Temple Construction Progress Update
(current as of 4/21/17)
Current Temple Status: 155 operating; 4 scheduled
for dedication; 9 under
construction; 1 more has construction pending, and may commence
construction in May or June of this year; 1 scheduled for
rededication; 2 undergoing renovation; 6 renovations scheduled; 13 announced. NOTE: With two groundbreakings
having already taken place this year, we could see several others before too
much longer. For all of the announced temples that have not yet had a
groundbreaking, I offer my best-guess estimate for when that might happen, to
which I have recently made adjustments and corrections. One correction is
noting that we might only see one other groundbreaking this year, though it
seems that one is not as imminent as I originally was led to believe.
Dedication scheduled:
156. Paris France
Temple: VIP/media tours started April 7; accepting reservations for public open
house (which will run from Saturday April 22-Saturday May 13 (excluding the
Sundays of April 23 and 30 and May 7)); dedication scheduled for Sunday
May 21, 2017.
157. Tucson
Arizona Temple: Monument sign being installed; interior finish work underway; accepting
reservations for public open house beginning Monday May 15, 2017 (that open house will run from Saturday June 3-Saturday
June 24 (excluding the Sundays of June 4, 11, and 18)); dedication scheduled
for Sunday August 13, 2017.
158. Meridian
Idaho Temple: Monument sign installed; architectural finishes being
installed; dedication scheduled for Sunday
November 19, 2017.
159. Cedar
City Utah Temple: Installation of exterior
floodlighting underway; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.
Under Construction:
160. Rome Italy Temple:
Angel Moroni installed on March 25, 2017; Christus and apostle statues installed at visitor’s center;
installing art glass; completion anticipated sometime during early-to-mid
2018.
161. Kinshasa Democratic
Republic of the Congo Temple: Exterior walls waterproofed; structural steel
framing for roof underway; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
162. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Exterior walls sheathed with rigid foam insulation; stone
cladding underway; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: For the two temples above,
they seem to be interchangeable in terms of which one might potentially be
completed and dedicated first. I am trying to keep an eye on any and all
developments and will adjust these estimates as necessary once more is known.
163. Concepcion Chile
Temple: Exterior cladding progressing on north and west walls; completion
anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
164. Durban South Africa
Temple: Upper floor slab poured for temple; ground floor
slab poured for missionary housing; completion anticipated
sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: For the two temples above,
they seem to be interchangeable in terms of which one might potentially be
completed and dedicated first. I am trying to keep an eye on any and all
developments and will adjust these estimates as necessary once more is known.
165. Fortaleza Brazil
Temple: Erecting structural framing for temple tower; completion anticipated
sometime during early 2019.
166. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple:
Construction barrier erected; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: At this point, since the work
has not begun in earnest on the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple, it is unclear which
of the two will be finished first. I will reevaluate things once that happens.
For the moment, though, it appears that the two could be interchangeable. And
since work has begun in earnest on this Brazilian temple, in my mind, that puts
it ahead of the not-yet-started Winnipeg temple. I will keep an eye on
developments, and will try to make a better estimate when more is known.
168. Lisbon Portugal
Temple: Pouring footings for temple foundation; structural framing continues
for meetinghouse; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
169.
Arequipa Peru Temple: Construction trailers on site; construction barrier
erected; completion anticipated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.
Construction pending:
167. Winnipeg
Manitoba Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; awaiting full-scale
operations, which may start at any time (whenever the aftermath of the awful
Canadian winter resolves itself); completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: Construction on this temple
is expected to begin in earnest anytime within the next two months. That
construction is anticipated to last 20 months (1.67 years). Right now, it seems
that either this temple or the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple could be interchangeable
in terms of their future completion. Once construction commences on this
temple, I will feel more confident in trying to figure out which of the two
will be completed first. Until that time, since work has begun in earnest on
the Rio temple, I have tentatively put it ahead of this one.
Rededication Scheduled:
8. Idaho Falls Idaho
Temple: Renovation completed; VIP/Media tours started April 17; accepting reservations for public open house, which
will run from Saturday April 22-Saturday May 20 (excluding the Sundays of April
23 & 30 and May 7 & 14); rededication scheduled for Sunday June 4, 2017.
Undergoing Renovation:
20. Jordan River Utah
Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2018.
41. Frankfurt Germany
Temple: Closed for renovation; excavating for basement addition for new
baptistry; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to mid-2018.
Renovation Scheduled:
80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation in October 2017; rededication may take
place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: With this renovation not yet started, there is much that is not
known about how long it will take. We do know a couple of things: particularly
that this renovation is anticipated to be completed sometime in 2019, and that
renovations of temples in the United States generally are completed sooner than
renovations elsewhere. This seems like a very safe estimate for the moment.
95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in October 2017; rededication may
take place sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: The note above applies to this temple as well. But the reason my
estimate for completion is different here is that temples that commence
renovation at around the same time are rarely, if ever, completed at around the
same time. Until more is known, it seems safer to stagger my completion
estimates for these two.
18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for
renovation in October 2017; rededication may take place
sometime during early-to-mid 2020.
NOTE: Because this temple is outside the United States and its
renovation is anticipated to be completed in two years instead of one, this
temple is more likely to be rededicated about 2.5 years after its renovation
commences, particularly since this temple, being the oldest one among the group
of scheduled renovations that will begin this year, may need more work. Once I find
out more, particularly as the renovation formally begins, I will be readjusting
this estimate. But it would not surprise me in the least if this temple’s renovation
is not completed until of the Washington D. C. Temple, which is anticipated to
happen at around this same time as well.
112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation in November 2017; rededication may take
place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: This renovation, for a temple outside the United States, and the
one among this group that was dedicated most recently, is anticipated to be
completed within two years or so.
Because it is newer, there might be less to update, which makes me think
we could see a rededication at around this time.
13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may
take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: This temple’s renovation is anticipated to take only a year or so,
and the Church already noted that a rededication is anticipated sometime during
2019. Until more is known, 1.5 years seems to be a safe estimate for this
renovation’s completion.
16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation in March 2018; rededication may take
place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.
NOTE: While this is the last temple with a renovation scheduled, we do
know from the Church’s news release announcing this renovation that it will
take around two years. That said, it seems entirely possible that the
rededication of this temple will precede that of the Tokyo Japan Temple. More
to come once more is known.
NOTE: In view of the fact that we
have already had two temple groundbreaking events so far this year, it is entirely
possible that we might see site announcements and groundbreakings for other
temples in the near future. That said, it is interesting to consider that,
while some of those groundbreakings might be more likely than others,
ultimately, it is more difficult than I originally believed to try and pinpoint
how soon those groundbreakings are likely to take place. Wanting to be as
conservative in my estimates as I am able to be, I have adjusted some things.
As always, I would be gratified to hear of such events happening much sooner
than anyone expects. But for the moment, it seems wise to make some
adjustments. Thanks.
Announced:
170. Harare Zimbabwe
Temple: Approval and construction preparation phase; official site announcement
anticipated later this year; groundbreaking may follow shortly thereafter.
NOTE: While
the site announcement is pending, Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, who serves as the
president of the Church’s Africa Southeast Area, has said that the site will be
announced later this year and that a groundbreaking would be anticipated
sometime shortly thereafter. It is therefore not impossible to believe that
this temple could have a groundbreaking sometime between mid-and-late 2017. That said, it has also been customary for site
confirmations to precede a groundbreaking by roughly a year, so I could see
this groundbreaking happening sometime next year. I am keeping an eye out for
developments and will adjust my predictions as necessary.
171. Port-au-Prince
Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking pending.
NOTE: On Sunday March 12, while
presiding at a stake conference for the area in which the first Haitian temple
will be built, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles officially
confirmed that, just as members in the area had speculated, the plot of land behind
an existing meetinghouse on the Route de Freres (French for “The Route of
Brothers”) had been purchased as the official site for this temple. Since site
confirmations generally precede groundbreakings by roughly a year, it is more
than likely that a groundbreaking could be held sometime during early-to-mid 2018.
172. Urdaneta
Philippines Temple: Awaiting government approval and official site
announcement.
NOTE: Given the fact that the
delays preventing this temple from progressing seem to be over, there have been
reports that a groundbreaking could happen for this temple as soon as later
this year. However, the nature of such reports are vague and uncertain enough
that it could be pushed back to next year. Speaking optimistically, I would
revise my estimate to say that, if progress continues unhindered, a
groundbreaking could happen on this temple by early-to-mid 2018.
173. Brasilia Brazil Temple:
Announced April 2, 2017; planning phase; site confirmed.
NOTE: As official site
confirmations are not now done at the general Church level as much as they used
to be previously, it is most likely that the site confirmed by priesthood
leaders, which is located in the northern section of the city, near an arm of
Paranoa Lake, will be the official site for the temple. This increases the
likelihood that a groundbreaking for the temple could be held sooner rather
than later, perhaps by mid-2018. If
that happens, then it would be the first time in almost 20 years that the
Church had three temples simultaneously under construction in Brazil.
174. Greater Manila
Philippines Temple: Announced April 2, 2017; planning phase; awaiting official name announcement.
NOTE: The Church’s Philippines
Facebook page has stated that this temple will be built on the southern side of
the Manila metropolitan area in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Because this
statement essentially constitutes a site confirmation, it is very possible that
we might see a groundbreaking for this temple by mid-2018, if not before. I will be keeping my eye out for
developments as they happen and will revise my estimate as I am able to. If
this groundbreaking happens as estimated, then we would have two temples simultaneously
under construction in the Philippines for the very first time in Church
history. As indicated in previous versions of this
report, a name for the second Lima Peru temple was announced within three weeks
after the temple announcement, and it was confirmed today that an official name
for this temple is anticipated soon.
175. Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation.
NOTE: While many sites are
reportedly under consideration for this temple, the most likely one is a
10-acre plot of land next to the Pocatello Idaho Highland Stake Center, which
was annexed into Pocatello City on April 6, 2017. Another site was reported by
an Idaho news network yesterday, though the first seems more likely. If
either site is confirmed anytime soon, we could see a groundbreaking for this
temple sometime during mid-2018. Because US temples usually get started
and finished so much sooner than temples elsewhere, it would not surprise me in
any way if Idaho’s newest temple had a groundbreaking before the Greater Manila
Philippines Temple above. The only reason for listing this temple here
currently is because it has not yet had a site confirmed. But in my timeline
for future temple-related events, I do list a groundbreaking for this temple
before that of the temple above.
176. Saratoga Springs Utah:
Announced April 2, 2017; planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
NOTE: While an official site has
yet to be confirmed for this temple, we do know that the Church owns several
acres of land in the community. And we also know that temples in Utah,
particularly in Utah County, typically commence construction well before
temples elsewhere. This temple is only in this position on this report because
a site confirmation has not yet happened. But on my timeline for future
temple-related events, I do have this temple’s future groundbreaking happening
before that for the second Manila Philippines Temple. Either way, if a site is
confirmed soon, we could see this groundbreaking happen during mid-to-late 2018.
177. Bangkok Thailand
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: Because local speculation is
that an existing building that houses Church offices might be renovated and
repurposed into a multi-purpose edifice that would house not only Church
offices, but a meetinghouse and the temple as well (in similar fashion to what
has been done for the Manhattan New York and Hong Kong China temples, it could
very well be that we could see a groundbreaking for this temple sometime in mid-to-late 2018, if the site is
confirmed through any means anytime soon. I will be keeping an eye on
developments with this temple and will revise my estimate if needed once more
is known.
178. Lima Peru Los Olivos
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: The official name of this
second temple for Peru’s capital city (released less than three weeks after it
was announced) seems to indicate that it will be built in the Los Olivos
district. That being the case, it is not hard to believe that we might see a
groundbreaking for this temple sometime during early 2019.
179. Abidjan Ivory
Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: The Church has seen
substantial growth on the African continent in recent years. This is verified
by the fact that, with the announcement of the 12 temples over the last three
years during April General Conference, 3 (25%) of those have been in Africa. I
would therefore hope that this temple, announced in 2015, would not have to
wait too long for a groundbreaking, but I could see it happening sometime
during early 2019, if not before.
180. Quito Ecuador
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: While the first temple in
Ecuador had a 14-year delay between its announcement and the subsequent
groundbreaking (the second-longest such period in Church history), this temple
is not nearly as likely to see such delays. The Church in South America has
grown at an astonishing rate, and that is evidenced by the fact that 4 of the
12 temples announced most recently (25%) have been for South America. With the
temples above most likely to have a groundbreaking first, it is very possible
that we could see a groundbreaking for this time sometime during mid-2019, if not before.
181. Belem Brazil Temple:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: South America, as noted
above, has been very receptive to the gospel. As a result, more temples are
coming to that continent. And while this temple has not yet had a site
identified or confirmed, Brazilian temples typically have been built very
swiftly. While I am hoping to see it sooner, and while I will be happy to
adjust my estimate going forward if that is necessary, it seems wise for the
moment to revise my estimate and say that we could see a groundbreaking during mid-2019, which would ensure that we
will have at least two temples under construction in Brazil at least for the
next couple of years. I will revise my estimate if and when I am able to do so.
182. Nairobi Kenya Temple:
Announced April 2, 2017; planning phase.
NOTE: It is becoming increasingly
more likely that this African temple might be the last of the current bunch to
have a groundbreaking. That said, with the Church growth that is occurring on
the African continent, and with temples having gone up fairly quickly once a
site is identified, I will revise my previous estimate and say that we will
likely see a groundbreaking for this temple sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: Temple
announcements are possible at any time, but the last twelve announcements have
taken place during the April General Conference. I never want to rule out the
possibility of announcements at other times, but that has been the pattern for
the last three years. There have also been reports of several cities that have had
a site purchased for a while now, and where an announcement might happen at any
time. I know of at least five that have been identified to me by name: Managua
Nicaragua, Auckland New Zealand, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, Bentonville
Arkansas, and Missoula Montana. If other potential temples have had a site
purchased, they have yet to be identified as such. The following temples have
been publicly proposed by apostles at various and sundry times: New Delhi India (in June 1992 by Elder Neal
A. Maxwell; may not happen soon due to intense political and religious
obstacles); Vilnius Lithuania (in May 1993 by Elder M. Russell Ballard, which
may be more of a long-shot possibility); Maracaibo Venezuela (in August 1999 by
President Hinckley, which is just waiting for the right conditions); Singapore
(in January 2000 by President Hinckley, and is likely to be announced when the
time is right); for the Southwest Salt Lake Valley (in October 2005 by
President Hinckley; NOTE: While some contend that this temple announcement has
already happened, verifiable sources widely available prove otherwise. It will
be announced at the right time); Managua Nicaragua (in January 2012 by
then-Elder Russell M. Nelson; very likely at any time due to Nicaragua being
the #1 of the top ten world countries without a temple); Missoula Montana
(sometime in 2014 by Elder David A. Bednar during a stake conference in the
area; while the report of this proposal has yet to be verified, the fact that
there has been a purchase of a temple site seems to indicate that it is a most
imminent possibility, though perhaps not as imminent as I once believed); and for
the Kasai Region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (in February 2016 by
Elder Neil L. Andersen). There are likely several other sites that the Church
has purchased for a potential temple, but those have yet to be verified.
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.
