Hello again, everyone! In a completely unexpected development, the First Presidency today announced the location and preliminary design information for the Washington County Utah Temple. While many people (myself included) had speculated that the temple would be built in Washington City (where the Church owns quite a bit of undeveloped land), will instead be built on a beautiful spot of land on a 14-acre site located northeast of 3000 East 1580 South in St. George, Utah. Preliminary plans note that the temple is anticipated to be a three-story edifice with an area of approximately 88,000 square feet.
Thus, St. George becomes the fourth city in the world that will be home to two temples, joining Provo Utah, Lima Peru, and Manila Philippines. The statement also notes that the Church and project leaders will, in the coming months, be working through the approval process for this temple, that plans will be more fully detailed as they are developed and approved and that that process will culminate in the announcement of a groundbreaking ceremony once all approvals are granted. As previously noted, construction on the Washington County Utah Temple is not anticipated to be completed prior to the time when the St. George Utah Temple reopens in 2022 or 2023 following its' renovation process, and with ithe larger size of this newest temple, that is not surprising.
One other thing I also wanted to note: I will be interested to see whether or not a more official name is provided for this temple at some point along the way. The second Provo Utah Temple is known as the Provo City Center Temple. The second temple in Lima Peru has Los Olivos attached to its' name to distinguish it from its' counterpart in the same city. And a more official name announcement is hoped for on the second temple that willl, in coming years, be built in Muntinlupa City in the Philippines.
And this of course also increases the number of temples that may have a groundbreaking within the next year or so to now 15 or 16. As previously noted, temples in the United States, and particularly those in Utah, tend to have a much swifter start to construction than their counterparts in other places. It is wonderful to have heard of this news, and I was grateful to be able to pass it along to oyu all here. I continue to also monitor all major Church news and temple updates, and will, to the best of my ability, pass word of those along to you all as I receive it.
That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments are made in accordance with the established guidelines. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added content, please feel free to subscribe. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: First Presidency Announces Site Location of Waxhintgton County Utah Temple
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.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Observes His 79th Birthday Today
Hello again, everyone! As it is now past midnight Utah time, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf is marking his 79th birthday today. As Elder Uchtdorf has long been one of my favorite apostles, I am pleased to offer this tribute in honor of this milestone. Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf was born to Karl Albert and Hildegard Else Opelt Uchtdorf on this day in 1940 in the city of Ostrava, which, at that time, was known as the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, but is now identified as the Czech Republic.
With his family twice becoming refugees, he grew up in Germany, where his family joined the Church in 1947. In order to and went on to study engineering, business administration, and international management, after which he joined the German Air Force in 1959, where he trained to be a fighter pilot. In 1965, he joined Lufthansa German Airlines as a pilot, working as an airline captain from 1970-1996. He held many responsible executive positions with German Airlines. He reported feeling discouraged about having to learn English, but has also described how he was able to do so.
He married Harriet Reich on December 14, 1962 (whom he had met when the missionaries brought her and her family to Church while he was a young man),and they both have different recollections of the details whereby they actually got together). They raised two children and now have several grandchildren, along with a few great-grandchildren. He served as a stake president before his call as a General Authority. During that time, he gave an instrumental interview to the press in which he tackled tough topics related to his faith as the Frankfurt Germany Temple prepared to open.
He was subsequently sustained as a General Authority on April 2, 1994, and was initially assigned to the Second Quorum of the Seventy. Roughly two years later, on April 6, 1996, he was sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy. He became a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on August 15, 2002 and was sustained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 2, 2004 and ordained an apostle on October 7, 2004 (becoming the 11th apostle born outside the United States).
On February 3, 2008, he was set apart as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency to President Thomas S. Monson. Although 12 men born outside the United States have served as apostles, he became only the sixth apostle born outside the United States that served in the First Presidency. At the time of his call to the First Presidency, he was the 13th in apostolic seniority. During the period of almost a decade in which he served alongside President Monson and First Counselor President Henry B. Eyring, the deaths of six apostles senior to him meant he had become the 7th in apostolic seniority.
And with the death of President Monson occurring just three months after the death of Elder Robert D. Hales, the First Presidency was dissolved. The new Church President, Russell M. Nelson, chose as his counselors his seatmate Elder Dallin H. Oaks and President Eyring. As a result, Elder Uchtdorf returned to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When he departed that Quorum to serve in the First Presidency, he had been the tenth most senior member of that Quorum, and he returned to it as the third in seniority, with only Acting President M. Russell Ballard and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland ahead of him.
In recognition of his administrative capacities and capabilities, his assignments as a recently-reassigned Quorum member were those that had previously been held by the three who had been the most senior members of the Quorum prior to that time (Presidents Nelson, Oaks, and Ballard). Elder Uchtdorf has spoken frequently about ways in which Church members should consider themselves called to action. I enjoy hearing what he has to say in his General Conference addresses every six months.
Throughout his 25 years as a general authority, and his now-15 years as a special witness of the Savior, (including almost a decade of service in the First Presidency, he has now given 71 addresses in General Conference, only 2 of which were given prior to his apostolic call. Elder Uchtdorf is a man of great personal warmth and charm, and we are blessed indeed to have him among the Special Witnesses of Christ at this time. He has always struck a very warm and welcoming tone in his public discourses, and his current assignments are a clear testament to the great faith the Brethren have in him. In addition to being the third-most-senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he is also the third-oldest, behind only President Ballard and Elder Quentin L. Cook. He is also the seventh-most-senior apostle overall, and the sixth-oldest of the 15 apostles overall.
Although he may never personally read this tribute, it was an honor to provide it for him on this, his 79th birthday. I continue to monitor any and all Church news and temple developments and will be sure to pass word of those along to you all as I receive it. That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments are made in accordance with the established guidelines. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly-added content, please feel free to subscribe. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in all that you do.
He married Harriet Reich on December 14, 1962 (whom he had met when the missionaries brought her and her family to Church while he was a young man),and they both have different recollections of the details whereby they actually got together). They raised two children and now have several grandchildren, along with a few great-grandchildren. He served as a stake president before his call as a General Authority. During that time, he gave an instrumental interview to the press in which he tackled tough topics related to his faith as the Frankfurt Germany Temple prepared to open.
He was subsequently sustained as a General Authority on April 2, 1994, and was initially assigned to the Second Quorum of the Seventy. Roughly two years later, on April 6, 1996, he was sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy. He became a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on August 15, 2002 and was sustained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 2, 2004 and ordained an apostle on October 7, 2004 (becoming the 11th apostle born outside the United States).
On February 3, 2008, he was set apart as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency to President Thomas S. Monson. Although 12 men born outside the United States have served as apostles, he became only the sixth apostle born outside the United States that served in the First Presidency. At the time of his call to the First Presidency, he was the 13th in apostolic seniority. During the period of almost a decade in which he served alongside President Monson and First Counselor President Henry B. Eyring, the deaths of six apostles senior to him meant he had become the 7th in apostolic seniority.
And with the death of President Monson occurring just three months after the death of Elder Robert D. Hales, the First Presidency was dissolved. The new Church President, Russell M. Nelson, chose as his counselors his seatmate Elder Dallin H. Oaks and President Eyring. As a result, Elder Uchtdorf returned to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When he departed that Quorum to serve in the First Presidency, he had been the tenth most senior member of that Quorum, and he returned to it as the third in seniority, with only Acting President M. Russell Ballard and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland ahead of him.
In recognition of his administrative capacities and capabilities, his assignments as a recently-reassigned Quorum member were those that had previously been held by the three who had been the most senior members of the Quorum prior to that time (Presidents Nelson, Oaks, and Ballard). Elder Uchtdorf has spoken frequently about ways in which Church members should consider themselves called to action. I enjoy hearing what he has to say in his General Conference addresses every six months.
Throughout his 25 years as a general authority, and his now-15 years as a special witness of the Savior, (including almost a decade of service in the First Presidency, he has now given 71 addresses in General Conference, only 2 of which were given prior to his apostolic call. Elder Uchtdorf is a man of great personal warmth and charm, and we are blessed indeed to have him among the Special Witnesses of Christ at this time. He has always struck a very warm and welcoming tone in his public discourses, and his current assignments are a clear testament to the great faith the Brethren have in him. In addition to being the third-most-senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he is also the third-oldest, behind only President Ballard and Elder Quentin L. Cook. He is also the seventh-most-senior apostle overall, and the sixth-oldest of the 15 apostles overall.
Although he may never personally read this tribute, it was an honor to provide it for him on this, his 79th birthday. I continue to monitor any and all Church news and temple developments and will be sure to pass word of those along to you all as I receive it. That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments are made in accordance with the established guidelines. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly-added content, please feel free to subscribe. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in all that you do.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Site & Preliminary Design Information Announced for the Moses Lake Washington Temple
Hello again, everyone! Although there has been somewhat of a famine in terms of temple news since General Conference, that is now officially over. Around 2-3 hours ago, the First Presidency announced the site location and preliminary information for the Moses Lake Washington Temple. Some of you may recall that in late July-early August, several local reports indicated that the Church had purchased land in the city on Yonezawa Boulevard between Division Street and Road K NE. Today, that land has been confirmed as the location for the temple.
The Church has also released preliminary information about the designs for a temple. Plans call for a single-story temple that will have a square footage of 20,000 square feet with a center spire, and an adjacent meetinghouse of 17,000 square feet. In the coming months, project leaders for that temple will be working with city officials through the approval process. It may be a while before a groundbreaking is set, but due to its' size, I anticipate that approval will be fairly rapid. And this now makes a total of 12 temples which could have a groundbreaking within the next year or less, just from what is known so far.
In that regard, there is something I wanted to mention here: I honestly don't know at this point if any temples might unexpectedly have a groundbreaking between now and the already-scheduled groundreaking for the Puebla Mexico Temple (which has been set for November 30), or whether any other temples might have a groundbreaking before the end of the year, but these are the temples for which I am keeping my eyes open in the coming months: Harare Zimbabwe (per a statement from Elder Andersen made to Zimbabwe's Vice President one year ago); Nairobi Kenya (for which a construction contract has been awarded); Bengaluru India (per a statement from Bishop Davies in mid-May of this year); Brasilia Brazil (for which concept designs are floating around social media); and the Greater Manila Phiippines (for which an official name announcement is pending, and which is the only other temple announced by President Monson to not have had a groundbreaking yet).
Additionally, the following temples announced by President Nelson have seen major annnouncements made, and could thus see a groundbreaking within the next year or less: Richmond Virginia, Layton Utah, Feather River California, Tooele Valley Utah, Auckland New Zealand, and now Moses Lake Washington. Above and beyond that, however, a statement from Relief Society General President Sister Jean B. Bingham in this article, a site has been acquired that will be used for the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple. I therefore anticipate that the next year will see at least these 12 temples have a groundbreaking, though I wouldn't be shocked at all if more temples than that were to have a groundbreaking or more information announced as well.
For my part, I continue to monitor all such developments and will pass word of those along to you all as I receive it. That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments are made in accordance with the established guidelines. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added content, please feel free to subscribe. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
The Church has also released preliminary information about the designs for a temple. Plans call for a single-story temple that will have a square footage of 20,000 square feet with a center spire, and an adjacent meetinghouse of 17,000 square feet. In the coming months, project leaders for that temple will be working with city officials through the approval process. It may be a while before a groundbreaking is set, but due to its' size, I anticipate that approval will be fairly rapid. And this now makes a total of 12 temples which could have a groundbreaking within the next year or less, just from what is known so far.
In that regard, there is something I wanted to mention here: I honestly don't know at this point if any temples might unexpectedly have a groundbreaking between now and the already-scheduled groundreaking for the Puebla Mexico Temple (which has been set for November 30), or whether any other temples might have a groundbreaking before the end of the year, but these are the temples for which I am keeping my eyes open in the coming months: Harare Zimbabwe (per a statement from Elder Andersen made to Zimbabwe's Vice President one year ago); Nairobi Kenya (for which a construction contract has been awarded); Bengaluru India (per a statement from Bishop Davies in mid-May of this year); Brasilia Brazil (for which concept designs are floating around social media); and the Greater Manila Phiippines (for which an official name announcement is pending, and which is the only other temple announced by President Monson to not have had a groundbreaking yet).
Additionally, the following temples announced by President Nelson have seen major annnouncements made, and could thus see a groundbreaking within the next year or less: Richmond Virginia, Layton Utah, Feather River California, Tooele Valley Utah, Auckland New Zealand, and now Moses Lake Washington. Above and beyond that, however, a statement from Relief Society General President Sister Jean B. Bingham in this article, a site has been acquired that will be used for the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple. I therefore anticipate that the next year will see at least these 12 temples have a groundbreaking, though I wouldn't be shocked at all if more temples than that were to have a groundbreaking or more information announced as well.
For my part, I continue to monitor all such developments and will pass word of those along to you all as I receive it. That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments are made in accordance with the established guidelines. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added content, please feel free to subscribe. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
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.
Updated Estimates for Future Temple Events: Part Two—All Remaining Estimates
Hello again, everyone! I am back again to share the third and final part of my updated estimates for known temple events. This part covers all remaining known or anticipated events which have not yet been shared. They follow below. In order to not disturb the flow of that information, I will end here as I always do: That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments are made in accordance with the established guidelines. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly-added content, please feel free to subscribe. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
2022:
Saturday & Sunday April 2 & 3: 192nd Annual General Conference
Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.
Mid-to-late April: Dedication of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple (176th operating temple)
June: Dedication of the Belem Brazil Temple (177th operating temple)
September: Dedication of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple (178th operating temple)
Saturday & Sunday October 1 & 2: 192nd Semiannual General Conference
Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.
Mid-to-late October: Dedication of the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple (179th operating temple)
December: Dedication of the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple (180th operating temple)
Final note on 2022: Between now and the end of 2022, the face of the Church’s temple construction program will likely look very different. We currently have a Church President who has clearly prioritized bringing the temples to the people, having announced 35 new ones during his first 4 General Conferences as Church President. We have also seen him taking decisive action between each General Conference to clear the queue of announced temples. For that reason, any temples announced in 2018 or 2019 which have not yet had a groundbreaking by this time will likely see that occur during this year. With that in mind, there will likely be many more temple events to add before, during, and after 2022 as a result.
2023:
March: Dedication of the Puebla Mexico Temple (181st operating temple)
Saturday & Sunday April 1 & 2: 193rd Annual General Conference
Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.
Mid-to-late April: Rededication of the St. George Utah Temple
June: Dedication of the Bangkok Thailand Temple (182nd operating temple)
Saturday September 30 & Sunday October 1: 193rd Semiannual General Conference
Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.
Final note on 2023: Any other temple events which may occur during 2023 will be determined by whatever temple-related announcements are made within the next few years. I will be sure to add such events as I learn about their likelihood.
2024:
Saturday & Sunday April 6 & 7: 194th Annual General Conference
Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.
May or June: Rededication of the Salt Lake Temple
Note: Given that this is the first time ever that this temple will have undergone a multi-year closure for full-scale renovation that will culminate in an open house which is anticipated to be held for a couple of months to accommodate the anticipated numbers, and a rededication which may last for a couple of weeks in order to enable it to be carried worldwide to all who want to participate, the timing of these events will largely depend on how quickly and how on-schedule the renovation process winds up being. For that reason, this more specific completion estimate for this temple may be pushed up into earlier this year, or potentially moved back.
September: President Nelson’s 100th Birthday Celebration Broadcast
Note: Barring anything very unexpected, it is almost a near-certainty that President Nelson will still be very much alive to observe his 100th birthday around this time. And given all that he has thus far or may yet contribute to the temple construction efforts of the Church, it seems highly appropriate to list the anticipated celebration of this monumental milestone among other temple events noted here for 2024, as the milestone will mark President Nelson becoming the first centenarian apostle and prophet.
Saturday & Sunday October 5 & 6: 194th Semiannual General Conference
Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.
Final note: Any other temple events which may occur during 2024 will be determined by whatever temple announcements are made within the next couple of years. I will be sure to add such events as I learn about their likelihood.
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.
Updated Estimates for Future Temple Events: Part One—Overview and Scheduled/Anticipated Events Through 2021
Hello again, everyone! Given the temple progress that has occurred within the last 7 weeks or so, and how much has changed regarding future estimates for known temple events. I thought it would be wise to present those latest updates. For the first time, this will be done in two parts. This first one will discuss those events scheduled or anticipated to occur between now and the end of 2021. The second part will deal with events anticipated between 2022 and 2024. The first part of that information follows below.
In order to not disturb the flow thereof, I will end here as I always do: That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments are made in accordance with the established guidelines. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added content, please feel free to subscribe. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
2019:
Sunday November 3: Private rededication of the Asuncion Paraguay Temple (confirmed)
Note: On May 21, 2019, the First Presidency announced the one-week open house and one-session private rededication for this temple. Subsequently, on October 11, an article about the beginning of the temple open house noted that Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be presiding thereat.
Monday November 4: St. George Utah Temple Renovation Closure (confirmed)
Note: This temple’s renovation was announced on January 25, 2019. Given the fact that seismic and systemic updates are anticipated to occur, I have set a preliminary general completion estimate of late 2022-early 2023.
Friday November 15-Friday November 22: President Nelson’s Southeast Asia Ministry Tour (confirmed)
Note: On October 9, 2019, this third 2019 leg of Church President Russell M. Nelson’s ongoing Global Ministry Tour was announced. The prophet will travel with his wife, Wendy W. Nelson, and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Katherine J. Christofferson, with stops planned in Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and Indonesia. It does not seem out-of-the-question to believe that more information could be provided for the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple, and that there could be some scouting for future temple locations in one or two of the other stops.
Sunday November 17: Private rededication of the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple (confirmed)
Note: On May 3, 2019, the First Presidency also announced the one-week public open house for this temple, which will be privately rededicated in one session on this date by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Saturday November 30: Groundbreaking for the Puebla Mexico Temple
Note: I had heard from my Church member contact in Mexico that the groundbreaking for this temple would occur in November. I had thought at that time that the groundbreaking might be held on Saturday November 9 or 16. But the First Presidency announced on September 24, 2019 that this temple’s groundbreaking would be held on this date, and that Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela, President of the Mexico Area of the Church, would preside thereat. I will be offering my estimate for the completion of this temple later on in this document.
December 15: Dedication for the Arequipa Peru Temple (167th operating temple)
Note: On May 21, 2019, the First Presidency also announced the dedication of this temple. Given the aforementioned past precedent, any apostle could preside over this temple dedication, with the only question being which of the 15 is most likely to actually do so. Insofar as I am aware, I know of no current apostle who has direct ties to Peru. So at this point, the prospect is too difficult to call. But I would imagine it could be any of the Spanish-speaking apostles.
Note: On May 21, 2019, the First Presidency also announced the dedication of this temple. Given the aforementioned past precedent, any apostle could preside over this temple dedication, with the only question being which of the 15 is most likely to actually do so. Insofar as I am aware, I know of no current apostle who has direct ties to Peru. So at this point, the prospect is too difficult to call. But I would imagine it could be any of the Spanish-speaking apostles.
Sunday December 29: Salt Lake Temple Renovation Closure (confirmed)
Note: On April 19, 2019, President Nelson announced renovation plans for the Salt Lake Temple, identifying this date for its’ closure. I will offer an estimate for its’ completion (which is anticipated in early-to-mid 2024) later in this document.
Final note on 2019: Groundbreakings have been held so far this year for the Urdaneta Philippines, Bangkok Thailand, Pocatello Idaho, Yigo Guam, Praia Cabo Verde, San Juan Puerto Rico, Quito Ecuador, Lima Peru Los Olivos, Belem Brazil, and Saratoga Springs Utah Temples, with the groundbreaking for the Puebla Mexico Temple having been scheduled as well. Based on what I have heard, it seems likely that 1-3 other temples might also have a groundbreaking before the end of 2019, namely: Harare Zimbabwe, Nairobi Kenya, and Bengaluru India Temples. Even if not all of them have a groundbreaking occur in 2019, many of them will likely have groundbreaking arrangements announced before the end of this year.
2020:
Sunday February 16: Dedication of the Durban South Africa Temple (168th operating temple; confirmed)
Note: On June 18, 2019, the First Presidency officially announced the open house and dedication information for this temple. The only question is who may preside at this temple’s dedication. Given that there will be far fewer temple dedications and rededications in 2020 than there were in 2019, it would not surprise me if a member of the First Presidency or senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was sent to dedicate this temple, with Elder Renlund accompanying the more senior apostle.
Saturday & Sunday April 4 & 5: 190th Annual General Conference
Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.
Late April-early May: Dedication of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple (169th operating temple)
Note: Although I had been hoping the dedication of this temple would take place sooner than this, given the fact that, as of late October 2019, there has been no announcement of the schedule for the open house and dedication of this temple, it seems more likely than not that the dedication could occur at around this time. And as noted above on the Durban South Africa Temple, given that only a handful of temple dedications and rededications will be occurring during 2020 (in contrast to 2019), it seems probable that a member of the First Presidency or senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate this temple, with Elder Soares accompanying the more senior apostle.
Late May-early June: Rededication of the Tokyo Japan Temple
Note: In view of the 2020 Summer Olympics being held in this city between mid-July and early August, I am reasonably certain the Church will want to have this temple rededicated prior to the Olympics so as not to steal the focus away from that. Any senior apostle (from President Nelson to Elder Christofferson) could preside at the rededication of this temple.
Saturday & Sunday October 3 & 4: 190th Semiannual General Conference
Note: Temple announcements are always possible, so it is not hard to believe that a few could be announced during this General Conference.
Mid-to-late October: Dedication of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple (170th operating temple)
Note: During August 2019, many sources available to me changed the general completion estimate for this temple to mid-to-late 2020. Given that fact, and through regauging the progress (and lack thereof) for this temple, an adjustment to this more specific estimate seems appropriate.
Late October-early November: Rededication of the Washington DC Temple
Final note on 2020: Based on what I have heard, 2020 seems as though it will be another big year for temple groundbreakings. I am specifically keeping my eyes open for information on the following temples: Brasilia Brazil, Greater Manila Philippines, Richmond Virginia, Layton Utah, Feather River California, Tooele Valley Utah, Auckland New Zealand, and San Pedro Sula Honduras Temples. But it would not at all surprise me in any way if other temples have a groundbreaking during 2020 as well, including some for which there is currently not a lot of information available.
2021:
Mid-February: Rededication of the Mesa Arizona Temple
Saturday & Sunday April 3 & 4: 191st Annual General Conference
Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.
Mid-to-late April: Dedication of the Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple (171st operating temple)
Note: At the groundbreaking for this temple (which occurred on November 8, 2018), Elder Neil L. Andersen, who presided at this event and gave his remarks in French, noted that construction of the temple was anticipated to take around two years. Additionally, as previously noted, many sources available to me from which I gather temple information have noted that this temple’s completion might not occur until early 2021. For that reason, I am moving my previous estimate for this temple’s dedication to this point.
June: Rededication of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple
Mid-September: Dedication of the Praia Cabo Verde Temple (172nd operating temple)
Saturday & Sunday October 2 & 3: 191st Semiannual General Conference
Note: Given that there have been 27 new temples announced during the first 3 General Conferences of President Nelson’s prophetic administration, I believe he will continue to announce temples every six months in General Conference, with the focus between each General Conference centered on doing all that can be done to clear the backlog of announced temples, at least for the time being.
Mid-to-late October: Dedication of the Yigo Guam Temple (173rd operating temple
Mid-November: Dedication of the Pocatello Idaho Temple (174th operating temple)
December: Dedication of the Quito Ecuador Temple (175th operating temple)
Final note on 2021: If, as anticipated, several more temples are announced in 2019 and 2020, and any which have not yet had a groundbreaking have that occur within that same time period, that in turn will multiply the number of known temple events which will likely occur in 2021 and the years beyond. As more is learned about future temple renovations, that will also have an impact on the number of future events.
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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