Hello, all! Though one of my first blog posts this month discussed the dates in August on which 5 of our apostles (33% or 1/3 of all 15) would mark their birthdays, where possible, I will also be doing posts for each of these 5 on the day of. Therefore, the first apostolic birthday this month is for our youngest apostle, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, who celebrates his 62nd birthday today. As most, if not all, of you are no doubt aware, Elder Stevenson is right now the second most junior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and also of the 15 apostles overall.
I thought I would present a brief biography of Elder Stevenson, including important highlights of his time as a general authority. Born in Ogden, Utah in 1955, Elder Stevenson served in the Japan Fukuoka Mission. He obtained his secondary education at Utah State University (where he majored in business). During his time at USU, he met his wife, Lesa Jean Higley, whom he married in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple and with whom he raised four sons. Fun fact: Elder Stevenson's mother and wife share the middle name of Jean. I found that intriguing.
Elder Stevenson worked for ICON Health and Fitness, eventually getting promoted to Chief Operating Officer. He additionally served on both the USU Foundation Board and the Marriott School of Management National Advisory Council.
Prior to his call as a general authority, he served in a variety of callings, including as a bishop, a counselor in a stake presidency, and returned to Japan to serve as president of the Church's mission headquartered in the city of Nagoya. He filled that assignment from 2004-2007.
Approximately one year after returning from that assignment, Elder Stevenson was among the first General Authorities called by President Monson in April 2008. In the almost four years that followed, Elder Stevenson was assigned to live in Japan again, this time as a counselor and then as the president of the Church's Asia North Area.
During the April 2012 General Conference, the Presiding Bishopric that had been serving together since late December 1995 was released, and Elder Stevenson was called as the new Presiding Bishop. Part of his duties included involvement with temples. And one of the temples that went from announcement to groundbreaking to construction during that time was the Sapporo Japan Temple, for which he, as the Asia Area President, had broken ground in 2011.
About 2.5 years into his service as Presiding Bishop (just prior to the October 2015 General Conference), he was called to the apostleship, becoming the youngest apostle called since Elder David A. Bednar (who was 52 years old at the time of his call in October 2004).
Since his call as a general authority, Elder Stevenson has given 7 amazing and inspirational talks during General Conference, one as a General Authority Seventy, 2 during his time as Presiding Bishop, and the other 4 as a special witness of Jesus Christ. To review any of these talks (which have covered some significant and important topics), click here.
As a brief aside, one thing that really impresses me about his talks (and likewise those of President Eyring) is that the covered subject matter is so important to both of them that they have teared up almost every time they give their prepared remarks. I know that may bother some people, but it doesn't bother me. In fact, when something like that does happen, if anything, it strengthens the Spirit I have felt in such situations.
But getting back to Elder Stevenson, I was gratified to see that the Church has been using him for a wide variety of assignments as he comes closer to marking two years in the apostleship. Together with Elders Rasband and Renlund (who were called to the apostleship the same day), Elder Stevenson has made very valuable contributions to the furthering of the work of the Lord. I look forward to seeing him continue his apostolic ministry.
This concludes my post paying a birthday tribute to Elder Stevenson. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. I am anticipating that this next week will be another big one for new posts, as there is no shortage of Church and temple-related news. And among those planned posts (barring anything unexpected) will be birthday tributes like this one for Elder Andersen (who will be 65 on Wednesday) and Elder Oaks (who will celebrate his 85th birthday on Saturday). Until I post again, I wish each of you all the best.
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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Sunday, August 6, 2017
First Apostolic Birthday in August: Elder Gary E. Stevenson turns 62
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.
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Unit Growth Thoughts
Hello, all! I am posting with some thoughts and estimates about the potential for unit growth during this year. I will not offer analysis of this information, just my thoughts on what the Church might be looking at numbers-wise by the end of this year. Here's what I know: By the end of 2017, 53 Sundays will have been observed. Tomorrow marks the 32nd Sunday of this year. Within the 31 Sundays thus far, the Church has seen a net increase of 35 stakes (or just over 1.13 new stakes established each week). The Church has also seen a net decrease of 12 districts (although quite a few of those districts were upgraded to stakes, as noted by many of you who regularly read and comment on my blog posts. The number of wards and branches has seen a net increase of 36 (with many created and several discontinued). And with the merge of the two Russian missions (which the Church announced several months ago), the number of current missions stands at a worldwide count of 420.
So what does this mean in terms of what may happen by the end of the year? Well, with the 1.13 stakes created per week thus far (which, as noted, is a net increase of 35 stakes), if that continues for the remaining 22 Sundays of this month, a net increase of 25 stakes could happen. If it does, that means the Church would have seen an overall net increase of 60 stakes.
My research on this matter demonstrates that within the last 4 months of last year, 37 of the 100 new stakes from last year were created. Since around 3 stakes were discontinued during that time (if my research is correct), then the Church last year had a next increase of around 34 stakes from August-December of last year.
With all that in mind, I am venturing a prediction that the Church could see an overall net gain of around 57 stakes, which, in the 53 Sundays of the year, would mean that roughly 1.07 stakes would then have been created during each week of 2017.
Whatever the case, we can be sure that the LDS Church Growth Blog and the unit page of the LDS Church Temples site will continue to contain the latest updates in that regard. And I will continue to do my best to keep track of all of that as well, and to pass along anything I find out.
For now, hope you enjoyed this post. Thanks for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best.
So what does this mean in terms of what may happen by the end of the year? Well, with the 1.13 stakes created per week thus far (which, as noted, is a net increase of 35 stakes), if that continues for the remaining 22 Sundays of this month, a net increase of 25 stakes could happen. If it does, that means the Church would have seen an overall net increase of 60 stakes.
My research on this matter demonstrates that within the last 4 months of last year, 37 of the 100 new stakes from last year were created. Since around 3 stakes were discontinued during that time (if my research is correct), then the Church last year had a next increase of around 34 stakes from August-December of last year.
With all that in mind, I am venturing a prediction that the Church could see an overall net gain of around 57 stakes, which, in the 53 Sundays of the year, would mean that roughly 1.07 stakes would then have been created during each week of 2017.
Whatever the case, we can be sure that the LDS Church Growth Blog and the unit page of the LDS Church Temples site will continue to contain the latest updates in that regard. And I will continue to do my best to keep track of all of that as well, and to pass along anything I find out.
For now, hope you enjoyed this post. Thanks for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best.
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.
Birthday Celebration to mark President Monson's 90th Birthday Not Likely
Hello, all! While I am still waiting to find out more about some questions that some of you have asked about relating to some of my latest posts, I was able to find out one thing: Barring something unexpected, and in view of the fact that President Monson's 90th birthday is now just over two weeks away, it is not likely that a formal celebration will be held to mark this milestone. I can understand that completely. President Monson has said he is a very private person. And depending on what his condition is, it may be hard for him to muster strength to attend such a celebration. That information did not come as a surprise to me. Generally for milestone birthdays of Church presidents, an announcement is made about such a celebration several weeks (if not a month or two) in advance. So I am sure this year, between his desire for privacy and whatever his condition is, President Monson will have a low-key, low-profile, quiet celebration with just his family and Church colleagues. Either way, I am grateful for the life and ministry of our dear prophet, and I wish him all the best, however he chooses to mark this milestone. May the Lord continue to bless and inspire him to the fullest extent possible is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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.
Friday, August 4, 2017
Changes made to numbering of temples that may be completed during 2019
Hello, all! Although no significant developments have been reported on any temples within the last 24 hours, I have changed my thinking on the numbering of temples under construction that may be completed during 2019. The Winnipeg Manitoba Temple (which may be completed sometime during mid-to-late 2019) is now listed as 167, the Lisbon Portugal Temple (which may be completed sometime during late 2019) is now listed as 168, and the Arequipa Peru Temple (which may be completed sometime during late 2019 or early 2020) is listed as 169.
Depending on what happens during the remaining 4 months of this year (including how soon construction begins on the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple after its October 28 groundbreaking), that may change again. For now, I wanted to pass that along. As today has been comparatively more quiet in terms of Church and temple news, this post may be my only one today. Thanks for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. All the best to all of you until my next post.
Depending on what happens during the remaining 4 months of this year (including how soon construction begins on the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple after its October 28 groundbreaking), that may change again. For now, I wanted to pass that along. As today has been comparatively more quiet in terms of Church and temple news, this post may be my only one today. Thanks for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. All the best to all of you until my next post.
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.
More temple-related developments noted
Hello, all! I was making what I intended to be my last check of Church websites for the day, and in doing so, I discovered that more temple-related developments have been reported. I am posting right here right now with those updates. Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts. Thank you for the privilege of your time.
Temple Construction Progress Update
(current as of 8/3/17)
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); 1 temple has a rededication scheduled; 1 other is 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 80 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 over 260 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. 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. This is especially
possible in light of the fact that, within the last 2.5 years or so, 12 new
temples have been announced, which works out to roughly 5 temples announced
each year. If that average continues for the next 15 years, 75 new temples will
be announced in that time, which is very close to the 80 referenced by Elder
Wilson. 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: Hanging interior light fixtures;
installing art glass; landscaping progressing; 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; construction office trailers donated to
community organizations; office space relocated to patron housing; completion
anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
161. Kinshasa Democratic
Republic of the Congo Temple: Exterior walls completed; preparing to attach
plywood to roof trusses and to pour baptismal font support; completion
anticipated sometime during mid-to-late
2018.
162. Concepcion Chile
Temple: Cladding progressing on the east wall; decorative fence installation
underway; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: Within the few short hours
that transpired between the evening and late night of August 3, this temple was
moved up to this spot while other temples have been moved down. I am working on
what this means for next year’s temple events, and will pass that along once I
learn anything.
163. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Stone cladding completed on exterior walls; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.
NOTE: Late tonight, this temple was
moved down, signifying that my thinking on the timeline for next year’s
temple-related events need to be revised yet again.
164. Durban
South Africa Temple: East soffit temple wall poured;
brick laying continues for temple and missionary housing; utility work
continues; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018-early 2019.
Under construction, completion
anticipated within the next 2-3 years:
165. Fortaleza Brazil
Temple: Interior and roof framing underway for temple
and patron housing; structural framing rising for meetinghouse; completion
anticipated sometime during early-to-mid
2019.
166. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction underway on temple substructure; completion
anticipated sometime during mid-2019.
167. Lisbon Portugal
Temple: Foundation walls and columns nearing
completion; cladding the meetinghouse; completion anticipated sometime
during late 2019.
168.
Arequipa Peru Temple: Setting rebar for main floor structural walls; completion
anticipated sometime during late
2019-early 2020.
Construction pending
(anticipated to start anytime):
169. Winnipeg Manitoba
Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; awaiting full-scale
operations; acquiring building permits; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: Progress on this temple has been stalled repeatedly, first by a
bad Canadian winter (until April or May of this year), and since that time by a
delay in getting the necessary permits. If construction begins within the next
couple of months, I can see this temple dedicated sooner than indicated above. In
the meantime, until construction begins, I have felt it wise to adjust my
estimate. This is just my own thinking here, and not verifiable by any source
available to me. I will be sure to pass along any updates as I receive them.
Groundbreaking scheduled:
170. Port-au-Prince
Haiti Temple: Ground being cleared; preparing for groundbreaking ceremony,
which is scheduled for Saturday October
28, 2017; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2020.
NOTE: In addition to knowing that
this temple will be much smaller than its other Caribbean counterpart, I found
out in late July that this temple will be comparable in size (and perhaps
design) to the one in Kinshasa. All of this points to the notion that this
temple’s dedication could easily happen during the specified time-frame
estimated above. Once work is actually underway (which is anticipated to happen
on Monday October 30, barring any delays), I will pass along any changes to
that thinking.
Scheduled for rededication:
20. Jordan River Utah
Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication scheduled for Sunday May 20, 2018.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication anticipated within the next year or
so):
41. Frankfurt Germany
Temple: Closed for renovation; baptismal font support walls poured in basement
addition; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.
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. In the meantime, my study on the subject is ongoing.
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. If an expansion is planned,
that will change the 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.
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