Who will serve as the Grand Marshal of the "Days of '47" KSL Parade

Hello, all! I am back again today to explore the question of who might serve as the "Days of '47" KSL Parade Grand Marshal. Typically, this role has been filled by a member of the First Presidency. But last year, Elder Ballard filled that role at the invitation of the First Presidency as a senior member of the Twelve and as descendant of pioneers. I felt that Elder Ballard might be asked to fill that role again this year. But then I read this article, which described how Elder Holland spoke to the Sons and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers about how his ancestors were pioneers, if not in the textbook definition, than at least in the truest sense of the word. So at this point, it is not clear at all who might fill that role. But since this is a Utah holiday of no small importance to Latter-day Saints, I will keep an eye out for developments and let you all know when more is known about this. That's it for now. Stay tuned for more from me later on today. Thanks, as always, for your time and attention.

Temple Construction Progress Update

Hello again, all! I have, as noted in my previous post, updated my temple construction progress report with the notes I have added regarding renovations. Enjoy! If you have a comment for me on this, you can reach out to me via Facebook or through my contact information on my Blogger profile. Thanks.

Temple Construction Progress Update (current as of 7/17/17)

NOTE: There will be a total of 182 operating temples once all of those under construction or announced are dedicated. Of those, we currently have 156 temples in operation; 1 other will be dedicated next month (after the traditional July recess for the General Authorities); 2 more have construction concluding and a dedication scheduled for later this year; 9 are in various stages of construction; 1 other has construction pending (groundbreaking was last year), and earnest work will hopefully start on that within the next month or so); 1 has a groundbreaking scheduled (set for later this year); 2 are undergoing renovation (with completion anticipated next year); another 4 have a renovation closure date set for later this year, with 5 others set to close early next year (the actual dates will be set closer to the time); the remaining 12 are announced (with either a site announcement or groundbreaking pending).

NOTE ON FUTURE TEMPLES: Elder Larry Y. Wilson, who serves as the Executive Director of the Temple Department, indicated in a recent interview that the Church has around 85 temple sites that are under active consideration for an announcement within the next 15 years or so. If that is true, then that would take the number of temples in any phase to just under 270 by 2032. And if that is true, then whether or not the Church makes it an official goal to do so, it is more than likely that there could be a minimum of 200 temples dedicated by or before the Church’s 200^th anniversary on April 6, 2030, whether or not the Church makes that an official goal. All it would take to do so is 18 more being announced, and each of them, along with the 26 either under construction or announced, to be completed within the next 12 years and 9 months, which is doable if 3 or 4 are dedicated per year between now and then. As there are 3 others scheduled for dedication before the end of this year, with 5 set for next year, and up to 5 the year following, the Church seems to be on track for that. Subsequent versions of this report will continue to share developments as they occur.

Preparing for dedication:

157. Tucson Arizona Temple: Preparing for dedication, which is 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: Installing art glass; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.

                                                      

Under Construction (completion anticipated within the next 1-2 years):

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

161. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Exterior brickwork completed; attaching purlins to roof trusses and strengthening truss connectors; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

162.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Stone cladding underway on the south wall; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.

163. Durban South Africa Temple: Applying waterproofing membrane to temple exterior walls; basement floor poured; laying brick at missionary housing; top floor ring beam poured; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.

164. Concepcion Chile Temple: Cladding nearly complete on north and south walls; progressing around base of steeple; 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.

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

NOTE: In looking at the completion estimate for this temple versus that of the Winnipeg Temple, if construction begins in earnest on that temple within the next month or so (which it may), it will be finished prior to this one. That change of thinking is reflected on the revisions I have made to my estimated timeline for future temple-related events.

168.  Lisbon Portugal Temple: Pouring temple foundation walls; preparing meetinghouse for exterior cladding; completion anticipated sometime during late 2019.

169. Arequipa Peru Temple: Foundation walls poured; completion anticipated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

Construction pending (anticipated to start anytime):

166. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; awaiting full-scale operations; acquiring building permits; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: In reevaluating the time-frames involved, I learned, as noted above, that the 20-month completion estimate for this comparatively smaller temple (which is being built to serve just the one stake at the moment) puts its completion before that of the Rio temple. Subsequent adjustments will be made as they are needed.

Groundbreaking scheduled:

170. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Groundbreaking ceremony scheduled to take place on Saturday October 28, 2017; dedication may follow sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

NOTE: The First Presidency made the groundbreaking announcement for this temple on July 13, 2017, noting that Elder Walter F. Gonzalez, who presides over the Caribbean area, will preside at this groundbreaking. In the interim, I found out that this temple will be much smaller than its other Caribbean counterpart, so it seems reasonable to assume that this temple could have a dedication prior to the end of 2020. As with everything else, I am keeping an eye out for developments and will pass along any updates as I receive them.

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: Though this temple’s renovation has been ongoing since its closure in February 2016, and while the rededication had been anticipated at some point during 2017, as the renovation process has continued, those estimates have been altered again and again, until this most recent revision of that time-frame. This event could happen at any point in the middle of the year, or it could be pushed back again. More information will come as more is known.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; baptismal font support walls poured in basement addition; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

NOTE: This temple, closed since September of 2015, was also anticipated to be completed and rededicated at some point prior to the end of 2017. As with the Jordan River temple, that completion estimate has been pushed back repeatedly. Until more is known, it is anyone’s guess when this rededication might happen. I will pass along any updates as I receive them.

Renovations Scheduled (official closure dates announced):

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

NOTE: While this temple is a comparatively smaller one (from the Hinckley era), I also learned on July 5 that this renovation will be altering both the exterior and interior appearance of the temple. Whether or not that involves an expansion remains to be seen. Further study done on July 16 verified that there is room for this temple to expand, so it could be possible. More information will be provided as I find out more. In the meantime, I will not change the possible completion time-frame.

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

NOTE: This temple, constructed as part of President Kimball’s smaller temple design, is anticipated to be rededicated sometime in 2020. Research done on July 16 seems indicative that expansion is not part of the plan for this temple. For that reason, the completion estimate feels reasonable. Adjustments will be made as the process gets underway.

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: While this is another smaller temple from the Hinckley-era, I learned on July 16 that the entire area of the temple exactly corresponds to the size of the temple lot. An expansion of this temple, therefore, does not seem likely. I stand by my completion estimate.

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

NOTE: As noted in previous versions of this report, I had the closure date for this temple off by a month. I regret that misinformation. In the meantime, I did some study on whether or not this temple might be expanded. On July 16, I found that this temple may have room to expand. Whether or not expansion will happen, until more is known, I have felt it wiser to stick to my completion estimate.

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

68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in January 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: On July 16, while studying scheduled renovations, I learned two things: this temple is on a large enough plot of land that expansion may be possible, but the Saints in North Carolina (according to one of my contacts) were told that no expansion will be done on this temple. It is possible but perhaps unlikely. More to come once more is known, including any change of the completion estimate.

94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: My study on this temple (which I conducted on July 16) indicates that there may be room on this temple lot to expand the edifice. The question is whether or not the Church will choose to do so. I will keep an eye on developments and pass things along as I learn of them. For now, the question cannot be settled.

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

NOTE: This renovation and the one below were announced in February of 2017. In the interim, the Church has scheduled 7 other renovations around those two. This temple is older, so the renovation will likely take longer. But I am not ruling out other possibilities. We also know that the primary purpose of this renovation is to upgrade mechanical and electrical systems and bring them up to code. So I don’t think expansion is in the plans for this temple.

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

NOTE: This is another older temple where the purpose of the renovation is to upgrade electrical and mechanical systems and bring them up to code. An expansion doesn’t seem likely. It is a larger temple, so the renovation will likely take longer. That reinforces the idea that the completion timeframe above will be spot on.

7. Mesa Arizona Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in May 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

NOTE: The purpose of this renovation is to upgrade electrical and mechanical systems and bring them up to code. This temple has been renovated before, which reinforces the idea that there may be less to update here than for Washington DC. Until more is known, it is my feeling that this temple will likely be rededicated first.

NOTE ON FUTURE GROUNDBREAKINGS: I have recently redone this section based on information I have. I should also note that the timing of any temple event is up to the Lord (based on conditions in each area), so these estimates should not in any way be taken as gospel or official until they are confirmed or denied by those who have the authorization to do so.

Announced:

171. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

NOTE: Until recently, all that was known regarding this temple is the contractor’s statement (he is the same man overseeing the Arequipa Peru Temple project) to the effect that a year of pre-planning would be needed prior to any groundbreaking ceremony being held. With the recent news that this preconstruction began in March of this year, it is not hard to believe that a groundbreaking could take place soon after 2018 begins. If my thinking on this changes (and it may once more is known), I will make any adjustments needed.

172. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning phase; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2018.

NOTE: In addition to the site confirmation that has been noted on previous reports, news of the inspection of this site by Church engineers seems to be indicative that the groundbreaking is likely to happen sooner rather than later. We do also know that, since no other groundbreakings are anticipated by the end of this year, this could be among the first to have a groundbreaking next year. I will do my best to analyze developments as I hear of them. For now, this seems to confirm my original thinking on this time-frame.

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

NOTE: This temple’s location, which the Philippines’ Facebeook page confirms is in the region of Alabang, Muntinlupa City, will be built south of Manila proper. With the site confirmed, it is very likely that a groundbreaking could follow at around this time. And since the second Lima Peru temple had an official name announcement within three weeks of the temple’s announcement, it is not hard at all to believe that an official name will be announced for this temple in very short order.

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

NOTE: While all that is known about this temple presently is that the Church owns several acres of land in this community, we do know that generally Utah County temples do get construction started much sooner than their international counterparts. This groundbreaking could therefore happen sooner or later than this. Until more is known, it does seem to be a safe prediction.

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

NOTE: While it may still be true that several sites are under consideration for this temple, the most likely one of these sites has been annexed into Pocatello City. If at any point within the next year that site is confirmed, this groundbreaking could happen sooner or later than this. Until more is known, it seems to be a safe estimate.

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

NOTE: As I have considered the media event held last month, I have determined it wiser to assume that a groundbreaking for this temple will happen sooner rather than later. It seems apparent now that this temple will not be the last of those currently announced to have a groundbreaking, as I had originally thought and stated. So it seems wise to make that adjustment. As always, once more information is available, I will go from there.

177. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: This temple will mark seven years since its announcement with no progress this October. While many have hoped for a groundbreaking later this year or early next year, it appears that until more is known, it might be practical to move this temple. Once more is known, I will pass that along, including moving this temple up or down as things develop. Right now, the word is that a groundbreaking may take place sometime next year. But if nothing happens to further this temple’s progress within the next year, I could see the Church waiting until the first six months or so of 2019 to have a groundbreaking for this temple. More information will be provided once more is known.

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

NOTE: If member speculation is confirmed within the next year or so (that a building housing Church offices will be reconstructed and repurposed into an edifice housing not just those offices, but also a meetinghouse and the temple as well), then formal construction efforts could begin sooner than indicated here. Until more is known, I am trying to be conservative in my estimates. I would not be surprised in the least if this temple’s groundbreaking happens sooner or later than indicated here.

179. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place during mid-2019.

NOTE: Since there has been no progress whatsoever on this temple since Elder Hamilton stated that 2017 would see a site announcement and groundbreaking; I would like nothing more than to say that this temple could have a groundbreaking sooner than indicated here, but it seems doubtful. As further developments take place, this temple will be adjusted accordingly.

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

NOTE: With the massive growth that the Church has experienced in the Ivory Coast, some have speculated that the Ivory Coast could get one or two additional temples within the next 15 years. For this first one, this adjustment feels appropriate. Further adjustments will be made once more is known.

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

NOTE: Despite the 14-year wait between the announcement and groundbreaking for Ecuador’s first temple, this one for the Ecuadoran capital is not anticipated to have nearly as long a wait. With other adjustments that have been made, this seems appropriate. Further adjustments will be made once more is known.

182. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during late 2019-early 2020.

NOTE: Since we have a site essentially confirmed for the other Brazilian temple above, even though this one was announced a year prior to that one, it is more than likely that we will not see a groundbreaking for this Belem temple until a year or so after the one for Brasilia. If the estimates for all other temples are anywhere close (which they may or may not be), that would make this temple the last of the current bunch to be dedicated. But this is 2 or 3 years out, so changes are always possible within that time depending on what develops between now and then.

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.

Temple-related News and Developments

Hello, all! Just posting here with the results of some additional study I did this last weekend on temple-related news and developments. First, I found out that the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple is anticipated to be comparable to the size of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple. With that in mind, it is not hard to believe that the construction on Haiti's first temple could be completed and a dedication could follow sometime during mid-to-late 2020. Of course, that is subject to change based on what happens as the construction process unfolds.

Second, I found out that there are at least 3 temples that could also potentially have a groundbreaking prior to the end of this year. The question is, how likely are any of them to actually happen? The answer is still being determined. I don't doubt the possibility. Anything is possible. But until it is probable, the three that were mentioned (Harare Zimbabwe, Urdaneta Philippines, and Lima Peru Los Olivos) may remain where they are for the moment on my report. As always, I will pass along any updates to my thinking as things unfold and as more is known.

Third, I did some studying on how likely or feasible it might be to anticipate an expansion of some kind for the temples that are scheduled for renovation. My study reminded me that, as part of his "smaller temple" revelation, President Hinckley had stated that many of this new generation of smaller temples were being built to be small initially, with the idea that extra room on the land plots of some temples (if any) would allow an expansion if and when that was deemed advisable. I also learned this weekend that some congregations within the Raleigh North Carolina temple district were notified that an  expansion was not in the immediate  plans for that temple.

That said, with the additional study I did on these scheduled renovations, I have come to the following conclusions: An expansion may be possible for the Memphis Tennessee, Asuncion Paraguay, Raleigh North Carolina, and Baton Rouge Louisiana Temples. There is space on the lots for such expansions. Each of these temples has a similar or almost identical design. You may notice one newer temple that is absent from this list: the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple. I ran the numbers and conversions necessary on that. Unless I miscalculated (which is always possible), it appears that the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple as it now is takes up the entire area of the land plot on which it sits. With the four others, there is room within the lot size for expansion.

So, again on this subject, it comes to a question of possibility versus probability. Any of these temples might possibly expand: the question is, will they? We do know on Memphis that the renovation will change the exterior and interior look of the temple, but nothing beyond that. Oklahoma, as noted above, takes up the entire area of the lot size. The only other one I know anything about is Raleigh, and if member information is correct, an expansion is not in the plans. That said, the information came from a meeting about the renovation that was held by one stake within that district fairly shortly after renovation plans were announced. As the process evolves, perhaps a determination will be made that an expansion is feasible and should be done. Or maybe it is in the plans and it has yet to be disclosed to all involved.

Any of the others may be expanded. Whether or not that will actually happen remains to be seen. That is what study I have done this weekend on the question has shown. In regards to the other renovations (for the Oakland California, Tokyo Japan, and Mesa Arizona Temples), they are older but the announcement on those renovations indicated that each temple would be having electrical and mechanical upgrades inside and out to bring them into conformity with newest building codes.

It was great for me to be able to spend some time on researching this this last weekend. One other thing is certain: Whatever temple-related developments do take place over the next several years, this blog will be one of many sources that will report on such developments and will keep people up to date on all of that. Stay tuned for more information as I receive it and am able to pass that along.

I also wanted to note that the commenting problem is still an issue, which I am working on as I am able. I hope to have answers sooner rather than later, including some resolution to the dilemma. I miss the feedback. If any of you do need to reach me with a comment on something I have said in my blog posts, please reach out to me via either Facebook or through my contact information on my Blogger profile. Thanks, as always, for your kind attention, concern, and support, to say nothing of the privilege of your time.