory changes, I will be sure to
pass that along.
Under construction, completion
anticipated within the next 2-3 years:
165. Fortaleza Brazil
Temple: Applying waterproofing membrane to exterior walls; completion
anticipated sometime during early-to-mid
2019.
NOTE: In
view of my feeling that the Durban temple will be completed before the end of
2018, I am likewise as certain that this temple’s completion will be closer to
the first part of 2019 than the middle of it, especially since we have
operating temples scheduled for renovation that are anticipated to be completed
closer to the middle of 2019 than the beginning of it. As with anything else,
if my thinking on this changes, I will pass that along.
166. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction
underway on temple substructure; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.
168. Lisbon Portugal
Temple: Preparing to pour main floor of temple; meetinghouse cladding progressing;
completion anticipated sometime during late
2019.
169.
Arequipa Peru Temple: Setting rebar for main floor structural walls; completion
anticipated sometime during late
2019-early 2020.
NOTE: Given
the number of temples scheduled for renovation that are anticipated to be
rededicated during 2019, I am convinced that the dedication for this temple is
more likely to be held in early 2020 than late 2019. That said, this temple has
made slow but steady progress since its construction began, so if I find I am
in error on this line of thinking, I will pass that along.
Construction pending
(anticipated to start anytime):
167. Winnipeg Manitoba
Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; awaiting full-scale
operations; acquiring building permits; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: All
of the sources available to me in researching the potential completion
time-frame for this temple seem to indicate that its dedication is more likely
to happen in mid-2019 than towards the end of the year. However, until
construction is underway and we see whether or not it is able to progress
rapidly, I have felt it wiser to be more conservative in my estimate. If it
happens that this temple will be completed more towards the end of the year
than the middle of it, that would also strengthen my reasons for asserting that
the completion of the Arequipa Peru Temple will take place in 2020.
Groundbreaking scheduled:
170. Port-au-Prince
Haiti Temple: Ground being cleared; preparing for groundbreaking ceremony,
which is scheduled for Saturday October
28, 2017; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2020.
NOTE: Based
on the knowledge that this temple will be somewhat comparable in size to the
Kinshasa DR Congo Temple, and because this temple’s groundbreaking will happen
prior to the end of the year, I have felt an initial 3-year estimate for its
completion would be appropriate. Once work gets underway in earnest on this
temple (which, by all reports, looks to be able to happen by the Monday after
the groundbreaking), we will know more about when it might be completed, which
will continue to change depending on how fast work progresses. I will be sure
to pass along any updates to my line of thought and reasoning on this.
Scheduled for rededication:
20. Jordan River Utah
Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication scheduled for Sunday May 20, 2018.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication anticipated within the next year or
so):
41. Frankfurt Germany
Temple: Closed for renovation; roof slab poured for
basement addition; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: This temple appears to be on track to be dedicated sometime after
both the rededication of the Jordan River Utah Temple and the dedication of the
Rome Italy Temple. Once more is known about how soon that might be, I will pass
the information along.
Renovations Scheduled (official
closure dates announced):
80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: As mentioned in previous versions of this report, all that is
known about the renovation process for this temple is that it will alter both
the interior and exterior appearance of it. While my study of the prospects for
expansion of temples scheduled for renovation is ongoing, I learned in the last
month that it may not be as likely as I thought that this temple’s renovation
will involve an expansion. Once more is known, I will pass that along. Either
way, the renovation begins in about a month.
18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for
renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during
early-to-mid 2020.
NOTE: As previously mentioned, the stated purpose for this temple’s
renovation is to bring electrical and mechanical systems up to date and up to
code. While it is a smaller temple from the Kimball era, an expansion does not
seem likely for this temple.
95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation on October 14, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: As noted above on the Memphis temple, an expansion does not seem
likely for this temple either. If I find information that suggests that is part
of the plan, I will pass it along.
112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation on October 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during
early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: As this temple is the most recently dedicated of those scheduled
for renovation, it is anticipated that the renovation process will be swifter.
As mentioned above on both the Memphis and Oklahoma City temples, an expansion
of this temple does not seem likely. Once more is known, I will pass that
along.
Temples that have a renovation
closure announced, but no official date made known yet:
68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in January 2018; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: While a closure date has not yet been announced for this temple,
it is possible that the closure could happen within the last week of 2017. In
the meantime, as noted above on temples that will close in 2017, and based on
feedback I received from a contact in North Carolina, an expansion for this
temple does not seem to be in the plans. If I find information that changes my
thinking on that, I will be sure to pass it along.
94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: This temple is listed above the Oakland one for now because they
are in alphabetical order. Whenever a more precise closure date is known for
either, I will pass that along. For now, as noted on other temples scheduled
for renovation, I don’t know how likely it is that this temple could be
expanded. Once I know more, I will pass that along as well.
13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime during
mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: When the renovation closure for this temple was announced, the
Church stated it was necessary because the electrical and mechanical systems
needed to be brought up-to-date. So it seems doubtful that anything else will
be done during this renovation. Once we know more about what will be involved
(including the exact closure date), I will pass that along.
16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation in March 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late
2020.
NOTE: The stated purpose for this temple’s renovation is to bring
electrical and mechanical systems up-to-date. Because this temple is larger
than both the Tokyo Japan and Mesa Arizona Temples, I am estimating that it
will be the last of the bunch to be rededicated. Once more is known about this
process (including an exact closure date), I will pass that along.
7. Mesa Arizona Temple: Scheduled to close for
renovation in May 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late
2020.
NOTE: As previously noted, the stated purpose for this temple’s
renovation is to bring electrical and mechanical systems up-to-date. And since
this is the second time this temple has been renovated, it seems likely that it
could be the first temple to be rededicated in 2020. As the process unfolds and
more is known about its progress, I will pass along any adjustments to this
line of thought.
NOTE ON FUTURE GROUNDBREAKINGS: During
the month of July, I revised the order in which temples in this section were
listed. About a week after doing so, I found out that I needed to revise and
rethink that order again. The current order reflects the latest information I
have (as of the late night hours of July 18). I should also note that the
timing of any temple event is up to the Lord (based on conditions in each
area), so these estimates should not in any way be taken as gospel or official
until they are confirmed or denied by those who have the authorization to do
so.
Announced:
171. Lima Peru Los Olivos
Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site
announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.
NOTE: If
the information I have received about this temple and its progress is correct,
the year of preconstruction which the contractor for this temple mentioned was
needed prior to its groundbreaking began in March 2017. While there has been no
evidence to corroborate that this process has indeed begun, it seemed to be
enough for me to move this temple below Haiti’s first. Some have said that the
surprise announcement of the Port-au-Prince groundbreaking may mean we could
have other temples that will have a groundbreaking by the end of this year. But
if that doesn’t happen, I think it is safe to assume and to assert that this
temple will be the first to have a groundbreaking next year, and that it will
happen sooner rather than later.
172. Urdaneta
Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government
approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place
sometime during early-to-mid 2018.
NOTE: While
numerous delays prevented this temple from making any progress since its
announcement almost seven years ago, those delays are at an end. Since it seems
likely that the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple will be the next one to have a
groundbreaking (either before the end of this year or during the first part of
next year), it seems logical to assume that this temple could follow shortly
thereafter. More to come once more is known.
173. Harare Zimbabwe Temple:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking could take
place during mid-2018.
NOTE: As
previously noted, shortly after this temple was announced in April 2016, Elder
Hamilton made a statement that indicated a site announcement and groundbreaking
would follow for this temple in short order once 2017 began. Nearly eight
months of 2017 have come and gone with nothing new happening for this temple.
For that reason, it seems safe to assume that it will be the third temple of
this announced group to have a groundbreaking. While some have said it could
happen by the end of this year, it seems more likely that it will not take
place until the middle of next year at earliest. If my thinking in that regard
changes, I will pass that along.
174. Saratoga Springs Utah: Planning
phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: When
I was encouraged to take another look at the order in which announced temples
could have a subsequent groundbreaking, I felt impressed to find out, on
average, how long it has taken for temples in Utah County to get from
announcement to groundbreaking. Based on that average, it seems likely that, if
a site is announced for it soon, this temple could have a groundbreaking at the
time indicated above, and perhaps well ahead of the other temples listed below.
If my thinking on that changes, I will pass it along.
175. Brasilia Brazil Temple:
Planning phase; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017;
groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: Even
though this temple has already had a site identified, and that site has been
inspected by Church engineers, over the course of the last several months, I
have done considerable study on when announced temples have gone on to have a
groundbreaking. And that study, combined with valuable feedback from experts on
this subject, has led me to believe that this temple’s groundbreaking is more
likely to happen towards the middle or end of 2018 than the beginning of it,
especially because other temples are almost certain to have a groundbreaking
first. I will continue to pass along any updates to this line of thought and
reasoning.
176. Greater Manila
Philippines Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed; awaiting official name announcement;
groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: The
note on the temple above applies to this temple as well. Though it has had a
site confirmed already, because other temples are almost certain to have a
groundbreaking prior to this one, it has felt wise to push this estimate back.
In the meantime, we could also hear any day an announcement about the name for
this second temple for the capital city of the Philippines. As more information
is released, I will pass that along.
177. Pocatello Idaho:
Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during late
2018-early 2019.
NOTE: Two
potential locations have been noted as potential locations for this temple
site. Until a site confirmation happens, a groundbreaking time-frame may be
hard to pin down. However, Idaho is well within the “Mormon corridor (of which
Arizona and Utah are also a part), and temples in that area generally get built
relatively easily and quickly. That said, as previously noted, I have felt it
wise to push the estimate for this temple’s groundbreaking back to this point
because the temples above seem more likely to have a groundbreaking prior to
this one. That said, there could be an equal chance that this temple could have
a groundbreaking in either late 2018 or early 2019. I will pass along updates
as I learn of them.
178. Nairobi Kenya Temple:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; media event held June 14,
2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early 2019.
NOTE: I was
pleased to hear of the media event held for this temple two months ago. During
that event, Elder Joseph W. Sitati, the first GA Seventy from Kenya, mentioned
that it usually takes a year or two after temple announcements for a groundbreaking
to happen. Given that statement and the fact that the temples listed above this
one will likely have a groundbreaking first, it seemed wise to adjust my
estimate. If my thinking on this changes, I will pass that along.
179. Bangkok Thailand
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may
take place during mid-2019.
NOTE: As
noted previously, some Thai members and other members familiar with that
country have speculated that an existing Church office building (owned since
2008) will be reconstructed into an edifice that not only houses Church
offices, but the temple and a meetinghouse as well, similar in concept to the
temples in Hong Kong China and Manhattan New York. If that is confirmed within
the next year or so, I could see a groundbreaking happen at around this time. I
will pass along any updates on this as I receive them.
180. Abidjan Ivory
Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement;
groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: Growth
trends in the Ivory Coast have led some to speculate that a second (and even a
third) Ivory Coast temple could be among the 80 referenced above. Regarding
this temple, until more is known about it, this estimate seems wise.
181. Quito Ecuador
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may
take place during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: Even though Ecuador’s first
temple had a 14-year wait between its site announcement and groundbreaking, the
growth of the Church in South America has been a clear indicator that the
Church won’t have to wait that long for this groundbreaking. Because of the
others listed above that are expected to have a groundbreaking first, it seems
likely that the time-frame above will be likely for this temple’s
groundbreaking. As always, I will adjust this as more becomes known.
182. Belem Brazil Temple:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take
place during late 2019-early 2020.
NOTE: While
it seems almost certain that the Brasilia Brazil Temple will have a
groundbreaking sooner than this one (as we still do not know where in Belem
this temple will be built), what is not known is whether this temple will indeed
be the last of the current bunch to have a groundbreaking. As progress is made
on temples in the next year or so, hopefully that will be cleared up. And, as
always, I will continue to pass along updates and changes to this line of
thinking.
ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: Temple
announcements within the last three years have come during the April General
Conference. They may happen at any time the First Presidency feels inspired to
make them, but that has been the pattern since 2015. Also, as noted above,
Elder Larry Y. Wilson said in an interview recently that 80 temple sites are under consideration for an
announcement within the next 15 years. So we could be entering another
unprecedented era of temple announcements and construction. That is one big
reason why I have expanded my list of temples that may potentially be
announced. I also know that sites have been procured for future temples in Managua
Nicaragua (which seems most likely, as it is the first of the top ten countries
with the strongest LDS presence that does not yet have a temple, and such a
temple was proposed by Elder Nelson in 2012), Auckland New Zealand, Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea, Bentonville Arkansas, and Missoula Montana (which was
proposed by Elder Bednar sometime in 2014). I have been told by many that an
official announcement will happen once unit growth and activity in temples
within such areas warrants those announcements. If there have been any other
sites purchased elsewhere, they have not yet been made known. We also know that
several potential temples have been proposed in several locations around the
world by many of our prophets and apostles. The Lord will continue to inspire
such temple announcements as they are needed, and all developments will
continue to be included on subsequent versions of 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.
Red text highlights changes from the last posted temple
progress report.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
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