On this blog, I, James Stokes, share insights and analysis covering the latest news and developments reported about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My specific emphasis and focus is on the ministry of our current apostles, General Conference, and up-to-date temple information. This site is neither officially owned, operated, or endorsed by the Church, and I, as the autthor thereof, am solely responsible for this content.
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Friday, June 16, 2017
Quick Update on the Lisbon Portugal Temple
While I have not changed my temple construction progress report too much since posting it yesterday, I did learn of advancements in the construction of Portugal's first temple. According to that new information, foundation walls are being poured, and the walls of the adjoining meetinghouse are nearly finished. Just wanted to pass that along. It is wonderful to live in a time when so much is going on with temple work. I am continuing to keep an eye out for developments and will pass along any news ASAP after I learn of it. Thanks for reading this. Any comments, if anyone is able to make some, would be appreciated. Let me know if that is not the case. Thanks again.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Significant Adjustments Made to Temple Construction Progress Report
Hello, all! I have taken some time today to adjust my report on temple construction progress to clarify some statements I had made. I am posting right now to share those adjustments with all of you. If anyone has feedback on these changes, please let me know, if you are able to. If I have not been successful in fixing the issues people have had commenting, I need to know that as well. I would welcome e-mails from anyone who notices any such issues. Thanks for your cooperation with and understanding of this matter.
Temple Construction Progress Update
(current as of 6/15/17)
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: I learned over the weekend of May 12-15 that there is a
possibility we could see more groundbreakings later this year. I will be
keeping my eyes open for any temple-related news and will post those as I hear
of them. For now, this is a correction from what I had previously reported.
Construction completed; open house tours underway:
157. Tucson
Arizona Temple: Public open house tours underway (will run until June 24,
Sundays excluded); dedication scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.
Construction nearing completion; dedication scheduled:
158. Meridian
Idaho Temple: Interior finish work underway; laying sod and planting trees
in parking area; dedication scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.
159. Cedar
City Utah Temple: Exterior lighting 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: Attaching insulating block and laying brick over
south and west walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
162. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Stone cladding underway on north and east walls; completion
anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: For the three temples above, they seem to be interchangeable in
terms of which one might potentially be completed and dedicated first. I am
trying to keep an eye on any and all developments and will adjust these
estimates as necessary once more is known.
163. Concepcion Chile
Temple: Scaffolding removed from north wall; cladding progressing on west and
south walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
164. Durban South Africa
Temple: Preparing to pour upper façade walls of temple; scaffolding going up
around upper level of meetinghouse; completion anticipated sometime during
late 2018.
NOTE: I
originally was thinking and had stated that the Concepcion and Durban temples
might be interchangeable in terms of when they might be completed and
subsequently dedicated. But in rechecking the LDS Church Temples site during
the later hours of June 14, it had changed the estimate for Durban to sometime
late next year, instead of during the middle or latter part of that same year,
as previously thought. It shouldn’t affect my estimate for the time-frame of
this completion, as I had predicted that this event would take place in
December. But I am doing my best to analyze all of these developments and will
provide updated information as I receive it.
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
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 I have previously
observed, this temple and the temple in Winnipeg appeared to be interchangeable
until just recently. With no progress having been reported on Canada’s newest
temple, unless things change drastically, this Rio temple will no doubt be
completed first. More to come once more is known.
168. Lisbon Portugal
Temple: Temple foundation work continues; running utility lines; laying brick
exterior walls for meetinghouse; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
169.
Arequipa Peru Temple: Footings poured; setting 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 full-scale construction commencement is still pending on this
temple, all that we know at the moment is that construction will take roughly
20 months (1.67 years) once it commences in full, and that this temple is being
built to serve just the one stake in Winnipeg for the moment. Until
construction starts in earnest, the completion date is hard to pin down. That
full-scale construction may have already started, but that is difficult to
ascertain. With the information known right now, mid-2019 is a very rough
estimate for this temple’s completion. It would not surprise me in the least if
this temple is not dedicated until 2020. Adjustments will be made once more is
known. For now, this is an update from what I had previously reported.
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: On
June 14, the LDS Church Temples site changed the completion estimation for this
renovation to mid-2018. Since we know that temples in the US, particularly
renovations, are usually finished more quickly than their international
counterparts or new temples, it is unclear for the moment which temple-related
event is most likely to happen first. I am doing my best to analyze these
developments and will pass along any updates as soon as I can.
41. Frankfurt Germany
Temple: Closed for renovation; excavating for basement addition for new
baptistry; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: On
June 14, the LDS Church Temples site changed the completion estimation for this
renovation to mid-2018. Since we know that renovations are generally completed
more quickly than new temples, whether within the US or elsewhere, it is hard
at the moment to try and figure out what the actual sequence of events may be
for next year. I am analyzing these developments as quickly as possible and
will be sure to post with any updates ASAP.
Renovations Scheduled (official
closure dates announced):
112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: As I was recently reminded, a completion estimate for renovations
is hard to pin down and may change daily. So until this renovation is underway
in 3.5 months, it is anyone’s guess when it might actually be finished. We do
know that the closure for this temple comes just over a month before it was
anticipated to take place. As previously noted as well, this temple is at the
top of the list of planned renovations only because it comes first
alphabetically. Based on the knowledge that US temples are renovated much more
quickly than their counterparts in other parts of the world, I still feel
confident that this temple’s rededication will not take place until after that
of the Oakland Temple, which is set for closure sometime in February next year.
80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during early 2019.
NOTE: As mentioned above, until this renovation gets underway in 3.5
months, a completion time-frame will be hard to pin down. Since we do know that
US renovations are usually completed well in advance of their international
counterparts, there is no doubt in my mind that this rededication will take
place during the spring of 2019. That assertion may change once the renovation process
starts, but for now, it seems to be a safe prediction to make.
18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for
renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during
mid-to-late 2020.
NOTE: Despite the fact that this temple is the last alphabetically that
will close on the second-to-last day in September, because Tokyo time is ahead
of both Asuncion and US time, this temple may be the first to close for
renovation. Also, I have noted before that a rededication for this temple,
which is set to happen sometime during 2020, will likely not happen until after
that of the Washington DC Temple, which is set to close in 8 months.
95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation on October 14, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-2019.
NOTE: This temple, the last of
those set to close for renovation later this year, is nonetheless a US temple,
so it seems safe to assume and to assert that this rededication will happen
sometime after that of the Memphis Tennessee Temple, but sometime prior to the
rededications of the Oakland California and Asuncion Paraguay Temples.
Obviously, that may change once the renovation process commences, but for now,
it seems to be a safe assertion.
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: With this closure set to take place next year, until it is
underway, it is difficult to pin down even a general time-frame for its
completion. But it seems more than likely that the rededication for this temple
will transpire well before that of the Asuncion Paraguay temple simply by
virtue of it being a temple within the US. Adjustments will be made once more
is known.
16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation in March 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2020.
NOTE: As already noted in relation to the other renovations, until this
temple begins the renovation process, a probable completion timeframe is very
difficult to pin down. But given that US temple renovations are almost always
completed prior to their international counterparts, it is not impossible to
believe that the rededication for this temple will likely precede that of the
Tokyo Japan Temple.
NOTE: While
I learned during mid-May that we could have as many as four groundbreakings
before the end of this year, very few developments have taken place relating to
the announced temples below. And while I always prefer to think and speak
optimistically, any thoughts of mine on when these events might happen are always
subject to what the Lord and the Brethren feel is best, to say nothing of local
attitudes and politics that may also come into play. So while I offer my best
guess estimate for such events, they should not be taken as fact unless and
until they are verified by subsequent announcements. I hope that is abundantly
and clearly understood in the way I have reworded things.
Announced:
170. Harare Zimbabwe
Temple: Approval and construction preparation phase; awaiting official site
announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.
NOTE: While we do have the statement from Elder Kevin S.
Hamilton, who presides over the Africa Southeast Area, that the site
announcement for this temple would come later this year and that the
groundbreaking would follow shortly thereafter, there has been no change in
this temple’s status since that time. If a site announcement does occur at any
time within the next month or so, a groundbreaking could take place on or
around Saturday August 26. There is also an equally likely chance that the
groundbreaking might not take place until next year. Until something is
officially announced, the date identified above is merely my own projection.
Once more is known, an update will be made. I would not be at all surprised in
any way if this groundbreaking is pushed back to next year. I am keeping an eye
out for developments and will make any adjustments as necessary.
171. Port-au-Prince
Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during mid-to-late 2017.
NOTE: Elder
Andersen, as previously noted, confirmed a site purchase for this temple in
March. Since procuring a site is the most difficult thing to do, it is not hard
to believe that a groundbreaking could take place this year, and I have felt
that could happen on or around Saturday September 16. But nothing is official
unless and until the Brethren make it so. I would in no way be surprised if
this event was pushed back until 2018 or later. I will be sure to pass along
any new information on this as I receive it.
172. Urdaneta
Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government
approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could happen sometime
during mid-to-late 2017.
NOTE: This
temple has not progressed beyond its announcement almost 7 years ago. Recent
developments seem to point to the possibility of a groundbreaking later this
year, but I would not be surprised if that event is pushed back another year or
more. Until more is known, I have felt to venture Saturday October 14 as a
possible groundbreaking date, but nothing is official until the Brethren make
it so. I will be sure to provide updates as I become aware of them.
173. Lima Peru Los Olivos
Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site
announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.
NOTE: While
we do have the statement from the contractor supervising this project (in
addition to the Arequipa Peru Temple construction) to the effect that a year
would be needed to prepare the site prior to the groundbreaking, it is still
unclear whether that year is nearing an end or just beginning. Once that is
clarified, a more precise estimate will be able to be made. For now, I have
felt that a groundbreaking might be set for Saturday December 2. Until
something more official is announced, that is just my own thoughts and
feelings/
174. Brasilia Brazil Temple:
Planning phase; site confirmed; groundbreaking may take
place sometime during early 2018.
NOTE: While
local leaders have communicated to members that the site for this temple is
near an arm of Paranoa Lake, and while I personally hope that confirmation will
be all that is needed before a groundbreaking is announced, until something
more official is known, a groundbreaking time-frame might be harder to pin down
than I originally believed. Site confirmations generally precede
groundbreakings by around a year. So I could see a groundbreaking happen early
next year. Until more is known, that is merely hope and conjecture on my part.
As with every other potential temple development, I will pass along any updates
as I am able to.
175. Greater Manila Philippines
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-2018.
NOTE: While
we do know that this temple will stand in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, it is
difficult to know when further developments might happen for this temple. An
official name announcement for Lima Peru’s second temple came 3 weeks after its
announcement, and I have heard from many that an official name announcement may
take place sometime soon. With so much up in the air, predicting a probable
groundbreaking time-frame is difficult. But we also know that temples that have
had a probable site confirmed usually have a groundbreaking a year later. Once
more is known, a more specific prediction will be made about that time-frame.
Until that time, this is mere conjecture on my part.
176. Pocatello Idaho: Planning
phase; awaiting site confirmation; groundbreaking may
take place sometime during mid-to-late
2018.
NOTE: Elder
Larry Y. Wilson, who serves as the Executive Director of the Temple Department,
has indicated this Idahoan temple will be larger, somewhat akin to the size of
the Meridian Idaho Temple. And while a probable site has been identified, it
has not yet been made official. Depending on when that happens, a
groundbreaking date might be hard to pin down. But with the knowledge that this
temple will be built within the “Mormon corridor”, a groundbreaking could take
place sooner than the time-frame I indicated above. As always, when I learn of
any developments, I will adjust things and pass that information along.
177. Saratoga Springs Utah:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking
may take place sometime during mid-to-late
2018.
NOTE: While
Utah County temples have generally had a groundbreaking within a year of their
announcement, there is so much unknown as yet. We do know that the Church owns
several plots of land in that city, but nothing more official has been
announced. Once a site announcement takes place, a more specific time-frame
will be easier to project. I would not be at all surprised to hear of this
groundbreaking either taking place earlier in 2018, or even possibly being
pushed back further. Once I find out more, I will pass that information along.
178. Bangkok Thailand
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: While
some members have speculated that an existing Church office building could be
rebuilt and renovated into a multi-purpose edifice housing Church offices, a
meetinghouse, and the temple, much is unknown about this temple. If a site
confirmation happens within the next year or so, I could see a groundbreaking
happen sometime near the end of next year. I could also see the Church delaying
that event further depending on what develops. Once additional information comes
to light, I will make any needed adjustments.
179. Abidjan Ivory
Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early 2019.
NOTE: While
an official site announcement is pending, we do know that the Church is growing
well in Africa. If a site is confirmed within the next year or so, a
groundbreaking might take place as estimated above. But such a groundbreaking
will depend on what happens between now and then. An adjustment will be made
once more is known.
180. Quito Ecuador
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-2019.
NOTE:
Ecuador’s first temple had a 14 year waiting period between its announcement
and subsequent groundbreaking. A delay of that length is not anticipated for
this temple, from what I have been able to ascertain. Until a site is
confirmed, a groundbreaking might be hard to pin down. Depending on what
happens between now and then, the timeframe suggested above may change. I will
provide updates as I learn of them.
181. Belem Brazil Temple:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking
may take place during mid-2019.
NOTE:
Because the other Brazilian temple has already had a site confirmed, I have
felt confident that there will be a groundbreaking for that temple well in
advance of this one. If a site announcement for this temple happens in the next
year or so, I have felt that a groundbreaking could take place at around this
time. But I could see it happening sooner or later, depending on what happens
between now and then. Once more is known, an adjustment will be made.
182. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning
phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking
may take place sometime during mid-to-late
2019.
NOTE: With
so much unknown about this temple, a groundbreaking time-frame is hard to pin
down. Depending on what happens in Africa between now and then, a
groundbreaking for this temple may happen sooner than estimated above, or it
could be pushed back. But it does seem clear that, unless something changes,
this Kenyan temple will be the last of the current bunch to have a
groundbreaking. Once more information becomes available, I will make any
adjustments that are necessary.
ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: Temple
announcements are possible at any time, but the last twelve announcements have
taken place during the April General Conference. I never want to rule out the
possibility of announcements at other times, but that has been the pattern for
the last three years. There have also been reports of several cities that have had
a site purchased for a while now, and where an announcement might happen at any
time. I know of at least five that have been identified to me by name: Managua
Nicaragua, Auckland New Zealand, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, Bentonville
Arkansas, and Missoula Montana. If other potential temples have had a site
purchased, they have yet to be identified as such. The following temples have
been publicly proposed by apostles at various and sundry times: New Delhi India (in June 1992 by Elder Neal
A. Maxwell; may not happen soon due to intense political and religious
obstacles); Vilnius Lithuania (in May 1993 by Elder M. Russell Ballard, which
may be more of a long-shot possibility); Maracaibo Venezuela (in August 1999 by
President Hinckley, which is just waiting for the right conditions); Singapore
(in January 2000 by President Hinckley, and is likely to be announced when the
time is right); for the Southwest Salt Lake Valley (in October 2005 by
President Hinckley; NOTE: While some contend that this temple announcement has
already happened, verifiable sources widely available prove otherwise. A site
is being held in reserve for that temple, and that location will be announced
when membership and temple activity warrant that announcement); Managua
Nicaragua (in January 2012 by then-Elder Russell M. Nelson; very likely at any
time due to Nicaragua being the #1 of the top ten world countries without a
temple); Missoula Montana (sometime in 2014 by Elder David A. Bednar during a
stake conference in the area; while the report of this proposal has yet to be
verified, the fact that there has been a purchase of a temple site seems to
indicate that it is a most imminent possibility, though perhaps not as imminent
as I once believed); and for the Kasai Region in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (in February 2016 by Elder Neil L. Andersen). There are likely several
other sites that the Church has purchased for a potential temple, but those
have yet to be verified.
Key:
Bolded numbers and text denote
temples whose numbers already exists (for renovations), or is certain due to a
scheduled dedication, as well as information that is certain, such as
dedication or groundbreaking dates.
Italicized numbers and
text denote temples whose numbers may change based on the order in
which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.
Underlined numbers and text denote
temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval,
and groundbreaking.
Red text highlights changes from the last posted temple
progress report.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Updates on the Ministry of Our Apostles
Two apostles recently spoke in two very different settings about principles important to the Church, and, by extension, to the rest of the world. The Church News ran this article regarding Elder Andersen's meeting with and comments as part of a gathering of leaders of other world religions. In that report, his remarks and the response of other leaders to the gathering are detailed.
I am grateful to see that the Church is building bridges with other religious leaders. There are so many who claim that participation in an organized religion is not necessary, and that the support of formal religion is not needed in day-to-day lives. The minute Joseph Smith walked out of the Sacred Grove, he was ridiculed by the religious leaders of his day. And the first chapters of the history of this Church were filled with accounts of the Church as an institution and as individual believers were persecuted.
It took time and no small effort for the Church to be accepted and even admired by leaders of other religions. But the latest chapters of Church history have been full of a spirit of cooperation and mutual admiration between leaders of our Church and those who lead other faiths. It is wonderful to consider how far things have advanced that meetings like this can take place where shared views instead of differences can be discussed, and where leaders of all faiths can agree upon core and driving principles of belief. That was great to read about, and I hope any who will be reading that article from its link here will be equally edified and inspired as I was.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Elder Holland addressed those who work with LDS Family Services, praising their work and leaving them with his apostolic blessing. This article details that address. One of the many reasons Elder Holland continues to be a favorite of mine is his ongoing efforts to show compassion for those suffering in any way and to praise those who help ameliorate the suffering of such people. I was very moved by the report of that address.
That does it for this update. Stay tuned for more as more updates come in. Let me know your thoughts, if you are able to do so, and if you cannot, please let me know via e-mail. Thanks so much to you all for your interest and support.
I am grateful to see that the Church is building bridges with other religious leaders. There are so many who claim that participation in an organized religion is not necessary, and that the support of formal religion is not needed in day-to-day lives. The minute Joseph Smith walked out of the Sacred Grove, he was ridiculed by the religious leaders of his day. And the first chapters of the history of this Church were filled with accounts of the Church as an institution and as individual believers were persecuted.
It took time and no small effort for the Church to be accepted and even admired by leaders of other religions. But the latest chapters of Church history have been full of a spirit of cooperation and mutual admiration between leaders of our Church and those who lead other faiths. It is wonderful to consider how far things have advanced that meetings like this can take place where shared views instead of differences can be discussed, and where leaders of all faiths can agree upon core and driving principles of belief. That was great to read about, and I hope any who will be reading that article from its link here will be equally edified and inspired as I was.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Elder Holland addressed those who work with LDS Family Services, praising their work and leaving them with his apostolic blessing. This article details that address. One of the many reasons Elder Holland continues to be a favorite of mine is his ongoing efforts to show compassion for those suffering in any way and to praise those who help ameliorate the suffering of such people. I was very moved by the report of that address.
That does it for this update. Stay tuned for more as more updates come in. Let me know your thoughts, if you are able to do so, and if you cannot, please let me know via e-mail. Thanks so much to you all for your interest and support.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Church Loses Another Emeritus General Authority
The Church News today reported the death of Emeritus General Authority Seventy Elder John R. Lasater, who died at the age of 85. As the first retired Air Force General to serve as a General Authority, he filled many prestigious assignments both during his military days, and even more so during his brief tenure as a GA Seventy. You can read more about this remarkable man's life, career, and service in this article. You can also review his one conference talk, which can be found here. That talk was given when I was not yet two, so I have no memory of it, but it does sound like it was a great address. My prayer is that that peace "which passes all understanding" may be with the Lasater family as they remember the memories they have had with him, and that their sorrow at his passing may be transformed into a celebration of life. Any of you who might want to comment on this are welcome to do so, if you are able. And if it turns out that I have not yet properly fixed that problem, please let me know via e-mail. Thanks to you all for your interest and support.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Additional Temple News and Developments/Updated Report/Additional revisions may be necessary
Hello, all! When i again checked the LDS Church Temple's construction status page, I found that the completion estimate for the Durban South Africa Temple had changed from "mid-to-late 2018" to "late 2018". I have also updated some other information on my report of that construction progress, so I felt it was worth passing along. In the coming days, as I am able to, I will be revisiting my timeline for upcoming temple-related events. In the meantime, I wanted to note that I am actively involved in continuing to check several times daily for updates, and I will continue to do my best to pass any updates along as I find out about them. For now, here is that updated report.
Temple Construction Progress Update
(current as of 6/14/17)
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: I learned over the weekend of May 12-15 that there is a
possibility we could see more groundbreakings later this year. I will be
keeping my eyes open for any temple-related news and will post those as I hear
of them. For now, this is a correction from what I had previously reported.
Construction completed; open house tours underway:
157. Tucson
Arizona Temple: Public open house tours underway (will run until June 24,
Sundays excluded); dedication scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.
Construction nearing completion; dedication scheduled:
158. Meridian
Idaho Temple: Interior finish work underway; laying sod and planting trees
in parking area; dedication scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.
159. Cedar
City Utah Temple: Exterior lighting 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: Attaching insulating block and laying brick over
south and west walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
162. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Stone cladding underway on north and east walls; completion
anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: For the three temples above, they seem to be interchangeable in
terms of which one might potentially be completed and dedicated first. I am
trying to keep an eye on any and all developments and will adjust these
estimates as necessary once more is known.
163. Concepcion Chile
Temple: Scaffolding removed from north wall; cladding progressing on west and
south walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
164. Durban South Africa
Temple: Preparing to pour upper façade walls of temple; scaffolding going up
around upper level of meetinghouse; completion anticipated sometime during
late 2018.
NOTE: While
I originally was thinking and had stated that the Concepcion and Durban temples
might be interchangeable in terms of when they might be completed and
subsequently dedicated. When I rechecked the LDS Church Temples site during the
later hours of June 14, it had changed the estimate for Durban to sometime late
next year, instead of during the middle or latter part of that same year, as
previously thought. It shouldn’t affect my estimate for the time-frame of this
completion, as I had predicted that this event would take place in December.
But I am doing my best to analyze all of these developments and will provide
updated information as I receive it.
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
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 I have previously
observed, this temple and the temple in Winnipeg appeared to be interchangeable
until just recently. With no progress having been reported on Canada’s newest
temple, unless things change drastically, this Rio temple will no doubt be
completed first. More to come once more is known.
168. Lisbon Portugal
Temple: Temple foundation work continues; running utility lines; laying brick
exterior walls for meetinghouse; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
169.
Arequipa Peru Temple: Footings poured; setting 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 full-scale construction commencement is still pending on this
temple, all that we know at the moment is that construction will take roughly
20 months (1.67 years) once it commences in full, and that this temple is being
built to serve just the one stake in Winnipeg for the moment. Until
construction starts in earnest, the completion date is hard to pin down. That
full-scale construction may have already started, but that is difficult to
ascertain. With the information known right now, mid-2019 is a very rough
estimate for this temple’s completion. It would not surprise me in the least if
this temple is not dedicated until 2020. Adjustments will be made once more is
known. For now, this is an update from what I had previously reported.
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: On
June 14, the LDS Church Temples site changed the completion estimation for this
renovation to mid-2018. Since we know that temples in the US, particularly
renovations, are usually finished more quickly than their international
counterparts or new temples, it is unclear for the moment which temple-related
event is most likely to happen first. I am doing my best to analyze these
developments and will pass along any updates as soon as I can.
41. Frankfurt Germany
Temple: Closed for renovation; excavating for basement addition for new
baptistry; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: On
June 14, the LDS Church Temples site changed the completion estimation for this
renovation to mid-2018. Since we know that renovations are generally completed
more quickly than new temples, whether within the US or elsewhere, it is hard
at the moment to try and figure out what the actual sequence of events may be
for next year. I am analyzing these developments as quickly as possible and
will be sure to post with any updates ASAP.
Renovations Scheduled (official
closure dates announced):
112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: As noted earlier this month, though the First Presidency
originally set November as the closure month for this temple, it was later
officially confirmed that the closure would happen before the end of September.
I additionally found out that this temple is at the top of the list of planned
renovations only because it comes first alphabetically. So, in spite of the
fact that I had recently changed my estimate for this temple’s completion, it
made sense to restore my original thinking, and I am even more convinced now
that this temple will likely not be rededicated until after the rededication of
the Oakland California temple, as the work on temples within the US (whether
new or being renovated) is almost always completed ahead of that of their
international counterparts. If necessary, I will revise this estimate once more
is known.
80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during early 2019.
NOTE: While I had, after rethinking things, adjusted my completion
estimate for this temple, I restored my original estimate because, as we know,
renovations of US temples are usually completed more quickly than their
international counterparts. So I have no doubt that this temple will be the
first one to be rededicated in 2019.
18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for
renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during
mid-to-late 2020.
NOTE: Because Tokyo is so far ahead of the United States or South
America time-wise, it will probably be the first of these three to close, but
it appears in this position on this report because it is the last
alphabetically. As we also know that this renovation will only be completed
sometime in 2020, and as this temple is outside the US, I am more convinced
than ever that this temple’s rededication will not take place until sometime
after that of the Washington DC Temple, which is set to close in about nine
months.
95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation on October 14, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-2019.
NOTE: While this temple is the last of the four that will close for
renovation by the end of this year, it is nonetheless a temple within the US,
which makes it more than likely that its subsequent rededication will follow
that of the Memphis Tennessee temple, and will precede those of the Oakland
California and Asuncion Paraguay temples.
Temples that have a renovation
closure announced, but no official date made known yet:
13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime during
mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: The renovation for this temple, (the oldest of those scheduled
for renovations) is anticipated to be completed in 2019 sometime. The timeframe
indicated above therefore seems reasonable, as is also the assumption that this
temple will be rededicated before the Paraguayan one.
16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation in March 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2020.
NOTE: This temple, the last one currently scheduled for renovation, is
anticipated to be completed sometime during 2020. Because we know that US
temple renovations are completed more quickly, it is relatively safe to assume
that the rededication of this temple will happen sometime prior to that of the
Tokyo Japan Temple.
NOTE: As mentioned above, I learned
during mid-May that we might have as many as 4 temples that could potentially
have a groundbreaking later this year. The chances are equally likely that no
other groundbreakings will happen until sometime in 2018. As with every other
temple-related development, I am doing my best to reevaluate things as more
information comes to light, and I will be sure to pass along any updates. In
the meantime, this is mostly just my own thoughts and impressions based on what
I have learned and observed. It is my most sincere and fervent hope that no one
who reads these estimates will ever take them as gospel or as set in stone.
Nothing is official until the Brethren make it so. I hope that will be
abundantly clear in how these estimates are worded. Bearing that in mind, these
are my revised thoughts:
Announced:
170. Harare Zimbabwe
Temple: Approval and construction preparation phase; awaiting official site
announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.
NOTE: We only have the indication
from Elder Hamilton that a site announcement for this temple would occur this
year, and that a groundbreaking might follow shortly thereafter. As I always
prefer to think and speak optimistically, if a site is announced within the
next short while, a groundbreaking may follow on or around Saturday August 26.
If the Lord and the Brethren have a different time-frame for these events,
there will need to be an adjustment. More to come once more is known.
171. Port-au-Prince
Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during mid-to-late 2017.
NOTE: With a site being confirmed for
this temple last March, the groundbreaking could happen later this year. We may
even see this groundbreaking happen before any announcement on the Zimbabwe
temple. On its own merits, it seems entirely possible to believe that a
groundbreaking could be set for this temple for Saturday September 16, but that
will depend entirely on if the Lord and the Brethren decide it needs to happen
at around that time. As with everything else, more information will be given
once more is known.
172. Urdaneta
Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government
approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could happen sometime
during mid-to-late 2017.
NOTE: This temple, the oldest of
those announced (it will mark 7 years since its’ announcement this October),
has been subjected to numerous delays. With those delays over, there is an
equal possibility that a groundbreaking for this temple could happen later this
year or sometime next year. As I always prefer to be optimistic, I feel safe in
venturing Saturday October 14 as a potential date for this groundbreaking, but
that is, as always, subject to the Lord’s timing and when He inspires the
Brethren to make things official. More will come once more is known.
173. Lima Peru Los Olivos
Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site
announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.
NOTE: As previously noted, the
contractor for this project is the one overseeing the construction of the
Arequipa Peru Temple site as well. He indicated earlier this year that a year
would be needed to work on the site prior to its’ groundbreaking. While we
still do not know whether that year has passed already (if he meant from the
announcement date) or whether he meant a year from when he made the statement,
there is an equal chance that this groundbreaking will happen either later this
year or early next year. Speaking optimistically, if all goes well, I can see
the potential for a December 2 groundbreaking. Until the Brethren make it
official, that is just my own hope.
174. Brasilia Brazil Temple:
Planning phase; site confirmed.
NOTE: Knowing that this site has
been confirmed by local priesthood leaders (it is located in the northern
section of the city, near an arm of Paranoa Lake), we also know that a site
confirmation is the hardest part of getting a temple built. Unless the site
changes, it is becoming increasingly more likely that a groundbreaking will be
held sometime during early-to-mid 2018.
If the groundbreaking happens during that time, it will mark the first time in
almost 20 years that the Church has had three temples simultaneously under
construction in Brazil. I am keeping an eye on developments with this temple
and will adjust this estimate as needed.
175. Greater Manila
Philippines Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official name announcement.
NOTE: Unless problems arise, the
site identified by the Church’s Philippines Facebook page (on the southern side
of the Manila metropolitan area in Alabang, Muntinlupa City) will more than
likely be the official site. As finding a site is the most complex part of
getting a temple built, it is very possible that we might see a groundbreaking
for this temple by early-to-mid 2018. If
the groundbreaking takes place during this time, then we would have two temples
simultaneously under construction in the Philippines for the very first time in
Church history. It is also anticipated that the Church will announce an
official name for this temple in the very near future, as the name for the
second Lima Peru Temple was announced within a month after the temple
announcement. As with everything else, I am keeping an eye out for developments
and will provide updated information when more is known.
176. Pocatello Idaho: Planning
phase; awaiting site confirmation.
NOTE: A probable site has been
identified but not yet confirmed. The LDS Church Temples site noted on May 12,
2017 a statement by Elder Larry Y. Wilson, the Temple Department Executive
Director, that this temple is anticipated to be a larger edifice in the mold of
the temple that will be dedicated later this year in Meridian. Once more is known
officially regarding the site, it will be easier to make an adjustment as to
how soon the groundbreaking might take place and how long construction might
subsequently take. If it is true that this temple will be similar to Meridian,
we might not see a groundbreaking any sooner than mid-to-late 2018. That said, I also recognize fully that temples in
the US have typically always commenced construction faster than their
counterparts outside the US, so it would not surprise me if this groundbreaking
happened sooner than that. As always, I am keeping an eye on developments, and
I will adjust this estimate as I am able to do so once more is known.
177. Saratoga Springs Utah:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: While it is true that temples
in the United States (and particularly those in Utah County) get started much
more quickly than temples elsewhere, it is also true that an official site
confirmation is still pending. We do know, as previously noted, that the Church
owns several plots of land in this city, so if one of them is chosen as the
site, the groundbreaking could happen shortly thereafter. Until more is known,
it seems wise to adjust my previous estimate for a groundbreaking to sometime
during mid-to-late 2018.
178. Bangkok Thailand
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: As previously noted in other
versions of this construction progress report, member speculation is that an
existing building might be renovated and repurposed as Thailand’s first temple
and also house Church offices and a meetinghouse as well. If that speculation
is confirmed anytime soon, we might see a groundbreaking shortly after. In the
meantime, it might be best to revise my previous estimate and say that a
groundbreaking could take place in mid-to-late
2018. More to come once more is known.
179. Abidjan Ivory
Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: The Church has seen
substantial growth on the African continent in recent years. This is verified
by the fact that, with the announcement of the 12 temples over the last three
years during April General Conference, 3 (25%) of those have been in Africa. I
would therefore hope that this temple, announced in 2015, would not have to wait
too long for a groundbreaking, but I could see it happening sometime during early 2019, if not before.
180. Quito Ecuador
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: While the first temple in
Ecuador had a 14-year delay between its announcement and the subsequent
groundbreaking (the second-longest such period in Church history), this temple
is not nearly as likely to see such delays. The Church in South America has
grown at an astonishing rate, and that is evidenced by the fact that 4 of the
12 temples announced most recently (25%) have been for South America. With the
temples above most likely to have a groundbreaking first, it is very possible
that we could see a groundbreaking for this time sometime during mid-2019, if not before.
181. Belem Brazil Temple:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: South America, as noted
above, has been very receptive to the gospel. As a result, more temples are
coming to that continent. And while this temple has not yet had a site
identified or confirmed, Brazilian temples typically have been built very
swiftly. While I am hoping to see it sooner, and while I will be happy to
adjust my estimate going forward if that is necessary, it seems wise for the
moment to revise my estimate and say that we could see a groundbreaking during mid-2019, which would ensure that we
will have two or three temples under construction in Brazil at least for the
next couple of years. I will revise my estimate if and when I am able to do so.
182. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning
phase; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: It is becoming increasingly
more likely that this African temple might be the last of the current bunch to
have a groundbreaking. That said, with the Church growth that is occurring on
the African continent, and with temples having gone up fairly quickly once a
site is identified, I will revise my previous estimate and say that we will
likely see a groundbreaking for this temple sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: Temple
announcements are possible at any time, but the last twelve announcements have
taken place during the April General Conference. I never want to rule out the
possibility of announcements at other times, but that has been the pattern for
the last three years. There have also been reports of several cities that have had
a site purchased for a while now, and where an announcement might happen at any
time. I know of at least five that have been identified to me by name: Managua
Nicaragua, Auckland New Zealand, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, Bentonville
Arkansas, and Missoula Montana. If other potential temples have had a site
purchased, they have yet to be identified as such. The following temples have
been publicly proposed by apostles at various and sundry times: New Delhi India (in June 1992 by Elder Neal
A. Maxwell; may not happen soon due to intense political and religious
obstacles); Vilnius Lithuania (in May 1993 by Elder M. Russell Ballard, which
may be more of a long-shot possibility); Maracaibo Venezuela (in August 1999 by
President Hinckley, which is just waiting for the right conditions); Singapore
(in January 2000 by President Hinckley, and is likely to be announced when the
time is right); for the Southwest Salt Lake Valley (in October 2005 by
President Hinckley; NOTE: While some contend that this temple announcement has
already happened, verifiable sources widely available prove otherwise. A site
is being held in reserve for that temple, and that location will be announced
when membership and temple activity warrant that announcement); Managua
Nicaragua (in January 2012 by then-Elder Russell M. Nelson; very likely at any
time due to Nicaragua being the #1 of the top ten world countries without a
temple); Missoula Montana (sometime in 2014 by Elder David A. Bednar during a
stake conference in the area; while the report of this proposal has yet to be
verified, the fact that there has been a purchase of a temple site seems to
indicate that it is a most imminent possibility, though perhaps not as imminent
as I once believed); and for the Kasai Region in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (in February 2016 by Elder Neil L. Andersen). There are likely several
other sites that the Church has purchased for a potential temple, but those
have yet to be verified.
Key:
Bolded numbers and text denote
temples whose numbers already exists (for renovations), or is certain due to a
scheduled dedication, as well as information that is certain, such as
dedication or groundbreaking dates.
Italicized numbers and
text denote temples whose numbers may change based on the order in
which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.
Underlined numbers and text denote
temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval,
and groundbreaking.
Red text highlights changes from the last posted temple
progress report.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
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