October 2017 General Conference Predictions--Final Version

Hello, everyone! Given that the first session of this October's General Conference will take place just over two weeks from today, I wanted to post the final version of my predictions for that General Conference. Before doing so, I should like to note that while there have been certain patterns of rotation in effect for each General Conference, there have also been some very unpredictable elements every six months. In particular, I am most in doubt about how accurate my predictions for the Women's Session may be. Since we have had changes in the make-up of the Relief Society and Primary General Presidencies, and since I am anticipating that the Young Women General Presidency may be changed next April, it is hard to know who among the women auxiliary leaders may be called upon to speak this time. That said, the rotation that has prevailed for the Young Women General Presidency of late makes me think Sister Oscarson will be asked to represent that presidency this go round. And since Sister Bingham will likely give her official response to her new calling as Relief Society President in the general sessions, that makes me think that we will likely hear from Sister Sharon Eubank. And if the General Young Women's President and the First Counselor in the Relief Socieety General Presidency are speaking, then it would make the most sense if the Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency spoke, which would give Sister Franco her first opportunity to speak since her call. And, barring anything unexpected, since President Eyring spoke in the General Women's Session, it is not hard to believe that President Uchtdorf will do so.

Any other speakers are where they are during this General Conference because that has made sense according to the usual rotational pattern. But I did also want to note that if President Monson and Elder Hales do speak back to back in the Sunday Morning Session, there may be reason to believe another speaker may be called upon that is not listed here, likely another General Authority Seventy.

Aside from these notes, the only thing I wanted to note is that I have changed my list of temples somewhat since I last posted it, and I hope you all enjoy those changes. If you have any feedback for me, please let me know in the comments below. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord be with each and every one of you until my next post.

October 2017 General Conference Predictions

Speaking Order (Text in brackets indicated what actually happened.)

Session	Conducting	Speaker
General Women’s	Joy D. Jones	Christina B. Franco
		Sharon Eubank
		Bonnie L. Oscarson
		President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Saturday Morning	President Henry B. Eyring	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
		Bishop W. Christopher Waddell
		Jean B. Bingham
		Elder David A. Bednar
		Elder Massimo De Feo
		Elder O. Vincent Haleck
		Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Saturday Afternoon	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf	President Henry B. Eyring (Sustaining of Church Officers)
		President Russell M. Nelson
		Elder Dale G. Renlund
		Elder Larry Y. Wilson
		Elder Joni L. Koch
		Elder Ian S. Ardern
		Elder Quentin L. Cook
		Elder Ronald A. Rasband
Saturday Priesthood	President Henry B. Eyring	President Thomas S. Monson
		Elder D. Todd Christofferson
		Elder Patrick Kearon
		President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
		President Henry B. Eyring
Sunday Morning	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf	President Thomas S. Monson
		Elder Robert D. Hales
		Elder Juan A. Uceda
		Neill F. Marriott
		Elder Gary E. Stevenson
		Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella
		Elder Brian K. Taylor
		President Henry B. Eyring
Sunday Afternoon	President Henry B. Eyring	Elder Neil L. Andersen
		Tad R. Callister
		Elder David F. Evans
		Elder M. Russell Ballard
		Elder Taniela B. Wakolo
		Elder Jose L. Alonso
		Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Changes in General Church Leadership

Presidency of the Seventy: Elders Donald L. Hallstrom and Richard J. Maynes released from the presidency, Elders Juan A. Uceda and Patrick Kearon sustained. NOTE: These changes, announced on May 3, became effective on August 1. For that reason, they will likely be ratified by sustaining vote. However, because there has also been a time or two when such changes have not been so ratified, I would not be surprised if this is not noted. Until further notice, I have felt it would be wiser to include the information. RESULT:

General Authority Seventies: Elders Stanley G. Ellis, Larry R. Lawrence, and W. Craig Zwick released as General Authority Seventies and granted emeritus status. NOTE: Elder Ellis turned 70 in January this year, just as Elder Zwick did in June, and Elder Lawrence did in August, so it would make sense if these men were released and granted emeritus status. RESULT:

Area Seventies: Releases and sustainings. NOTE: It has been customary for most changes in area seventies to take place in April, when President Uchtdorf leads out in the sustaining vote, and for only a few to take place in October, when President Eyring leads out in the sustaining. Since we are talking about an October General Conference, it would make sense if only a few changes happened this go-round. RESULT:

Temple Predictions:

3+ temples announced in any of the following locations:

ADDITIONAL NOTE: After thinking further about those temples I feel are most likely in the near future, I first narrowed down then expanded, then revised these selections again. I am again listing them by the geographical area of the Church under which they fall and then by likelihood within each of those areas. As always, these are nothing more than my own thoughts, backed up by either research or the opinions of others I have trusted in this matter. The Lord decides where He needs His temples to be built, and those decisions are manifested to those authorized to receive such revelation (the prophet, or, in our current situation, those authorized to represent him in so determining).

Africa Southeast: Antananarivo Madagascar; Maputo Mozambique; Lubumbashi DR Congo; Cape Town South Africa

Africa West: Benin City/Lagos Nigeria; Kumasi Ghana; Freetown Sierra Leone; Yamoussoukro Ivory Coast; Monrovia Liberia

Asia: Phomn Penh Cambodia; Jakarta Indonesia; Taichung Taiwan; Ulaanbaatar Mongolia; Singapore; Hyderabad/Rajahmundry India

Brazil: Belo Horizonte; Salvador

Caribbean: San Juan Puerto Rico

Central America: Managua Nicaragua; San Pedro Sula Honduras; Guatemala City Guatemala (2^nd temple)

Europe: Praia Cape Verde; Budapest Hungary; Vienna Austria; Edinburgh Scotland

Mexico: Puebla; Queretaro

North America Central: Missoula Montana; Green Bay Wisconsin; Rapid City South Dakota

North America Northeast: Richmond Virginia

North America Northwest: Salem Oregon

North America Southeast: Bentonville Arkansas

North America Southwest: Fort Worth Texas; Flagstaff Arizona; Henderson Nevada

Pacific: Auckland New Zealand; Port Moresby Papua New Guinea; Pago Pago American Samoa; Neiafu Vava'u Tonga 

Philippines: Davao/Cagayan de Oro

South America Northwest: Maracaibo Venezuela; Santa Cruz/La Paz Bolivia; Iquitos Peru

South America South: Valparaiso Chile; Neuquen Argentina

Utah North: Layton Utah

Utah Salt Lake: Tooele Utah

Utah South: Heber City Utah

Notes about potential temple sites:

1.         For the Africa Southeast Area, the two possibilities listed seem to be the most likely ones. With the growth of the Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a second temple seems imminent, even without knowing how the one that will be dedicated in Kinshasa will affect any potential future temples. While Elder Neil L. Andersen proposed a temple for the Kasai region, Lubumbashi seems more likely. As always, I will pass any new information along as I become aware of it.

2.         Regarding the Africa West Area, the LDS Church growth blog reports that, if current growth trends continue, that area could have 13 temples by the year 2030. Along with that, we know that there are two dedicated and one announced in that area already. And I figured the 4 in the list above might be more likely sooner rather than later. So that means that 7 of the 13 may have been identified. In the Africa West Area, second temples for Ghana and Nigeria seem likely, especially now that all Nigerian cities have been reached by the Church. And Sierra Leone may also get a temple soon simply by virtue of being so far distant from the temple district under which it falls. Additionally, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde come in at #6 and #10 respectively in terms of the top ten countries/dependencies with the strongest LDS presence but without a temple, making them very viable candidates for the future, if not immediately. I have also heard some say that a second and possibly a third Ivory Coast temple may be announced within the next 10-15 years depending on how quickly the first one progresses.

3.         While I was double-checking for additional temple sites, I quickly figured out that Asia could be a great candidate for several new temples, and these are the most likely locations that I could find. While all of them make sense in terms of President Monson’s desire to have every Church member within 200 miles of a temple, I have grouped them by the number of Church units. Additionally, I know that temples have been proposed for New Delhi India (in 1992 by Elder Maxwell) and for Singapore (in 2000 by President Hinckley). Church membership in those countries stand as follows: Cambodia: nearing 14,000; India: just over 13,000; Mongolia: nearing 11,500; Indonesia: nearing 7,300; Singapore: nearing 8,400. According to a statistical profile written by a Church Growth expert, India may not actually get a temple until there is a stronger Church presence to support. For now, it seems that the order I have placed them in may be the most likely order by which they might be announced. On July 28, I added one for Taichung Taiwan, since further research indicates Taiwan may be ready for a second temple. As more information comes to light, I will make any adjustments that might be necessary.

4.         In Brazil, the two cities above seem to be the most imminent possibilities. It would also not surprise me at all if the Church held off on announcing any other Brazilian temples until the two under construction and the other two announced ones are closer to completion. As I have mentioned previously, I had felt prior to General Conference last April that Brazil's next temple would be built in Brasilia, but didn't think it would be announced until the one in Belem made more progress. So more Brazilian temples may be announced soon, but they also might not. Once more is known, I will make any adjustments needed. 

5.         Central America may be needing several new temples, based on what my research shows. Then-Elder Nelson proposed a temple for Managua in 2012, and I recently learned that land has been set aside for such a temple for several years. Additional research done on July 28, 2017 showed that temples could be needed in the other cities listed in the Central America Area, and they are listed in order of likelihood for that to happen.

6.         While I said when posting my last list of possibilities that any new European temples might be put on hold until the Church evaluates how the dedications of the Paris France and Rome Italy Temples and the rededications of the temples in Freiberg and Frankfurt Germany have affected temple attendance for European Saints, in going over the current and future districts, I was reminded that I had heard from several people that Budapest Hungary would be the next European temple. And Vienna Austria makes sense in terms of President Monson's expressed goal to have every member within 200 miles of a temple. Until more information is known, these additions seemed to be sound.

7.      Of the many cities in Mexico, I know Puebla has been widely mentioned as the most likely site for the next temple in that nation. I have also felt at times that Queretaro could be a feasible possibility. If and when I feel I can narrow down or add new options, I will do so. 

8.          In the Pacific, I know that the first two cities have been mentioned to me as having sites purchased, and once Church growth and temple activity from these areas warrant an official announcement for them, it will happen. Of the two, Auckland seems more likely. Further study which I did in late July confirms that the other two locations listed may be possible.

9.          While Church growth in the United States has stagnated somewhat of late, except in the “Mormon corridor” of Idaho, Utah, and Arizona, I have heard at one time or another that each of the temples I listed above could potentially be As part of my efforts to expand my predictions, I decided to include these cities again on this list. Until I know more about US growth, these seem to be sound changes. I also know, as I have previously noted, that land has been set aside in Bentonville Arkansas and Missoula Montana for future temple sites, with an official announcement anticipated once unit growth and activity in the current temple districts warrant that happening.

10.       As a state that is constantly expanding its outreach, Utah has 18 temples either in operation or in various stages of construction. Layton and Tooele have often been mentioned to me by name as possibilities. I added Heber City in late July after a couple of comments led me to do so. Each of these seem likely. I also know that we are still waiting to have the Southwest Salt Lake Valley temple mentioned by President Hinckley announced at some point. Some have said that this temple has been announced already, but the research I have done proves otherwise.

Final note: As with everything else I put together, these are no more than my own thoughts, feelings, and observations based on the research I have done and the reports I have received. I hope that is absolutely understood and accepted. No one can know the mind of the Lord relating to His Church except those authorized to receive revelation regarding their own spheres of responsibility. While I am always gratified when my predictions turn out to be correct, I am even more appreciative of the many times developments do not take place as I project they will. At the end of the day, the Lord is the only one who can determine best how to further His work, and He manifests His will to those authorized to lead the Church and make decisions. Just wanted to end on that note.

RESULT: The following temples were announced, much to my great delight:

Musings on Church growth so far this year/Exploring the Potential for such growth during the remainder of this year

For what they may be worth to any of you, here are some musings I put together regarding Church growth that has happened thus far this year, and how the whole picture of overall Church growth may look by the end of this year. These are no more and no less than my own thoughts, and I hope to always be the first to recognize my own need to open up any line of thought to suggestion, clarification, and correction from you, my readers, as any of you are likely far better qualified to know whether or not I am off-base than I might consider myself to be. With that hope, I wanted to note the fact that there will be 53 Sundays in 2017, I have calculated that 37 of them have come and gone, which totals roughly 70% of all Sundays that will take place this year. Therefore, the 16 Sundays that are left will comprise the remaining 30% of this year.

Thus far, the Church has seen a net increase of 41 stakes this year, which works out to roughly 1.1 stakes created each Sunday. If the Church continues stake creations at the same rate during the remainder of this year, then the Church will have added another 18 stakes or so within the last 16 Sundays that are left this year, for a net increase of 59 stakes total this year. That said, as I have noted elsewhere, August and September are often banner months for new stake creations. This year has been no different. With the six Sundays that have happened thus far in that August/September period, 9 new stakes have been created, which is an average of 1.5 stakes per week. If that follows for the next two weeks, we will have 3 additional new stakes. And if the rate of 1.1 new stakes cited above continues for the remaining 14 Sundays that will then be left in 2017 (for the final third of the year), then the rest of the year will see a net increase of 16 new stakes by the time the last day of 2016 rolls around. That means that we will then have seen a net increase of 78 stakes during 2016, and would bring the total number of stakes at the end of 2017 to 3,385.

In the meantime, the Church has seen a net decrease of 11 districts during this year thus far, which means the Church has lost an average of 0.3 districts per week. If that average continues, then the Church will lose 5 more districts by the end of this year, and will have thus marked a net decrease of 16 districts during 2017, bringing the year-end total number of districts to 540.

The Church has, as always, seen a substantial increase in wards and branches thus far in 2017, having marked a net increase of 32 congregations over the 37 Sundays that have passed, for an average increase of 0.86 per week. If that continues, the Church will add 14 more congregations minimum, which will then bring the total number of those congregations to a year-end net increase of 46, and the total number of congregations at the end of the year to a grand total of 30,350. I have previously mentioned the feedback I got from a few of you to the effect that there are around 100 “sensitive units” counted among the total number given each year in the Church’s statistical report (though not included in most people’s “running totals”), and I have rounded that to a rough 75. With that in mind, it is not hard to estimate the year-end number of wards and branches at being somewhere around 30,425. Time will tell how accurate that might be. I for one am hoping that each of those numbers will be slightly higher at the end of this year.

Again, though I am by no stretch of anyone’s imagination able to be considered a Church growth expert, these are some musings I had on the subject, for what they may be worth to any of you. As with anything else I publish on this blog, I am always open to suggestion and correction as they relate to these musings. So, feel free to comment away! In the meantime, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord bless you all until my next post. Until that time, I wish you all the best.

Temple Construction Progress Update

Hello again, everyone! Just wanted to note that, in addition to my musings on the potential name for the temple planned for the greater Manila area, there have been several I other minor but still very significant developments in temple construction worldwide, and I wanted to share those updates with you. As noted in my last post, this version of this report will be the first one in which I list that temple for the greater Manila area as the "Alabang Manila Temple". Again, I am doing this based primarily on the way that temple was referenced in the Manila Mormon Newsroom article about the creation of the 100th stake in the Philippines area. I cannot stress this enough: any construction, completion, groundbreaking, or developmental estimates contained herein are just that, estimates, and they are subject entirely to confirmation, correction, or clarification as that becomes available. There is nothing so constant in terms of temple progress as the fact that changes are imminent. Until the Brethren or those they authorize to do so in their stead make an official announcement, this is merely my best-researched reasoning, which anyone would be perfectly justified in calling speculation. I am never disappointed if I find out I need to change things on this report, and I try not to be too cocky, vain, or prideful on those rare occasions when I turn out to be right. I am just pleased to be able to contribute to the public dialogue of such developments. In like manner, I hope that all of you who read this will be respectful, both of me and of each other. If that is not happening, then my efforts have missed the mark big time. Here is that report. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. In the meantime, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord bless you all until my next post. Until that time, I wish you all the best.

Temple Construction Progress (current as of 9/13/17)

NOTE ABOUT FUTURE TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION: As referenced in previous versions of this report, Elder Larry Y. Wilson, the Temple Department Executive Director, stated in an interview given as the open house for the newly renovated Idaho Falls Idaho Temple got underway that the Church currently has around 80 sites under consideration for a subsequent announcement within the next 15 years. While some, if not at least a majority, of those 80 sites will make it to a subsequent announcement, it is significant to think about. That would put the number of temples in any phase at around 260 or so in 2032. It is not hard to believe, therefore, that whether or not the Church makes an official goal to do so, we could see a minimum of 200 operating temples by or before the bicentennial (200^th ) anniversary of the restoration of the Church (which will take place on Saturday April 6, 2030. With the Church only having to announce 18 additional temples and to complete the other 25 in any phase, all it would take to reach that milestone is for 3-4 temples being dedicated in each one of the 12.56 years between now and then, which works out to 3 or 4 temples that will need to be dedicated each year. Since the Church will be maintaining at least that average amount for the next 3 years at minimum, it appears to be very doable. For my part, I will be keeping my eyes open for any developments and will pass such news along as I hear of it.

CURRENT TEMPLE STATUS: The Church has 182 temples in various phases (operating, undergoing renovation (which counts as operating), under construction (new ones not yet dedicated) or announced (with either a site announcement or groundbreaking pending). There are 157 operating temples, with 1 that has had construction conclude (and is preparing for its open house) and 1 more that has construction wrapping up prior to its already scheduled dedication later this year. There are additionally 9 others are in various phases of construction and 1 more that had a groundbreaking last year, (with full-scale construction anticipated to begin ASAP (hopefully before the end of this year). 1 other has a groundbreaking scheduled (which will take place in just under 2 months. Of the temples that have been, are now, and will shortly be undergoing renovations, we have 1 that has a rededication scheduled (for the middle of next year), while 1 other is undergoing renovation (with completion anticipated sometime in either late summer or early fall next year), and another 4 have had their closure dates set before the end of this year, in addition to 5 others that we know will be closing early next year (the actual dates for each of those will be set closer to the time). The remaining 12 are announced (with either a site announcement or groundbreaking pending).

Construction completed, preparing for open house:

158. Meridian Idaho Temple: Practices for youth cultural celebration beginning today; open house reservations will start being accepted on Monday September 25, 2017, and will be available for the duration of the open house, which is set to run for the three-week period spanning Saturday October 21 and Saturday November 11, excluding Sundays; dedication scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.

NOTE: While I have not yet confirmed that construction has concluded on this temple, it seems to be a safe assumption. If I find that is not the case, I will pass that along.

Construction nearing completion; dedication scheduled:

159. Cedar City Utah Temple: Finish work underway on the interior; cultural celebration kick-off meeting held; open house reservations will start being accepted on Monday October 2, 2017, and will be available for the duration of the open house, which is set to run for the 22-day period spanning Friday October 27 and Saturday November 18, excluding Sundays; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.

NOTE: I feel safe in asserting that the latest news for this temple indicates that this temple is getting closer to completion. I am keeping an eye on this and will pass more information along once I know more.

Under Construction (completion anticipated by the end of next year (2018)):

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.

NOTE: In view of the plans announced to rededicate the Jordan River Temple, and because this temple has progressed more consistently than the Frankfurt Germany Temple, it is my feeling that this temple will be dedicated at some point before the annual July recess of the General Authorities. My revised, more specific estimate has been set for early-to-mid June. If I receive information that changes that belief, I will be sure to pass it along.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Cladding progressing on east side of temple; west side nearly finished; hanging doors and installing millwork inside; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: Given what is known currently about this temple’s progress, as well as the fact that the rededication of the Frankfurt Germany Temple may happen prior to the dedication of this one, I am setting a preliminary revised estimate of mid-to-late August for this dedication. As more is known about how this temple continues to progress during the remainder of this year, any adjustments will then be presented in subsequent versions of this report.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Roof sheathing completed; steeple framework installed; landscaping palm trees secured; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: While I fervently hope that this temple will be completed closer to the earlier side of this estimate, information that I came across last night indicates the completion of this temple will be closer to a year from now than any earlier. I am therefore setting a preliminary estimate of mid-to-late September 2018 for this temple’s potential dedication timeframe.

163.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Pouring concrete curbing and walkways; preparing to clad tower; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.

NOTE: This temple, once thought to be among the first completed in 2018, may now turn out to be the last one dedicated in 2018, if current trends continue. In view of additional information I received recently, I am setting a new estimate for late October-early November 2018.

Under construction, completion anticipated during 2019:  

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Temple roof slab poured; brickwork continues at missionary housing; waterproofing and backfilling entrance buildings; completion anticipated sometime during early 2019.

NOTE: As promised in previous version of this report, I did some more research that pointed to the notion that, barring anything unexpected, the completion of this temple may take around 1.5 years rather than just the 1 that I thought. It is therefore my new feeling that the dedication of this temple will be around late February or early March 2019. If my thinking on that changes, I will pass that along.

165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Applying waterproofing membrane to temple exterior walls; meetinghouse exterior walls rising; completion anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: As part of my ongoing research, I studied when this temple might be completed. And that study has led me to conclude that the completion of this temple will likely happen in mid-to-late May 2019. If that changes, I will pass that along.

166. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Crews preparing to pour exterior walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: As part of my efforts to reevaluate potential completion estimates, I discovered that this temple is more likely to be dedicated following the annual July recess of the General Authorities, perhaps by early-to-mid August. If my thinking on that changes, I will pass that along.

167. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Structural framing for main floor underway; meetinghouse cladding progressing; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: While I hope I am wrong in this regard, my additional research on this temple points to the notion that this temple may only be dedicated by late October or early November of 2019. If my thinking on that changes, I will pass that along.

Temples anticipated to be completed sometime during 2020:

168. Arequipa Peru Temple: Setting rebar for second floor structural walls; completion anticipated sometime during early 2020.

NOTE: As noted on other temples, I have done more research lately on when each temple might be completed. After considering the potential time-frame in which this temple might be completed, and the excellent feedback I got on that point from experts in this field, the result of my additional study on this issue is that I concur with the experts that have suggested early 2020 as a more likely completion time-frame. In fact, my calculations on this temple (keeping in mind the 28-month estimate that was given at one point for this temple’s completion) have led me to believe that we could see a dedication in late February or early March of that year, as it would be the tail end of the summer months for that region. As always, once this temple makes more progress, I will be sure to pass along any changes to that thinking.

Construction pending:

169. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; plans being slightly modified; full-scale operations anticipated to begin in the first or second quarter of 2018; completion anticipated sometime between early-to-mid 2020.

NOTE: With today’s notification that full-scale operations are anticipated to begin in the first or second quarter of 2018, I ran the numbers. As long as work begins by the last day of June 2018, construction could conclude by leap day 2020, which would put the dedication sometime in mid-to-late April or so. I will continue to evaluate this update and will provide any further changes to and clarifications of my thinking on this. For now, it is good to have heard of that update.

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: As previously noted, this temple is anticipated to be somewhat comparable in size to the Kinshasa DR Congo Temple. It is therefore my estimate that construction for this second Caribbean temple will, as previously observed, take around 1.5 years less than the time it took to build the first temple in that region. That would put the rough estimate for this temple’s construction time-frame at around 2 years and 7 months. Assuming no delays and that full-scale construction will be able to begin on this temple on Monday October 30, that would then put the dedication somewhere around mid-August 2020, which would be on the earlier side of the time-frame above. That said, I have also heard that this temple could progress quickly enough to be the last one dedicated in 2019. I will keep an eye on all of this information and will be sure to pass along any updates to my thinking on this.

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; roof slab poured for basement addition; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

NOTE: This temple appears to be on track to be dedicated sometime after both the rededication of the Jordan River Utah Temple and the dedication of the Rome Italy Temple. I have felt it might happen sometime after the annual July recess of the General Authorities, and have thus set my estimate for that rededication to take place in early-to-mid August. If I need to change that, I will pass that information along.

Renovations Scheduled (official closure dates announced):

80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Saturday September 30, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: As previously noted, this temple’s adjusted completion date was confirmed by the redone Temples section on the Church’s website. As also previously noted, this renovation will change the interior and exterior look of the temple. Whether or not that involves an expansion, I have felt that an 18-month estimate for that process would be wise, which gives us an actual estimate of mid-to-late May 2019 for the rededication. As the renovation process actually unfolds and more is known, that will change, but it seems to be a safe estimate for the moment. I will be sure to pass along any changes to that estimate.

18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Monday October 2, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

NOTE: The change of this temple’s closure date was confirmed by the same source mentioned above. With the comparatively smaller size of this temple, and with the knowledge that no expansion is planned, it is obvious that this temple will likely be the first to be rededicated in 2020, and I am estimating that will happen sometime during mid-March. As that process unfolds, I will pass along any needed adjustments.

95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Sunday October 15, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: While it is true that this temple has more room for expansion than Memphis does, it does not seemly likely that such an expansion is part of the plan. Therefore, a revised estimate of 15 months seems likely for the completion of that renovation process. Based on that time-frame, I am also estimating a subsequent rededication during mid-March 2019. As that process unfolds, I will pass along any changes to that line of reasoning.

112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Sunday October 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: As previously noted, this temple’s official closure date was not changed when the layout of the Temples section on the Church’s website was redone. As also noted, unless an expansion is planned (which seems unlikely at this point), a completion time-frame of 15 months seems reasonable. That puts this temple’s potential dedication time-frame sometime during late April or early May 2019. Any changes to that line of thinking will be noted in the future.

68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Wednesday January 10, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: The date of this temple’s anticipated closure has now been confirmed by the Church’s new beta site for temples. In addition, as previously noted, I heard from a member contact in North Carolina that the Saints in that area were told shortly after this renovation was announced that it would not involve an expansion. With that in mind, a 15-month estimate seems to be appropriate for this temple’s renovation process. As more is known about this, I will pass it along. For now, that would put my estimate for this rededication sometime during mid-to-late August 2019.

94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Thursday February 1, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: This temple’s closure date was also confirmed by the Church’s beta site for temple information. As of right now, it doesn’t look like plans are in the works for this temple to be expanded. I am predicting, therefore, that a 15-month estimate may be wise for this temple’s completion. As more is known, if my thinking changes, I will pass that along. For now, I wanted to note that I am estimating this temple’s rededication may take place sometime during mid-September 2019.

13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Monday February 19, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: With the date of this temple’s renovation closure having been confirmed by the beta site for the Church’s temple information, and knowing that an 18-month estimate is wise for an initial prediction, primarily because the stated purpose for this renovation is to upgrade and replace mechanical and electrical systems. With that in mind, and knowing that this temple is anticipated to reopen before the end of 2019, it is not hard to believe that a rededication could thus be set to take place during mid-December 2019. I will be sure to pass along any changes to that line of thought and reasoning.

16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Sunday March 4, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

NOTE: Given that this temple’s completion date has been officially confirmed by the LDS Church’s beta version of their temple section, and given that the purpose of this temple’s renovation is to upgrade and update electrical and mechanical systems, the completion estimate above seems likely, especially in view of the fact that this temple is comparatively larger. I am venturing an initial estimate that this renovation will take around 20 months, which would put this temple’s rededication sometime during mid-December 2019, and would mean that event would likely be the last such temple-related event of that year. As with everything else, I will pass along any updates and changes as I become aware of them.

Temples which have had a renovation announced but for which an exact closure date is not yet known:

7. Mesa Arizona Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in May 2018 (exact date has not yet been announced); rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

NOTE: In the 24 hours or so in which the adjustments of all other renovation dates became necessary as the exact dates were clarified, this temple remained the one for which a more exact closure date is not yet confirmed. In the meantime, as previously noted, the stated purpose of this renovation is to upgrade and update the electrical and mechanical systems of this temple. Even though this temple is quite a bit larger than the Tokyo Japan Temple, it has been renovated once previously, and this renovation is therefore not anticipated to take as long. With that in mind, I believe it would be safe to set this temple’s potential rededication time-frame for late May or early June 2020. I will pass along any updates to both the closure time-frame and the rededication as I become aware of them.

NOTE ON FUTURE GROUNDBREAKINGS: Until the prophet (or those he authorizes to do so in his behalf) announces a groundbreaking for any or all of these temples, the timeframes listed below reflect merely my own thoughts, theories, and conjectures, based on what is now known about how soon any of them might happen. I continue to hope and pray for news of other groundbreakings, but time will tell how imminent any of these events will be, and whether or not they will unfold as presented below. I am keeping an eye out for developments and will pass along any updates as I receive them, including any and all changes to these estimates. Until something more official comes out, this information should not be taken as gospel, as it will be consistently altered as developments change these estimates. And speaking personally, I will be just as happy if I am proven wrong on any of this as I will be if anything in this section is proven right. For me, the privilege has always been the opportunity to contribute to discussions in this regard.

Announced temples that may have a groundbrea/king sometime within the next year (whether or not they happen in this order):

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: If the information I have received about this temple and its progress is correct, the year of preconstruction which the contractor for this temple mentioned was needed prior to its groundbreaking began in March 2017. If that is verified at any point within the next few months, it is not hard to believe that a groundbreaking could follow in early-to-mid March of next year, if not sooner. That said, I could also see the Church identifying a site and having a groundbreaking for this temple sometime after one is held for the Urdaneta Philippines Temple, which is currently the oldest among those announced that have not progressed beyond that point. More to come once more is known.

172. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during mid-2018.

NOTE: While a specific site has not yet officially been confirmed for this this temple, a look on September 4, 2017 at some information for this temple shows some site pictures. If a likely site has been identified but not publicly announced, then that opens up the possibility that this temple could potentially have a groundbreaking sooner than many (myself included) have previously thought, either before the end of this year or in short order after next year begins. While I won’t change the listed order for these announced temples yet, I did want to note that this one and that one may be interchangeable, especially since there are site photographs for this one, while we are still waiting for a site confirmation for that one. As always, I will pass along any changes to this line of thought as I make it.

173. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: Despite the statement made by Africa Southeast Area President Elder Kevin S. Hamilton (who stated when this year began that a site announcement and groundbreaking would happen for this temple in short order), with 2017 being more than 2/3 over, it is getting increasingly less likely that we will see anything happen for this temple prior to the end of this year. As differing reports have necessitated doing so, I have moved this temple down and up again repeatedly. But it now appears certain that this temple will be one of those that will have a site announcement and groundbreaking during 2018, if not before. And as I have considered my own thoughts on this, I have felt that might happen at some point during early-to-mid August. As the time between now and then passes, that may change, and I will pass that along as I am able to.

Announced temples that may have a groundbreaking anytime between September 2018 and the end of 2019:

174. Saratoga Springs Utah: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: As previously noted, when I went to reevaluate the potential sequence of temple-related events for 2018, one thing I looked at extensively was the average time in which the other four Utah County temples have gone from announcement to groundbreaking. And if this temple holds to that average, then the time-frame above seems very reasonable, especially if the site for this temple is confirmed within the next 9 months or less. I am venturing a more specific time-frame for this event to be during mid-September 2018. As the next year passes, we will know just how realistic that might be, and I will pass along any adjustments I feel impressed to make.

175. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning phase; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2018.

NOTE: As previously noted, though this temple has already had a site confirmed and officially inspected by general Church engineers, I have moved it down to this spot primarily because of the others above it that are anticipated to have a groundbreaking first. However, I would love nothing more than to see things happen sooner for this temple. Until more is known, I am offering a preliminary estimate for that event to take place in late October or early November. As the next year comes and goes, I will be sure to pass along any adjustments to this line of thinking.

176. Alabang Manila Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2018.

NOTE: While we are waiting for an official announcement for this temple’s name, the wording of an article written in honor of the 100^th stake being created in this nation did not refer to this temple as being in the greater Manila or metro-Manila area, but rather as just the Alabang temple. This made me believe that the official name of this temple could be the Alabang Manila Temple. It would be in much the same style as the second temple for Provo in Utah. That temple was given the name “Provo City Center”, with no mention of the state, so I could see the Church going with the name of the exact region followed by the name of this capital city. I cannot overstress enough that this name idea is nothing more than my own feeling, based on the evidence I have at present. The name will remain italicized until I prove it is right or wrong. In the meantime, I wanted to note that additional research I have done verifies the general consensus that this temple’s groundbreaking is at least a year out. As previously mentioned, I have set a preliminary estimate for mid-December 2018. In the meantime, it is looking increasingly more likely that, whenever the two Filipino temples in this section do have a groundbreaking, they are bound to spend at least some time being simultaneously under construction. Just wanted to note that, for what it’s worth.

177. Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early 2019.

NOTE: While some have (quite accurately) observed that temples in the “Mormon corridor” of Utah, Arizona, and Idaho generally get started more quickly than temples elsewhere, it is also true that this temple has not had a site confirmed (though two potential prospects have been widely discussed, and one of those, the most likely one, in my opinion, was annexed into the city of Pocatello 4 days after the temple was announced). Having been advised to do so by a couple of good friends who are experts on temple matters, I looked at how I should adjust the placement of this temple. After I ran the average time-frames in which other Idaho temples have gone from announcement to groundbreaking, I determined that it is most likely that this temple could have that happen within the time-frame indicated above, and I have felt bold enough to venture a more exact time-frame of early-to-mid March 2019. As with everything else, I will pass along any updates to this line of reasoning and estimate.

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

NOTE: I have before referenced the media event at which Elder Joseph W. Sitati, our first General Authority Seventy from Kenya, shared information and answered media questions about this temple. That aside, this temple is still in the very preliminary stages, so I have felt certain that a groundbreaking for it may happen around two years after the media event, as Elder Sitati indicated a 1-2 year time-frame was typical for a temple to go from announcement to groundbreaking. My study has led me to conclude that a more precise time-frame may be during early-to-mid May 2019. As the next 18 months transpire, we will know just how reasonable that estimate might be, and I will make any adjustments that are needed.

179. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-2019.

NOTE: If at any point Church leaders verify member speculation about this temple (that an existing Church office building, which has been owned and used by the Church since 2008, will be rebuilt and renovated into a multi-purpose edifice in the mold of already-existing similar temples in Hong Kong China and Manhattan New York. If that is not the Church’s intent, that will, of course, change a lot of things, including how soon a groundbreaking might take place. Until more is known, I am confident enough to venture my prediction that such a groundbreaking may take place around early-to-mid June 2019. If such speculation proves accurate within the next year or so, it is easy to assume that a groundbreaking could follow as indicated here. I will pass along any updates in this regard as I hear of them.

180. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: Regarding the growth of the Church in the Ivory Coast, recent trends there have led some to believe and assert that there may be a reason to have 1 or 2 additional temples announced there within the next 15 or 20 years. Regarding this first temple for that nation, I have felt that we could see a groundbreaking around early-to-mid August of 2019, although I hope that the Ivory Coast Saints will not have to wait that long for that to happen. In the meantime, a closer look at this temple’s listing on a number of the sources available to me seem to indicate that a potential site has yet to be identified. That said, we have seen the Lord move miraculously to get other temples started, so I could see a groundbreaking during the time-frame indicated above, as long as a site is identified within the next 1.5 years, which seems very possible. As always, I will be sure to pass along any updates to this line of thought and reasoning.

181. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during late 2019.

NOTE: As previously noted, the Ecuadoran Saints had to wait 14 long years between the announcement of that nation’s first temple for it to progress to a groundbreaking. This second temple, for the Ecuadoran capital city, is not anticipated to have such a wait. With other temples announced after this one but that have progressed more rapidly, I hope the Saints in this city will not have to wait another two years for progress on this temple, but until more is known, I am setting my estimate for this groundbreaking for mid-to-late October, after General Conference. I will continue to hope for it to happen sooner, but for now, it seems sound.

182. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during late 2019.

NOTE: Though the Brasilia Brazil Temple was announced a year after this one, it seems to be further ahead. And while I hope and pray that we will not have to wait until almost 5 years after this temple’s announcement for its subsequent groundbreaking, until more is known, I am estimating that it will happen during early-to-mid November. As with everything else, I will be sure to pass along any changes to that line of thought as things develop.

ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: As noted above, Elder Larry Y. Wilson stated in an interview on the last day of April 2017 (as the Idaho Falls Temple Open House was underway) that the Church has 80 potential sites that are under consideration for an official announcement within the next 15 years. While it is also true that all 12 temple sites that have been announced from 2015 to now have been made during the April General Conference, those announcements can come any time the Church president or those authorized to do so in his behalf feel impressed to make them. Since 80 temples in 15 years averages out to 5 new announcements per year between now and sometime in 2032, we could be entering an era where a few are announced in each conference and when some will be announced in between each April and October. Future versions of this report will feature any and all ongoing developments in this regard. Stay tuned for that, and thank you for the privilege of your time.

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.

3 Apostles Featured in Recent Church News Articles

Hello, everyone! This is the first of the two posts with which I am starting my day. I wanted to let you all know that three of our apostles have been in the news recently, all for very inspiring reasons. Here are the details:

First of all, in the third and final Worldwide Devotional for the Church's Young Adults, the featured speaker, Elder David A. Bednar, encouraged those within the sound of his voice to be a welding link in their families. This encouragement and invitation is a continuation of the Church's ongoing efforts to get Latter-day Saints of all ages involved in Family History work. As one who was heavily involved with the extraction program, which was the precursor to indexing, I know just how much of a difference a few minutes can make in people's lives if they use those few minutes here and there to do family history. The prophecy of Malachi that Elijah would return to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers has been fulfilled, and, as modern revelation so eloquently and simply tells us, the welding link between fathers and children in any phase or location of the world is family history. During my six-year tenure as a temple worker, I observed so many people coming faithfully to the temple every week with the family names they had discovered and processed in the time since I had last seen them come in. It has well been said that we without our dead cannot be made perfect. I would encourage all of us to get involved with family history and temple work. In the meantime, you can find a more complete summary of Elder Bednar's inspiring message here. That was published on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, the United States English language Mormon Newsroom shared the story from the Mormon Newsroom in the Philippines about how Elder Neil L. Andersen came to that island nation to establish the 100th stake in the region, which was the Mandaluyong Stake and which was created from a division of the Makati, Makati East, and Manila Philippines Stakes. I found it quite intriguing to read that some of the units that will comprise this new stake come from the first stake that was ever created in the Philippines. It is also significant to know that the Philippines now becomes only the 5th nation to have 100 stakes.The other four are Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Peru.

Other than what I have said here about this amazing milestone, I will not be going into specifics about the historical significance of this milestone, nor about the units that comprise this new stake. I feel extremely sensitive about the matter of infringing on the territory of others. I have before mentioned sites that I admire that inspire me which do such analysis and share such data far better than I could ever do. Since there are experts in that regard, I will not be trying to fill that role in this case. If you would like to read that report from the Philippines Newsroom on this milestone, click here/

Before I conclude by sharing the last apostolic news story for which I am writing this post, there was one thing I did want to note, and that is connected in a way to the milestone of 100 stakes in the Philippines. Anyone who has followed this blog to any extent whatsoever knows how much I love watching out for and rpeorting temple-related developments. Anyone who has followed temple developments within the last 1.5 years knows that when the second temple was announced for the Peruvian capital city of Lima, an official name for that temple followed in just under three weeks.

We likewise know that, up until now, it has been anyone's guess when an official name will be announced for the second temple for the Philippines capital city. I was therefore pleased and somewhat intrigued to read this article about the creation of this 100th stake for that nation. In referencing the temples in the Philippines, the article lists those in operation in Manila and Cebu City, then mentions the Urdaneta temple as being planned. And then, in reference to the second Manila temple, the article doesn't just call it "greater Manila area". It makes specific reference to Alabang, which is the name of the region in Muntinlupa City where  the second Philippines Temple will rise. This makes me wonder if the Church is looking to call this temple the Alabang Manila Temple, much the same way that the second Provo Utah Temple is known as the Provo City Center Temple, with no mention whatsoever of its state. I welcome thoughts on this.

In the meantime, the last story I want to post about features a favorite apostle of mine, Elder Holland, whose talks always touch me the most out of any other addresses. As I have recently observed, the Church is coming out more in fsvor of religious freedom, but also is addressing more fully the refugee crisis with initiatives and extensive plans and public apppearances and addresses. Elder Holland, joined by Sister Sharon Eubank, who became the First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency last April, spoke at Windsor Conference about helping Yazidis, who are an Iraqi minority religion who have, in view of their faith, been abused and targeted by ISIS. The extent of that abuse has been labeled genocide. In their current plight, they are oppressed and not regarded as free to practice their own religious beliefs or even live normal day-to-day lives. In Elder Holland's address on the subject of the Yazidis, he observed that their current plight is no different than the horrors and atrocities which the early Saints had to endure for the first 15-20 years after the Church was reestablished upon the earth. The purpose of Elder Holland's address was to demonstrate that the history of the persecution of these early Saints should not have to be repeated with those Yazidis that are (or at least, should be) considered our brothers and sisters. He urged those in attendance who could use their influence to help this group to do so. To read a summary of his inspiring message, click here. From what I have been able to ascertain, the idea is to have similar conferences in the future focusing on issues like this, all with a view of affecting real change.

That does it for this post. Sorry it was more lengthy than I meant it to be. Your comments are always welcome and appreciated. In the meantime, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord bless you all until my next post.