Update on Church unit growth so far in 2017

As some of you may be aware, I have recently been trying to keep better track of Church unit changes, and have previously offered some theories about the potential for continued unit growth in 2017. Today, I realized that there has been a net increase of 27 stakes within the 25 Sundays so far this year. That works out to the creation of roughly 1.08 stakes each week.

And I also have noted previously the potential for the creation of other units this year. The LDS Church Growth Blog reports that the Church will have 50 stakes total once the Africa West Area goes from its current 78 stakes to the planned 99. And we know that the creation of 3 new stakes was reported last Sunday, in addition to two districts being upgraded to stakes. With the average 1.08 stakes created per week this year, and recognizing that we have not yet reached the peak season for those stake creations, I am venturing a hypothetical prediction that we could have a net minimum of 80 new stakes by the end of this year.

After all, if the West Africa area is anticipating 21 additional stakes by the end of this year, and if other areas of the Church also will be getting additional stakes within the next six months, all it would take is the creation of 2 stakes minimum every week the rest of this year to get there. That said, I know the General Authorities will have their annual July recess starting next Saturday, which means few (if any) new stakes will be created during the 5 Sundays of that month.

But the fall and winter months have, in my observation, been good months in terms of stake creations. I also know that there has been talk of the creation of at least two more stakes prior to the end of this month, one in the Philippines and one in Ghana. I will keep an eye on developments on this front and adjust my thoughts as I become aware of any factors that would change this thinking. And you can be sure that I will pass that information along as I am able to. Thanks for taking time to read this. If you want to and are able to, please let me know your thoughts. If you are not able to comment, let me know that as well. You can do so through my contact information on my Blogger profile. Thanks to you all for your interest and support.

Minor but significant developments in temple construction

Hello again, everyone! I wanted to note that minor but still very significant developments have taken place in terms of temple construction. These developments, as always, are highlighted in red on the newest version of my temple construction progress report. Enjoy, and, if you are able to, please let me know your thoughts. If the commenting issue is still an issue, you can always report that to me via my blogger profile. Thanks.

Temple Construction Progress Update (current as of 6/23/17)

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 has an open house ongoing (with a dedication set for August); 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; 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: On June 20, I was reminded of a statement recently made by Elder Larry Y. Wilson, who serves as the Executive Director of the Temple Department. That statement indicated that that there are 85+ potential temple sites under consideration, and that most, if not all of those temples may be announced (and many of which could potentially be completed) within the next 15 years. That means yet another unprecedented era of temple building. The Church could, as noted below, have 12 or 13 more temples in operation by the end of 2019. The more I study about potential developments, the more I am convinced that we will have a minimum of 200 temples operating by or before the 200^th anniversary of the restoration of the Lord’s Church on April 6, 2030. I ran the numbers, and if Elder Wilson is right, we could have 250 in various stages by 2032. That being the case, have 50 less in operation two years prior is very doable. It would just take 3-4 being dedicated per year between now and then. And I will do my level best to keep track of it all. Just wanted to note that.

Construction completed; open house tours underway (will conclude on Saturday):

157. Tucson Arizona Temple: Public open house tours underway (until the end of the day this Saturday); dedication scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.

Construction nearing completion; dedication scheduled:

158. Meridian Idaho Temple: Interior finish work underway; sod laid and trees planted; dedication scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.

159. Cedar City Utah Temple: Exterior lighting tests underway; 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 mid-2018.

161. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Laying exterior brick; attaching purlins to roof rafters; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

162.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Stone cladding underway on east and south walls; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.

163. Durban South Africa Temple: Preparing to pour upper façade walls of temple; scaffolding going up around upper level of missionary housing; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.

164. Concepcion Chile Temple: Cladding progressing on west and south walls; palm trees planted at temple entrance; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018-early 2019.

Under construction, completion anticipated within the next 2-3 years:  

165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Tower base walls poured; scaffolding removed; completion anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 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: As previously noted in my latest reports, since the Winnipeg Temple has not yet had construction begin, unless that changes anytime soon, this temple will likely be dedicated first. More to come once more is known.

168.  Lisbon Portugal Temple: Pouring temple foundation walls; meetinghouse exterior walls nearly finished; completion anticipated sometime during late 2019.

169. Arequipa Peru Temple: Setting rebar and concrete forms for foundation walls; 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; acquiring building permits; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: As mentioned above on the note about the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple, unless progress is reported soon on Canada’s newest temple, it seems clear that Rio will be finished first. Once earnest construction begins (or, if it has already begun, once more is known about its’ progress), all we do know is that construction will take approximately 20 months (1.67 years) to complete. It may also be possible that this temple will not be finished and dedicated until after the dedications of all other temples listed above. While I daily hope for news on this temple, until more is known, a more definitive completion time-frame is hard to pin down.

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

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

NOTE: Because the completion estimate for this temple has been pushed back repeatedly, it is somewhat more difficult than I thought to pin down a probable rededication time-frame. Since new or renovated Utah temples are generally completed prior to their counterparts both elsewhere in the US and in other areas of the world, I think it would be safe to assume that the Jordan River rededication may be among the first temple-related events in 2018. More to come once more is known.

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

NOTE: With the knowledge that renovations are generally completed more swiftly than new temples, I have also been reminded recently that completion estimates are never definite. So it could very well be that the rededication of this temple will fall somewhere between the dedications of the first three or four new temples next year. Once something more definite is known, I will pass that along.

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 early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: On June 20, new information I received reminded me that Asuncion is a smaller and newer temple, making it very likely that a rededication could take place sometime during the first six months of 2019. Once the renovation is actually underway, that estimate may change, but it seems to be a safe correction.

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

NOTE: This temple, like the one above, is smaller and somewhat newer, which reinforces the time-frame I have suggested for its rededication.

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

NOTE: As with the others, until this renovation is underway, an exact completion time-frame may be hard to pin down. We do know that this is an older and larger temple, which may delay the process somewhat. Until more is known, I will stick with my current estimate. But don’t be surprised if that changes.

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: On June 20, I was reminded that this temple is newer and smaller, meaning that the renovation will likely be finished during the first half of 2019. Until more is known, that is an update from what I have reported previously.

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: As this temple is older and bigger than some of the others scheduled for renovation, it will likely take longer. We do know it is anticipated to be rededicated at some point in 2019, but beyond that, until the work is underway, a more specific time-frame might be harder to pin down than I thought. I will be keeping an eye on things, making adjustments, and passing that information along ASAP after I learn of it.

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

NOTE: Until this renovation is underway, all we know is that this temple is older, and a rededication will take place at some point during 2020. While I have my own theories on when that might happen, they are merely guesswork until more is known.

NOTE ON FUTURE GROUNDBREAKINGS: As noted above, with the additional information that I received in the late hours when the 17^th became the 18^th, it has once again become necessary to revise and alter my estimates for future groundbreakings. While I still hope that we may have at least one or two more before the end of this year, that does not seem to be as likely as I hoped it would even 24 hours ago. Based on what I know, I am adjusting my estimates again. If and when more information is available, these estimates will change yet again. In the meantime, I have also learned that 2018 may be a big year for groundbreakings. These new estimates reflects the latest information.

Announced:

170. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

NOTE: With a site confirmed for this temple earlier this year, I have been advised that construction preparation will likely take at least a year. So it is almost certain that this temple’s groundbreaking will be the first of many for 2018. If and when more is known, ongoing adjustments will be made.

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: While it has not yet been confirmed, preconstruction for this temple reportedly began in March of this year. In view of the indication from the contractor (who is also overseeing the Arequipa Peru Temple project) that a year would be needed to prepare the site prior to a groundbreaking ceremony, it seems logical that a groundbreaking will take place during the first six months of next year, at earliest. As developments unfold, adjustments will be made accordingly.

172. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

NOTE: Unless any problems arise, it is more likely than not that the confirmation of the site location by local priesthood leaders (in the northern section of the city, by an arm of Paranoa Lake) will indeed be that temple’s location. Since site identification is a big part of the initial process, it is not impossible to believe that a groundbreaking for this temple will be held shortly after the one-year anniversary of the temple’s announcement. It is also very possible that construction on this temple may not commence for 2 or 3 years. Until more is known, the time-frame above seems to be a safe prediction.

173. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-2018.

NOTE: This temple, also announced just this year, has already had a site identified. The Church’s Philippines Facebook page reports that the temple will be built in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. As noted above, finding a site is a big part of the initial efforts to get such temples built. Unless complications arise, it is not impossible to believe that this temple could have a groundbreaking next year sometime. And we also know that the second Lima Peru Temple had its official name announced within 3 weeks of the temple announcement, so an official name for this temple is only a matter of time. Until more is known, this timeframe seems reasonable.

174. Saratoga Springs Utah: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: As Utah County temples have been known to progress rapidly from announcement to groundbreaking to dedication, and as we know that the Church owns several acres of land in this city, a site announcement is just a matter of time, with a groundbreaking likely to follow shortly after that. And I would not be at all surprised if an official site announcement comes before the end of this year, which would in turn necessitate another adjustment to this estimate.

175. Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: While several sites are reportedly under consideration for this temple, the most likely one has been annexed into the city of Pocatello. If an official site confirmation comes at any point during the next year or so, a groundbreaking could follow shortly thereafter. Until more is known, it seems wise to adjust this estimate. I would not be at all surprised if a groundbreaking for this temple happens sooner or later than indicated above. I will adjust this estimate again as that becomes necessary.

176. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: If member speculation (regarding an existing Church office building being reconstructed and renovated into a multi-purpose building housing those same Church offices in addition to a meetinghouse and a temple) is confirmed at any point within the next year, it is not hard to believe that a groundbreaking could follow at around this time. Until more is known, that is an update from what I previously indicated.

177. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: While Elder Kevin S. Hamilton said last year that a site announcement and groundbreaking for this temple would take place during the early months of this year, nothing has happened since that time. Until more is known, I have felt it wise to place this temple here on this list.  If and when developments do occur, I will change this again.

178. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could happen sometime during mid-2019

NOTE: While there has been an almost seven-year delay preventing progress on this temple, the end of those delays has put this temple in the planning and approval phase. While some have said that a groundbreaking for this temple could happen between late 2017 and early 2018 or, at latest, late next year, there is enough that is not known about this temple that makes me think we might only see a groundbreaking for this temple during the middle part of 2019. I will be more than happy to adjust this estimate if developments progress more rapidly than I believe they will. Until that time, this seems to be a safer estimate.

179. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: The Church, as noted on numerous occasions in the recent past, is progressing well in Africa, and the announcement of 3 temples for that continent within the last 2½ year is evidence of that. The citizens in the Ivory Coast have been particularly very receptive to the gospel, and the Church has taken root well there. I have even heard from some who say the Ivory Coast could get another temple or two within the next 5-10 years. In terms of this first temple for that nation, I would not be surprised if a groundbreaking for this temple happened earlier or later than indicated above. I will keep an eye out for developments and adjust my estimates accordingly.

180. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: Ecuador’s 14-year wait between the announcement of its first temple and its groundbreaking is not anticipated to be repeated for this temple announced for the Ecuadoran capital city. While I personally am hoping the Quito Saints will not have to wait until the middle or latter part of 2019 for this temple’s groundbreaking, with no developments anticipated soon, this seems to be a safe projection.

181. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: Unless something changes in the next little while, it seems almost certain that this temple will not have a groundbreaking before the other announced Brazilian temple. The Lord has been known to surprise us, so I can’t entirely rule out the possibility that this temple will have a groundbreaking prior to that one, but until more is known, we might not see a groundbreaking for this temple until this time.

182. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; media event held June 14, 2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

NOTE: Barring a drastic change or something unexpected happening, it seems entirely likely that Kenya’s first temple will be the last one of those currently announced to have a groundbreaking. However, the Church continues to grow well in Africa, so I can’t rule out the possibility of it happening sooner than indicated above. Until more is known, though, I will be sticking with this estimate.

                                                                                                          

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 85 or more 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.

Several Changes Noted in Church Units/Elder Sitati Speaks to Journalists about the Nairobi Kenya Temple

Hello, all! Within the last several hours, the LDS Church Temples site has posted a number of unit changes that were interesting to read about. You can find that information here.

Additionally, Elder Joseph W. Sitati, the first GA Seventy from Kenya, spoke to African journalists regarding the announcement of the Nairobi Kenya Temple. His remarks were inspiring to read, and focused on his experiences as a Kenyan Latter-day Saint and the sacrifices his family made to attend that temple, as well as his joy that the people of his homeland will not have so far to go in the future, not just because of that Kenyan temple, but in view of others that will soon be in operation on the African continent. You can read his remarks here.

As I read them, I was reminded of a similar trip my mom's family (South African natives) took to the nearest temple, which, if memory serves, was then in England. Since that time, temples have continued to dot the earth, and have been built in locations that could not have had a temple earlier. The miracle of the growth of the Church, particularly in Africa, is that the gospel is spreading well there. And that is evidenced by the fact that the last three times temples were announced, African Saints received word of another new temple.

As noted, the Kinshasa DR Congo Temple is anticipated to be completed next year, as is the Durban South Africa Temple. And, if my estimates are anywhere close to correct, within the next two or three years, the other three temples announced for Africa will also be under construction. I am grateful that the African Saints have had their prayers answered for temples in their midst. And I have every confidence that the Lord will continue to bless these faithful Saints with many more temples.

If the statement from Elder Wilson is correct, and 85 or more temples are in the running to be announced within the next 15 years or so, we will likely see many temples rise all over the world, and that is amazing and wonderful to think about. Just wanted to share these thoughts, for what they are worth. I am doing my best to keep informed of temple-related developments and will be sure to continue to pass on any news in that regard. Thanks for taking time to read this. Any thoughts are welcome, if you are able to share them. If not, please do let me know. I have worried a lot that the problem with people being able to comment has not been properly dealt with. I value your readership and interest in things I post. Thanks so much.