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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Thursday, July 20, 2017
I have fixed the commenting issue once and for all (finally!)
Hello, all! It took me way too long to get this figured out, but I finally got Disqus removed permanently from my blog, and I have confirmed that comments can now be posted again without issue or incidence. I apologize for all the problems I had in this regard. I look forward to the comments beginning anew again. Thanks.
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.
Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple Gets New President/Changes to List of New Temple Presidents Called in 2017
Hello, all! I learned recently that the Church has called a new president for the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple, and the new presidency will serve for a few months prior to its scheduled renovation and for 2-3 years after the 2019 rededication. Additionally, the recent changes to the completion time-frame for the first three temples in 2018 may mean that the callings of the first presidents for those temples may not be noted by the Church until closer to their completion, so I eliminated that section from my list of those presidents that might be announced this year. Here is the updated version of that list:
New Temples whose presidents will begin serving later
this year:
1.
Paris France (President announced in 2016; will
begin formal service on May 21)
2.
Cedar City Utah (President announced in March; will begin service on
December 10)
3.
Tucson Arizona (President announced in March;
will begin formal service on August 13)
4.
Meridian Idaho (President announced in April;
will begin formal service in November 19)
Operating Temples whose president was changed earlier
this year:
1.
Calgary Alberta (president changed sometime
during March for an undisclosed reason, likely because the previous president
died or became incapacitated)
General Note #2: Other operating temples, as has already
been announced, will be getting a new president later this year as well, and if
those changes take place as they did during my six-year service in the Mount
Timpanogos Utah Temple, the new presidents will start their service on the
first Monday or Tuesday of November, which fall this year on the 6th
and 7th. Those temples that will have a new president this year
include the following:
1.
Apia Samoa
2.
Logan Utah
3.
Vernal Utah
4.
Toronto Ontario
5.
Snowflake Arizona
6.
Phoenix Arizona
7.
Salt Lake
8.
Bern Switzerland
9.
Quetzaltenango Guatemala
10. Louisville
Kentucky
11. San
Diego California
12. Mount
Timpanogos Utah
13. Madrid
Spain
14. Bogota
Colombia
15. Edmonton
Alberta
16. Newport
Beach California
17. Adelaide
Australia
18. Kona
Hawaii
19. Caracas
Venezuela
20. Bismarck
North Dakota
21. Mesa
Arizona
22. Columbia
South Carolina
23. Ogden
Utah
24. Lubbock
Texas
25. Guayaquil
Ecuador
26. Fort
Lauderdale Florida
27. Los
Angeles California
28. San
Salvador El Salvador
29. Manila
Philippines
30. San
Antonio Texas
31. Tokyo
Japan
NOTE: While this temple is
scheduled to close for renovation later this year, the newly announced
president will serve both before and after that process is completed.
32. Baton
Rouge Louisiana
NOTE: While this temple has been
scheduled for renovation, the newly announced president will serve for a few
months before and for a year or two after as well.
General Note #3: Temple presidents generally serve for
around three years. With that in mind, I feel confident in predicting that the
following temples may also have a new president announced:
1.
Buenos Aires Argentina
NOTE: The current president has
been serving since this temple’s rededication in 2012. As that is well beyond
the standard 3 years of service, it seems reasonable to assume that there will
be such a change this year.
General Note #4: The presidents of the following temples
would be marking their third year of service had they not closed previously for
renovations. A new president may or may not be called this year for those
temples.
1.
Freiberg Germany (Closed for renovation in 2014
and rededicated last year)
2.
Idaho Falls Idaho (Closed for renovation in 2015
and will be rededicated in less than a month)
General Note #5: The presidents of the following temples
would be marking three years of service later this year if those temples were
not closing for renovations within the next ten months. Therefore, there may or
may not be a change.
1.
Asuncion Paraguay
NOTE: The current president has
served since 2014, which means that this year would mark time for a charge. But
this temple will close for renovation in October, one month before usual
changes are made. As a subsequent rededication of this temple is anticipated
sometime in 2019, it is more than likely that the Church will hold off on naming
a new president until that time.
2.
Washington DC
NOTE: Though this temple
president will have marked three years of service later this year, the temple
will close for renovation next March. With that in mind, I could see the Church
calling a new president this year for a few months prior to that renovation, or
holding off on calling anyone until after the renovation is completed sometime
during 2020.
General Note #6: The following two temples closed for
renovations in the middle of their current president’s active service. Were it
not for that, we would likely be seeing changes there as well.
1.
Jordan River (president has served since 2014;
temple closed in 2015 and will be rededicated sometime next year, so a new
president may not be called until sometime during 2020)
2.
Frankfurt Germany (president has served since
2013; temple closed in 2015 and will be rededicated sometime next year, so the
president could be changed sometime within the next two years)
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, July 19, 2017
Changes Noted on My Temple Construction Progress Report
Hello, all! Having done further study on whether the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple will be finished before or after the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple, I have again changed the order of those two temples. I learned that, unless work gets underway in Winnipeg within the next two months (which may or may not happen), it is looking like Rio will be finished at least two months sooner. Until more is known, that seems like a safe assumption.
In the interim, I also found out that the subject of whether renovations scheduled for temples might involve expansions is not so cut and dried as I thought. This in turn necessitated a change in the wording of the notes about each renovation.
So, all of that is reflected in my latest version of the temple construction progress report. Enjoy! As the commenting issue is still unresolved, please share any feedback you have for me through the contact information on my Blogger profile. Thanks!
In the interim, I also found out that the subject of whether renovations scheduled for temples might involve expansions is not so cut and dried as I thought. This in turn necessitated a change in the wording of the notes about each renovation.
So, all of that is reflected in my latest version of the temple construction progress report. Enjoy! As the commenting issue is still unresolved, please share any feedback you have for me through the contact information on my Blogger profile. Thanks!
Temple Construction Progress Update
(current as of 7/19/17)
NOTE: There
will be a total of 182 operating
temples once all of those under construction or announced are dedicated. Of
those, we currently have 156 temples in operation; 1 other will be dedicated next month
(after the traditional July recess for the General Authorities); 2 more
have construction concluding and a dedication scheduled for later this
year; 9 are in various
stages of construction; 1 other has construction pending
(groundbreaking was last year), and earnest work will hopefully start on that
within the next month or so); 1 has
a groundbreaking scheduled (set for later this year); 2 are
undergoing renovation (with completion anticipated next year); another 4 have a renovation closure date set
for later this year, with 5 others
set to close early next year (the actual dates will be set closer to the time);
the remaining 12 are announced (with either a site announcement
or groundbreaking pending).
NOTE ON FUTURE TEMPLES: Elder Larry Y. Wilson, who serves as the
Executive Director of the Temple Department, indicated in a recent interview
that the Church has around 85 temple sites that are under active consideration
for an announcement within the next 15 years or so. If that is true, then that
would take the number of temples in any phase to just under 270 by 2032. And if
that is true, then whether or not the Church makes it an official goal to do
so, it is more than likely that there could be a minimum of 200 temples
dedicated by or before the Church’s 200th anniversary on April 6,
2030, whether or not the Church makes that an official goal. All it would take
to do so is 18 more being announced, and each of them, along with the 26 either
under construction or announced, to be completed within the next 12 years and 9
months, which is doable if 3 or 4 are dedicated per year between now and then.
As there are 3 others scheduled for dedication before the end of this year,
with 5 set for next year, and up to 5 the year following, the Church seems to
be on track for that. Subsequent versions of this report will continue to share
developments as they occur.
Preparing for dedication:
157. Tucson
Arizona Temple: Preparing for dedication, which is scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.
Construction nearing completion; dedication scheduled:
158. Meridian
Idaho Temple: Interior finish work underway; sod laid and trees planted; dedication
scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.
159. Cedar
City Utah Temple: Installing art glass; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.
Under Construction (completion anticipated within the next 1-2 years):
160. Rome Italy Temple:
Interior and exterior work progressing; installing art glass windows; completion
anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
161. Kinshasa Democratic
Republic of the Congo Temple: Exterior brickwork completed; attaching purlins
to roof trusses and strengthening truss connectors; completion anticipated
sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
162. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Stone cladding underway on the south wall; completion
anticipated sometime during late 2018.
163. Durban South Africa
Temple: Applying waterproofing membrane to temple exterior walls; basement
floor poured; laying brick at missionary housing; top floor ring beam poured; completion
anticipated sometime during late 2018.
164. Concepcion Chile
Temple: Cladding nearly complete on north and south walls; progressing around
base of steeple; completion anticipated
sometime during late 2018-early
2019.
Under construction, completion
anticipated within the next 2-3 years:
165. Fortaleza Brazil
Temple: Tower base walls poured; scaffolding removed; completion anticipated
sometime during early-to-mid 2019.
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: In
the midst of other changes that have been needed for this report, I also took
another look at the question of whether this temple or the Winnipeg Manitoba
Temple might be finished first. In doing so, I discovered that until formal
construction begins in Winnipeg and that process verifies that Winnipeg will be
finished first, it would be wiser to reverse them again.
168. Lisbon Portugal
Temple: Pouring temple foundation walls; preparing meetinghouse for exterior
cladding; completion anticipated sometime during
late 2019.
169.
Arequipa Peru Temple: Foundation walls poured; completion
anticipated sometime during late
2019-early 2020.
Construction pending
(anticipated to start anytime):
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 noted above under the Rio Temple, until work begins in earnest
on this one, I have felt it would be wise to reverse them again. If full-scale
construction begins in Winnipeg within the next two months or so, I might
reverse them again. For now, this change seemed warranted.
Groundbreaking scheduled:
170. Port-au-Prince
Haiti Temple: Groundbreaking ceremony scheduled to take place on Saturday
October 28, 2017; dedication may follow sometime during mid-to-late 2020.
NOTE: The First Presidency made the
groundbreaking announcement for this temple on July 13, 2017, noting that Elder
Walter F. Gonzalez, who presides over the Caribbean area, will preside at this
groundbreaking. In the interim, I found out that this temple will be much smaller
than its other Caribbean counterpart, so it seems reasonable to assume that
this temple could have a dedication prior to the end of 2020. As with
everything else, I am keeping an eye out for developments and will pass along
any updates as I receive them.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication anticipated within the next year or
so):
20. Jordan River Utah
Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: Though this temple’s
renovation has been ongoing since its closure in February 2016, and while the
rededication had been anticipated at some point during 2017, as the renovation
process has continued, those estimates have been altered again and again, until
this most recent revision of that time-frame. This event could happen at any
point in the middle of the year, or it could be pushed back again. More
information will come as more is known.
41. Frankfurt Germany
Temple: Closed for renovation; baptismal font support walls poured in basement
addition; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: This temple, closed since
September of 2015, was also anticipated to be completed and rededicated at some
point prior to the end of 2017. As with the Jordan River temple, that
completion estimate has been pushed back repeatedly. Until more is known, it is
anyone’s guess when this rededication might happen. I will pass along any
updates as I receive them.
Renovations Scheduled (official
closure dates announced):
80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: While this temple is a comparatively smaller one (from the
Hinckley era), I also learned on July 5 that this renovation will be altering
both the exterior and interior appearance of the temple. Those plans may or may
not involve an expansion. The opinions on what will happen in that regard are
so different that it will take time to settle the question. Once more is known,
I will pass that along.
18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for
renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during
early-to-mid 2020.
NOTE: This temple, constructed as part of President Kimball’s smaller
temple design, is anticipated to be rededicated sometime in 2020. If the news
release about this renovation is any indication, no expansion is in the works. Adjustments
will be made as the process gets underway. For now, I wanted to also note that
the stated purpose for this renovation is primarily to upgrade electrical and
mechanical systems and bring the temple up-to-code. With that in mind, I also
learned in early July that the completion of this temple will most likely be
sooner than I originally thought, as it is comparatively smaller.
95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation on October 14, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: In an earlier version of
this report, I had indicated that an expansion of this temple didn’t seem
likely, as information available to me at that time pointed to the current
temple taking up the entire area of the lot. On July 18, I learned I might be
getting this temple and Memphis confused. I am trying to iron all of that out,
and will pass along whatever I find out. Until more is known, I will not be
altering my completion estimate.
112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation on October 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during
early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: As noted in previous
versions of this report, I had the closure date for this temple off by a month.
I regret that misinformation. In the meantime, I did some study on whether or
not this temple might be expanded. On July 16, I found that this temple may
have room to expand. Whether or not expansion will happen, until more is known,
I have felt it wiser to stick to my completion estimate.
Temples that have a renovation
closure announced, but no official date made known yet:
68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in January 2018; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: On July 16, while studying scheduled renovations, I learned two
things: this temple is on a large enough plot of land that expansion may be
possible and even feasible. That said, the Saints in North Carolina (according
to one of my contacts) were told that an expansion is not in the renovation
plans for this temple. It is possible but perhaps unlikely. More to come once
more is known, including any change of the completion estimate.
94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: My study on this temple (which I conducted on July 16) indicates
that there may be room on this temple lot to expand the edifice. The question
is whether or not the Church will choose to do so. I will keep an eye on
developments and pass things along as I learn of them. For now, the question
cannot be settled.
13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime during
mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: This renovation and the one below were announced in February of
2017. In the interim, the Church has scheduled 7 other renovations around those
two. This temple is older, so the renovation will likely take longer. But I am
not ruling out other possibilities. We also know that the primary purpose of
this renovation is to upgrade mechanical and electrical systems and bring them
up to code. So I don’t think expansion is in the plans for this temple.
16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation in March 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late
2020.
NOTE: This is another older temple where the purpose of the renovation
is to upgrade electrical and mechanical systems and bring them up to code. An
expansion doesn’t seem likely. It is a larger temple, so the renovation will
likely take longer. That reinforces the idea that the completion timeframe
above will be spot on.
7. Mesa Arizona Temple: Scheduled to close for
renovation in May 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late
2020.
NOTE: The purpose of this renovation is to upgrade electrical and
mechanical systems and bring them up to code. This temple has been renovated
before, which reinforces the idea that there may be less to update here than
for Washington DC. Until more is known, it is my feeling that this temple will
likely be rededicated first.
NOTE ON FUTURE GROUNDBREAKINGS: During
the month of July, I revised the order in which temples in this section were
listed. About a week after doing so, I found out that I needed to revise and
rethink that order again. The current order reflects the latest information I
have (as of the late night hours of July 18). I should also note that the
timing of any temple event is up to the Lord (based on conditions in each
area), so these estimates should not in any way be taken as gospel or official
until they are confirmed or denied by those who have the authorization to do
so.
Announced:
171. Lima Peru Los Olivos
Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site
announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.
NOTE: With the recent news that
preconstruction for this temple began in March 2017, it is not hard to believe
that a groundbreaking could take place in short order once 2018 starts. But as
we also know that the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple had its groundbreaking
unexpected announced in mid-July (being set for the end of October), that opens
up the possibility that this temple could be another that could either have its
groundbreaking just before that for Port-au-Prince (as there is a precedent for
such things) or within the remaining two months of 2017. If that doesn’t
happen, then this temple will likely be the first to have a groundbreaking
during 2018.
172. Harare Zimbabwe Temple:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking could take
place during early-to-mid 2018.
NOTE: Though nothing has happened
with this temple since Elder Hamilton stated that a site announcement and groundbreaking
would take place in short order at some point prior to the end of 2017, and
though that seemed to provide a sufficient reason to downgrade this temple to
sometime in 2018 or 2019, in reevaluating things in mid-July, I determined that
it would be wiser to move this temple back to this spot. There is an outside
chance that this temple could have a groundbreaking at some point during the 4
months or so left in 2017, but that doesn’t seem probable. Anything is
possible, though. I will keep an eye out for developments and pass those along
as I find out more, along with any other adjustments.
173. Urdaneta
Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government
approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime
during mid-2018.
NOTE: While previous versions of
this report had downgraded this temple to being among the last of the current
bunch to have a groundbreaking, the end of delays preventing progress on this
temple’s construction mean that a site announcement and groundbreaking may be
simply a matter of time. That being the case, as noted in so many previous
versions of this report, some have speculated a groundbreaking for this temple
may take place prior to the end of 2017. But it seems more likely that it may
wait until around this time. As always, with these being no more than my own
thoughts based on the facts I have right now, they are subject to change as
things develop. I will make any further changes that might be needed as that
becomes necessary.
174. Saratoga Springs Utah:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take
place sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: On July 18, 2017, I learned
some things that convinced me to take another look at the order in which these
announced temples are listed. That more extensive research led me to conclude
that this temple may get started closer to the average time in which Utah
temples have gone from an announcement to a groundbreaking. So I ran those
numbers, which now has me convinced that this temple’s groundbreaking may be
sooner than I had originally projected. This change will be reflected on my
timeline for future temple-related events.
175. Brasilia Brazil Temple:
Planning phase; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017;
groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: As noted above, new
information received on July 18, 2017 led to my rethinking this entire section.
Particularly, I found out that the site inspection is not indicative of an
imminent groundbreaking like I thought it might be. While it is still likely
that this temple will have a groundbreaking prior to the end of 2018, it will
likely be more towards the end of the year than the beginning, contrary to what
I had thought and reported. This seems like a safe change for the moment. If
the Lord surprises us and sets a groundbreaking for this temple sooner than
estimated here, I will move it up on this list at that time.
176. Greater Manila
Philippines Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed; awaiting official name
announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: This is another temple that
has already had a site confirmed, but that will likely not have a
groundbreaking as soon as I had thought and asserted that would happen. Having
been advised that temples announced in April 2017 might have at least a year
between the site announcement and the groundbreaking, this seems to be a safe
and sound adjustment. As always, once
the Lord or the leaders of His Church reveal more about any temple, that new
information will be reflected on future reports. For now, that is an update
from what I have previously reported. And we are also still waiting to see if
and when a more official name might be announced for this temple. I will report
on all developments as I become aware of them.
177. Pocatello Idaho:
Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during early 2019.
NOTE: While it is true that temples
in the “Mormon corridor” of Idaho, Utah and Arizona generally get started well
in advance of their international counterparts, I learned on July 18, 2017 that
some temples on this list needed to be moved (some up, and some down). I also
learned that Idaho temples have kept to a general average time-frame from
announcement to groundbreaking, and by changing the estimate for this temple,
it corresponds more fully to that average.
178. Nairobi Kenya Temple:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; media event held June 14,
2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early 2019.
NOTE: As I have considered the
media event held last month, I have determined it wiser to assume that a
groundbreaking for this temple will happen sooner rather than later. It seems
apparent now that this temple will not be the last of those currently announced
to have a groundbreaking, as I had originally thought and stated. So it seems
wise to make that adjustment. As always, once more information is available, I
will go from there.
179. Bangkok Thailand
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may
take place during mid-2019.
NOTE: If member speculation is confirmed
within the next year or so (that a building housing Church offices will be
reconstructed and repurposed into an edifice housing not just those offices,
but also a meetinghouse and the temple as well), then formal construction
efforts could begin sooner than indicated here. Until more is known, I am
trying to be conservative in my estimates. I would not be surprised in the
least if this temple’s groundbreaking happens sooner or later than indicated
here.
180. Abidjan Ivory
Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement;
groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: With the massive growth that
the Church has experienced in the Ivory Coast, some have speculated that the
Ivory Coast could get one or two additional temples within the next 15 years.
For this first one, this adjustment feels appropriate. Further adjustments will
be made once more is known.
181. Quito Ecuador
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may
take place during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: Despite the 14-year wait
between the announcement and groundbreaking for Ecuador’s first temple, this
one for the Ecuadoran capital is not anticipated to have nearly as long a wait.
With other adjustments that have been made, this seems appropriate. Further
adjustments will be made once more is known.
182. Belem Brazil Temple:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take
place during late 2019-early 2020.
NOTE: Since we have a site essentially
confirmed for the other Brazilian temple above, even though this one was
announced a year prior to that one, it is more than likely that we will not see
a groundbreaking for this Belem temple until a year or so after the one for
Brasilia. If the estimates for all other temples are anywhere close (which they
may or may not be), that would make this temple the last of the current bunch
to be dedicated. But this is 2 or 3 years out, so changes are always possible
within that time depending on what develops between now and then.
ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: Temple
announcements within the last three years have come during the April General
Conference. They may happen at any time the First Presidency feels inspired to
make them, but that has been the pattern since 2015. Also, as noted above,
Elder Larry Y. Wilson said in an interview recently that 85 or more temple
sites are under consideration for an announcement within the next 15 years. So
we could be entering another unprecedented era of temple announcements and
construction. That is one big reason why I have expanded my list of temples
that may potentially be announced. I also know that sites have been procured for
future temples in Managua Nicaragua (which seems most likely, as it is the
first of the top ten countries with the strongest LDS presence that does not
yet have a temple, and such a temple was proposed by Elder Nelson in 2012), Auckland
New Zealand, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, Bentonville Arkansas, and Missoula
Montana (which was proposed by Elder Bednar sometime in 2014). I have been told
by many that an official announcement will happen once unit growth and activity
in temples within such areas warrants those announcements. If there have been
any other sites purchased elsewhere, they have not yet been made known. We also
know that several potential temples have been proposed in several locations
around the world by many of our prophets and apostles. The Lord will continue
to inspire such temple announcements as they are needed, and all developments
will continue to be included on subsequent versions of this report.
Key:
Bolded numbers and text denote
temples whose numbers already exists (for renovations), or is certain due to a
scheduled dedication, as well as information that is certain, such as
dedication or groundbreaking dates.
Italicized numbers and
text denote temples whose numbers may change based on the order in
which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.
Underlined numbers and text denote
temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval,
and groundbreaking.
Red text highlights changes from the last posted temple
progress report.
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.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Further Updates on Groundbreaking Estimates for Announced Temples
Hello, all! Today has been a somewhat longer day in which I did a lot of study about temple-related subjects. Among my topics of study in that regard has been the subject of when future groundbreakings might take place. After getting some advice, both general and specific, I have used the information I was led to to make changes on the order in which these announced temples might have a groundbreaking in the future, and to the time-frames within which that may happen. As with every other development, the specific actual timing of such events is for the Lord alone to decide. And until official dates are announced by those who stand as His special witnesses (primarily his prophet or those the prophet authorizes to speak for both him and the Lord), this is nothing more than my own thoughts based on the information I have. I will pass along any subsequent game-changing information as I become aware of it. For now, I hope you enjoy seeing these changes. Please let me know any feedback you may have for me by reaching out to me through the contact information on my Blogger profile. Thanks again to you all!
Temple Construction Progress Update
(current as of 7/18/17)
NOTE: There
will be a total of 182 operating
temples once all of those under construction or announced are dedicated. Of
those, we currently have 156 temples in operation; 1 other will be dedicated next month
(after the traditional July recess for the General Authorities); 2 more
have construction concluding and a dedication scheduled for later this
year; 9 are in various
stages of construction; 1 other has construction pending
(groundbreaking was last year), and earnest work will hopefully start on that
within the next month or so); 1 has
a groundbreaking scheduled (set for later this year); 2 are
undergoing renovation (with completion anticipated next year); another 4 have a renovation closure date set
for later this year, with 5 others
set to close early next year (the actual dates will be set closer to the time);
the remaining 12 are announced (with either a site announcement
or groundbreaking pending).
NOTE ON FUTURE TEMPLES: Elder Larry Y. Wilson, who serves as the
Executive Director of the Temple Department, indicated in a recent interview
that the Church has around 85 temple sites that are under active consideration
for an announcement within the next 15 years or so. If that is true, then that
would take the number of temples in any phase to just under 270 by 2032. And if
that is true, then whether or not the Church makes it an official goal to do
so, it is more than likely that there could be a minimum of 200 temples
dedicated by or before the Church’s 200th anniversary on April 6,
2030, whether or not the Church makes that an official goal. All it would take
to do so is 18 more being announced, and each of them, along with the 26 either
under construction or announced, to be completed within the next 12 years and 9
months, which is doable if 3 or 4 are dedicated per year between now and then.
As there are 3 others scheduled for dedication before the end of this year,
with 5 set for next year, and up to 5 the year following, the Church seems to
be on track for that. Subsequent versions of this report will continue to share
developments as they occur.
Preparing for dedication:
157. Tucson
Arizona Temple: Preparing for dedication, which is scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.
Construction nearing completion; dedication scheduled:
158. Meridian
Idaho Temple: Interior finish work underway; sod laid and trees planted; dedication
scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.
159. Cedar
City Utah Temple: Installing art glass; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.
Under Construction (completion anticipated within the next 1-2 years):
160. Rome Italy Temple:
Interior and exterior work progressing; installing art glass windows; completion
anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
161. Kinshasa Democratic
Republic of the Congo Temple: Exterior brickwork completed; attaching purlins
to roof trusses and strengthening truss connectors; completion anticipated
sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
162. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Stone cladding underway on the south wall; completion
anticipated sometime during late 2018.
163. Durban South Africa
Temple: Applying waterproofing membrane to temple exterior walls; basement
floor poured; laying brick at missionary housing; top floor ring beam poured; completion
anticipated sometime during late 2018.
164. Concepcion Chile
Temple: Cladding nearly complete on north and south walls; progressing around
base of steeple; completion anticipated
sometime during late 2018-early
2019.
Under construction, completion
anticipated within the next 2-3 years:
165. Fortaleza Brazil
Temple: Tower base walls poured; scaffolding removed; completion anticipated
sometime during early-to-mid 2019.
167. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Preparing
to pour footings for foundation; surrounding property being cleared and graded;
completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: In looking at the completion
estimate for this temple versus that of the Winnipeg Temple, if construction begins
in earnest on that temple within the next month or so (which it may), it will
be finished prior to this one. That change of thinking is reflected on the
revisions I have made to my estimated timeline for future temple-related
events.
168. Lisbon Portugal
Temple: Pouring temple foundation walls; preparing meetinghouse for exterior
cladding; completion anticipated sometime during
late 2019.
169.
Arequipa Peru Temple: Foundation walls poured; completion
anticipated sometime during late
2019-early 2020.
Construction pending
(anticipated to start anytime):
166. Winnipeg Manitoba
Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; awaiting full-scale
operations; acquiring building permits; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: In reevaluating the time-frames involved, I learned, as noted
above, that the 20-month completion estimate for this comparatively smaller
temple (which is being built to serve just the one stake at the moment) puts
its completion before that of the Rio temple. Subsequent adjustments will be
made as they are needed.
Groundbreaking scheduled:
170. Port-au-Prince
Haiti Temple: Groundbreaking ceremony scheduled to take place on Saturday
October 28, 2017; dedication may follow sometime during mid-to-late 2020.
NOTE: The First Presidency made the
groundbreaking announcement for this temple on July 13, 2017, noting that Elder
Walter F. Gonzalez, who presides over the Caribbean area, will preside at this
groundbreaking. In the interim, I found out that this temple will be much
smaller than its other Caribbean counterpart, so it seems reasonable to assume
that this temple could have a dedication prior to the end of 2020. As with
everything else, I am keeping an eye out for developments and will pass along
any updates as I receive them.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication anticipated within the next year or
so):
20. Jordan River Utah
Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: Though this temple’s
renovation has been ongoing since its closure in February 2016, and while the
rededication had been anticipated at some point during 2017, as the renovation
process has continued, those estimates have been altered again and again, until
this most recent revision of that time-frame. This event could happen at any
point in the middle of the year, or it could be pushed back again. More
information will come as more is known.
41. Frankfurt Germany
Temple: Closed for renovation; baptismal font support walls poured in basement
addition; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: This temple, closed since
September of 2015, was also anticipated to be completed and rededicated at some
point prior to the end of 2017. As with the Jordan River temple, that
completion estimate has been pushed back repeatedly. Until more is known, it is
anyone’s guess when this rededication might happen. I will pass along any
updates as I receive them.
Renovations Scheduled (official
closure dates announced):
80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: While this temple is a comparatively smaller one (from the
Hinckley era), I also learned on July 5 that this renovation will be altering
both the exterior and interior appearance of the temple. Whether or not that
involves an expansion remains to be seen. Further study
done on July 16 verified that there is room for this temple to expand, so it
could be possible. More information will be provided as I find out more.
In the meantime, I will not change the possible completion time-frame.
18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for
renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during
early-to-mid 2020.
NOTE: This temple, constructed as part of President Kimball’s smaller
temple design, is anticipated to be rededicated sometime in 2020. Research done on July 16 seems indicative that expansion is
not part of the plan for this temple. For that reason, the completion estimate
feels reasonable. Adjustments will be made as the process gets underway.
95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation on October 14, 2017; rededication may take place sometime
during early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: While this is another
smaller temple from the Hinckley-era, I learned on July 16 that the entire area
of the temple exactly corresponds to the size of the temple lot. An expansion
of this temple, therefore, does not seem likely. I stand by my completion
estimate.
112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation on October 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during
early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: As noted in previous
versions of this report, I had the closure date for this temple off by a month.
I regret that misinformation. In the meantime, I did some study on whether or
not this temple might be expanded. On July 16, I found that this temple may
have room to expand. Whether or not expansion will happen, until more is known,
I have felt it wiser to stick to my completion estimate.
Temples that have a renovation
closure announced, but no official date made known yet:
68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in January 2018; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: On July 16, while studying scheduled renovations, I learned two
things: this temple is on a large enough plot of land that expansion may be
possible, but the Saints in North Carolina (according to one of my contacts)
were told that no expansion will be done on this temple. It is possible but
perhaps unlikely. More to come once more is known, including any change of the
completion estimate.
94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: My study on this temple (which I conducted on July 16) indicates
that there may be room on this temple lot to expand the edifice. The question
is whether or not the Church will choose to do so. I will keep an eye on
developments and pass things along as I learn of them. For now, the question
cannot be settled.
13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to
close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime during
mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: This renovation and the one below were announced in February of
2017. In the interim, the Church has scheduled 7 other renovations around those
two. This temple is older, so the renovation will likely take longer. But I am
not ruling out other possibilities. We also know that the primary purpose of
this renovation is to upgrade mechanical and electrical systems and bring them
up to code. So I don’t think expansion is in the plans for this temple.
16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close
for renovation in March 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late
2020.
NOTE: This is another older temple where the purpose of the renovation
is to upgrade electrical and mechanical systems and bring them up to code. An
expansion doesn’t seem likely. It is a larger temple, so the renovation will
likely take longer. That reinforces the idea that the completion timeframe
above will be spot on.
7. Mesa Arizona Temple: Scheduled to close for
renovation in May 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late
2020.
NOTE: The purpose of this renovation is to upgrade electrical and
mechanical systems and bring them up to code. This temple has been renovated
before, which reinforces the idea that there may be less to update here than
for Washington DC. Until more is known, it is my feeling that this temple will
likely be rededicated first.
NOTE ON FUTURE GROUNDBREAKINGS: I
have recently redone this section based on information I have. I should also
note that the timing of any temple event is up to the Lord (based on conditions
in each area), so these estimates should not in any way be taken as gospel or
official until they are confirmed or denied by those who have the authorization
to do so.
Announced:
171. Lima Peru Los Olivos
Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site
announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.
NOTE: With the recent news that
preconstruction for this temple began in March 2017, it is not hard to believe
that a groundbreaking could take place in short order once 2018 starts. But as we
also know that the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple had its groundbreaking unexpected
announced in mid-July (being set for the end of October), that opens up the
possibility that this temple could be another that could either have its
groundbreaking just before that for Port-au-Prince (as there is a precedent for
such things) or within the remaining two months of 2017. If that doesn’t
happen, then this temple will likely be the first to have a groundbreaking
during 2018.
172. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place during early-to-mid 2018.
NOTE: Though
nothing has happened with this temple since Elder Hamilton stated that a site
announcement and groundbreaking would take place in short order at some point
prior to the end of 2017, and though that seemed to provide a sufficient reason
to downgrade this temple to sometime in 2018 or 2019, in reevaluating things in
mid-July, I determined that it would be wiser to move this temple back to this
spot. There is an outside chance that this temple could have a groundbreaking
at some point during the 4 months or so left in 2017, but that doesn’t seem
probable. Anything is possible, though. I will keep an eye out for developments
and pass those along as I find out more, along with any other adjustments.
173. Urdaneta
Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government
approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place
sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: While
previous versions of this report had downgraded this temple to being among the
last of the current bunch to have a groundbreaking, the end of delays
preventing progress on this temple’s construction mean that a site announcement
and groundbreaking may be simply a matter of time. That being the case, as noted
in so many previous versions of this report, some have speculated a
groundbreaking for this temple may take place prior to the end of 2017. But it
seems more likely that it may wait until around this time. As always, with
these being no more than my own thoughts based on the facts I have right now,
they are subject to change as things develop. I will make any further changes
that might be needed as that becomes necessary.
174.
Saratoga Springs Utah: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement;
groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2018.
NOTE: On
July 18, 2017, I learned some things that convinced me to take another look at
the order in which these announced temples are listed. That more extensive
research led me to conclude that this temple may get started closer to the
average time in which Utah temples have gone from an announcement to a
groundbreaking. So I ran those numbers, which now has me convinced that this
temple’s groundbreaking may be sooner than I had originally projected. This
change will be reflected on my timeline for future temple-related events.
175. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning phase; site
inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during mid-to-late
2018.
NOTE: As
noted above, new information received on July 18, 2017 led to my rethinking
this entire section. Particularly, I found out that the site inspection is not
indicative of an imminent groundbreaking like I thought it might be. While it
is still likely that this temple will have a groundbreaking prior to the end of
2018, it will likely be more towards the end of the year than the beginning,
contrary to what I had thought and reported. This seems like a safe change for
the moment. If the Lord surprises us and sets a groundbreaking for this temple
sooner than estimated here, I will move it up on this list at that time.
176.
Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed; awaiting
official name announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: This
is another temple that has already had a site confirmed, but that will likely
not have a groundbreaking as soon as I had thought and asserted that would
happen. Having been advised that temples announced in April 2017 might have at
least a year between the site announcement and the groundbreaking, this seems
to be a safe and sound adjustment. As always,
once the Lord or the leaders of His Church reveal more about any temple, that
new information will be reflected on future reports. For now, that is an update
from what I have previously reported. And we are also still waiting to see if
and when a more official name might be announced for this temple. I will report
on all developments as I become aware of them.
177.
Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation; groundbreaking may
take place sometime during early 2019.
NOTE: While
it is true that temples in the “Mormon corridor” of Idaho, Utah and Arizona
generally get started well in advance of their international counterparts, I
learned on July 18, 2017 that some temples on this list needed to be moved
(some up, and some down). I also learned that Idaho temples have kept to a
general average time-frame from announcement to groundbreaking, and by changing
the estimate for this temple, it corresponds more fully to that average.
178.
Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement;
media event held June 14, 2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early 2019.
NOTE: As I have considered the
media event held last month, I have determined it wiser to assume that a
groundbreaking for this temple will happen sooner rather than later. It seems
apparent now that this temple will not be the last of those currently announced
to have a groundbreaking, as I had originally thought and stated. So it seems
wise to make that adjustment. As always, once more information is available, I
will go from there.
179. Bangkok
Thailand Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking
may take place during mid-2019.
NOTE: If member speculation is confirmed
within the next year or so (that a building housing Church offices will be
reconstructed and repurposed into an edifice housing not just those offices,
but also a meetinghouse and the temple as well), then formal construction
efforts could begin sooner than indicated here. Until more is known, I am
trying to be conservative in my estimates. I would not be surprised in the
least if this temple’s groundbreaking happens sooner or later than indicated
here.
180. Abidjan
Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement;
groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: With the massive growth that
the Church has experienced in the Ivory Coast, some have speculated that the
Ivory Coast could get one or two additional temples within the next 15 years.
For this first one, this adjustment feels appropriate. Further adjustments will
be made once more is known.
181. Quito Ecuador
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may
take place during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: Despite the 14-year wait
between the announcement and groundbreaking for Ecuador’s first temple, this
one for the Ecuadoran capital is not anticipated to have nearly as long a wait.
With other adjustments that have been made, this seems appropriate. Further
adjustments will be made once more is known.
182. Belem Brazil Temple:
Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take
place during late 2019-early 2020.
NOTE: Since we have a site
essentially confirmed for the other Brazilian temple above, even though this
one was announced a year prior to that one, it is more than likely that we will
not see a groundbreaking for this Belem temple until a year or so after the one
for Brasilia. If the estimates for all other temples are anywhere close (which
they may or may not be), that would make this temple the last of the current
bunch to be dedicated. But this is 2 or 3 years out, so changes are always
possible within that time depending on what develops between now and then.
ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: Temple
announcements within the last three years have come during the April General
Conference. They may happen at any time the First Presidency feels inspired to
make them, but that has been the pattern since 2015. Also, as noted above,
Elder Larry Y. Wilson said in an interview recently that 85 or more temple
sites are under consideration for an announcement within the next 15 years. So
we could be entering another unprecedented era of temple announcements and construction.
That is one big reason why I have expanded my list of temples that may
potentially be announced. I also know that sites have been procured for future
temples in Managua Nicaragua (which seems most likely, as it is the first of
the top ten countries with the strongest LDS presence that does not yet have a
temple, and such a temple was proposed by Elder Nelson in 2012), Auckland New
Zealand, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, Bentonville Arkansas, and Missoula
Montana (which was proposed by Elder Bednar sometime in 2014). I have been told
by many that an official announcement will happen once unit growth and activity
in temples within such areas warrants those announcements. If there have been
any other sites purchased elsewhere, they have not yet been made known. We also
know that several potential temples have been proposed in several locations
around the world by many of our prophets and apostles. The Lord will continue
to inspire such temple announcements as they are needed, and all developments
will continue to be included on subsequent versions of this report.
Key:
Bolded numbers and text denote
temples whose numbers already exists (for renovations), or is certain due to a
scheduled dedication, as well as information that is certain, such as dedication
or groundbreaking dates.
Italicized numbers and
text denote temples whose numbers may change based on the order in
which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.
Underlined numbers and text denote
temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval,
and groundbreaking.
Red text highlights changes from the last posted temple
progress report.
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.
Who will serve as the Grand Marshal of the "Days of '47" KSL Parade
Hello, all! I am back again today to explore the question of who might serve as the "Days of '47" KSL Parade Grand Marshal. Typically, this role has been filled by a member of the First Presidency. But last year, Elder Ballard filled that role at the invitation of the First Presidency as a senior member of the Twelve and as descendant of pioneers. I felt that Elder Ballard might be asked to fill that role again this year. But then I read this article, which described how Elder Holland spoke to the Sons and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers about how his ancestors were pioneers, if not in the textbook definition, than at least in the truest sense of the word. So at this point, it is not clear at all who might fill that role. But since this is a Utah holiday of no small importance to Latter-day Saints, I will keep an eye out for developments and let you all know when more is known about this. That's it for now. Stay tuned for more from me later on today. Thanks, as always, for your time and attention.
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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