Major temple progress update

Since I last posted a temple progress report on the 4th, much has happened in the way of temple construction progress. As some of you may have noted, Rick Satterfield, webmaster of the LDS Church Temples site, commented on an earlier temple construction progress report that the Paris France temple was nearly completed and that open house and dedication dates were likely to be set within the first few months of 2017.

I have taken note on all the progress, and wanted to share the latest developments with you. As always, the changes since the last posted update 11 days ago are featured in red. Enjoy!

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 10/15/16)

Current Temple Status: 152 operating; 3 scheduled for dedication; 11 under construction; 3 undergoing renovation; 11 announced (As many as 3 groundbreaking announcements may be made soon).

Dedication scheduled:

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Preparing for dedication, scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Preparing for dedication, scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Public open house tours underway through Saturday October 22; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Interior work underway; open house committee assembled; completion anticipated sometime during the first half of 2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Adding landscaping structures; installing fence posts and lamp posts; completion anticipated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Installing art glass; dropping posts for decorative fencing; completion anticipated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Pouring concrete parking lot; interior work underway; completion anticipated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work progressing; completion anticipated sometime in the first half of 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Steeple framework going up; completion anticipated sometime in 2018.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Foundation poured and backfilled; pouring interior footings; completion anticipated sometime in 2018.

163. Durban South Africa Temple: Preparing to pour foundation; laying aggregate for parking; street entrance cut; hydroseeding sloped land; completion anticipated sometime in 2018.

164. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Foundation walls going up; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.

165.  Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Forms and rebar set in anticipation of pouring foundation walls; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Site clearing phase; construction fence erected; concrete bleachers removed; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; finish work underway; resurfacing and restriping parking lot; rededication anticipated sometime during early 2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime in late 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime in 2018.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated to begin late 2016 or early 2017.

168. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Permitting phase; temple fireside held September 11, 2016; groundbreaking anticipated in either late 2016 or early 2017.

169. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; groundbreaking pending.

170. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

173. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

174. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

175. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

176. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

177. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

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 denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

Temple Construction Progress

In spite of the fact that there were no new temples announced this conference, some outstanding developments have taken place on the temple news front since my last posted update on September 30. As always, the changes since the last posted update are highlighted in red. Enjoy!

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 10/4/16)

Current Temple Status: 152 operating; 3 scheduled for dedication; 11 under construction; 3 undergoing renovation; 11 announced (As many as 3 groundbreaking announcements may be made soon).

Dedication scheduled:

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Preparing for dedication, scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Public open house tours underway through Saturday October 8; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Public open house tours underway through Saturday October 22; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Interior work underway; open house committee assembled; completion anticipated sometime during the first half of 2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Concrete slab in place for monument sign; planting trees and bushes; completion anticipated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Pouring concrete curbing and walkways; installing fence posts; completion anticipated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Pouring concrete parking lot; interior work underway; completion anticipated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work progressing; completion anticipated sometime in the first half of 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Steeple framework going up; completion anticipated sometime in 2018.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Foundation poured and backfilled; pouring interior footings; completion anticipated sometime in 2018.

163. Durban South Africa Temple: Preparing to pour foundation; laying aggregate for parking; street entrance cut; hydroseeding sloped land; completion anticipated sometime in 2018.

164. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Foundation walls going up; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.

165.  Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Forms and rebar set in anticipation of pouring foundation walls; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Site clearing underway; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; finish work underway; resurfacing and restriping parking lot; rededication anticipated sometime during early 2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime in late 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime in 2018.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: No groundbreaking date set, however, construction is pending, and, according to the contractor for the project, that construction anticipated to begin sometime during late 2016.

168. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Permitting phase; temple fireside held September 11, 2016; groundbreaking anticipated in either late 2016 or early 2017.

169. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: No groundbreaking set. However, construction anticipated to begin in either late 2016 or early 2017.

170. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

173. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

174. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

175. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

176. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

177. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

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 denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

Changes in General Church Leadership/The Health of the Brethren

During General Conference this weekend, many changes were announced in relation to Church leadership. Daniel L. Johnson, a General Authority Seventy since 2006, and Francisco J. Vinas, a General Authority since the time of President Benson, were released from the First Quorum of the Seventy, and Elder Kent F. Richards, a General Authority Seventy since 2009, and Jairo Mazzagardi, a General Authority Seventy since 2010, were released from the Second Quorum of the Seventy. These brethren were all granted emeritus status and received a vote of thanks. This also marked the first time in several years when an actively-serving General Authority has passed away while serving. President Eyring, who led out in the sustaining, paid tribute to Elder Per G. Malm, who died of cancer earlier this year.

As has been customary the last few conferences, when the leading brethren who hold the sacred calling of apostle were sustained, several people vocally expressed their opposition to their sustaining. Despite the constant invitation given to these people, rather than taking the matter up with their stake presidents, they continue to oppose the vote to sustain. If that weren't enough, the sustaining, which is supposed to be a silent vote of support, became the target of vituperative people who chose to verbally state their opposition. These people were hell-bent on stirring up trouble. But as has been the case during the sustaining, those opposed were treated with great respect.

It is tragic that the ritual of sustaining of our Church leaders has been marred by people who only want to stir up trouble. I take comfort in the knowledge that these people will one day stand accountable before God for failing to sustain the leaders the Lord has put into place.

We also were witness to how the Brethren are doing health-wise. President Monson looks frail. I will be amazed if he makes it to the next General Conference. And Elder Hales's talk sounded a lot like a final testimony to me. I hope I am wrong on both counts. But if these brethren are meant to pass, I take comfort in knowing that there is a system of succession in place. We never again have to ask what will happen if any of these brethren pass. And we can take comfort in the fact that if and when that happens, the Lord's plan is perfected to the point where we never again have to wonder what will happen to the Church.

By contrast, our oldest apostle, President Nelson, is looking as hale and hearty as ever. I have a feeling he will live to become the oldest living apostle/prophet in Church history. At 92, he shows no signs of slowing down. And he will live for several more years, I'm sure. I would be very much surprised if he does not become the next prophet. When that will happen remains to be seen.

Just by way of information, as of Sunday, the average age of the First Presidency members is 82.79, while the average age of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is 74.34, and the average age of the 15 apostles together is 76.03. It is interesting to note that some of the apostles are much older than the average, and some are much younger. How blessed we are to have constant, continuous access to the words of these great men. Hope you enjoyed this post.