1300th Blog Post: Church News Updates

Hello again, everyone! After giving myself around a week to deal with some ongoing health issues, I am back again today to share some interesting Church News stories that have crossed my radar within this last week. This will be focused mainly on apostolic ministry updates, with a few other subjects mentioned in passing. There is a lot to talk about, so let's get right into all of that.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was recently on assignment in the South America South Area. While there, he spoke to Jewish leaders about how history, powerful doctrines, and ancient beliefs connect the history of Latter-day Saints with that of those of the Jewish faith. He also was able to share the Family Proclamation with those who serve in Argentina's congress.

As many of you may be aware, Elder Holland has a connection with the South America South Area, since he spent a two-year period (from 2002-2004) on assignment as president of the Church's now-defunct Chile Area, so he knows this area well, and it was great to hear about his chance to return to it.

President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, recently spoke at a program honoring the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, since he has devoted his life to Deity and to defending religious freedom. What he said on that occasion can be found here.

Elder Ulisses Soares, who, as some of you may recall, served as president of the Church's Africa Southeast Area prior to his call to the Presidency of the Seventy in 2013, which in turn preceded his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, recently returned to the African continent with Elder Neil L. Andersen. The two apostles visited the Africa West Area. The Church News shares this report of their ministry efforts during that trip.

The Church News also interviewed Elder Soares about his personal experiences relating to how the priesthood revelation affected both his homeland of Brazil, and his ability to teach more people the gospel during his mission in that same nation.

The Church News additionally reported this information about the time Elder David A. Bednar and his wife recently spent in the Church's Asia Area, which included a first for the couple: visiting Cambodia, India, and Mongolia.

Elder Quentin L. Cook was the featured speaker at a BYU-Idaho Devotional earlier today. He shared some exciting insights into how recent developments and publications, particularly the Joseph Smith Papers project and the new edition of the Doctrine and Covenants has helped increase many misunderstandings both within the Church and outside of it about certain aspects of the Church's history. The snippets of his address that are quoted in that article are well worthy of your attention.

In continuing her articles that take a retroactive look at her storied career reporting Church news, from former Church News editor Gerry Avant, we have this article which recounts how President Monson revisited a sacred site in Germany.

Turning our attention now to Mormon Newsroom, two recent articles were published highlighting President Nelson's recent ministry efforts. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work as a heart surgeon. He and his wife also joined Elder and Sister Ronald A. Rasband in ministering to Church members in Canada.

A few other articles may be of interest to some of you: As you may be aware, in light of the Church replacing home and visiting teaching with the ministering program, the Church News noted that monthly ministering principles will be published in the Ensign from now on. I am grateful that the Church has taken the steps to replace home and visiting teaching. The ministering approach will allow Church members to minister to our brothers and sisters more through the promptings sent by the Spirit, which will put the responsibility of how best to implement such principles squarely on our shoulders.

The First Counselors in the Sunday School and Young Men General Presidencies (Douglas D. Holmes and Devin G. Durrant) recently visited South Africa to share some insight into the changes that will be coming to the curriculum and youth programs. Apparently, starting next year, the curriculum for Sunday School that will focus more on individual preparation by class members for the Sunday School hour of Church. More details can be found in this article.

And we conclude with this inspiring article from the Church News, which describes how a senior sister missionary completed her missionary service following her husband's unexpected and sudden passing.

I can recommend all of these articles to you without reservation. That does it for this post. Anyh and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.

Updated Estimates for Known Temple Events

Hello again, everyone! I wanted to post right now and share my updated thoughts about the time-frames within which future temple events may take place. There has been a lot to consider in terms of the changes I recently made, such as the progress (or the lack thereof) on new temples under construction or those currently undergoing renovation, whether or not that progress is sufficient to warrant a change, and any unknown factors that may delay any of these events.

The revised estimates below represent my best efforts to determine when such events might occur. I look forward to hearing from any of you regarding any feedback describing anything I have missed, overlooked, or failed to consider. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.

Future estimates for known temple events

2018:

Anytime in the near future: Full-scale renovation anticipated to begin for the Asuncion Paraguay Temple

Note: This temple closed for renovation on October 29, 2017. Within the six months that have followed, the process was delayed while building permits were being acquired. In mid-to-late April 2018, many sources which I consult for temple information removed any completion estimate. While I hope that the Church’s announced intention to rededicate this temple next year will be able to occur, only time will tell if that will be possible.

Monday July 23: Hamilton New Zealand Temple Renovation Closure (confirmed)

Sunday October 28: Concepcion Chile Temple Dedication (160^th operating temple; confirmed)

Note: Since this will be the first new temple dedicated during President Nelson’s administration, he could opt to preside at this event himself, or he could delegate that responsibility to either of his counselors, or to one of the senior members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It occurred to me that, since Elder Holland spent two years (from 2002-2004) as president of the Chile Area of the Church, he might either be asked (as a senior member of the Twelve) to preside at this dedication, or to accompany the more senior leader who does so.

November: Groundbreaking for the Bangkok Thailand Temple

Note: The Church officially confirmed the site for this temple and also released an artist’s rendering of it on March 19, 2018. It has typically been customary for the Church to schedule a groundbreaking ceremony for a temple not long after the site is identified and a rendering is released. Bearing in mind that the site in question needs to be cleared for this temple, and that Thailand was officially dedicated for the preaching of the gospel by then-Elder Gordon B. Hinckley on November 2, 1966, November seems like a good month for this temple’s groundbreaking. Time will tell how accurate this assumption might turn out to be.

Sunday December 9: Barranquilla Colombia Temple Dedication (161^st operating temple; confirmed)

Note: The note above regarding who might preside at this temple event also applies to this temple, as it is possible that President Nelson, one of his counselors, or a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve could preside at this event. I looked for, but was unable to find, any information regarding whether any of the apostles had ties to Colombia, but if there are any that do, they would likely have a role in the dedication as well.

Final note on 2018: 2018, by all reports, was going to be a big year for temple groundbreakings. However, we are nearing the point of being halfway through the year, and nothing has officially been announced yet. I am hoping that, as noted above, we at least see ground broken for the Bangkok Thailand Temple, even if that occurs at a time other than what I have suggested above. I would also hope that more will be known about the following temples by or before the end of this year: Saratoga Springs Utah, Lima Peru Los Olivos, Urdaneta Philippines, Pocatello Idaho, Harare Zimbabwe, and Nairobi Kenya. While I hope we will see more than one groundbreaking by the end of this year, time will tell.

2019:

Mid-February: Frankfurt Germany Temple Rededication

Note: While this has yet-to-be confirmed, it would make sense if this temple was rededicated at this time. And, since the Church has periodically assigned senior members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to preside at such events, the First Presidency may opt to ask Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a native German who has presided at previous dedications and rededications as a member of the First Presidency from 2008-2018, to preside at this event in his homeland.     

Sunday March 10-Sunday March 17: Rome Italy Temple Dedication (162^nd operating temple; confirmed)

Note: While the Church officially announced that this temple’s dedication will be held over an 8-day period (one of the longest, if not the very longest, in recent years), the exact number of dedicatory sessions that will be held has not yet been made public. I am assuming that the Church could potentially have 3-4 per day, with one every 2-3 hours, but time will tell. Since the dedicatory sessions will be held for longer than a week, it would make sense if the Church rotates attendance among several different Church leaders, which will likely include all members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve.

Mid-April: Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple Dedication (163^th operating temple)

Note: In view of my need to change other estimates, and in recognition of the fact that we have seen two updates recently on the status of this temple, I have changed my thinking and now concur that this temple will be the next new one dedicated in 2019 following the Rome Italy temple dedication.

Mid-to-late May: Fortaleza Brazil Temple Dedication (164^th operating temple)

Note: Although I had previously shared my thoughts that this temple would likely be dedicated before the temple in Kinshasa, in the last couple of weeks, two significant updates on that temple now lead me to concur with most sources available that the Fortaleza temple will not be dedicated until after a dedication is held for Kinshasa. With that in mind, it seemed reasonable to move the estimate for this temple’s completion to around this time. If the need arises, further alterations can be made in the future.

Early-to-mid June: Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple Dedication (165^th operating temple)

Note: Since construction of this temple (which began within a couple of weeks following its’ October 28, 2017 groundbreaking) is anticipated to take 15-18 months, and since the estimates for temples undergoing renovation were recently pushed back, it has seemed wise to move the estimate for this temple’s completion up. If I see another reason to adjust this further, I will do so.

Early-to-mid August: Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple Rededication

Note: With a desire to be more conservative in the estimates I offer, and in recognition of the fact that temple renovations often take longer than originally anticipated, it has felt wise to shift this temple’s completion estimate. Depending on what happens within the next 6-10 months in relation to this temple’s progress, any additional adjustments will be made as they are needed.

Mid-to-late August: Lisbon Portugal Temple Dedication (166^th operating temple)

Note: This temple, which has progressed fairly well, may be dedicated at around this time, if it continues to make steady progress. If I see any reason to adjust this estimate in the near future, I will be sure to do so.

Mid-September: Memphis Tennessee Temple Rededication

Note: The relative progress of other temples compared to the lack thereof on several others leads me to believe that pushing back my estimate for this temple’s rededication would be appropriate. If I see anything that changes my mind in this regard, I have no problem with the idea of adjusting this estimate again.

Mid-October: Raleigh North Carolina Temple Rededication

Note: On May 3, 2018, this temple’s general completion estimate was pushed back in many sources from which I obtain such information. With that in mind, this adjustment has felt necessary. If this temple makes sufficient progress in the near future, I could see the merits of moving this estimate up. Until that time, this alteration feels reasonable.

Mid-November: Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple Rededication

Note: This temple’s general completion estimate was altered on May 3, 2018 as well. With that in mind, although I hope for the best for this temple, it has felt wiser to be more conservative in this estimate. If I see a need to move this estimate up, I will be happy to do so.

Mid-December Durban South Africa Temple Dedication (167^th operating temple)

Note: This temple has alternated having some occasions when lots of progress has been noted, and having other times when long periods have gone by with no word on any developments. For that reason, it has seemed more reasonable to be conservative in this estimate. I hope to be able to move this estimate up, if all goes well.

Final note on 2019: As with 2018, I have heard that 2019 could potentially be another big year for temple groundbreakings. If that proves to be the case, there will be other temple-related events to add to this list for subsequent years. A lot could change within the next year that will also change the likely prospects for temple groundbreakings in 2019. Closer to the time, I may venture some thoughts for temples likely to have a groundbreaking during 2019. Additionally, although both the Oakland California and Asuncion Paraguay Temples were originally anticipated to be rededicated in 2019, the former is an older temple, which means delays are possible, and the latter is currently stalled in the process of getting its’ renovation started. For that reason, I am pushing back my estimates for the rededications of both to 2020. But I hope that I will be able to move both back into 2019 if all goes well.

2020:

Mid-January: Oakland California Temple Rededication

Note: This temple closed for its’ renovation in February 2018, and was anticipated to be rededicated during 2019. But in view of the progress (and the lack thereof) made on several new temples and others undergoing renovation, it has seemed reasonable to alter this estimate to around this time.

Mid-March: Arequipa Peru Temple Dedication (168^th operating temple)

Note: This temple had originally been estimated to have its’ dedication occur in 2019, but new information indicates that it will likely happen in 2020, and that it may be the first new temple dedicated during that year. If anything happens to change that, its’ future dedication might either be delayed or pushed up.

Mid-to-late April: Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple Dedication (169^th operating temple)

Note: The main reason this temple’s completion estimate was pushed back to early 2020 is because many sources available to me noted that it is going to be bigger than originally believed. With that in mind, it is not hard to believe that a dedication could (and likely will) occur for this temple at around this time, before winter season hits the southern hemisphere.

Mid-to-late May: Winnipeg Manitoba Temple Dedication (170^th operating temple)

Note: With full-scale construction on this temple having finally begun in early June 2018, if the 20-month estimate for this temple’s construction process proves to be correct, then construction could be finished in either the last few months of 2019 or the first few months of this year, which would enable an open house and dedication to occur at around this time.

Early-to-mid August: Tokyo Japan Temple Rededication

Note: Although full-scale efforts have begun on this temple’s renovation since the last time I posted these estimates, it has seemed wiser to be more conservative in this estimate. If I see any reason in the near future to move this estimate back up, I will do so.

Mid-to-late September: Mesa Arizona Temple Rededication

Note: This temple is older, but has been renovated previously, so the renovation process will likely be completed at around this time. If anything happens to delay that process, this estimate would need to be subsequently adjusted as a result.

Mid-to-late October: Asuncion Paraguay Temple Rededication

Note: This temple closed for its’ renovation process in late October 2017. But as of May 3, 2018, it has not had the full-scale process begin. And although the Church originally said that the rededication for this temple would occur in 2019, unless those full-scale efforts begin before winter 2018 begins in the southern hemisphere, that might in turn delay its’ rededication to around this time. That said, if full-scale efforts are able to begin sooner rather than later, I could see the need to move up this more specific estimate.

Mid-December: Washington DC Temple Rededication

Note: This temple has, as of today (April 27, 2018), been closed for almost two months, but has not had any progress reported on that process as of yet. When we add to that the fact that this is an older temple having its’ first renovation, mid-December is a very conservative estimate. If anything delays that process, I would not be surprised to see this temple’s completion pushed back into 2021.

2021:

Mid-to-late April: Hamilton New Zealand Temple Rededication

Note: This temple’s July 2018 renovation closure was the first temple announcement of President Nelson’s prophetic administration. If, as is widely believed, that process involves an expansion of any kind for this temple, depending on how quickly or slowly progress is made, this estimate may need to be adjusted.

2022:

Mid-to-late April: Bangkok Thailand Temple Dedication (171^st operating temple)

Note: When the artist’s rendering for this temple was released, it showed a six-story temple with an adjacent building that will hold Church offices and 1 or 2 meetinghouses as well. So the completion of this temple will depend on a few things: First, how long we will have to wait before a groundbreaking takes place; second, how long the construction process takes; third, whether there are any delays in that process; and finally, what might occur between now and then. It is also worth noting that several other temples may have a groundbreaking, and might be constructed and completed before this one is dedicated. If that happens, there will obviously need to be an adjustment on this temple’s potential number.

                  

Final Note: As noted above, if several temples have a groundbreaking in 2018 and the years that follow, their completion estimates will need to be added to the list above. I continue to monitor all temple-related developments and will pass news of them along as I become aware of them.

Providing Updates on Several Temples

Hello again, everyone! As many of you know, the last temple construction updates I posted on this blog were published in early May. Due to some personal circumstances, I was unable to do much research to find and pass along any new updates before now. But the tide turned in my favor yesterday, and I found several updates that are worth noting. With my apologies to you all that this will be cumbersome, today I am publishing the updated version of my entire temple construction progress report.

I hope that these updates, which follow below, will be helpful to many of you. I continue to monitor all such developments and will do my level best to bring those to you all ASAP after I learn of them. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.

Temple Construction Progress (current as of 6/7/18)

Note about future temple construction: I have previously referenced the statement made by Elder Larry Y. Wilson, who serves as the Temple Department Executive Director, to the effect that 80 temples were on a list of locations that would be considered for an official announcement within the 15 years following that statement. And although we may not know whether or not those 80 locations have been announced by late April 2032, it seems reasonable to believe that the Church could (and likely will) have 200 operating temples by or before Saturday April 6, 2030 (which will mark the Church’s bicentennial anniversary). In order to do so, the Church would just need to complete the 30 temples in various phases, and announce and complete 11 others in the 11.83 years between now and then, which could be done if 3.47 temples are dedicated each year. Although this year will see only 2 temple dedications, there are 5 or 6 anticipated in 2019, and at least 3 that we know of so far the following year. So I am confident the Church will have at least 200 in operation by that time, whether or not an official goal is made to do so.

Current temple status: The Church has 189 temples in various phases. There are 159 in operation, with 3 others that have a dedication scheduled, and an additional 8 that are in various phases of construction. In terms of temples undergoing renovations, 10 temples recently closed for renovation, and 1 more will close later this year. The remaining 19 are announced (with either a site announcement or groundbreaking pending).

Additional note: In early May 2018, the LDS Church Temples site experienced a server crash, which resulted in massive data loss, so it is undergoing a process of restoration and redesign. Although other sources, by comparison, are not as extensive in their reports, I learned on June 5, 2018 that the Facebook page for the website has continued to include updates. So while I have temporarily removed all temple status updates, if I can find sufficient updates on that source, they will again be included on this report.

Dedication Scheduled:     

160. Concepcion Chile Temple: Dedication scheduled to occur on Sunday October 28, 2018.

Note: The last update I have available for this temple was provided on March 29, 2018. Although I am sure that additional progress has been made since that time, because I do not know the extent of those likely developments, I am leaving the status of this temple as is until more information is available.

161.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Final landscaping being installed around temple grounds; dedication scheduled to occur on Sunday December 9, 2018.

162. Rome Italy Temple: Finalizing landscaping and construction of ancillary buildings; dedication scheduled to occur from Sunday March 10-Sunday March 17, 2019.

Under construction, completion estimated during 2019:

163. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Holiness to the Lord inscription stone in place; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

Note: The status of this temple is similar (if not identical) to that of the Barranquilla Colombia Temple in late April 2018. And since that temple had had a dedication announced two months prior to that, it is not a stretch to believe that this temple could have a dedication announced within the next couple of months, with the dedication perhaps set to occur within the first six months of 2019. What will be interesting to see is whether or not that might be scheduled to occur just before the already-scheduled dedication for the Rome Italy Temple, or between April and June. I will keep an eye out for information in this regard and will be sure to pass updates along once I receive them.

164. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Video update posted on Facebook on May 22, 2018; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

Note: Although I have not been able to find any updates on the status of this temple, the progress shown in the video mentioned above shows that progress continues at a very steady rate. It therefore seems likely that this temple could (and probably will) be dedicated sometime between April and June.

165. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Completion estimated sometime during mid-2019.

Note: While I have not been able to find an update on the status of this temple in the recent past, I am assuming that progress has continued at a steady rate, and that this temple could be dedicated in either June or early-to-mid August.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Panoramic view of temple provided on Facebook on June 1, 2018; completion estimated sometime during mid-2019.

Note: The video mentioned above shows significant progress made on this temple, although I do not know the specifics of to what extent that occurred. If all continues to go well with this temple’s construction progress, I could easily see a dedication occurring anywhere from September-November.

167. Durban South Africa Temple: Completion estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

Note: Although the extent of the progress on this temple is not currently known, if all goes well, I could see a dedication occurring anywhere from October-December.

                                          

Temples estimated to be completed sometime during 2020:

168. Arequipa Peru Temple: Progress continues on exterior stone cladding; completion estimated sometime during early 2020.

Note: Despite the fact that not much is known about this temple’s current status, I feel safe in projecting that the dedication for this temple could occur anywhere from January-April.

169. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Completion estimated sometime during early 2020.

Note: Although it has been a while since we last had an update on the status of this temple, it seems entirely likely that we might see its’ dedication between February-May.

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Construction fence erected; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

Note: When this temple’s groundbreaking was announced in late 2016, the news release from the Church noted that the construction process was anticipated to span a 20-month period. If the redesign process has not changed that estimate in any way, then construction could conclude in February or March, with an open house and dedication following sometime around April or May. Depending on the progress (or the lack thereof) between now and then, this estimate will be adjusted as that becomes necessary.

Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated sometime during 2019):

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

Note: Although there has not been an update on this temple’s status for a while, it is entirely possible (if not highly likely) that it could be rededicated either in January or February of next year, or else in April, following the dedication of the Rome Italy Temple.

95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime during mid-2019.

Note: This temple, which has also not seen an update provided on its’ status in the recent past, was making steady (if not significant) progress on its’ renovation process. It is therefore my belief that we could (and likely will) see its’ dedication occur in June or else early-to-mid August.

80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime during mid-2019.

Note: While the extent of the progress on this temple is unclear, I see no reason to doubt that its’ rededication could occur in either September or October. Once more information is available, I may adjust my thinking in this regard.

68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Closed for renovation; applying vapor barrier to exterior; rededication estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

Note: If this temple continues to make steady progress, it feels logical to assume that it could be rededicated in either October or November. If any updates are needed to that assumption, I will make them as more information is obtained.

94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

Note: Although no new information has been provided for this temple in the recent past, it is not difficult to believe that it could be rededicated in either November or December.

Undergoing renovation (rededication estimated sometime during late 2019-early 2020)

13. Oakland California Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

Note: While no updates have been provided for this temple in the recent past, since this temple is older and has not been renovated previously, I am estimating that it could be rededicated sometime during December 2019-February 2020.

Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated sometime during 2020):

18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Closed for renovation; construction of new annex building and interior renovations are underway; rededication estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

Note: If this temple continues to make consistent progress, then we could see a rededication occur sometime during April-June, though that may be pushed back to August if delays occur.

7. Mesa Arizona Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

Note: On May 10, 2018, the Church released details of the renovation plans for this temple. Exactly three weeks later, the Church released additional details of plans to redevelop the area around the temple. Bearing in mind that this temple has been renovated before, and that it is a somewhat older temple, its’ rededication could occur sometime during either June, August, or September.

16. Washington D. C. Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

Note: This temple is an older temple being renovated for the first time. With that in mind, it is not too difficult to believe that it could be rededicated at any point during October-December. If an update to that estimate is needed, I will reevaulate.

Renovation process stalled; full-scale work pending:

112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Closed for renovation; full-scale efforts pending; completion anticipated in mid-2020.

Note: Until full-scale renovation efforts are underway, it has felt wiser to be conservative in my estimate. With that in mind, this temple could be rededicated anytime during June-September. If new information indicates that this process has started, that would necessitate an adjustment to this estimate.

Renovation Scheduled (closure date confirmed):

11. Hamilton New Zealand Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Monday July 23, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2021.

Note on announced temples: Although I have previously indicated that I was no longer comfortable or confident enough to venture general or even more specific time-frames for the groundbreakings of these temples, recent developments have made it easier to surmise how soon such events might happen, so, on May 31, 2018, I again added those estimates. As part of that process, I have once again altered, where new information necessitated, the order in which these temples are listed. That said, the timing of such events has always been up to the Lord, who reveals His will in that regard to His prophets. Whether or not the groundbreakings occur within the windows indicated here, I will embrace those whenever they actually take place.

Announced temples:

171. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approvals; artist’s rendering released on March 19, 2018; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

Note: With the site identified and the release of the artist’s rendering, a groundbreaking for this temple may just be a matter of time. And since this November marks the 52^nd anniversary of Thailand’s being dedicated for the preaching of the gospel, November may just be the month in which this groundbreaking occurs.

172. Saratoga Springs Utah Temple: Planning and approval; designs underway; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2018-early 2019.

Note: Although a site confirmation is pending for this temple, because designs are currently underway, and because this is a Utah County temple (since temples in Utah always progress more swiftly than other temples elsewhere within the US), on May 31, 2018, I moved this temple up on this list. If I feel a need to move this temple down again on this list in the future, I will do so.

173. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

Note: In March 2017, the contractor for this temple indicated that a year of pre-planning would be needed for this temple site before a groundbreaking could be held. While it is unclear when that year began (or if that year has already passed), it seems safe to assume that the groundbreaking for this temple could occur within the next year, if not sooner.

174. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Awaiting government approvals; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

Note: The biggest barriers preventing progress on this temple were getting government approval and having an official site announced. With the recent confirmation of the site location, it may simply be a matter of time before government approval goes through, at which point a groundbreaking can be held. I am optimistic that we could see that occur within the next year or less. It is also possible that further delays could occur for this temple as well. I am monitoring developments in this regard and will adjust this estimate as needed in the future.

175. Pocatello Idaho Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2019.

Note: Although the citizens of Pocatello have speculated about two or more potential locations for this temple, one of those locations has emerged as being the most likely prospect. If the Church confirms that at any point in the near future, since this temple is going to be built within the “Mormon corridor”, a groundbreaking could occur sooner rather than later.

176. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2019.

Note: Although an official site confirmation is pending, President Nelson visited a probable location during his world tour in April 2018. If that site location is officially confirmed in the near future, then a groundbreaking could easily follow within the next 15 months or less.

177. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; media event held June 14, 2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2019.

Note: During President Nelson’s recent visit to Kenya, a national newspaper noted that the site for this temple had been selected, and that because this temple was anticipated to be a smaller one, its’ dedication might occur sometime during 2021. With that in mind, it is not hard to believe that an official site announcement and groundbreaking could occur within the next 15-18 months.

178. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning and approval; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

Note: Although a site inspection occurred one year ago for this temple, the prospective groundbreaking timeframes offered for the temples above necessitates a change in my previously-offered thoughts about the imminence of that groundbreaking. While I would hope that the Brazilian Saints would not have to wait another 1.5 years for this temple’s groundbreaking, until more is known, it seems wiser to be conservative in this estimate.

179. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

Note: Although this temple may also be further along in its’ progress towards a groundbreaking than other temples above it, in view of the factors noted on the others above this one, it has seemed wiser to be more conservative in my estimate for this temple’s future groundbreaking. Additionally, since getting the Urdaneta Philippines Temple underway may be more of a priority for the Church, this one may only have a groundbreaking within the next 16-19 months.

180. Layton Utah Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

Note: While I would anticipate that, for this temple in Utah, its’ construction will likely get underway sooner than other temples on this list, and while that could happen sooner than indicated above if the Church confirms that the land that was bought in Layton two days before the temple was announced in that city, it has seemed wiser to be more conservative in my estimate for this temple’s potential groundbreaking. I will be delighted to move it up on this list if I see a good enough reason to do so.

181. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early 2020.

Note: This is the last of the three temples announced in April 2015 that may have a groundbreaking. The Church in the Ivory Coast has seen sufficient enough growth that a second (and perhaps even a third) temple may be announced to serve the Saints in this nation, but that may not occur until this temple makes further progress. We have seen recent developments on other temples in Africa, which gives me hope that this temple could have a groundbreaking ceremony around the estimated time noted above, but time will tell how accurate that might prove to be.

182. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

Note: While the first Ecuadoran temple had a 14-year wait between its’ announcement and groundbreaking, with the progress the Church has made in South America within the last two decades, this temple (to be built in the Ecuadoran capital city) will likely not see a wait nearly that long. I personally hope that this groundbreaking will occur sooner than indicated above, but until more information is available, I have felt a need to be more conservative.

183. Richmond Virginia Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

Note: Although an official site confirmation is pending for this temple, a Virginia newspaper noted in mid-April 2018 that the Church had procured several acres of land in Richmond sometime during 2015. If the Church confirms in the near future that one of those plots will be the official temple site, then a groundbreaking could easily occur within the next two years, but possibly less, since temples in the US generally have construction begin well in advance of their international counterparts.

184. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

Note: Although this temple was announced one year before the Brasilia Brazil Temple, that temple is further along in the approval process and will likely therefore have its’ groundbreaking before that occurs for this temple. In preparing these updated thoughts, it occurred to me that the Church may opt to hold off on beginning construction of this temple until both the Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro Temples are dedicated. With that in mind, I have felt that the groundbreaking could occur at around this time, but I will alter this estimate as needed once more is known.

185. Managua Nicaragua Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2020.

Note: Since then-Elder Nelson had publicly proposed this temple in 2012, and President Nelson himself made the announcement, I would imagine the Lord will allow him to be very much involved in the process of this temple’s construction and eventual dedication. With that in mind, I could see a groundbreaking occur within the next 24-27 months, but hopefully sooner if all goes well.

186. Salta Argentina Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2020.

Note: While the time-frames offered for the temples above this one has resulted in this temple’s estimate being delayed as well, it would not surprise me if a groundbreaking for this temple happens sooner than estimated here.

187. Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

Note: While I would anticipate that this temple will likely not have a groundbreaking until significant progress has been made on both the Urdaneta and greater Manila area temples, it is not impossible to believe that a groundbreaking could occur for this newest Filipino temple within the next 2.5-2.75 years, but perhaps sooner if all goes well.

188. Bengaluru India Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2021.

Note: As previously noted, President Nelson had not originally intended to announce a temple for India during the April 2018 General Conference, but was inspired to do so the night before that conference began. Although India may have some political obstacles that would need to be cleared before this temple has a groundbreaking, I fully anticipate that the Lord could enable a groundbreaking to occur within the next three years, but possibly sooner.

189. Russia: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official location and site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2021.

Note: Although both a specific city and a site location for this temple have yet to be identified, President Nelson did have supervisory responsibility for Eastern Europe for the last several years he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. With that in mind, he may have connections that would enable an acceleration of the process to get this temple built, which is why I am being conservative in my offered estimate above, but will not in any way be surprised if the Lord clears all obstacles to allow that to occur sooner than indicated here.

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.

Changes since last report are highlighted in red.