Temple Construction Progress Update

Hello, all, Though only minor events have taken place in terms of temple progressTemple Construction Progress Update (current as of 6/3/17)

NOTE: There will be a total of 182 operating temples once all of those announced, under construction, or undergoing renovation. Of those, we currently have 156 temples in operation;  1 other had open house tours start today; 2 more have construction concluding and a dedication scheduled for later this year; 9 are under construction right now; 1 other has construction pending (groundbreaking was last year), and will commence construction ASAP; 1 operating temple is preparing for its rededication (which will take place tomorrow);  2 others are undergoing renovation; another 4 have a renovation closure date set, with 2 others set to close early next year (the actual dates will be set closer to the time); the remaining 13 are announced (with either a site announcement or groundbreaking pending).

NOTE: I learned over the weekend of May 12-15 that there is a possibility we could see more groundbreakings later this year. I will be keeping my eyes open for any temple-related news and will post those as I hear of them. For now, this is a correction from what I had previously reported.

Construction completed; open house tours underway:

157. Tucson Arizona Temple: Public open house tours underway; reservations will be accepted through June 24 (with the exception of the relevant Sundays); dedication scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.

Construction nearing completion; dedication scheduled:

158. Meridian Idaho Temple: Interior finish work underway; laying sod and planting trees in parking area; dedication scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.

159. Cedar City Utah Temple: Exterior lighting test begin; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.

                                                      

Under Construction (completion anticipated next year):

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior and exterior work progressing; installing art glass windows; completion anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

161. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Attaching insulating block and laying brick over south and west walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

162.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Stone cladding underway on north and east walls; 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: Scaffolding removed from north wall; cladding progressing on west and south walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Elevator shafts and a majority of upper temple walls poured; upper 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.

Under construction, completion anticipated within the next 3 years or less:

165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Tower base walls poured; scaffolding removed; completion anticipated sometime during early 2019.

166. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Preparing to pour footings for foundation; surrounding property being cleared and graded; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: I have previously observed that this temple and the one in Winnipeg could be said to be interchangeable. With all that was known and unknown, I had been convinced until tonight that Winnipeg would be completed first. But with the massive progress reported on this temple just within the last 24 hours or so, I now believe that this temple will be completed first. More to come once more is known.

168.  Lisbon Portugal Temple: Temple foundation work continues; running utility lines; pouring final exterior walls for meetinghouse; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

169. Arequipa Peru Temple: Tower crane erected; excavating for the foundation; completion anticipated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

Construction pending (anticipated to start anytime):

167. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; awaiting full-scale operations, which may start within the next month or so; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: As noted above in relation to the Rio temple, unless earnest construction begins on this temple within the next couple of weeks or so, I think it is safer to assume and to assert now that Rio will be finished first. More to come once more is known.

           

Preparing for rededication:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Preparing for rededication, which will take place this weekend.

NOTE: A list was released detailing who the attendees at this event would be, as follows: President Henry B. Eyring will preside at this rededication, accompanied by Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy (who will be released from his assignment in August), Elder Wilford W. Andersen (who serves as an assistant executive director of the Temple Department and who also has a role in supervising the work of the Church in the Idaho Area), Elder Bradley D. Foster (who is the executive director of the Family History Department and also likely serves on the Temple and Family History Executive Council, and Elder K. Brett Nattress, who does not appear to have a known assignment at Church Headquarters but is an Idaho native who was born in Pocatello.

                                                                  

Undergoing Renovation (rededication anticipated within the next year or so):

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

NOTE: I originally believed and was predicting that the rededication of this temple would be one of the first temple-related events of next year. But as I was recently reminded, it is more difficult to predict a time-frame for such events than it is to predict a probable time-frame for newer temples. I am keeping my eye out for developments on this front, and will be sure to pass along any updates.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; excavating for basement addition for new baptistry; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to mid-2018.

NOTE: As noted above, a probable time-frame for a temple’s rededication is harder to anticipate than I originally believed. While I personally hope to see this rededication sometime during next summer, time will tell whether or not that is reasonable to anticipate. I will update this information as I find out more.

Renovations Scheduled (official closure dates announced):

112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: As noted a few days ago, though the First Presidency originally set November as the closure month for this temple, it was later officially confirmed that the closure would happen before the end of September. I additionally found out within the last couple of days that this temple is at the top of the list of planned renovations because it comes first alphabetically. So, in spite of the fact that I had recently changed my estimate for this temple’s completion, it made sense to restore my original thinking, and I am even more convinced now that this temple will likely not be rededicated until after the rededication of the Oakland California temple, as the work on temples within the US (whether new or being renovated) is almost always completed ahead of that of their international counterparts. If necessary, I will revise this estimate once more is known.

80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early 2019.

NOTE: While I had, after rethinking things, adjusted my completion estimate for this temple, I restored my original estimate because, as we know, renovations of US temples are usually completed more quickly than their international counterparts. So I have no doubt that this temple will be the first one to be rededicated in 2019.

18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

NOTE: This temple is only in this position Though Tokyo is ahead of Paraguay or the US timewise, because this temple is alphabetically the last one that will close on the date noted above. As we also know that this renovation will only be completed sometime in 2020, and as this temple is outside the US, I am more convinced than ever that this temple’s rededication will not take place until sometime after that of the Washington DC Temple, which is set to close about nine months.

95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on October 14, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: While this temple is the last of the four that will close for renovation by the end of this year, it is nonetheless a temple within the US, which makes it more than likely that its subsequent rededication will follow that of the Memphis Tennessee temple, and will precede those of the Oakland California and Asuncion Paraguay temples.

Temples that have a renovation closure announced, but no official date made known yet:

13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: The renovation for this temple, the oldest of those scheduled for a renovation, is anticipated to be completed in 2019 sometime. The timeframe indicated above therefore seems reasonable, as is also the assumption that this temple will be rededicated before the Paraguayan one.

16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in March 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2020.

NOTE: This temple, the last one currently scheduled for renovation, is anticipated to be completed sometime during 2020. Because we know that US temple renovations are completed more quickly, it is relatively safe to assume that the rededication of this temple will happen sometime prior to that of the Tokyo Japan Temple.

NOTE: As mentioned above, I learned earlier this month that we might have as many as 4 temples that could potentially have a groundbreaking later this year. The chances are equally likely that no other groundbreakings will happen until sometime in 2018. As with every other temple-related development, I am doing my best to reevaluate things as more information comes to light, and I will be sure to pass along any updates. In the meantime, this is mostly just my own thoughts and impressions based on what I have learned and observed.

Announced:

170. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Approval and construction preparation phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.

NOTE: Though we have Elder Hamilton’s statement to the effect that a site announcement and groundbreaking for Zimbabwe’s first temple would take place during this year, all we know right now is that further developments are pending. Things have been known to happen quickly for other temples, so I have felt confident that a site announcement could happen within the next couple of months, and that a groundbreaking could follow on or around August 26. That said, nothing is official until the Brethren make it so, so adjustments will be made as more is revealed.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.

NOTE: Since a site confirmation happened for this temple last March, a groundbreaking could happen anytime soon. I could even see the Church scheduling that before anything official happens for Zimbabwe’s first temple. That said, most sources I have found seem to agree that the Zimbabwe groundbreaking will happen first. Whether or not it does, I could see the Church breaking ground for Haiti’s first temple on or around September 16. Until the Brethren make it official, that is merely a hope on my part. Adjustments will be made as more information is available.

172. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could happen sometime during mid-to-late 2017.

NOTE: This temple is the oldest of those that have not progressed beyond an announcement. A variety of factors stalled any developments from happening before now. With those factors having being cleared up, I have heard that a groundbreaking could happen this year or next year. Speaking optimistically, I could see the Church setting October 14 as the date for that groundbreaking. Those are just my own thoughts, however, and adjustments will be made once more is known.

173. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.

NOTE: As I have stated in previous versions of this report, the contractor working on the Arequipa Peru temple will oversee this temple’s construction as well. He indicated recently that it would take a year to make the necessary plans for this project. What is still unclear is whether that was one year from the temple’s announcement (which has come and gone), or one year from his statement. If it is the former, we could see a groundbreaking on or around December 2. That, of course, is just a hope on my part. Once more is known, an adjustment will be made.

174. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed.

NOTE: Knowing that this site has been confirmed by local priesthood leaders (it is located in the northern section of the city, near an arm of Paranoa Lake), we also know that a site confirmation is the hardest part of getting a temple built. Unless the site changes, it is becoming increasingly more likely that a groundbreaking will be held sometime during early-to-mid 2018. If the groundbreaking happens during that time, it will mark the first time in almost 20 years that the Church has had three temples simultaneously under construction in Brazil. I am keeping an eye on developments with this temple and will adjust this estimate as needed.

175. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official name announcement.

NOTE: Unless problems arise, the site identified by the Church’s Philippines Facebook page (on the southern side of the Manila metropolitan area in Alabang, Muntinlupa City) will more than likely be the official site. As finding a site is the most complex part of getting a temple built, it is very possible that we might see a groundbreaking for this temple by early-to-mid 2018. If the groundbreaking takes place during this time, then we would have two temples simultaneously under construction in the Philippines for the very first time in Church history. It is also anticipated that the Church will announce an official name for this temple in the very near future, as the name for the second Lima Peru Temple was announced within a month after the temple announcement. As with everything else, I am keeping an eye out for developments and will provide updated information when more is known.

176. Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation.

NOTE: A probable site has been identified but not yet confirmed. The LDS Church Temples site noted on May 12, 2017 a statement by Elder Larry Y. Wilson, the Temple Department Executive Director, that this temple is anticipated to be a larger edifice in the mold of the temple that will be dedicated later this year in Meridian. Once more is known officially regarding the site, it will be easier to make an adjustment as to how soon the groundbreaking might take place and how long construction might subsequently take. If it is true that this temple will be similar to Meridian, we might not see a groundbreaking any sooner than mid-to-late 2018. That said, I also recognize fully that temples in the US have typically always commenced construction faster than their counterparts outside the US, so it would not surprise me if this groundbreaking happened sooner than that. As always, I am keeping an eye on developments, and I will adjust this estimate as I am able to do so once more is known.

177. Saratoga Springs Utah: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: While it is true that temples in the United States (and particularly those in Utah County) get started much more quickly than temples elsewhere, it is also true that an official site confirmation is still pending. We do know, as previously noted, that the Church owns several plots of land in this city, so if one of them is chosen as the site, the groundbreaking could happen shortly thereafter. Until more is known, it seems wise to adjust my previous estimate for a groundbreaking to sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

178. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: As previously noted in other versions of this construction progress report, member speculation is that an existing building might be renovated and repurposed as Thailand’s first temple and also house Church offices and a meetinghouse as well. If that speculation is confirmed anytime soon, we might see a groundbreaking shortly after. In the meantime, it might be best to revise my previous estimate and say that a groundbreaking could take place in mid-to-late 2018. More to come once more is known.

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 two or three 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: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

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. A site is being held in reserve for that temple, and that location will be announced when membership and temple activity warrant that announcement); 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. 

As a final note, it is almost certain that we will see an increase in the number of temple-related developments before the end of this year. It will be interesting to learn of such developments, and to pass those along to you all. Thanks for the privilege of your time and for your support and feedback. It means a lot to me. Best wishes to you all for a happy and healthy June ahead. I will hope to do a couple of other posts this weekend as time and circumstances allow. Until that time, thanks again!

Edited and Revised List of Temples Most Likely to be announced in the near future

Hello. One of the big projects I worked on within this last week was my list of potential temples that I felt were most likely to have an announcement in the near future. I eliminated quite a few of the less likely locations and put in a couple of others that appear to be more likely. Given my efforts to trim down this list to the best and most likely options, this list will be shorter than previous ones have been. I also fully recognize, acknowledge, and accept that these are just my own ideas and insights about possible future temple sites.

I hope none of you who read any of my predictions are taking them as gospel or as being a sure and definite thing. The beauty of the Lord's Church is that it is directed by modern revelation. Many potential sites can be predicted accurately because of information supporting such sites. Others are no more than wild hopes or a best-guess effort that may or may not be in line with where the Lord needs new temples to be built. Since any theories about future site locations or a possible time-frame for temple-related events are subject to so many factors, some of which none but the leading brethren and the Lord may be aware, nothing is official until it is made so through the proper channels. I just wanted to make that clear.

And though I have trimmed this latest list as much as I can, I recognize that there are more than likely some that I've eliminated that should have stayed on there, or some that remained that should have been removed. That is why I request as much feedback as I do: I want to know what people who read my thoughts on the matter think of them. I have no issues with adding or deleting other possibilities.

A couple of additional notes: First, I have provided notes at the bottom of this list of potential temple locations that explain my rationale behind each choice, in addition to some explaining why I have eliminated certain possibilities. Let me know your thoughts, whether in agreement or not. I look forward to the continuing discussion. Thanks!

Here's the list:

Temple Predictions:

3+ temples announced in any of the following locations:

PRELIMINARY NOTE: Since it is difficult at best to know where the Lord feels a need for a temple and temple locations are not as cut-and-dried as I have originally believed them to be, I am doing a preliminary list, which I will refine as the time for General Conference draws closer. I will look forward to seeing what happens with those possibilities, if any are announced at all. So far between 2015 and this year, the 12 newest temples were announced during the April General Conference. If any temples are announced, there will only be a few.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: After thinking further about those temples I feel are most likely in the near future, I have felt to narrow my choices down considerably. I am now listing them by nation and then by likelihood within that nation.

Africa: Lagos Nigeria; Kumasi Ghana; Freetown Sierra Leone

Brazil: Belo Horizonte; Salvador

Central America: Managua Nicaragua

Mexico: Puebla Mexico

Pacific: Auckland New Zealand; Port Moresby Papua New Guinea

South America: Neuquen Argentina; Valparaiso Chile; Santa Cruz Bolivia

United States: Bentonville Arkansas Missoula Montana; Layton Utah; Tooele Utah

NOTE: The following (# of temples, if any, goes here) temples were announced, much to my great delight: 

Temple Predictions:

3+ temples announced in any of the following locations:

NOTE: Since it is difficult at best to know where the Lord feels a need for a temple and temple locations are not as cut-and-dried as I have originally believed them to be, I am doing a preliminary list, which I will refine as the time for General Conference draws closer. I will look forward to seeing what happens with those possibilities, if any are announced at all. So far between 2015 and this year, the 12 newest temples were announced during the April General Conference. If any temples are announced, there will only be a few.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: After thinking further about those temples I feel are most likely in the near future, I have felt to narrow my choices down considerably. I am now listing them by nation and then by likelihood within that nation.

Africa: Lagos Nigeria; Kumasi Ghana; Freetown Sierra Leone

*Brazil: Belo Horizonte; Salvador

!Central America: Managua Nicaragua

Mexico: Puebla Mexico

Pacific: Auckland New Zealand; Port Moresby Papua New Guinea

South America: Neuquen Argentina; Valparaiso Chile; Santa Cruz Bolivia

United States: Bentonville Arkansas Missoula Montana; Layton Utah; Tooele Utah

NOTE: The following (# of temples, if any, goes here) temples were announced, much to my great delight:

Notes about potential temple sites:

1.      Africa has seen one temple announced per year for the last three years, and the Church is growing rapidly wherever it is established. While those I listed above seem most likely, I am not ruling out other possibilities from happening first. These three just seem most likely based on the information I now have available.

2.      Between the two temples currently under construction in Brazil, and the two others announced, the focus for that nation may shift to getting those completed before any others are announced. Whenever Brazil does get another temple, the two cities I listed above seem to be the most likely candidates, and may be interchangeable in terms of their future likelihood.

3.      Central America’s next temple will be the one in Managua, whenever that happens, as there has been both a public proposal by then-Elder Nelson in 2012, and a site held in reserve until it is needed. Additionally, Managua is the first in the top ten of those cities that have the strongest Church presence without a temple, so that is only a matter of time.

4.      In thinking over my list above, the two temples I had for Europe (in Budapest Hungary and Vienna Austria) make sense logistically in view of President Monson’s expressed intention to ensure that every Church member lives within 200 miles of a temple, but don’t seem to be possible in the near future. As the Paris France temple was dedicated earlier this year, and the Rome Italy temple is sure to be dedicated in the early months of next year, the Church might hold off on announcing any other European temples until the impact of these new temples on that continent is known. Of the two, Budapest is more likely, but I don’t see that happening in the near future.

5.      The last temple dedication in Mexico happened in 2015, and since that time, only one district has been created. But I have received feedback indicating that Puebla is the most likely city for Mexico’s next temple, whether or not that happens anytime soon.

6.      In the Pacific area of the Church, I have heard that sites have been purchased in both Auckland New Zealand and Port Moresby Papua New Guinea and have been held in reserve until they are needed. Of the two, Auckland seems to be the most likely possibility.

7.      For South American nations besides Brazil, the research I have done has pinpointed the three cities above as the most likely possibilities. In total, 5 temples have been announced for South America within the last two years (Brazil included). If this trend continues, I have felt it very likely that many more temples will be announced for South America over the next several years.

8.      In previous versions of this list, I had also had several more possibilities listed for potential temples within the United States, but since growth has been stagnating here lately, I don’t think it likely that we will see very many temples announced unless and until regular growth resumes on a larger scale. That said, I have received reports of sites having been procured for both Arkansas’s first temple and for Montana’s second in the cities listed above, and that those temples will be announced whenever conditions warrant that happening.

9.      Within Utah, temple attendance has always been high. Layton and Tooele are two cities I have heard mentioned extensively as potential sites for Utah’s 19^th temple I also know that President Hinckley indicated in 2005 that a temple site had been procured in the southwestern part of the Salt Lake Valley, and that a subsequent announcement would follow once membership and Church growth in the valley required it. Some have tried to assert that this temple has already been announced, but every source I have found indicates that that notion is incorrect. Until that site announcement is made, Layton and Tooele appear to be the best candidates for Utah’s next temples.

Final note: As with everything else I put together, these are no more than my own thoughts, feelings, and observations based on the research I have done and the reports I have received. I hope that is absolutely understood and accepted. No one can know the mind of the Lord relating to His Church except those authorized to receive revelation regarding their own spheres of responsibility. While I am always gratified when my predictions turn out to be correct, I am even more appreciative of the many times developments do not take place as I project they will. At the end of the day, the Lord is the only one who can determine best how to further His work, and He manifests His will to those authorized to lead the Church and make decisions. Just wanted to end on that note.

BREAKING NEWS: List of those who will attend the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple Rededication this weekend

Hello. I am excited to announce that I found out who all will be at the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple Dedication events this weekend. I had been correct in my original prediction that President Eyring would preside, though I am more than a little surprised that the Church is having him do two in a row. Accompanying President Eyring are Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy (this will likely be the last temple dedication he attends as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, as he will be released in just under two months), and Elders K. Brett Nattress and Bradley D. Foster.

I have not been able to verify this at all, but I believe that either Elder Foster or Elder Nattress, or both, might be among the assistant executive directors of the Temple Department. Click here to read more on all of this. This is very intriguing. I know I say this a lot, but it's even more true in this instance: I couldn't be more pleased that I was wrong in almost every respect about the possible attendees of this event.

You can depend on my keeping an eye out for news and information about the cultural celebration and dedication this weekend, and will be sure to pass anything along once I know of it. Thanks to you all for your interest and support.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: I was originally surprised to hear that President Eyring would be presiding at this rededication, as he presided at the Paris France dedication almost two weeks ago. But the fact that President Eyring will officiate there as originally anticipated strengthens my feelings that President Uchtdorf will preside at the Tucson Arizona Temple dedication in two months, as he broke ground for the temple. I looked but could not find any special connection Elder Rasband has to Idaho in general or to this temple in particular, but I'm glad the Church is spreading out apostolic attendance at these events.  I also found out that Elder Foster is the Executive Director of the Family History Department, which means he likely is a member of the Temple and Family History Executive Council. As for Elder Nattress, his General Authority assignments aren't known. But in doing research about him, I learned that he was born in Pocatello, so it is likely that, as an Idaho native, he feels a connection to this temple. According to this article, another General Authority Seventy, Elder Wilford W. Andersen, will be in attendance as well, and I know for sure he is both an Assistant Executive Director for the Temple Department, and, as a General Authority Seventy, has an additional leadership role within the Idaho Area of the Church. Just wanted to add that. Thanks again!