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Africa Southeast[2]:
Antananarivo Madagascar; Second DR Congo Temple (in Mbuji-Mayi or Lubumbashi);
Maputo Mozambique; Kampala Uganda; Cape Town South Africa
Africa West[3]:
Freetown Sierra Leone; Kumasi Ghana; Monrovia Liberia; Benin City Nigeria;
Yamoussoukro Ivory Coast
Asia[4]:
Ulaanbaatar Mongolia; Jakarta Indonesia; Singapore; Taichung Taiwan; Hanoi
Vietnam
Asia North[5]:
Osaka Japan
Brazil[6]:
Belo Horizonte, Florianopolis, João Pessoa, or Ribeirão Preto Brazil
Caribbean: Kingston
Jamaica[7]
Central America[8]:
Coban/Villa Nueva Guatemala
Europe[9]:
Edinburgh Scotland; Vienna Austria; Oslo Norway
Europe East[10]:
Vilnius Lithuania
Mexico: Torreon or
Queretaro Mexico[11]
Middle East/Africa North:
Dubai or Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates[12]
Pacific[13]:
Port Moresby Papua New Guinea; Tarawa Kiribati; Savaii Samoa; Christchurch New
Zealand
Philippines[14]:
Tacloban, Bacolod, or Angeles Philippines
South America Northwest[15]:
Santa Cruz or La Paz Bolivia; Iquitos or Cusco Peru; Cali or Medellin Colombia
South America South[16]:
Valparaiso Chile; Santa Fe, Rosario, or Neuquen Argentina; Ciudad del Este
Paraguay
North America (including
the United States and Canada) [17]:
North America Central[18]:
Missoula Montana; Pueblo or Colorado Springs Colorado; Wichita Kansas; Green
Bay Wisconsin; Des Moines Iowa; Lethbridge Alberta; Rapid City South Dakota
North America Northeast[19]:
Cleveland Ohio; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania; East Brunswick New Jersey; Augusta
Maine; Montpelier Vermont
North America Southeast[20]:
Jackson Mississippi; Shreveport Louisiana; Jacksonville Florida; Knoxville
Tennessee; Savannah Georgia; Charlotte North Carolina
North America Southwest[21]:
Bentonville Arkansas; Fort Worth Texas; Las Cruces New Mexico; Flagstaff or
Queen Creek Arizona; Elko or Ely Nevada
North America West[22]: Victoria
British Columbia; Fairbanks Alaska; Bakersfield California
Utah[23]:
Herriman Utah; Evanston Wyoming or Preston Idaho; Heber City Utah; Washington
County Utah (Third Temple)
[1]Although some have offered
their opinions that the record-breaking 27 new temples announced by President
Nelson within his first 3 General Conferences as Church Pres `ident will result in no new temples
being announced during this General Conference, much more has been said
recently by apostles, other Church leaders, and those privy to such information
regarding President Nelson’s plans to expand the number of temples. With that
in mind, I believe at least as many temples as I have suggested here may be
announced, though it could be more. I also believe that the expansion of the
number of temples will be done with wisdom, order, and common sense, which may
mean that President Nelson might not explain his plans for the near future, and
instead focus on gradually implementing them with the end result in mind that
the number of temples will include a ten-fold increase. The locations named
below seem to be the most likely to be announced during this conference, based
on the reasons I will detail in subsequent notes.
[2]The Africa Southeast Area
has experienced significant Church growth. With 2 dedicated temples in the area
currently, there is 1 other under construction, and 2 more announced (both of
which have had sites procured, and could therefore have a groundbreaking within
the next year), I have found 6 other potential locations which may get a temple
in the near future. Most of these candidates are on the list based on either the
mileage to the current temple(s), travel rigor, or oversized temple districts.
Additionally, Uganda, Mozambique, and Madagascar are fourth, sixth, and seventh
respectively on the list of top ten nations with the strongest Church presence
that do not have a temple in any phase. Madagascar is my top pick for this
area. And in reference to a second DR Congo Temple, I have personally favored
Lubumbashi, but a recent report on the Church Growth Blog pointed to the idea
that a temple in Mbuji-Mayi might be more imminently needed, so both are on
this list. For some of these locations which are in political, moral, or other
turmoil, the temples mentioned could provide a welcome refuge.
[3]The
same factors I referenced in note #6 above (about significant Church growth,
the mileage and rigors involved, and temple district sizes) also applies to the
Africa West Area, as reflected by the 5 candidate cities listed here. With only
2 temples currently operating, 1 more other construction, and 1 which has been announced,
the Church growth blog noted recently that West Africa could have at least 13
operating temples by 2030. There are a couple of big differences, however,
between this area and the Africa Southeast Area. Only two of the five candidate
locations in this area do not have a temple in any phase. The two are Sierra
Leone and Liberia, which rank as the second and fifth respectively on the
aforementioned top ten list. Sierra
Leone is my top pick for this area. And while it may be difficult to know how
soon a second Ivory Coast temple and a third Nigerian temple may be announced,
I have felt confident enough in these picks to include them here..
[4]The Asian Saints, whose
ability to practice their faith has been somewhat limited at times by
governmental regulations, are nonetheless very faithful, as evidenced by recent
temple announcements for that continent. With the Hong Kong and Taipei temples
serving the Saints currently, the one in Bangkok is under construction, and two
others have been announced for Bengaluru and Phnom Penh. The factors first
mentioned in previous notes above also apply to the Asia Area, which is the
largest geographically in the Church. Of the locations listed, Mongolia is my
favored pick, since that nation is eighth on the aforementioned top ten list.
Also, President Hinckley publicly proposed a temple in Singapore, and Vietnam
is a dark-horse pick that I included based on reports of Church growth in the
area.
[5]The Asia North Area of the
Church has seen some stagnated growth. But President Nelson announced a temple
for Yigo Guam in October 2018, and a temple for Okinawa Japan last April. As a
result, Osaka is on my list, with the main reasoning being that the Saints in
Osaka are roughly 1.5 times further away from their temple than the 200-mile
distance specified by previous prophets.
[6]Brazil
has been a Church stronghold for a while now. With seven temples currently in
operation, the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple will be dedicated within the next 4-8
months, during which time the Brasilia Brazil Temple is likely to have a
groundbreaking occur. With two other temples (Belem and Salvador) awaiting a
site announcement and groundbreaking, some may feel that more Brazilian temples
may be delayed. But my research indicates that, due to the factors mentioned in
prior notes (primarily the distances involved), these cities are the next most
likely locations to have a temple announced. I personally favor Belo Horizonte,
but would be happy if any or all of these cities have a temple announced in the
near future.
[7]This city is another
dark-horse pick, but is on the list due to the factors mentioned previously,
and also because someone suggested it elsewhere. And given what President Nelson
has done in terms of the 27 temples he has announced thus far, Kingston could
be another location for a smaller temple. I say that because the Kingston
Jamaica Saints travel 298 miles one-way overseas to worship at their assigned
temple (in Port-au-Prince Haiti, which was dedicated 5 weeks before this
General Conference). Given President Nelson’s attention to remote areas, it
seems more likely than not that a temple in Jamaica may be in the works for
either the immediate or near future.
[8]I have previously
referenced information on prospective temples in Central America which I
received from someone living and working in that area. While Coban seems to be
the most likely location for Guatemala’s third temple, Villa Nueva was also
mentioned by name, and because that city has been on prior lists for past
General Conferences, I have added that location again as well this go-round.
[9]The situation of Saints
living on the European continent is somewhat interesting. Where there are
centers of strength, significant growth has occurred. But in many European
nations, the Church has experienced some stagnated growth, which has
necessitated discontinuing some congregations in order to strengthen others
within the last year or two. But due to the factors I mentioned previously, it
appears likely that most (if not all) of the candidate cities that follow in
this section could get a temple, even if only a smaller one.
[10]This area of the Church
has also experienced stagnated growth to the point that some have suggested
that the Church could consolidate it into the Europe Area. Additionally,
although President Nelson boldly announced a temple in April 2018 for a major
yet-to-be-determined city in Russia, the political and religious oppression
existing in that nation makes it hard to know how soon that temple will be
built. With that in mind, a temple in Vilnius makes a lot of sense. And that is
especially true given the public proposal for such a temple which was made by
then-Elder M. Russell Ballard in May 1993. Although Elder Ballard noted that
prospect might not occur for 50 years or so, based on what has been said about
President Nelson’s temple expansion plans, the prospect seems imminent enough
to include it on my list for now.
[11]Mexico presents an
interesting anomaly. With some significant growth in areas of strength, the
mass consolidation of units in that nation continues. A temple was announced in
Puebla last October, and it is difficult to know how soon another temple may be
announced for that nation. But the cities of Queretaro and Torreon have been
identified by a Church member living in Mexico as likely to get a temple in the
near future, so both are on this list.
[12]As recently as a year ago,
if someone had suggested a temple for the Middle East/Africa North Area, I
would have dismissed it as an impossibility. But within the last 3 General
Conferences, we have seen President Nelson announce temples for areas which I
felt would not get a temple for 15-20 years, and with that in mind, a temple in
this area seems feasible, if only a smaller one. Although the bulk of Church
membership in this area is comprised of military personnel, the United Arab
Emirates represent a stronghold of the Church in this area. And with that in
mind, a smaller temple in either of the two most populous cities in the UAE
(Dubai or Abu Dhabi respectively), feels like it may be more practical than I
would have believed this time last year.
[13]The Pacific area is
another stronghold of Church growth. With 10 temples currently operating there
(and 3 others announced), it seems logical to assume that other temples will be
needed to serve the area. Most (if not all) of the factors I mentioned
previously apply equally to this area. Additionally, New Guinea, and Kiribati are
ranked first and third respectively on the aforementioned top ten list of
nations. So I have no doubt the Pacific Area will see temples announced in each
of these cities within the next decade, if not sooner.
[14]The Church has two
operating temples in the Philippines (Manila and Cebu City). The temple
announced in October 2010 for Urdaneta is now under construction, with three
more announced for Muntinlupa City, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao. If that is any
indication of what might happen in the future, then other temples may be needed
for the Philippines, and the cities mentioned here seem to have the highest
likelihood of having a temple announced.
[15]The
entire South American continent has experienced massive Church growth. Having
previously discussed Brazil, in reference to the South America Northwest Area,
I wanted to observe that there are 7 operating temples there. 1 more is
currently under construction in Arequipa Peru (for which a dedication is
anticipated before the end of this year) Two others, the Lima Peru Los Olivos and
Quito Ecuador Temples, are both now under construction. And while I have
personally-favored candidates here, a second temple in Bolivia may be the most
imminent prospect. For Bolivia and Colombia, I have listed two potential
locations each due to my inability to narrow those down to one.
[16]The
South America South Area has likewise seen very significant and rapidly
expanding growth. So again, with President Nelson’s extensive temple-building
plans in mind, I have considered the most imminent prospects for future temples
in this area, and the factors mentioned in previous notes hold true here as
well. Currently, this area of the Church is served by 6 operating temples (1 of
which is closed for renovation), and there were 2 more announced for this area
last year. With that in mind, the 5 locations listed in this section seem to
have the strongest case in their favor of a temple announced in the near
future. And for Argentina, I have listed three cities which may, based on the
history of temple announcements within the previous 3 General Conference, have
an equally likely chance of having a temple announced, which I could not narrow
down any further than that.
[17]Although
the North American continent (primarily in the United States) has seen somewhat
of a stagnating growth situation, in light of the recent increased mentions of
President Nelson’s ambitious temple-building plans, the likelihood is extremely
high that the US and Canada will be included in whatever the plans are to
expand the number of temples worldwide. The locations listed below represent what
I believe are the most imminent prospects for each of the now-6 North American
areas of the Church.
[18]As mentioned in previous
notes, on the one hand, it may be difficult (if not impossible) to gauge the
imminent likelihood of any locations. But as also mentioned, in view of some of
the relevant factors, I can see the merits of each location listed here.
Particularly, I heard a report of a public proposal of a temple for Missoula
Montana. Pueblo and Colorado Springs (which may be even in their likelihood) made
the list due to a report I received of high attendance numbers at the Denver
Colorado Temple. For Kansas, Iowa, and South Dakota, mileage is the main factor
driving my choices, and a temple (if only a smaller one) seems likely for all
three states in the near future. And a temple in Iowa could be named for Mount
Pisgah, a significant landmark in the pioneer history of the Church.
[19]Given the steady growth of
the Church in Ohio and Pennsylvania, second temples for each seem to be likely
sooner rather than later. And New Jersey, Maine, and Vermont may each be
eligible for a temple of their own given the distance factor, and the rigors of
travel involved in getting to their currently assigned temples.
[20]Since the Saints in
Jackson currently have an arduous journey to get to their assigned temple, it
is my opinion that a temple will be announced in that city sooner rather than
later. And an arduous journey also factors in to my reasoning for temples in
Shreveport, Jacksonville, Knoxville, and Savannah. If, as I anticipate,
President Nelson plans to prioritize the mileage factor and also filling in the
gaps that exist in temple district coverage, then any or all of these may
simply be a matter of time.
[21]For this area of the
Church, the Saints in some cities currently assigned to temples across the
Mexican border may, depending on what happens in the future, have a hard time
reaching those temples. With that said, I am basing my theories on the
potential location of an Arkansas temple on information from a friend
indicating that land has been held in reserve for a temple in Bentonville for
several years now. And I am basing my picks for temples in Texas and New Mexico
on the opinion of someone living within the current Dallas Texas Temple
district. This individual noted that Fort Worth would almost certainly be the
next city in Texas to get a temple. So if border issues arise, those could be
ameliorated by a temple in Las Cruces, which would likely also cover El Paso
for the time being. Arizona and Nevada both fall under the “Mormon corridor”,
and I have heard that Flagstaff may well be the most likely Arizona city to get
a temple, though I have added Queen Creek due to recent growth in that city.
Both Elko and Ely have arduous journeys to their assigned temples in Utah, so
It seems to be just a matter of time before one (or both) of them get a temple
of their own, and I feel the next Nevada temple location is too close to call.
[22]With this area having been
consolidated in August of this year with the North America Northwest Area,
there are a total of 3 locations for which I feel a temple announcement is most
likely. Victoria was mentioned by name to me by someone living there, who
reports the hardship of rigorous travel and the expense involved, which makes a
temple a feasible prospect. Fairbanks is one of two Alaskan cities for which I
anticipate a temple will be announced in the near future (the other being
Juneau), but my research shows the former as being the more imminent prospect.
And although there has recently been some stagnant growth in California,
Bakersfield has been on my radar for a variety of reasons, many of which have
been explained in previous notes.
