Hello again, everyone! I am doing this additional blog post because more apostolic news has come in. As with the previous report, I am excited to share these items with you. It is great to see how the apostles are both individually & collectively fulfilling their mission to be witnesses & representatives of the Savior worldwide. Let's talk about the latest reported developments.
In a BYU-Hawaii Devotional address earlier today, our youngest apostle, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, spoke to students about their opportunities to enjoy the blessings of having a bishop in each of their wards, maintaining both a gospel perspective & spiritual balance, and remembering that the Lord will always help His children. To read the Church News summary of that address, click here.
The other two stories which were reported by the Church News focused on how President Eyring ministered in two vastly different settings. This article describes how he shared a message of hope, love and appreciation with the people of Florida & the many "Mormon Helping Hands" who came to the area to help with cleanup & relief efforts. He visited Florida this last weekend.
After spending the weekend in Florida, he then headed to Idaho, where he today represented the Church Board of Education in inaugurating his son, Henry Johnson Eyring, as the 17th president of BYU-Idaho. The inauguration, as I may have previously mentioned, coincided with his son's 54th birthday. Also in attendance were Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, himself a former president of BYU-Provo, who, as also noted in an earlier post, is currently serving as a member of the Church Board of Education & Boards of Trustees, who also chairs the Executive Committee of the Board, and 2 other apostles (Elders David A. Bednar (who was the president of Ricks College when it was transitioned to become BYU-Idaho) and Dale G. Renlund), Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Presidency of the Seventy, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, General Authority Seventy, and general auxiliary presidents Jean B. Bingham (Relief Society), Bonnie L. Oscarson (Young Women) & Stephen W. Owen (Young Men), all of whom serve on the Church Board of Education. With the exception of President Eyring, whose wife is having health issues that limit her ability to appear in public, each board member was accompanied by his or her spouse. The only board members absent were Presidents Thomas S. Monson & Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, and Presiding Bishop Gerald Causse.
In reference to Elder Oaks, I wanted to add this thought: some have said it is slightly nepotistic for President Eyring's son to fill this position. However, what most people don't realize or recognize is that it is the Chairman of the Executive Committee, Elder Oaks in this case, who makes the initial decision about who should serve as a president of any of the Church-owned schools. It's true that the First Presidency has final approval for whatever decision is made, but it was Elder Oaks who recommended Henry J. for this position. Just wanted to note that, which I may not have done before.
In addition to President Eyring and Elder Oaks, Elder Kim B. Clark, the current CES administrator and another former BYU-Idaho President (who also contributes to the decision of who should serve as presidents of Church universities. President Henry B. Eyring gave his son a six-part charge. This too was nostalgic because Henry B. had received a similar charge from his father, Henry Eyring, as he (Henry B.) was inaugurated president of Ricks College. Other former presidents of Ricks College and BYU-Idaho were in attendance as well.
As previously mentioned, Elder Kim B. Clark, the 15th president of BYU-Idaho, also spoke. For the Church News summary on this inaugural event, click here.
Well, this update was more detailed than I originally meant it to be. Thank you for both your kind attention and the privilege of your time. Any and all comments are welcome and appreciated. Until my next post, I wish 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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Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Additional Apostolic Ministry Update
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.
General Authority & General Officer Assignments
A few days later than originally promised, I have compiled a list of assignments in which each of our General Authorities (and, where I could find them, our General Officers)are currently serving. This is not a comprehensive list, as I have been unable to find any committee assignments which our apostles currently hold. I have also waited until now to post this list because I had hoped to include any changes to the editors and advisers of Church magazines, but since the PDF version of the October Ensign has not yet been made available online, I have not been able to find that information. I will be sure to post any updates to this list going forward. Hope you enjoy this list. Any comments are always welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish you all the best.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
President Russell M. Nelson—supervises the Europe East
Area
Elder Dallin H. Oaks—supervises the Asia North & Mexico
Areas; serves on the Church Board of Education & Boards of Trustees;
Chairman; Executive Committee of the Boards
Elder M. Russell Ballard—supervises the Europe Area
Elder Robert D. Hales—in view of his health, he does not appear
to be filling any special assignments
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland—supervises the Middle
East/Africa North Area; serves on the Church Board of Education & Boards of
Trustees; Member, Executive Committee of the Board
Elder David A. Bednar—supervises the Africa West Area;
serves on the Church Board of Education
Elder Quentin L. Cook—supervises the Asia Area
Elder D. Todd Christofferson—supervises the Brazil Area
Elder Neil L. Andersen—supervises the Philippines Area
Elder Ronald A. Rasband—supervises the Africa Southeast
& South America South Areas
Elder Gary E. Stevenson—supervises the Pacific Area
Elder Dale G. Renlund—supervises the Caribbean & South
America Northwest Areas; serves on the Church Board of Education
Presidency of the Seventy:
Elder L. Whitney Clayton—assists in all areas (in the
United States and Canada) as assigned; assists Elder Oaks in supervising the Mexico
Area & Elder Holland in supervising the Middle East/Africa North Area
Elder Craig C. Christensen—supervises the Utah North,
Utah Salt Lake City, and Utah South Areas; assists Elder Rasband in supervising
the South America South Area
Elder Ulisses Soares—supervises the Idaho and North
America Central Areas; assists Elder Cook in supervising the Asia Area &
Elder Rasband in supervising the Africa Southeast Area
Elder Lynn G. Robbins—supervises the North America
Southeast Area; assists Elder Bednar in supervising the Africa West Area, Elder
Christofferson in supervising the Brazil Area & Elder Renlund in
supervising the Caribbean & South America Northwest Areas; Member, Human
Resources Committee
Elder Gerrit W. Gong—supervises the North America
Northeast Area; assists Elder Oaks in supervising the Asia North Area; serves
on the Church Board of Education & Boards of Trustees; Member, the Executive
Committee of the Board
Elder Juan A. Uceda—supervises the North America
Southwest Area; assists Elder Andersen in supervising the Philippines Area
& Elder Stevenson in supervising the Pacific Area
Elder Patrick Kearon—supervises the North America
Northwest and North America West Areas; assists President Nelson in supervising
the Europe East area and Elder Ballard in supervising the Europe Area
General Authority Seventies:
Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis—President, Brazil Area
Elder Jose L. Alonso—Second Counselor, Caribbean Area
Elder Wilford W. Andersen—Senior Administrator, Middle
East/Africa North Area; Area Assistant (Idaho and North America Central Areas);
Assistant Executive Director, Temple Department
Elder Ian S. Ardern—Second Counselor, Pacific Area
Elder Mervyn B. Arnold—Area Assistant, Idaho, North
America Central, & North America Northwest Areas
Elder W. Mark Bassett—First Counselor, Brazil Area
Elder David S. Baxter—Currently on medical leave from his
Church assignments
Elder Randall K. Bennett— Assistant Editor: Ensign,
Friend, Liahona and New Era magazines;
Assistant Executive Director, Priesthood and Family
Department; Assistant, North America Northeast & Utah South Areas
Elder Shayne M. Bowen—President, Philippines Area
Elder Mark A Bragg—Second Counselor, South America South
Area
Elder Craig A. Cardon—First Counselor, Pacific Area
Elder Yoon Hwan Choi—Second Counselor, Asia North Area
Elder Kim B. Clark—Commissioner, Church Education System;
Area Assistant, North America Southwest Area
Elder Weatherford T. Clayton—Area Assistant, North
America Central & North America Southwest Areas
Elder Carl B. Cook—Undisclosed assignments @ Church
headquarters
Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge—Undisclosed assignments @
Church headquarters
Elder Valeri V. Cordon—Second Counselor, Central America
Area
Elder J. Devn Cornish—Assistant Executive Director,
Church History Department; Area Assistant, North America Central & North
America Southwest Areas
Elder Claudio R. M. Costa: Assistant Executive Director,
Missionary Department; Member, Boundary and Leadership Change Committee; Area Assistant,
North America Southeast Area
Elder Joaquin E. Costa: Second Counselor, Brazil Area
Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr.—Adviser to the Church
magazines (Ensign, Friend, Liahona, New Era); Assistant Executive Director,
Priesthood and Family Department; Area Assistant, North American Southwest Area
Elder Edward Dube—Undisclosed assignments @ Church
headquarters
Elder Kevin R. Duncan—Assistant Executive Director,
Temple Department; Area Assistant, Assistant (Utah North, Utah Salt Lake City,
and Utah South Areas)
Elder Timothy J. Dyches—Assistant Executive Director,
Temple Department
Elder Stanley G. Ellis—will likely be granted emeritus
status in October, as he turned 70 in January.
NOTE: Although his biography on Mormon Newsroom still
notes that he is serving in the Africa Southeast Area Presidency, due to the
changes in area leadership which became effective on August 1, we know he has
been released from that assignment. But by all appearances, that biography has
not been updated at all this year.
Elder David F. Evans—First Counselor, Asia Area
Elder Enrique R. Falabella—First Counselor, South America
Northwest Area
Elder Massimo De Feo—Second Counselor, Europe Area
Elder Bradley D. Foster—Executive Director, Family
History Department; Area Assistant, North America Southwest Area
Elder Randy D. Funk—President, Asia Area
Elder Eduardo Gavarret—Undisclosed assignment at Church
headquarters
Elder Robert C. Gay—President, Asia North Area
Elder Carlos A. Godoy—President, South America Northwest
Area
Elder Taylor G. Godoy—Undisclosed assignment at Church headquarters
Elder Christoffel Golden—First Counselor, Europe East
Area
NOTE: By the time the September 2017 Church magazines
were published, Elder Golden’s assignment as an adviser to the Church magazines
was still listed. However, because he is now serving outside the US in an area
presidency, that assignment is no longer in effect. Once the October magazines
are available online, we will know what, if any, changes have been made to the
editors and advisers of the Church magazines, and I will pass that information
along.
Elder Walter F. Gonzalez—President, Caribbean Area
Elder C. Scott Grow—currently on medical leave
Elder O. Vincent Haleck—President, Pacific Area
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom—Board Member, Church Education
System; Executive Director, Priesthood and Family Department
Elder Kevin S. Hamilton—President, Africa Southeast Area
Elder Larry J. Echo Hawk—Assistant Executive Director,
Correlation Department; Member, Boundary and Leadership Change Committee; Area
Assistant, North America Northeast, North America West & North America Southwest
Areas
Elder Allen D. Haynie—First Counselor, Philippines Area
Elder Benjamin De Hoyos—Assistant Executive Director,
Temple Department
Elder Paul V. Johnson—President, Europe Area
Elder Larry S. Kacher—Second Counselor, Africa West Area
Elder Von G. Keetch—Executive Director, Church Public
Affairs Department; Area Assistant, North America Southwest Area
Elder Jörg Klebingat—Assistant Executive Director, Temple
Department/Area Assistant (North America Central & North America Southeast
Areas
Elder Joni L. Koch—Second Counselor, Africa Southeast
Area
Elder Erich W. Kopsichke— Adviser to the Church magazines
(Ensign, Friend, Liahona, New Era); Area Assistant (North America Northeast
& North America Southeast Areas)
Elder Larry R. Lawrence—will likely be granted emeritus
status in October, as he turned 70 in August.
NOTE: While the biography of Elder Lawrence on Mormon
Newsroom still shows both his assignment as an area administrator of the Middle
East/Africa North Area and his being an Assistant Executive Director of the
Priesthood and Family Department, and while the October Church magazines still
list is assignment as an adviser, because he will likely be granted emeritus
status in October, he has also likely been released from these assignments. I
will pass along information about such changes as I receive it.
Elder Hugo E. Martinez—Undisclosed assignment at Church
headquarters
Elder James B. Martino—President, Europe East Area
Elder Richard J. Maynes—Undisclosed assignments at Church
headquarters
Elder Peter F. Meurs—Second Counselor, Asia Area
Elder Hugo Montoya—Second Counselor, South America
Northwest Area
Elder Marcus B. Nash—First Counselor, Africa West Area
Elder K. Brett Nattress—Assistant Executive Director,
Missionary Department; Area Assistant, Idaho and North America Central Areas
Elder S. Gifford Nielsen—Assistant Executive Director,
Missionary Department; Area Assistant, North America Northest Area
Elder Brent H. Nielson—Executive Director, Missionary Department
Elder Adrian Ochoa—President, Central America Area
Elder Allan F. Packer—First Counselor, South America
South Area
Elder S. Mark Palmer—First Counselor, Africa Southeast
Area
Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella—Undisclosed assignment at
Church headquarters
Elder Kevin W. Pearson—Area Assistant, North America
Southwest Area/Member, Communication Services & Strengthening Church
Members Committees
Elder Anthony D. Perkins— Executive Director, Correlation
Department; Member, Correlation Executive Committee; Junior Administrator, Middle
East/Africa North Area
Elder Paul B. Pieper—President, Mexico Area
Elder John C. Pingree Jr.—Undisclosed assignment at
Church headquarters
Elder Rafael E. Pino—Second Counselor, Mexico Area
Elder Michael T. Ringwood—Member, Self-Reliance
Services/PEF, Church Audit, and Welfare Executive Committees
Elder Gary B. Sabin—First Counselor, Europe Area
Elder Evan A. Schmutz—Second Counselor, Philippines Area
Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer—Assistant Executive Director,
Church Missionary Department/Chair, Missionary Medical Health Services Division
Elder Joseph W. Sitati— Editor: Ensign, Friend, Liahona
and New Era magazines;
Assistant Executive Director, Church Missionary
Department/Member, Boundary and Leadership Change Committee
Elder Steven E. Snow—Church Historian and Recorder;
Executive Director, Church History Department
Elder Vern P. Stanfill—Undisclosed assignment at Church
headquarters
Elder Brian K. Taylor—Undisclosed assignment at Church
headquarters
Elder Michael John U. Teh—President, Taiwan Taichung
Mission
Elder Jose A. Teixeira—President, South America South
Area
Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela—First Counselor, Mexico Area
Elder Terence M. Vinson—President, Africa West Area
Elder Taniela B. Wakolo—Undisclosed assignment at Church headquarters
Elder Scott D. Whiting—Undisclosed assignment at Church
headquarters
Elder Larry Y. Wilson—Executive Director, Temple
Department
Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong—President, Canada Vancouver
Mission
Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita—First Counselor, Asia North Area
Elder Jorge F. Zeballos—First Counselor, Central America
Area
Elder Claudio D. Zivic—First Counselor, Caribbean Area
Elder W. Craig Zwick—will likely be granted emeritus
status in October, as he turned 70 in June.
NOTE: While he may indeed be granted emeritus status in
October in view of his age, his biography on Mormon Newsroom mentions that he
is serving as an Assistant Executive Director of the Missionary Department
& Committee Chair of the Utah Hispanic Initiative.
Presiding Bishop:
Bishop Gerald Causse—Member, Church Board of Education
General Auxiliary Presidencies:
Joy D. Jones, Primary General President—Member, Temple
& Family History Council
Bonnie H. Cordon, First Counselor, Primary General
Presidency— Adviser to the Church magazines (Ensign, Friend, Liahona, New Era)
Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President—Church Board
of Education & Boards of Trustees; Member, Executive Committee of the Boards;
Member; Priesthood & Family Executive Council
Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General
Presidency—Adviser to the Church magazines (Ensign, Friend, Liahona, New Era)
Brian K. Ashton, Second Counselor, Sunday School General
Presidency—Adviser to the Church magazines (Ensign, Friend, Liahona, New Era)
Stephen W. Owen, Young Men General President—Church Board
of Education & Boards of Trustees
Douglas D. Holmes, First Counselor, Young Men General
Presidency—Adviser to the Church magazines (Ensign, Friend, Liahona, New Era)
Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women General President—Church Board
of Education & Boards of Trustees; Member, Executive Committee of the
Boards; Member, Missionary Executive Council
Carol F. McConkie, First Counselor, Young Women General
Presidency— Assistant Editor of the Church magazines (Ensign, Friend, Liahona,
New Era)
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.
Apostolic Ministry Updates & Other Church News
Hello again, everyone! Over the last 16 hours or so, the Church News has shared quite a few new stories, most of which are about the ongoing ministry of our apostles. So here are the new items. Hope you enjoy this post.
First, Elders M. Russell Ballard & Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, accompanied by Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, General Authority Seventy, and Sister Christina B. Franco, who was sustained in April as the new Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, traveled to Houston Texas to uplift and encourage those affected by Hurricane Harvey & those who continue to assist in relief efforts. For more on their visit, click here.
In the meantime, Elder Neil L. Andersen, still on assignment in the Philippines (where it was reported earlier today that another new stake was created there yesterday, one week after the 100th stake was created) rededicated the newly renovated MTC in Manila. For more on the dedication, click here.
In a USU-sponsored devotional for Institute students, President Russell M. Nelson encouraged those in attendance to join him in studying the Bible and observing particularly how certain prophecies in the Bible are fulfilled by events related in both the Book of Mormon and in these latter days. He promised that by so studying, those who did so would yield a greater understanding of and appreciation for the Bible, for the life and mission of the Savior, and a greater testimony of the Book of Mormon and of the restoration of the gospel, and would show how much the prophets in Bible times understood what would transpire in the last days.
His wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, also spoke, focusing her remarks on the importance of relying on the Lord above and beyond the wisdom of man. She gave three examples, Nephi's willingness to "go and do" despite not knowing what would happen, the prophet Joseph Smith's insistence on round windows for the Nauvoo temple, as he saw the temple that way in vision, and how her own husband, President Nelson, acting on the inspiration of the Lord above and beyond the medical knowledge, understanding, and common practice of the day, pioneered a surgical technique that changed the way open heart surgeries would be done from then on. To read summaries of the talks given during this event, click here.
Finally, unrelated to apostolic news, Elder Richard J. Maynes was the featured speaker at a BYU-Provo devotional today. He invited his listeners to shape their lives through service to others. You can read a summary of his remarks here. The one problem I noticed with both this article, and before that, with the schedule put out by BYU that listed the devotional speakers for the Fall Semester, is that both identified Elder Maynes as being in the Presidency of the Seventy, but he was released from that assignment before either of those articles was published. It may be nitpicking, I know, but just wanted to note that.
That does it for this post. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Any and all comments are welcome and appreciated. Until my next post, I wish you all the best.
First, Elders M. Russell Ballard & Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, accompanied by Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, General Authority Seventy, and Sister Christina B. Franco, who was sustained in April as the new Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, traveled to Houston Texas to uplift and encourage those affected by Hurricane Harvey & those who continue to assist in relief efforts. For more on their visit, click here.
In the meantime, Elder Neil L. Andersen, still on assignment in the Philippines (where it was reported earlier today that another new stake was created there yesterday, one week after the 100th stake was created) rededicated the newly renovated MTC in Manila. For more on the dedication, click here.
In a USU-sponsored devotional for Institute students, President Russell M. Nelson encouraged those in attendance to join him in studying the Bible and observing particularly how certain prophecies in the Bible are fulfilled by events related in both the Book of Mormon and in these latter days. He promised that by so studying, those who did so would yield a greater understanding of and appreciation for the Bible, for the life and mission of the Savior, and a greater testimony of the Book of Mormon and of the restoration of the gospel, and would show how much the prophets in Bible times understood what would transpire in the last days.
His wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, also spoke, focusing her remarks on the importance of relying on the Lord above and beyond the wisdom of man. She gave three examples, Nephi's willingness to "go and do" despite not knowing what would happen, the prophet Joseph Smith's insistence on round windows for the Nauvoo temple, as he saw the temple that way in vision, and how her own husband, President Nelson, acting on the inspiration of the Lord above and beyond the medical knowledge, understanding, and common practice of the day, pioneered a surgical technique that changed the way open heart surgeries would be done from then on. To read summaries of the talks given during this event, click here.
Finally, unrelated to apostolic news, Elder Richard J. Maynes was the featured speaker at a BYU-Provo devotional today. He invited his listeners to shape their lives through service to others. You can read a summary of his remarks here. The one problem I noticed with both this article, and before that, with the schedule put out by BYU that listed the devotional speakers for the Fall Semester, is that both identified Elder Maynes as being in the Presidency of the Seventy, but he was released from that assignment before either of those articles was published. It may be nitpicking, I know, but just wanted to note that.
That does it for this post. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Any and all comments are welcome and appreciated. Until my next post, I wish 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.
Final Note on General Conference Predictions
Hello again, everyone! I just wanted to follow up on something I stated earlier this month when posting my final predictions for General Conference. During that post, I had said that I had listed President Monson and Elder Hales speaking back-to-back in the Sunday Morning Session of General Conference. While I still am not sure if either of them will even be at General Conference, let alone if they will be able to speak for any length, what I did want to note is that if things happen the way I am predicting they will, and if President Monson and Elder Hales do speak in that session, and if their talks are only a few minutes each, then I could see an additional General Authority Seventy being asked to speak to fill up the remaining 7-10 minutes of their time. At this point, if President Monson cannot speak at all, it may or may not make sense to have President Nelson give a second address. One thing I do know: whether or not any of my General Conference predictions hold true, I will look forward to the opportunity to hear from our Church leaders. I will be excited to share my thoughts on those developments as they occur. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Until my next post, I wish 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.
Final Update to New Temple Predictions for the October 2017 General Conference
Hello, everyone! In going over my predictions for next General Conference, I realized that there were updates I meant to make to my list of temple predictions, but that I had not done so. I have taken care of that. This is the final version of my list of those possibilities. As I have said in reporting temple construction progress, if Elder Wilson's statement about the 80 sites currently under consideration is taken at face value, we will be seeing an average of 5 temples announced per year within the next 15 years. And since that number does not include the 5 already announced this year, that means that 5 others will need to be announced within the next year to keep that average. Whatever the case may be, I wanted to share the final version of these temple predictions. I will be just as happy whether or not any temples are announced during this next conference. Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts. Thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord bless you all in all that you do.
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 (2nd 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 first 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. And I have felt certain that South Africa could get a third temple, and that Cape Town is the most likely city to next get one. 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. 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. The one thing I have not been able to settle through my research is whether Lagos or Benin City is more likely. I could see temples in both cities within the next 15-30 years. 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 comes in at #6 of the top ten countries/dependencies with the strongest LDS presence but without a temple, making a temple there likely sooner rather than later. 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. And it may be high time for a temple in Liberia as well.
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. Many people who have given me feedback on my temple possibilities have stated that they think it might be possible for us to perhaps see the two temples mentioned above announced at the same time. And that certainly makes sense. In the event that the two are not announced simultaneously, they may be announced in close proximity.
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 of a couple of things: First, Cape Verde is currently the 10th of the top ten countries that has the strongest LDS presence but that does not yet have a temple in any phase. I had also 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 seem 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. 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.
9. 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. Additionally, Papua New Guinea is the second of the top 10 countries with the strongest LDS presence without a temple. American Samoa is the seventh on that list of top ten. Additionally, further study which I did in late July confirms that Tonga may get another temple.
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.
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 (2nd 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 first 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. And I have felt certain that South Africa could get a third temple, and that Cape Town is the most likely city to next get one. 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. 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. The one thing I have not been able to settle through my research is whether Lagos or Benin City is more likely. I could see temples in both cities within the next 15-30 years. 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 comes in at #6 of the top ten countries/dependencies with the strongest LDS presence but without a temple, making a temple there likely sooner rather than later. 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. And it may be high time for a temple in Liberia as well.
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. Many people who have given me feedback on my temple possibilities have stated that they think it might be possible for us to perhaps see the two temples mentioned above announced at the same time. And that certainly makes sense. In the event that the two are not announced simultaneously, they may be announced in close proximity.
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 of a couple of things: First, Cape Verde is currently the 10th of the top ten countries that has the strongest LDS presence but that does not yet have a temple in any phase. I had also 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 seem 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. 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.
9. 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. Additionally, Papua New Guinea is the second of the top 10 countries with the strongest LDS presence without a temple. American Samoa is the seventh on that list of top ten. Additionally, further study which I did in late July confirms that Tonga may get another temple.
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.
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.
Monday, September 18, 2017
Further changes to groundbreaking estimates
Hello again, everyone! The weekend has been somewhat quiet in terms of Church news, which was good in a way, as I have spent most of the last 48 hours not feeling too great. So in the absence of such news and developments to report, I have turned my attention to fine-tuning my estimates for future groundbreakings. I remember at one point that I had received good advice from several people I trust about general things I needed to fix on the list. So, what I have done differently this time is to look at temples in certain world areas, and to figure out the average time-frames within which other temples in that same area have gone from announcement to groundbreaking. I also researched, more thoroughly than I had before, the climate of certain world areas. Additionally, I also took into account whether or not a potential site had been identified.
After considering all of those variables, I made the edits I felt would be appropriate. Those alterations follow below. It goes without saying that the final determination for the time-frames of any and all temple-related developments are up to the Lord. But I have felt confident in making these changes. I want to make it clear that I know just how imperfect my thought process is in comparison to the Lord's ability to hasten His work in its time. So I will be no less surprised if and when the Lord proves me wrong as I will be gratified if and when He verifies that my thoughts, such as they are, have been in harmony with His will on this subject.
As always, thank you for the privilege of your time. I welcome any feedback any of you have on anything I post here. In the meantime, the General Women's Session of General Conference will be held this Saturday. If there is any Church or temple news to report between now and then, you can count on my doing so. I hope there will be quite a few temple-related developments later this week, but I can never tell. Until my next post, I wish you all the best. May God be with you all until then.
After considering all of those variables, I made the edits I felt would be appropriate. Those alterations follow below. It goes without saying that the final determination for the time-frames of any and all temple-related developments are up to the Lord. But I have felt confident in making these changes. I want to make it clear that I know just how imperfect my thought process is in comparison to the Lord's ability to hasten His work in its time. So I will be no less surprised if and when the Lord proves me wrong as I will be gratified if and when He verifies that my thoughts, such as they are, have been in harmony with His will on this subject.
As always, thank you for the privilege of your time. I welcome any feedback any of you have on anything I post here. In the meantime, the General Women's Session of General Conference will be held this Saturday. If there is any Church or temple news to report between now and then, you can count on my doing so. I hope there will be quite a few temple-related developments later this week, but I can never tell. Until my next post, I wish you all the best. May God be with you all until then.
Temple Construction Progress
(current as of 9/18/17)
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 (200th ) 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 12.55 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. 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
within the first six months of next year). 1
other has a groundbreaking scheduled (which will take place in just over a
month’s time. 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 (with closure dates having been announced for all but one). 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 underway; open house
reservations will start being accepted beginning Monday September 25, 2017, and
will be available for the three week period spanning Saturday October 21 and
Saturday November 11, excluding Sundays; dedication scheduled for Sunday
November 19, 2017.
Construction nearing completion;
dedication scheduled:
159. Cedar City Utah
Temple: Finish work underway on interior; cultural celebration kick-off meeting
held; open house reservations will start being accepted beginning Monday
October 2, 2017, and will be available for the duration of the open house,
which is set to run for 22 days (roughly 3.15 weeks) between Friday October 27
and Saturday November 18, excluding Sundays; dedication scheduled
for Sunday December 10, 2017.
NOTE: With the open house set to begin in roughly 1.41 months, it seems
apparent that construction is concluding. How close that is to actually being
the case remains to be seen. But if the finish work on the interior is the last
thing that needs to be completed, then the construction could be concluded by
this time next week. As with everything else, I will pass along any updates as
I learn of them.
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 studying this temple’s
progress from the last little while, the last time any update was provided on
this temple’s status was July 26, when the information about the construction
office trailer donation and office space relocation to patron housing was
added. The first time I mentioned that on this report was four days later.
Looking back further on this temple’s status changes, I first added the
information about the interior and exterior work progressing on May 30, about
3.5 months ago. While the other progress noted aside from this is significant,
I wanted to put that development into perspective. I still feel safe in
asserting that this temple will be the first new one dedicated next year, and I
am making a revised estimate for that dedication for June 3 or 10. I did want
to note that I have been advised that a dedication announcement for this temple
is likely to happen in the near future. With Rome being such an iconic
Christian city, I imagine the open house for it could last a good 4-6 weeks or
so. It would not surprise me to have an announcement of those opening dates
prior to the end of the year, and I will pass that information along as soon as
I become aware of it.
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: While I previously stated
that I felt this temple’s dedication could take place on August 19, we have not
seen any progress on this temple since I last reported developments on it on
August 31 of this year. Because there has not been any change in the 2.5 weeks
since then, I am adjusting that estimate to September 2 or 9, especially since
it feels that this temple may need another year to finish its construction. If
this temple makes notable progress by the end of the year, I will be happy to
adjust this again. For now, though, it seems wiser to be conservative in these
estimates.
162. Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Royal palm trees planted on grounds;
steel framing installed for steeple base; completion anticipated
sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: In my ongoing research
regarding temple-related news and developments, I learned in regards to this
temple that the biggest delays to this temple’s progress were trouble securing
the needed steel reinforcement for the roof, the components of the steeple
base, and the necessary landscaping items. Now that those issues have been
resolved, this temple may progress faster than any, myself included, may be
expecting. However, I still feel that the dedication of this temple is at least
a year out. Therefore, I offer Sunday October 21 or 28 as a revised estimate
for this temple’s dedication. Within the next 9 months, it will become more
clear how reasonable that might be, and I will pass updates along as I make
them going forward.
163. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Pouring concrete curbing and walkways; preparing to clad
tower; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.
NOTE: It is becoming increasingly
more likely that this temple may take longer to complete than I originally
thought. The status of this temple has not changed at all since I first
reported the above developments for the first time (which was on August 11).
Given that over a month (36 days) have passed with no change on this temple, I
am adjusting my estimate for this dedication to take place either on Sunday
November 18 (the Sunday before Thanksgiving) or, if not then, then 3 weeks
later on Sunday December 9 (as the Church has not, to my knowledge, held any
temple dedication the Sunday after Thanksgiving or on the first Sunday of
December, when the First Presidency holds their annual Christmas devotional).
If, by some miracle, this temple makes any kind of progress before the end of
this year, or makes substantial progress within the first 8 months of next year,
I could see a need to push that estimate up. For now, though, I have felt it
wiser to be more conservative in this regard.
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: This temple, once thought to be a great candidate for dedication
during mid-to-late 2018, may not be completed until 2019. I have therefore
further adjusted my estimate for this dedication to either late April or early
May. In looking back on it, the last update on this temple’s status was 2.5
weeks ago, on August 29. That said, the status of the Barranquilla Colombia
Temple has not been updated in twice as long. So, if this temple does have more
status changes than that one, I could see the merits of switching the two in
terms of their future dedication time-frames. As always, I am keeping my eye
out for information on all of this and will pass updates along as I learn of
them.
165. Fortaleza Brazil
Temple: Applying waterproofing membrane to temple exterior walls; meetinghouse
exterior walls rising; completion anticipated sometime during early-to-mid
2019.
NOTE: With the exception of the
additional information provided on this temple on August 30, there has been no
significant change noted on the status of this temple since August 13. In view
of that, I am changing my estimate to sometime during mid-June 2019.
166. Rio de Janeiro
Brazil Temple: Crews preparing to pour exterior walls; completion anticipated
sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: As noted in recent days, many
of the temples closing for renovation within the next 6-8 months will have
their renovations completed within a 15-18 month window of their closure.
Because the extent of those renovations has yet to be detailed, until more is
known, I am proceeding on the assumption that many of those temples will have
their rededication within the first half of 2019. Because of that, this
temple’s dedication could take place at some point during mid-to-late August
2019.
167. Lisbon Portugal
Temple: Structural framing for main floor underway; meetinghouse cladding
progressing; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: In view of other adjustments
I have made to completion estimates (particularly those newer currently
operating ones that are scheduled to close for renovation within the next five
months and reopen at varying periods in 2019), and in view of the fact that
this temple will likely be the last new one dedicated in 2019, I wanted to note
that, depending on what happens with this temple’s progress over the next 9
months, there may be a case for altering the estimate I have previously given
for its dedication. For now, I am suggesting mid-November 2019, but if I see a
reason to alter that date, I will do so.
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: While my study has verified
that this temple’s dedication is more likely to occur in the early months of
2020 than prior to the end of 2019, what is not as clear is how quickly during
early 2020 that dedication might occur. Until more is known, I am venturing an
estimate of late February or early March, which would allow this dedication to
take place during the Peruvian fall season.
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: If, as anticipated, full
scale construction is able to get underway on this temple prior to the end of
June 30, and if, as estimated, the time-frame for this temple’s construction
remains around 20 months (1.67 years), then, all going well, this temple could
easily be dedicated in late April or early May. If further delays occur, or if,
for any reason, the estimate changes for this temple’s construction time-frame,
then that will obviously warrant a change in the completion estimate. Until we
know for sure, however, I remain optimistic.
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, the
first Caribbean temple (the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic) took 4 years and
1 month to progress from groundbreaking to dedication. Given that this temple
is considerably smaller, I have felt that an initial estimate of 2 years and 7
months is a good initial way to gauge a completion estimate. Of course, whether
or not that happens depends on two main things: whether or not full-scale
construction is able to begin on this temple within a week after its’
groundbreaking, and whatever conditions might help or hinder its swift
construction. Until more is known, I want to be as conservative as I possibly
can, so I am estimating this temple’s dedication may take place in mid-August.
As always, I will pass along any updates to this estimate as they are made.
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: As I have previously noted, this temple will
likely be dedicated sometime after both the rededication of the Jordan River
Temple and the dedication of the Rome Italy Temple, but prior to the dedication
of the Concepcion Chile Temple. Until more is known, I am setting that estimate
for Sunday August 12 or 19, which is slightly later than I have previously
estimated. As with everything else, I will be sure to post any updates to this
estimate as I make them going forward.
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: With this temple’s renovation
closure date confirmed by the Church’s redone website for temple information, and
with the knowledge that this renovation will change the interior and exterior
appearance of this temple, an estimate of 18-19 months seems appropriate for
this temple’s renovation process, which would put its dedication sometime
during mid-to-late May 2019. As this process gets underway and continues, I
will make any additional adjustments that may be needed.
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: As I have noted previously,
this temple is a considerably smaller temple built under President Kimball’s
inspired revelation. Because it is less than an acre in size, and because no
expansion appears to be planned for this temple (as the stated purpose is to
update electrical and mechanical systems), even though the renovation is
anticipated to last until sometime during 2020, and because it is closing
several months in advance of older, larger temples that also have a renovation
set, I am anticipating that we could see this temple rededicated sometime
during late May or early June 2020. As this process unfolds, I will be sure to
pass along any updates to this line of thought.
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: The interesting thing about
this temple’s renovation plans is that any mention of it closing on the date
specified (or even at all in 2017) has been removed. Probably just a technical
glitch. In the meantime, unless an expansion of this temple is planned (which
is unlikely at this point), a 15-month estimate seems reasonable for this
temple’s completion, which would put the dedication sometime during mid-to-late
April 2019 (sometime after General Conference). That will likely change as this
process continues, but for now, it seems safe.
68. Raleigh North
Carolina Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Wednesday January
10, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: If the member contacts I
found in North Carolina are correct, the renovation of that state’s only temple
will not involve or include an expansion of any kind. With that in mind, a 17-month
estimate seems appropriate for this temple, which allows for anything
unexpected. And based on that estimate, it would make sense if this temple had
a rededication scheduled for sometime during early-to-mid August 2019. I will
pass along any updates to that estimate that may be needed within the next year
as this process will be well underway by that time.
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: Unless an expansion is
planned for this temple (which, as noted previously, seems doubtful), then it
is more than likely that the renovation will only take around 17 months or so.
With that in mind, it is not hard to believe that we could see the rededication
of this temple at some point during mid-September 2019. As with everything
else, I will be sure to pass along any updates to this line of reasoning.
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: As previously noted, the
stated purpose for this temple’s renovation is to upgrade and update electrical
and mechanical systems. Therefore, an expansion is likely not part of those
plans. Bearing in mind that this temple is anticipated to be rededicated prior
to the end of 2019, I have felt that a 17-month estimate for this process would
be appropriate. In running the resulting calculation, that would put this
temple’s rededication happening sometime during mid-November 2019. Obviously,
as this renovation gets underway in five months and makes progress, we will
know more about how reasonable that estimate might be, and I will make any
adjustments that may be needed.
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: With what is currently known
about this temple’s renovation (having confirmed the exact date, and also
knowing that it is mainly to upgrade and update the mechanical and electrical
system), in taking the larger size of this temple into account (which will
extend the process), a 32-month estimate seems appropriate. That would put this
temple’s rededication sometime between late November and mid-December 2020. As
the next year unfolds, more will be known, and any adjustments will be
provided.
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: Because the Mesa temple has
been renovated once before, it is not anticipated to take as long to complete
this renovation (which is being done primarily to upgrade the electrical and
mechanical systems throughout the temple). Therefore, an initial estimate of 26
months seems appropriate, which would put the estimate for this temple’s
rededication somewhere around early-to-mid September 2020. Within the next
year, this process will be well underway, and more will be known about any
adjustments that may need to be made. Until then, it seems to be a sound
adjustment to what I have previously stated.
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
groundbreaking anytime between now and the end of 2018:
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
proves to be the case, then a groundbreaking could easily take place in
mid-March, which would allow that to happen prior to winter’s arrival in April.
I am estimating more specifically that the exact date may be Saturday March 10
or 17. As with everything else, I will pass along any updates to this line of
thought and reasoning as I make them.
172. Urdaneta
Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government approval
and official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime
during mid-2018.
NOTE: With
a potential site having been identified for this temple, if that is confirmed
at any point prior to the end of this year, the groundbreaking for this temple
will likely happen sooner rather than later, especially now that the delays
that once prevented this temple’s construction progress are over. It is my
revised estimate that this temple’s groundbreaking could take place in
mid-to-late May, and, more specifically, on or around May 19 or 26. I have
checked into weather conditions during that time, and it would work well then. As
with everything else I post, I will be sure to pass along any updates to this
estimate as I make them.
173. Harare Zimbabwe
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking
could take place during mid-2018.
NOTE:
Despite the statement made by Africa Southeast Area President Kevin S. Hamilton
(who said that this temple would likely have a site announcement and
groundbreaking in relatively short order once 2017 began), the year is almost
finished, and we are no closer to a change in this temple’s status than we were
at the beginning of this year. Wanting to be as optimistic as possible but also
to allow for anything unexpected, I am setting a revised estimate for this
temple’s groundbreaking to take place in mid-June, and, more specifically, on
either June 9 or 16. I will be sure to pass along any updates to this estimate
that might be needed.
174. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase;
awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-2018.
NOTE: As
part of my ongoing efforts to research the potential order in which announced
temples may have a groundbreaking, I took a look at this temple particularly.
While it is true that we only have member speculation that an existing building
will be reconstructed and repurposed (in the style of the Manhattan New York
and Hong Kong China Temples), until we can be sure that this will not be the
case, I have to go with what is known.
The Manhattan New York and Hong Kong China Temples both had a
groundbreaking in a comparatively shorter amount of time than most other
temples. So if the existing building will be repurposed, it seems safe to
surmise that a groundbreaking could take place during early-to-mid August. I
have set a more specific estimate for Saturday August 4 or 11. As with
everything else, I will pass along any updates to this line of thought.
175. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase;
awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime
during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: I
know that this temple has not yet had a site confirmed, but as I felt a need to
reevaluate the likely order in which announced temples might have a
groundbreaking, I have run the numbers to recalculate my estimate. I hope with
all my heart that we will have a site confirmed for this temple within the next
9 months or so. If we do, I could see the Church setting the groundbreaking for
this temple to take place sometime during mid-September, which would be either
Saturday September 8 or 15. If nothing happens for this temple by the early
months of next year, I will reevaluate things at that point.
176. Saratoga Springs Utah: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2018.
NOTE: As
previously noted, while a site announcement is pending on this temple, if one
is confirmed within the next 6-8 months, and if this temple conforms to the
average time within which other Utah County temples have gone from announcement
to groundbreaking, then I could see this temple having a groundbreaking
sometime during late October or early November, or, more precisely, on either
Saturday October 27 or November 3. I will be keeping an eye out for any
developments and will be sure to pass those along.
177. Alabang Manila Temple: Planning phase;
site confirmed; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking may take
place sometime during late 2018.
NOTE: As with other temples in this section, I did more research on
issues that would affect progress on this temple, primarily climate &
temperature. Climate-wise, Manila has the same weather pretty much year-round.
Therefore, it is my new estimate that the groundbreaking for this temple could
take place in mid-December (which would be on Saturday December 9 or 16). If
the groundbreakings for both of the Philippines temples are held during 2018,
this would be the first time in Church history that two temples would
simultaneously be under construction on that island nation. As always, I will
be sure to pass along any updates to this line of thought and reasoning as I
become aware of them.
178. Brasilia
Brazil Temple: Planning phase; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21,
2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early 2019.
NOTE: As
part of my massive ongoing efforts to revise my thoughts on the potential
timeframe for future temple-related events, I took another look at this temple.
What I found that led me to move other temples around today also led me to give
this temple another look. And in that regard, I found out that, in terms of
climate, the period from January to March is the best time to visit Brasilia.
Bearing in mind that it would take a miracle to have this groundbreaking take
place in six months, I have felt it wiser to adjust this temple’s
groundbreaking estimate to early 2019, and have felt that a more specific
time-frame may be mid-February. As with everything else, I will pass along any
updates as I make them.
179. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during early-to-mid 2019.
NOTE: As I
have felt a need to revisit the order in which announced temples may have a
groundbreaking, for a revised determination on this temple, I took a look at
temples in the region of Western South America (where this temple will rise).
In that area (with the exception of the first Ecuadoran temple, which took over
14 years), the average time in which temples in that area went from site
announcement to groundbreaking has been 2 years, 6 months. That said, this
temple has not yet had a site confirmed. So I am setting a revised estimate for
3 years. I will therefore place my estimate for this groundbreaking as sometime
during late April or early May 2019. As with everything else, I will be sure to
post any changes to this theory.
180. Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site
confirmation; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: As I
have done with other temples, I calculated the average time within which Idaho’s
other temples have gone from announcement to groundbreaking. Based on that
estimate, I have adjusted my thinking that this temple will have a
groundbreaking at some point in mid-June 2019. That said, I recognize that
temples within the “Mormon corridor” of Utah, Arizona, and Idaho have typically
been able to get started faster than temples elsewhere within the US or any
other nations. I will keep my eyes open for anything that convinces me to
change this again, and will continue to pass that information along.
181. Nairobi
Kenya Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; media event
held June 14, 2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: As
mentioned earlier, I took a look at the average time within which temples in
Africa have gone from announcement to groundbreaking. And as a result of that
double-check, I have revised my estimate for this groundbreaking as well. I can
now see it happening in early-to-mid August. As with everything else, I will pass
along any updates as I am made aware of them.
182. Belem Brazil
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may
take place during late 2019.
NOTE: Since
there has been no change on this temple’s status since its announcement 1.5
years ago, unless something changes, we may find that this temple is the last
one of the current bunch to have a groundbreaking. I sincerely hope that is not
the case, but want to play it safe. For that reason, I am estimating this temple
will have a groundbreaking sometime during either late October or early
November. I will keep my eye on things and let you all know if my thinking on
this changes.
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. As
previously noted, all of the last 12 temples that have been announced from
January 2015 to now have seen that happen during April General Conference. So
that may continue. But it is also true that such 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.
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.
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Further Changes Made to Temple Construction Progress Report
Hello again, everyone! Though I last posted an updated copy of my temple construction progress report no more than 8 hours ago, in going over that report again, I discovered oversights and errors that needed to be clarified (primarily the estimated ranges I provided for dedications and rededications; as examples, I had one dedication and two rededications listed for the same two-week time-frame, and I also had areas underneath the status of several temples scheduled for renovations in which I meant to put updated notes, but I forgot to do so before posting the earlier update.
Additionally, and far more significantly, just a few moments ago, I became aware of an update that had been made in the last few hours to the status of the Arequipa Peru Temple. So I have included all of that information in the new report, which I am posting below. Again, please let me know if you have any feedback for me. It is because of the excellent feedback I have received previously that I have been able to fine-tune subsequent versions of this report.
For any who may be interested to know, I am hard at work compiling a list of current assignments held by our General Authorities, and I am hoping to be able to post a copy of that later this week. In the meantime, I will continue to study present and future temple-related developments and will be updating you all on those as I am able to do so. And I also know I promised to try and post an update on apostolic age statistics, but with everything else I am working on and all that is going on for my wife and I in terms of our health and all that needs to be done this next week, I will likely not be able to do so until next Sunday at earliest.
Anyways, the updated report follows below. Enjoy, and let me know what you think. In the meantime, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord be with and bless each and every one of you in all that you do. Until my next post, I wish you all the best.
Additionally, and far more significantly, just a few moments ago, I became aware of an update that had been made in the last few hours to the status of the Arequipa Peru Temple. So I have included all of that information in the new report, which I am posting below. Again, please let me know if you have any feedback for me. It is because of the excellent feedback I have received previously that I have been able to fine-tune subsequent versions of this report.
For any who may be interested to know, I am hard at work compiling a list of current assignments held by our General Authorities, and I am hoping to be able to post a copy of that later this week. In the meantime, I will continue to study present and future temple-related developments and will be updating you all on those as I am able to do so. And I also know I promised to try and post an update on apostolic age statistics, but with everything else I am working on and all that is going on for my wife and I in terms of our health and all that needs to be done this next week, I will likely not be able to do so until next Sunday at earliest.
Anyways, the updated report follows below. Enjoy, and let me know what you think. In the meantime, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord be with and bless each and every one of you in all that you do. Until my next post, I wish you all the best.
Temple Construction Progress
(current as of 9/17/17)
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 (200th ) 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 12.55 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. 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
within the first six months of next year). 1
other has a groundbreaking scheduled (which will take place in just over a
month’s time. 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 (with closure dates having been announced for all but one). 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 underway; open house
reservations will start being accepted beginning Monday September 25, 2017, and
will be available for the three week period spanning Saturday October 21 and
Saturday November 11, excluding Sundays; dedication scheduled for Sunday
November 19, 2017.
Construction nearing completion;
dedication scheduled:
159. Cedar City Utah
Temple: Finish work underway on interior; cultural celebration kick-off meeting
held; open house reservations will start being accepted beginning Monday
October 2, 2017, and will be available for the duration of the open house,
which is set to run for 22 days (roughly 3.15 weeks) between Friday October 27
and Saturday November 18, excluding Sundays; dedication scheduled
for Sunday December 10, 2017.
NOTE: With the open house set to begin in roughly 1.41 months, it seems
apparent that construction is concluding. How close that is to actually being
the case remains to be seen. But if the finish work on the interior is the last
thing that needs to be completed, then the construction could be concluded by
this time next week. As with everything else, I will pass along any updates as
I learn of them.
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 studying this temple’s
progress from the last little while, the last time any update was provided on
this temple’s status was July 26, when the information about the construction
office trailer donation and office space relocation to patron housing was
added. The first time I mentioned that on this report was four days later.
Looking back further on this temple’s status changes, I first added the
information about the interior and exterior work progressing on May 30, about
3.5 months ago. While the other progress noted aside from this is significant,
I wanted to put that development into perspective. I still feel safe in
asserting that this temple will be the first new one dedicated next year, and I
am making a revised estimate for that dedication for June 3 or 10. I did want
to note that I have been advised that a dedication announcement for this temple
is likely to happen in the near future. With Rome being such an iconic
Christian city, I imagine the open house for it could last a good 4-6 weeks or
so. It would not surprise me to have an announcement of those opening dates
prior to the end of the year, and I will pass that information along as soon as
I become aware of it.
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: While I previously stated
that I felt this temple’s dedication could take place on August 19, we have not
seen any progress on this temple since I last reported developments on it on
August 31 of this year. Because there has not been any change in the 2.5 weeks
since then, I am adjusting that estimate to September 2 or 9, especially since
it feels that this temple may need another year to finish its construction. If
this temple makes notable progress by the end of the year, I will be happy to
adjust this again. For now, though, it seems wiser to be conservative in these
estimates.
162. Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Royal palm trees planted on grounds;
steel framing installed for steeple base; completion anticipated
sometime during mid-to-late 2018.
NOTE: In my ongoing research
regarding temple-related news and developments, I learned in regards to this
temple that the biggest delays to this temple’s progress were trouble securing
the needed steel reinforcement for the roof, the components of the steeple
base, and the necessary landscaping items. Now that those issues have been
resolved, this temple may progress faster than any, myself included, may be
expecting. However, I still feel that the dedication of this temple is at least
a year out. Therefore, I offer Sunday October 21 or 28 as a revised estimate
for this temple’s dedication. Within the next 9 months, it will become more
clear how reasonable that might be, and I will pass updates along as I make
them going forward.
163. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Pouring concrete curbing and walkways; preparing to clad
tower; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.
NOTE: It is becoming increasingly
more likely that this temple may take longer to complete than I originally
thought. The status of this temple has not changed at all since I first
reported the above developments for the first time (which was on August 11).
Given that over a month (36 days) have passed with no change on this temple, I
am adjusting my estimate for this dedication to take place either on Sunday
November 18 (the Sunday before Thanksgiving) or, if not then, then 3 weeks
later on Sunday December 9 (as the Church has not, to my knowledge, held any
temple dedication the Sunday after Thanksgiving or on the first Sunday of
December, when the First Presidency holds their annual Christmas devotional).
If, by some miracle, this temple makes any kind of progress before the end of
this year, or makes substantial progress within the first 8 months of next year,
I could see a need to push that estimate up. For now, though, I have felt it
wiser to be more conservative in this regard.
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: This temple, once thought to be a great candidate for dedication
during mid-to-late 2018, may not be completed until 2019. I have therefore further adjusted my estimate for this
dedication to either late April or early May. In looking back on it, the
last update on this temple’s status was 2.5 weeks ago, on August 29. That said,
the status of the Barranquilla Colombia Temple has not been updated in twice as
long. So, if this temple does have more status changes than that one, I could
see the merits of switching the two in terms of their future dedication
time-frames. As always, I am keeping my eye out for information on all of this
and will pass updates along as I learn of them.
165. Fortaleza Brazil
Temple: Applying waterproofing membrane to temple exterior walls; meetinghouse
exterior walls rising; completion anticipated sometime during early-to-mid
2019.
NOTE: With the exception of the additional
information provided on this temple on August 30, there has been no significant
change noted on the status of this temple since August 13. In view of that, I
am changing my estimate to sometime during mid-June
2019.
166. Rio de Janeiro
Brazil Temple: Crews preparing to pour exterior walls; completion anticipated
sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: As noted in recent days, many
of the temples closing for renovation within the next 6-8 months will have
their renovations completed within a 15-18 month window of their closure.
Because the extent of those renovations has yet to be detailed, until more is
known, I am proceeding on the assumption that many of those temples will have
their rededication within the first half of 2019. Because of that, this
temple’s dedication could take place at some point during mid-to-late August 2019.
167. Lisbon Portugal
Temple: Structural framing for main floor underway; meetinghouse cladding
progressing; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: In view of other adjustments
I have made to completion estimates (particularly those newer currently
operating ones that are scheduled to close for renovation within the next five
months and reopen at varying periods in 2019), and in view of the fact that
this temple will likely be the last new one dedicated in 2019, I wanted to note
that, depending on what happens with this temple’s progress over the next 9
months, there may be a case for altering the estimate I have previously given
for its dedication. For now, I am suggesting mid-November
2019, but if I see a reason to alter that date, I will do so.
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: While my study has verified
that this temple’s dedication is more likely to occur in the early months of
2020 than prior to the end of 2019, what is not as clear is how quickly during
early 2020 that dedication might occur. Until more is known, I am venturing an
estimate of late February or early March, which would allow this dedication to
take place during the Peruvian fall season.
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: If, as anticipated, full
scale construction is able to get underway on this temple prior to the end of
June 30, and if, as estimated, the time-frame for this temple’s construction
remains around 20 months (1.67 years), then, all going well, this temple could
easily be dedicated in late April or early May. If further delays occur, or if,
for any reason, the estimate changes for this temple’s construction time-frame,
then that will obviously warrant a change in the completion estimate. Until we
know for sure, however, I remain optimistic.
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, the
first Caribbean temple (the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic) took 4 years and
1 month to progress from groundbreaking to dedication. Given that this temple
is considerably smaller, I have felt that an initial estimate of 2 years and 7
months is a good initial way to gauge a completion estimate. Of course, whether
or not that happens depends on two main things: whether or not full-scale
construction is able to begin on this temple within a week after its’
groundbreaking, and whatever conditions might help or hinder its swift
construction. Until more is known, I want to be as conservative as I possibly
can, so I am estimating this temple’s dedication may take place in mid-August.
As always, I will pass along any updates to this estimate as they are made.
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: As I have previously noted, this temple will
likely be dedicated sometime after both the rededication of the Jordan River
Temple and the dedication of the Rome Italy Temple, but prior to the dedication
of the Concepcion Chile Temple. Until more is known, I am setting that estimate
for Sunday August 12 or 19, which is slightly later than I have previously
estimated. As with everything else, I will be sure to post any updates to this
estimate as I make them going forward.
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: With this temple’s renovation
closure date confirmed by the Church’s redone website for temple information, and
with the knowledge that this renovation will change the interior and exterior
appearance of this temple, an estimate of 18-19 months seems appropriate for
this temple’s renovation process, which would put its dedication sometime
during mid-to-late May 2019. As this process gets underway and continues, I
will make any additional adjustments that may be needed.
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: As I
have noted previously, this temple is a considerably smaller temple built under
President Kimball’s inspired revelation. Because it is less than an acre in
size, and because no expansion appears to be planned for this temple (as the
stated purpose is to update electrical and mechanical systems), even though the
renovation is anticipated to last until sometime during 2020, and because it is
closing several months in advance of older, larger temples that also have a
renovation set, I am anticipating that we could see this temple rededicated
sometime during late May or early June 2020. As this process unfolds, I will be
sure to pass along any updates to this line of thought.
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: The interesting thing about
this temple’s renovation plans is that any mention of it closing on the date
specified (or even at all in 2017) has been removed. Probably just a technical
glitch. In the meantime, unless an expansion of this temple is planned (which
is unlikely at this point), a 15-month estimate seems reasonable for this
temple’s completion, which would put the dedication sometime during mid-to-late April 2019 (sometime after General Conference).
That will likely change as this process continues, but for now, it seems safe.
68. Raleigh North
Carolina Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on Wednesday January
10, 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2019.
NOTE: If the member contacts I
found in North Carolina are correct, the renovation of that state’s only temple
will not involve or include an expansion of any kind. With that in mind, a 17-month
estimate seems appropriate for this temple, which allows for anything
unexpected. And based on that estimate, it would make sense if this temple had
a rededication scheduled for sometime during early-to-mid August 2019. I will
pass along any updates to that estimate that may be needed within the next year
as this process will be well underway by that time.
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: Unless an expansion is
planned for this temple (which, as noted previously, seems doubtful), then it
is more than likely that the renovation will only take around 17 months or so.
With that in mind, it is not hard to believe that we could see the rededication
of this temple at some point during mid-September 2019. As with everything
else, I will be sure to pass along any updates to this line of reasoning.
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: As
previously noted, the stated purpose for this temple’s renovation is to upgrade
and update electrical and mechanical systems. Therefore, an expansion is likely
not part of those plans. Bearing in mind that this temple is anticipated to be
rededicated prior to the end of 2019, I have felt that a 17-month estimate for
this process would be appropriate. In running the resulting calculation, that
would put this temple’s rededication happening sometime during mid-November
2019. Obviously, as this renovation gets underway in five months and makes
progress, we will know more about how reasonable that estimate might be, and I
will make any adjustments that may be needed.
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: With what is currently known
about this temple’s renovation (having confirmed the exact date, and also
knowing that it is mainly to upgrade and update the mechanical and electrical
system), in taking the larger size of this temple into account (which will
extend the process), a 32-month estimate seems appropriate. That would put this
temple’s rededication sometime between late November and mid-December 2020. As
the next year unfolds, more will be known, and any adjustments will be
provided.
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: Because the Mesa temple has
been renovated once before, it is not anticipated to take as long to complete
this renovation (which is being done primarily to upgrade the electrical and
mechanical systems throughout the temple). Therefore, an initial estimate of 26
months seems appropriate, which would put the estimate for this temple’s
rededication somewhere around early-to-mid September 2020. Within the next
year, this process will be well underway, and more will be known about any
adjustments that may need to be made. Until then, it seems to be a sound
adjustment to what I have previously stated.
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
groundbreaking 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: After running the numbers to
find out how long it has taken, on average, for other Utah County temples to go
from announcement to groundbreaking, I have felt it wise to change my estimate
to early-to-mid September. Obviously, if we do not hear of a site announcement
for this temple within the next 9 months or so, that will need to be pushed
back. But until more is known, it seems sound.
175. Brasilia Brazil
Temple: Planning phase; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017;
groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2018.
NOTE: While I once believed and
asserted that this temple would have a groundbreaking in fairly short order
once 2018 began, especially since as site had been confirmed and inspected, in
the interim, I have discovered that there is merit in believing that other
temples that were announced earlier than this one, although the temple above
this one is an exception to that notion. Until more is known, I have felt that
a preliminary estimate of late October or early November 2018. As more is
known, I will make any adjustments that may be necessary.
176. Alabang Manila Temple: Planning phase;
site confirmed; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking may take
place sometime during late 2018.
NOTE: As previously noted, the name above is my own speculation, and is
subject to change based on whenever anything more official may be announced at
Church headquarters, which I think will happen sooner rather than later. I will
be just as happy if I find I am wrong on this temple’s name as I would be if I
am right. Either way, since a site has been confirmed, I am predicting that a
groundbreaking could follow sometime during mid-December 2018. As always, I
will continue to pass along any changes to this estimate, and will also pass
along the official name for this temple whenever it is announced.
177. Pocatello Idaho:
Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation; groundbreaking may take place
sometime during early 2019.
NOTE: Even though this temple is in
the “Mormon corridor”, where temples have been known to go up very quickly, for
this temple’s groundbreaking estimate, I looked at the average time-frame
within which other Idaho temples have gone from announcement to groundbreaking.
And in that regard, I have become convinced that this temple’s groundbreaking
could take place in early-to-mid March 2019. I will be sure to post any updates
to this theory as I find out more. It will also be easier to estimate once an
official site is confirmed. The most likely site (in my opinion) has been
annexed into the city of Pocatello, but until it is confirmed or denied that
the temple will be built there, it is best to be conservative in this 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: As previously noted, Elder
Sitati stated during the media event for this temple that the Church generally
takes one to two years from a temple’s announcement to have a groundbreaking.
In that regard, the general time-frame above seems wise. As to a more specific
estimate, I could see it happening in early-to-mid May. As more information
comes in about this temple, I will make any needed adjustments.
179. Bangkok Thailand
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may
take place during mid-2019.
NOTE: If the Church verifies member
speculation (that an existing Church office building will be rebuilt,
renovated, and repurposed into a multi-purpose Church office, meetinghouse, and
temple) at any point in the next year or so, a groundbreaking could easily
happen during this time. Until more is known, an estimate of early-to-mid June
seems sound. I will pass along any information that changes that.
180. Abidjan Ivory
Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement;
groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.
NOTE: While an official site
announcement is still pending, we do know that the Church is thriving in the
Ivory Coast to such an extent that many are saying that nation may get a second
and possibly even a third temple within the next 15-30 years. We will have to
see how accurate that is. In the meantime, for this temple, the timing of a
future groundbreaking will largely depend on how soon we hear about a potential
site location. Wanting to be as conservative as I can, I will say that I could
see this groundbreaking potentially happening in early-to-mid August. Until
more is known, that is a change from what I have previously posted. As with
everything else, I will pass along any updates.
181. Quito Ecuador
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may
take place during late 2019.
NOTE: While the Ecuadoran Saints
had to wait 14 long years between the announcement and groundbreaking for the
first temple in that nation, this temple is not anticipated to have nearly as
long of a wait. If a site is announced for this temple within the next year, a
groundbreaking could happen sooner than anticipated herein. Until more is
known, I have felt an estimate of early-to-mid September would be safe for this
groundbreaking. I will be sure to pass along any updates to this estimate.
182. Belem Brazil
Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may
take place during late 2019.
NOTE: While I would hope with all
my heart that this temple will not be the last of the current lot to have a
groundbreaking, until more is known, I have felt it wiser to be conservative in
my estimates for when it will occur. It is almost certain, however, that the
Brasilia Brazil temple, which has already had a site confirmed, will have a
groundbreaking before this one, even though that one was announced a year
later. Wanting to be as conservative as I can, I will say that I think we could
see this temple’s groundbreaking in late October or early November. As the next
year passes, I will pass along any adjustments to this line of thinking.
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. As
previously noted, all of the last 12 temples that have been announced from
January 2015 to now have seen that happen during April General Conference. So
that may continue. But it is also true that such 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.
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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