I have updated my temple prediction map in preparation for General Conference in April. The size of the Church in a specific geographical area (i.e. number of stakes and districts, the number of wards and branches), the age of the oldest stake in a specific geographical area, church growth trends, the distance to the nearest temple, the square-footage of the nearest temple, the historical number of weekly endowment sessions scheduled at the nearest temple, and member and missionary reports regarding member activity, temple attendance, and convert retention are variables used to identify prospective sites for future temple announcements. Also, I have considered traffic and transportation concerns with adding new temple locations to the map. My goal this time was to include all possible locations where temples may be announced considering the characteristics of locations where temples have been recently announced. Altogether, there are 217 potential temples on the map (20 more likely temples, 197 less likely temples) - 54 more locations than included on the map in September 2022. The following 66 locations have been added to the temples prediction map with this current update - all of which are less likely temples:
- Aguascalientes Mexico Temple
- Appleton Wisconsin Temple
- Aracaju Brazil Temple
- Arlington Washington Temple
- Beaumont Texas Temple
- Beaver Utah Temple
- Blackfoot Idaho Temple
- Broomfield Colorado Temple
- Caldwell Idaho Temple
- Cardiff Wales Temple
- Castle Dale Utah Temple
- Chalco Mexico Temple
- Ciudad Obregón Mexico Temple
- Coatzacoalcos Mexico Temple
- Concord New Hampshire Temple
- Cottonwood Heights/Holladay/Sandy Utah Temple
- Daru Papua New Guinea Temple
- Durango Mexico Temple
- Goodyear Arizona Temple
- Grace Idaho Temple
- Greenville South Carolina Temple
- Hamburg Germany Temple
- Harrisburg Pennsylvania Temple
- Hurricane Utah Temple
- Iowa City Iowa Temple
- Juchitán Mexico Temple
- Kanab Utah Temple
- La Ceiba Honduras Temple
- La Plata Argentina Temple
- Lethbridge Alberta Temple
- Likasi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple
- Mar del Plata Argentina Temple
- Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple
- Morgan Utah Temple
- Moscow Idaho Temple
- Nealticán Mexico Temple
- Nephi Utah Temple
- Norfolk Virginia Temple
- North Lima Peru Temple
- North London England Temple
- North Ogden Utah Temple
- Ontario Oregon Temple
- Paducah Kentucky Temple
- Preston Idaho Temple
- Quezon City Philippines Temple
- Retalhuleu Guatemala Temple
- Roosevelt Utah Temple
- São Luís Brazil Temple
- São Paulo Brazil South Temple
- San Juan Argentina Temple
- San Miguel de Tucumán Argentina Temple
- Santa Fe Argentina Temple
- Scotch Plains New Jersey Temple
- South Houston Texas Temple
- Southern Santiago Chile Temple
- Springfield Missouri Temple
- Sucre Bolivia Temple
- Sunderland England Temple
- Taichung Taiwan Temple
- Tapachula Mexico Temple
- Temecula California Temple
- Temuco Chile Temple
- Uberlândia Brazil Temple
- Vancouver Washington Temple
- Xalapa Mexico Temple
- Yakima Washington Temple
With this update, no temples were transferred from the less likely to be announced to the more likely to be announced category or vice versa.
The following 10 locations appear most likely to have temples announced this coming General Conference. As always, your prediction lists are welcome and encouraged.
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Spanish Fork, Utah
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Angeles or Olongapo, Philippines
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Kampala, Uganda
- Iquitos, Peru
- São José, Brazil
- Viña del Mar, Chile
- João Pessoa, Brazil
See below for the map of likely and less likely new temple sites:
245 comments:
1 – 200 of 245 Newer› Newest»It looks like the time has come. Here are my predictions for this conference. Full map at this link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=10lauuaMZA5ZyrCXU5DpKk1kbhZKpCExq&usp=sharing
20 guesses total
10 Cities:
1. Colorado Springs, Colorado
2. Flagstaff, Arizona
3. Charlotte, North Carolina
4. North-Western El Salvador
5. Kampala, Uganda
6. Bo, Sierra Leone
7. Abuja, Nigeria
8. Iquitos, Peru
9. Teresina, Brazil
10. Tirana, Albania
10 Metropolitan areas:
1. Phoenix, Arizona (Queen Creek (east end), Surprise (west end))
2. Provo, Utah (Springville/Mapleton)
3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Sao Goncalo)
4. Buenos Aires, Argentina (La Plata)
5. Santiago, Chile (Puente Alto, Vina del Mar)
6. Manila, Philippines (caloocan)
7. London, England (North or East)
8. Kinshasa, DROC (East or South)
9. Aba, Nigeria (Port Harcourt)
10. Atlanta, Georgia (Southern Atlanta, Athens)
My bet:
1. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
2. Osaka, Japan
3. Angeles or Olongapo, Philippines
4. Kampala, Uganda
5. Port Harcourt, Nigeria
6. Cape Coast, Ghana
7. London Hyde Park, England
8. Maracaibo, Venezuela
9. Iquitos, Peru
10. Valparaiso, Chile
11. Rosario, Argentina
12. Florianópolis/São José, Brazil
13. João Pessoa or Natal, Brazil
14. Charlotte, North Carolina
15. Spanish Fork, Utah
16. Price, Utah
17. San José, California
18. Cancun or La Paz Mexico
My predictions are Dublin Ireland, Mongolia, another in Lima Peru, another in Ghana and possibly another on Hong Kong
If temples are being built in Yuba City (Feather River) and now Modesto, I see no reason why Bakersfield would not get one now.
With the announcement that the Anchorage Alaska Temple is going to be reconstructed and the original temple decommissioned, I wonder how much material can be repurposed for a possible temple in Fairbanks?
As far as I can tell, ours is the sixth temple to have the distinction of the northernmost temple in the Church (starting with St. George), something we've held on to for more than 20 years. It's just a matter of time before Fairbanks takes that away from us.
Hello again, everyone! I will get to my thoughts on potential new temples in a second, but I wanted to first mention an interesting report from the Church News, which reported this morning on a weekend ministry trip made by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to Madagascar and other island nations detached from the rest of the African continent:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/2/20/23606700/elder-cook-invites-families-focus-savior-madagascar-reunion-mauritia
My attention was particularly drawn to the fifth paragraph from the top (the one just above the subheading “Home-centered gospel learning”. The relevant text follows (with the important part in bold text as my emphasis: “The nearly 14,000 members who call the island nation home showed excitement to learn from Elder Cook as they prepare to break ground on a temple that was announced in the October 2021 general conference by President Russell M. Nelson.”
My reason for mentioning this is that, if the Church is preparing to break ground for the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple soon, a new Church announcement simultaneously confirming the site location, releasing a rendering, and scheduling a groundbreaking for that temple could potentially be made in the next few weeks if not sooner, which would allow the groundbreaking to follow in April or May.
Now, as far as my thoughts on new temples, one thing President Nelson has repeatedly emphasized in several General Conference talks in the last several years is that "unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures." We also know that the Church has been able to speed up the confirmation of official details for temples, most of which are getting at least a site announcement within a year of their announcements. We also know that new methods have accelerated construction, and that the modular design of some temples is likely to extend to other locations around the world as more companies are trained on and contracted for such projects.
Since President Nelson has showed no signs of slowing the announcement of new temples, and since last year's report of 35 new temples proved to be correct, I'm going to boldly conjecture here that the Church could announce a minimum of 40 new temples this year. Similar to the 17/17 split for the announcement of new temples last year, if 40 new temples are announced, I'd anticipate a split of 19/21, or 21/19 if the minimum is 40.
Also, Christopher Duerig, I know you're probably interested in my thoughts about new temple locations. Here's a link to the document I've prepared of possible locations that could have a temple announced this year (some of which may be more likely in April or October):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yCDjUKiNbDfs55uIMmk87CQyUa2cFwBauP403bB0I-Q/edit?usp=sharing
Since I'm anticipating a 19/21 or 21/19 split this year for the minimum of 40 new temples, I will need to update my thoughts about the most likely announced locations by area for the upcoming General Conference. When I have that done, I will share a link to that either in the threads of this post or in the threads of another post here. Just my preliminary thoughts, for what it's worth.
Thanks for your thoughts. This is pretty fun guessing.
All I know is that the Lord ultimately knows where he wants his temples. I mean, I never would have guessed arras like Afton, Wyoming or Montpelier, Idaho.
Moreover, with the average temple account generally exceeding 10 each conference, I think expanding to from a Top 10 to a Top 20 would be most prudent.
Here are my thoughts:
1. Osaka, Japan
2. Angeles or Olongapo, Philippines
3. Kampala, Uganda
4. Port Harcourt, Nigeria
5. Cape Coast, Ghana
6. Vina Del Mar/Valparaiso, Chile
7. Rosario, Argentina
8. João Pessoa or Natal, Brazil
9. Charlotte, North Carolina
10. Spanish Fork, Utah
11. Price, Utah
12. North Ogden, Utah
13. San José, California
14. Cancun or La Paz, Mexico
15. Santa Ana, El Salvador
16. Savai’i, Samoa
17. Buena Vista, Virginia
18. New Delhi, India
19. Colorado Springs, Colorado
20. Maracaibo, Venezuela
I predict the following 12 temples will be announced (listed in the order of how likely I think they are to be announced):
Kampala, Uganda
Florianopolis, Brazil
Osorno, Chile
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Lehi, Utah
Glasgow, Scotland
Rosario, Argentina
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Iquitos, Peru
Santiago De Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
In the event that more than 12 are announced (I think there won't be, but I could well be wrong), I think the following are the next 8 most likely (to bring the list to James's predicted 20-ish):
Joao Pessoa, Brazil
Chihuahua, Mexico
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Neuquen, Argentina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Cancun, Mexico
Comas District, Lima, Peru
Chorillos District, Lima, Peru
I also think that if/when the Venezuelan government relents, a temple in Maracaibo, Venezuela will be promptly announced.
--Felix
TEMPLE PREDICTIONS – APRIL 2023 GENERAL CONFERENCE
TOP 20
1. Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
2. Colorado Springs, Colorado
3. Iquitos, Peru
4. Herriman, Utah
5. Tierra del Fuego - Punta Arenas / Ushuaia
6. San Jose, California
7. Charlotte, North Carolina
8. Alamosa, Colorado
9. João Pessoa Brazil
10. Queen Creek, Arizona
11. Flagstaff, Arizona
12. Portland / Augusta / Bangor, Maine
13. Kanab, Utah
14. Kampala, Uganda
15. Price, Utah
16. Christchurch, New Zealand
17. Edinburgh, Scotland
18. Belfast, Northern Ireland
19. Surprise, Arizona
20. El Paso, Texas
The Mexico City Factor: (multiple temples in a metro area)
Pacifica, CA
San Jose, CA
Queen Creek, AZ
Surprise, AZ
Summerlin, NV
Henderson, NV
Green Valley, NV
The Elko Factor: (2 Stakes and distance to current temple)
Flagstaff, Arizona
Prescott, Arizona
Kanab, Utah
Overton / Mequite, Nevada
St. David, Arizona
Alamosa, Colorado
Gilmer, Texas
Evanston, Wyoming
Coalville, Utah
Driggs, Idaho
Gallup, New Mexico
Lethbridge, Alberta
Cove Fort, UT
Wasatch Front Factor:
Spanish Fork, Utah
Santaquin, Utah
Nephi, Utah
Richfield, Utah
Fillmore, Utah
Delta, Utah
Price, Utah
Islands of the Sea Factor:
Majuro Marshall Islands
Edinburgh, Scotland
St. Johns, Newfoundland
Hobart, Tasmania
Las Palmas, Canary Islands
Edinburgh, Scotland
Kingston, Jamaica
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
New Caledonia
Christchurch, New Zealand
High Growth / High Concentration Factor:
Queen Creek, Arizona
Buena Vista, Virginia
Surprise, Arizona
Complete Long Shots
Ottawa, Ontario
Milan, Italy
Moncton, New Brunswick
Some possible temple sizes:
Queen Creek, Arizona (90k sq. ft.)
Buena Vista, Virginia (40k sq. ft.)
Surprise, Arizona (40k sq. ft.)
El Paso (30k sq. ft.)
Colorado Springs (30k sq. ft.)
Majuro (10k sq. ft.)
@anonymous
I think that this is probably the best list of predictions I've seen. I really like how you approached it.
TEMPLE PREDICTIONS – APRIL 2023 GENERAL CONFERENCE
I made the comments / predictions above.
I want to make another comment that has been on my mind the last five months. I live in the Book of Mormon belt, but not in Utah. I noticed right after General Conference in October, that Arizona is the only western state without a temple under construction or announced. There are 450k members and 125 Stakes (rough estimates) in Arizona. Even though there are six temples operating in Arizona, I could see three to six more being announced in the next two years. Similar to the trend we have seen in Texas the last few years.
I easily see another big 90k sq. ft. temple being built in the SE Valley, probably in or around Queen Creek. The Gilbert Temple is always busy. There is steady growth in the SE Valley all the way to Florence. This temple would probably have super strong attendance as soon as it would be completed, lets say late 2026.
There are three large stakes in Surprise (NW Valley) and almost enough members for a fourth stake. The Church still owns a lot of land in Surprise along the 303 Freeway. This land was used for agricultural purposes in the past, but is now being developed into large residential and commercial projects. Members here travel about 30 minutes to the Phoenix Temple, which was dedicated in 2014. A temple here, also reduces the travel time for the members in the Goodyear and Buckeye areas. A 40 sq. ft. temple along the 303, maybe adjacent to the Surprise AZ Stake Center is definitely possible.
Using the Elko factor, I can also temples being announced in Flagstaff and Prescott. Both cities have two stakes and both have strong attendance and temple ordinance worker participation at the Phoenix temple. 10k sq. ft. temples in both cities is very possible in the near future. Reduces travel by 90 to 120 minutes.
I think a 10k sq. ft. temple in the Benson / St. David area is also possible. Strong church history in this area. Still strong membership base (Sierra Vista to Willcox) to support a temple. Greatly reduces travel time to Tucson or Gila Valley.
A little less likely, would be 10k sq. ft. temples in places like Kingman or Yuma. Members here, travel long distances to the Las Vegas and San Diego temples respectively. A temple in Henderson reduces travel time significantly for members in Kingman. Yuma is kind of in no mans land. Yuma does a large influx of winter visitors. Temples here are possible.
I know there is a temple under construction in Farmington, NM to serve the four corners area, but I would still love to see a hexagonal hogan-shaped temple somewhere on the Navajo Nation. Maybe Window Rock, maybe Kayenta. The Navajo Reservation is 27,000 sq. miles. That is a bit smaller than South Carolina and slightly larger than West Virginia. There are two stakes across the reservation. Snow, wind and extreme cold could make travel in the wintertime difficult. A temple on the reservation would be a great blessing to the native members.
Please comment on any of these ideas if you would like.
I've personally noticed a similar trend. I think that it makes sense to compare Arizona to Idaho, since both states have similar numbers of members, stakes, and average temple size (average size for Idaho does not include the two most recently announced temples). Idaho has had 3 temples announced in the last 2 years. Since Arizona has had zero I have actually been surprised that no temples have been announced for the state by President Nelson. Idaho currently has 15.5 stakes per temple whereas Arizona has 19.3. Which makes it the have the highest stake to temple ratio (with exception to Utah, and when Maryland and Virginia's stakes and temples are summed together). Since it is obvious that there should be more temples announced in Arizona, 3 would have to be announced to have Arizona get down to a little more than the 15 stakes to temple ratio (which honestly, it seems the church is shooting for 12 stakes per temple, but I say 15 here to be conservative).
I think that 2 of these 3 would be in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler MSA. I wonder if the reason President Nelson hasn't announced any there yet was because announcements in Queen Creek and Surprise would certainly follow the "multiple temples in major metropolitan areas" criteria.
I can continue the list of the rest of the 515 historical Missions' Presidents if anyone is interested and help fill in the missing Dates or Presidents. Just let me know in the comments.
I have to admit I just do not know where temples will be announced.
I am guessing we will see 2-3 more temples announced for metro Manilla.
I had noted that Arizona is the furthest west state of the contiguous 48 without a temple announced under President Nelson. 2 other places lacking are Australia and Canada.
Arizona has seen a growth in stakes. I would not be surprised if President Nelson announced temples for Tempe, Queen Creek, downtown Phoenix and Surprise. Well, only a little surprised.
The other temples I think will be announced are:
Charlotte, North Carolina
Cincinatti, Ohio
Buena Vista, Virginia
Macon or Savannah, Georgia
Jackson, Mississippi
Waco, Texas
El Paso, Texas
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Appleton, Wisconsin
Des Moines, Iowa
Paducah, Kentucky
Champaign, Illinois
Nephi, Utah
Price, Utah
Lehi, Utah
Harriman, Utah
Farmington, Utah
Somewhere in Weber County
San Jose, California
Bakersfield, California
Ventura County, California
A second temple in El Salvador
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Jamaica
Maracaibo, Venezuela
Joao Passoa, Brazil
Soracaba, Brazil
Florianapolis, Brazil
Resistance, Argentina
Rosario, Argentina
Vina del Mar, Chile
Otavalo, Ecuador
Iquitos, Peru
Chihuahua, Mexico
Poza de Rica, Mexico
Cancun, Mexico
Chilpancinco, Mexico
Glasgow, Scotland
Hyde Park, London, England
Hamburg, Germany
Milan, Italy
Bordeaux, France
Tirana, Albania
Bo, Sierra Leone
Yamasoukro, Ivory Coast
Abuja, Nigeria
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Kampala, Uganda
Mbuji-Maye, DR Congo
Maputo, Mozambique
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
New Delhi, India
Jakarta, Indonesia
Christ Church, New Zealand
Nagoya, Japan
Nagano, Japan
Ha'apai Group, Tonga
Sava'i, Samoa
2nd temple in French Polynesia
Maputo, Marshal Islans
Honolulu, Hawai'i
Fairbanks, Alaska
OK. I know my list is crazy long.
I actually meant Metro Lima with 2-3 more temples. Metro Manila would not surprise me either. I am thinking another in Guatemala as well, but can not quite place it, and it might not be until fall.
Cuiaba, Brazil is a dark horse.
With Mesquite stake sitting I am wondering if Logandake, Nevada is a contender for a temple.
Northest New Jersey is also a contender, although naming and placement are hard to formulate. Scanton, Pennsylvania is a candidate, but maybe not yet. Norfolk/Virginia Beach is an outside contender. So is Baltimore. So is Winchester, Virginia. Still the first list might work.
Manchester, New Hampshire has some chance.
My dark horse of all dark horses is Potosi, Bolivia. Well, Enugu, Nigeria is also a super dark horse. So isLime, Togo.
I probably should have put Cape Coast, Ghana on my list.
On the missions, the EzraTaft Brnson who was pro-tem in Britain in 1913 is not the later president of the Church,he was 13 or 14 then, and his great grandfather who was an apostle was dead. The president of the Church his father George D. Benson Jr. Served in Britain, but I think more like 1909-1911. It is probably a cousin of some sort to the Church president.
Also 2 presidents are listed for 1899-1901. So Widstoe was still in Britain while A. W. Lund was British Mission President. This is also why President Hinckley's Mission president, Joseph F. Merrill is not on the list. I believe President Hinckley served 933-1935
Under John A. Widstoe the office of British Mission president was split from that of European Mission president. I think this means Douglas was G. Homer Durham's Mission president. Durham was in the British Mission office while Hinckley was in the European Mission office.
Alonzo Pratt Kessler was unmarried while president of the Eastern States Mission. He got engaged, or was about to propose to Leah Dunford, but instead Leah married John A. Widstoe. This is mentioned in Saints Vol. 3, although Kessler is only referred to as an unmarried Mission president in the text, his name is only in a footnote.
George Q. Morris who was Eastern States Mission president from 1948-1952 was made an apostle in 1956. He was one of the oldest men ever made an apostle.
Actually Elder Morris was called in 1954. He was born in Feb. 1874, so 80 years old. Joseph Firlding Smith, the president of the quorum of the 12 then, was born in 1876, so 2 years younger than Morris. This means Morris was 74 when he became mission president. I am sure it is the same person.
David Lawrence McKay was made head of the NYC mission after he was released as general head of the Sunday School. Russell M. Nelson succeeded him as Sunday School head. I am pretty sure he was Elder Rasband's mission president. David K. McKay was David O. McKay oldest son.
The southeast valley in Phoenix is definitely a place rumored, the site talked about is just north of the 24 freeway nearly finished as a four lane skeleton freeway to Signal Butte, the site is said to be on the NE corner of Signal Butte and the 24.
A plan ia to run a freeway N/S from Apache Junction to Eloy and that would be only a few miles east of Signal Butte, other major roads like Ellsworth and Ironwood/Ganzel are already in place and fully built out.
Many Queen Creek subdivisions ehindare on old church agricultural land and that fact is in homeowner title histories. The new city will eventually go down to Hunt Highway on the south.
On the west side, Buckeye is at 180k population and Goodyear is not far behind, that entire 303 corridor south of Bell is as mentioned getting a lot of industrial like Amazon, Puma, etc, and other trucking hubs. The residential growth is expected to double and even triple in those areas, so I am sure a temple is on the radar for that. The Phoenix Temple is accessible not too far from the 303, 101, and 17, so siting a far west temple south of say Northern/Northern Parkway will do more good than Surprise although that area is growing too, which goes firstt is another question.
My predictions are:
Gold Coast, QLD Australia
Canberra, ACT Australia
Hobart, TAS Australia
Christchurch, New Zealand
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Niue
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Glasgow, Scotland
Dublin, Ireland
Berlin Germany
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
My list for predicted most absurd temple announcements (make no sense to me, but hey, why not). They had to be in the list of possible temple announcements, otherwise obviously you could just pick places where there are already temples with few members:
Yakima, Washington
Hurricane, Utah
Iowa City, Iowa
Lahore, Pakistan
New Dehli, India
Dusseldorf, Germany
Sunderland, England
Champaign/Bloomington, Illinois
Blackfoot, Idaho
Nealtican, Mexico
Montpelier, Vermont
Guayana City, Venezuela
Sao Paulo South
Yopougon Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire
Kinshasa Congo #2
Brisbane Australia #2
Nuku'alofa Tonga #2
The bar for "most absurd" approaches the bar for "most likely" more and more each conference. At some point, given the numbers listed here, the church will have to build every temple in the more and less likely categories and then still find places to build. That's gonna be a wild ride.
My picks:
Utah:
Utah Valley South (Springville/Mapleton/Spanish Fork)
Delta
Extreme South SL County (Bluffdale)
Price
Tremonton
Idaho:
Blackfoot
Oregon:
Salem
California:
San Jose
Redding
Bakersfield
Ventura
Arizona:
Prescott Valley
Cochise County
Rest of USA:
Houston II (east OR south side of city)
Jackson MS
EITHER Little Rock AR, Tulsa OK, or Springfield MO
Charlotte NC
Appleton WI
Cincinnati OH
Des Moines IA
Mexico:
Cancun Q.R.
Saltillo COAH
La Paz BCS
Istmo OAX
Central America:
El Salvador II
South America
Medellin CO
Maracaibo VE
Lima III and IV PE
Iquitos PE
Valpo/Viña CL
Punta Arenas CL OR Ushuaia AR
Neuquén AR
Triple Frontera PY/AR/BR
Cuiaba BR
Teresina BR
Eastern Hemisphere
Yamousoukkro CI
Abuja NG
Lome TG
Kampala UG
Milan IT
Edinburgh UK
Dublin IE
Gold Coast II AU
Hobart AU
Wellington NZ
Honaira SI
Osaka JP
Lahore PK
This is exactly how I feel about this situation. We need to increase outreach to the poor and excluded. On earth as it is in heaven, it is necessary to expand pastoral work in some way.
International wellfare initiatives, international colleges (our dream BYU Brazil campus as an example) and regional youth activity centers would be other useful ways to invest. You have all that over there in America. We, here in Brazil, only have chapels and temples.
In particular, greater investment in the arts for youth in international areas would be helpful. We have lost many young people to churches where music is a true spectacle, light show and emotion. I love the sacred hymns of the church, but the same two hundred songs (barely) played on a piano every Sunday doesn't excite and hold back any investigators anymore.
I may be dreaming big, but I would love to see youth groups like BYU Vocal Point perform at cultural events for our youth here. Career opportunities springing up within church academies, where it's safe to study without so much world influence... Wellfare centers and bishops storehouses in big cities... You guys have it all, we just have endless meetings with minimal results. Just suggesting ways of investing in people and not just in reserves that, in a crisis situation, may never reach to the provinces.
Unfortunately Matt's message has been deleted. I was replying to him. Just to finish, Brazil is the third strength of the church, it could receive a little more.
Daniel, did you see the Church's notice a while ago indicating that local cultural events are being encouraged by the Church? And there was the other announcement made by the Tabernacle Choir President that "Music & the Spoken Word" would have Spanish and Portuguese versions complete with native speakers and slingers? The Choir also announced that talented Church members living in various world areas would be invited to sing with the Choir in the upcoming General Conference? I'm also excited for the global new hymnbooks and children's songbooks. If you want to read about those updates, I'd be happy to find that information for you. Thanks for bringing an international view to our discussions here.
I like how my comment was censored even with a scripture in it.
Matt - This is not a place to vent your frustrations about the Church. Your comments will be deleted if they are off topic or inappropriate. Otherwise, your are welcome to comment here about your thoughts regarding trends in church growth and missionary work.
I am talking about major news that is absolutely relevant to the growth and existence of the church. Missionaries are going to get asked about this 100x a day for the next month. WE are going to have to confront this because it is more of an existential question/problem to us than where and how many temples are being built. I am not stopping anyone from having fun with predictions and discussions, this just happens to be the most recent thread. Nothing I have written is threatening, my words can be taken or left as you wish.
I understand what I said was upsetting/provocative. It is your blog, I respect that, and we happen to share a common name. I did not call anyone out, use profanity, use your platform for an agenda, or say anything that could be deemed inappropriate. I was respectful, cited scripture, cited facts, gave some opinions, and called to peaceful Christ-like action e.g. throwing out the money changers and giving to the needy.
It is fact that the church has vast amounts of wealth and was found and cited for concealing it by a federal regulatory body. This was not a mistake, it bothers me, and I refuse to just ignore it. I am rightfully frustrated with actions I believe are incongruent with the stated mission of the gospel. Avoiding this topic won't help anything and I can't think of a better audience to weigh in on thoughts and SOLUTIONS. If that doesn't frustrate you, or if we can't talk about it, then at least consider Matthew 25:35-46.
@Daniel I am inspired by your enthusiasm and pray that you bless many lives making those dreams come true!
To Matt (the owner of this blog), feel free to delete any of my comments you deem inappropriate or unacceptable. I've been known on this blog for saying things at times in a way or tone that came across differently than what I meant to convey. To the "other Matt", I started replying to your comment before it was deleted, and once the comment I was replying to got deleted, I deleted my comments on the matter. But if you are willing to have an open conversation about this matter, I'm happy to provide the following text of my previous comment addressing your original comment, which read as follows (edited for length, clarity and tone, to the best of my ability):
Matt, I mean no disrespect here, but there are more nonreligious entities reporting on this "upsetting" report than religious entities, and most of the sources referred to my phone by my search engine cast a very negative spin on this scenario. I recommend reading information put out by trusted sources on this. The situation in question relates to incorrect legal advice the Church assumed was accurate. And the SEC investigation only started due to a whistleblower complaint from a disaffected member of the Church who openly admitted he made the complaint because the Church would not agree to refund his offerings given while he was still a believing member. He also openly admitted to blowing the whistle so he could benefit from the settlement or legal fees regarding the matter. The Church chose to address the matter now to debunk some falsehoods about this situation.
If the Church got legal advice that appeared to be wise but wasn't accurate, the fault rests on the lawyers who advocated for what the Church did and how it was done. The Church was likely under a legal requirement not to address this matter publicly until it was settled.These facts are readily verified when you go past the sensationalized reports and find out what really happened. The Church's assertion that the matter is settled is accurate according to public records.
The Church frequently donates to worthy causes around the world. Anyone who listened to President Oaks' talk on that subject (from the most recent General Conference) and who read the released report on charitable contributions to which he also alluded in that same address would know that the Church does all of what you mentioned they should be doing, and that they do it all the time: providing necessary funding or supplies to support charitable efforts globally while also being able to help the Church grow the way it needs in the present to and setting aside reserves for future needs.
I trust the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Presiding Bishopric, as divinely appointed and doctrinally mandated (D&C 119 and 120), to be wise stewards of Church resources, and the Lord trusts them as well. As Wilford Woodruff put it, "The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty."
I don't see the Lord moving any of the current Brethren out of their place. What I see is the Church taking action to correct an error of which they were ignorant until it was pointed out by the SEC based on their investigation resulting from the whistleblower complainant, who, if sources at the time this complaint was made are correct, actually stands to profit from the settlement in this case. That man would likely be thrown out of the temple as a money-changer if the Savior were dealing with Him today.
I have had the privilege of both being a financial clerk responsible for tracking Church donations in my congregation, and at other times being a direct beneficiary of the Church's charitable efforts when I have needed that. Knowledge is power, and as soon as the Church was advised by the SEC of the problem, they took prompt action to correct the situation, and were absolutely transparent about it when they were legally able to offer a statement on the matter.
I apologize for the unprovoked sermon, but I think we'd all be wise to think twice and consult multiple reliable sources before we assume or assert that the Church would be better suited to take action A or focus more on topic B. There's a lot that goes into how the Church does what they do, and even the best and most reliable sources may not paint an accurate complete picture of what's actually factual in cases like this, because when it comes to legal issues, at times the Church has had a gag order in place before they could speak publicly about the matteer. Getting off my soapbox now. Thanks for your time and attention.
Dear James, I've read some of these news and I'm so excited about all of them! I'm afraid the Area Presidency needs a lot of support to implement them here. I'm a self-taught musician, but I wanted to see my daughter receive encouragement and musical training in the church, something we don't have in schools here. I look forward to seeing the next generation take advantage of these opportunities and would like to help implement them.
The one problem I see is that in some world areas, it seems the focus is more on "no Churchwide pageants" than on "local congregations may hold multistake or regional events." I am definitely looking forward to the new music and the Tabernacle Choir's efforts to expand their global reach. I'm cautiously optimistic that the new hymnal and children's songbooks will be released sometime in 2025, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the existing hymnbooks and children's songbooks.
My desire is to collaborate on all possible fronts. I have been applying for jobs at CES and other departments in order to increase my participation power. I have an MBA degree and experience in the Brazilian public service, which is why I can say: it is wonderful to see results arising from voluntary work, but with the right investment and the right policies, growth becomes sustainable for many years and allows us to seek bigger targets. This direction in investments would be the stone rolling off the mountain.
This is the point! Without a church school, multistake meetings are the chance youth have to meet and marry. They are fundamental... In São Paulo they only happen once a year. In the rest of Brazil, perhaps there is not even a regional activity.
I've also served as a stake auditor, and I've witnessed some cases that had to be handled by area professionals. I also want to reaffirm my confidence in the leadership and that my focus here is to demonstrate hope that more can be done within the church's program. I limited myself to dealing with the application of the expense and not the quality of the investments, since I have no knowledge in this area.
Temples are the most important thi g in advancing the work of Jesus Christ on the earth.
I do not appreciate how those who are faithful followers of Jesus Christ have been attacked and denigrated on this discussion board.
This is not the place to discuss such things, and the rude denigrating attacks on those of us who actually comment on the post at hand are extremely hurtful.
I am tired of people turning every place on the internet into a forum to spew hate.
Looking forward to the South American missions
Serge Ballif who was Swiss Mission president was Ezra Taft Benson's great grandfather, his father's other grandfather besides apostle Ezra T. Benson. Ballin was a French speaking native of Switzerland, although he was resident in Utah when called as mission president.
An old church almanac would probably give the name of the Italian mission president when the mission was reformed in 1966.
I wish I had kept those old almanacs, but I sadly got rid of them.
JPL, we have many diametrically opposed opinions, but on this we agree. Now, the discussion I bring is important because it has an impact on poor people with a high growth rate, both in Brazil and in Africa: we don't have a culture of readers. Often, it is still necessary for someone to help the brothers in the simple habit of reading. If we apply Maslow's pyramid theory to the covenant path, we realize that some needs are not met before the member is invited to move up in level. Before reaching the final goal, the tip of the pyramid (the temple), other needs have to be met: educational, cultural and belonging. It is at this point that I wanted to comment, as these situations are the key to retention and reactivation. I know these terms are anachronistic, but I couldn't think of anything better at the time. In the USA this protection and support network is much more consolidated, it could be expanded a little more in this time of good harvest. I would be grateful to know your opinion about this.
Ward E. Pack, Hawai'i mission president was my 3rd great grandfather.
Alma L. Smith was the boy whose hip was blown off at the Haun's Mill Masacre but through prayers from his mother and maybe a priesthood blessing he was largely healed.
The Joseph Fielding Smith who was mission president in both Hawai'i and Britain is the man normally referred to as Joseph F. Smith.
I believe John A. Widstoe actually was the European Mission President until 1933 and Ewas directly succeeded by Joseph F. Merrill.
Ezra Taft Benson was president of the European Mission in 1946 and maybe some of 1947. He also was president again in about 1965-1967, his connections in Italy from his time as US Ag Sec were key to the Church getting recognized there and founding a mission. The Hinckleys one time after touring Asia stopped at the Benson's house in Frankfurt on their way home to the US. They may have even spent Christmas there.
For that reason when Turley in his bio of Dallin H. Oaks says that when Elders Oaks and Holland were sent to the Philippines and Chile it was the first time in over 50 years an apostle had been assigned to live abroad he is just plain wrong. At that point it had been about 35 years since Elder Benson returned from Europe.
However Elder Benson's second mission assignment to Europe may be considered a distinct mission unit.
Actually I misspoke on Ballif. President Benson's ancestor was Louis Ballif. Serge was either an uncle, or a 1st cousin once removed of President Benson. Probably his great uncle, his grandmother Benson's (maiden name Ballif, wife of George Benson Sr.) Brother. Balluf was succeeded by Thomas E. McKay. McKay was the younger brother of David O. McKay, who was President Benson's mission president. Thomas E. McKay was one of the 1st 5 assistant to the quorum of the 12.
Randell N. Mabey and Edwin Q. Cannon who were Swiss Mission presidents later with their wives were the first 4 missionaries sent to Nigeria (and Ghana). They went to both places, and baptized in both.
The picture one can see of the line getting baptized is of Cannon baptizing. That line probably had more people than the entire Swiss Mission baptized some months when Cannon was president there.
The picture was taken about 8 miles from Etinan which had a temple announced for it last year.
Note that picture is not the first baptism in the village, I believe Ikot Eyo. If you look at it you will see two brethren standing to the side of the line. They are the witnesses, were baptized a few weeks earlier, had been ordained to the priesthood and one was either branch president then or would be so designated just after the baptism in the picture.
Wikipedia says that Thomas E. McKay retained his office as Mission president of the Swiss Mission after 1940 until 1946 even though he was then residing in Salt Lake City. I have not dug to figure out what the source for that is.
The Edward Patridge who was Hawai'ian Mission president is Edward Partridge Jr, son of the first bishop called in this dispensation.
E. Wesley Smith was the first president of the Hawai'ian mission born in Hawai'i. He was born there while his father Joseph F. Smith was there in the 1880s avoiding arrest by those trying to enforce the Edmunds Act and destroy the Church.
Castle Murphy was simultaneously president of the Hawai'ian Mission and the Hawai'ian Temple. Most of the temple workers were also missionaries. I believe this set up only lasted a year.
D. Arthur Haycock, president of the Hawaii Mission 1954-1958 was secretary to George Albert Smith and Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee and Spencer W. Kimball. He was Hawai'i Temple president in the 1980s. He may have been the last Hawai'i Temple president who was not a resident of Hawai'i. It was not until the 1990s that T. David Hannemann was the first Polynesian to be Hawai'i Temple president. Hannemann was a missionary in Hawai'i around 1950, born in American Samoa, and later the first full time employee of the Polynesian Cultural Center. He went to California to work in the tourism industry in the early 1970s, but came back to Hawai'i in the late 1970s, so had been resident there straight at least 15 years when he was made Temple president.
Hannemann instituted policies as temple president to have more BYU-Hawai'i students serve as temple workers. This is a key factor in the temples being announced across the Pacific and in Asia of late.
Elder Kikuchi was a general authority seventy when Hawaii Mission president. He may have been the first non-white Hawai'ian Mission president.
I noticed that the unofficial sight that catalogs Church Temples at some point went from listing all temple presidents to listing all temple presidents and matrons.
It was not until George F. Richards became president of the Salt Lake Temple (a step in decentralizing things, the Church went from a member of the 1st presidency to just an apostle over the Salt Lake Temple. True Lorenzo Snow was not yet president of the Church when he began his term as temple president when the Salt Lake Temple opened, but I believe he was president of the 12, Elder Richards was in the lower half if the 12 by seniority when put in charge of the Salt Lake Temple.)
Saints Vol. 3 actually addresses the ways President Grant deconsolidated things when he became president of the Church.
Anyway Elder Richards got his wife made matron. However I think there were a few cases of a matron who was not the wife of the temple president as late as the 1950s, maybe into the 1960s.
Temple presidents generally served 5 years in the 1870s and until about 1985. It is only after that that they serve 3 years. President Hinckley tried to make 5 years standard for the small temples he announced starting in 1997, but starting in about 2005 or so almost all temples went to 3 years for presidents.
I have been able to identify multiple cases of sons of temple presidents being temple presidents. It helps my current temple president is the son of a former temple president. Also that Joseph F. Smith and Joseph Fielding Smith were both president of the Salt Lake Temple.
President Wilmott currently on the Toronto Temple, to be succeeded by Brother Wong this year, is the son of the temple president of the Toronto Temple in the late 1990s.
There are probably other examples. The only example I found with a matron being the daughter of a previous matron is a case where a women became matron after her mother died and her father remained temple president, I think in the 1930s.
There are probably other cases. I will need to develop a better database to find them.
So I was thinking we maybe should list the mission president companion. Her role today is now defined as co-mission leader. She was not part of the mission council even until 2014 though. Starting about 1915 she was mission relief society president, but with the rise of stakes in mission areas that eventually ended.
Before about 1906 mission presidents often were not accompanied by their wives, and single men at times served as mission president.
When Wilford Woodruff presided over the Eastern States Missiin in the late 1840s, Phoebe C. Woodruff his wife was set apart to accompany him. There are other examples of this but others like Anthon Lund left their wife behind.
There are 3 presidents listed for the AustrLian Mission who started in 1878 and served until either 1879 or 1880. I wonder what the story behind that is?
I just noticed that Joseph B. Wirthlin had less than 1 year terms over both the Swiss and the Sydney Australia Missions. Both after he became a general authority seventy. One in 1977 and the other in 1980. I wonder what was going on there?
Miner G. Atwood of the South African Mission is an uncle of mine. His niece married Ward E. Pack's son of the same name.
I believe the current child's songbook was released in 1989, it was a few years after the hymnbook.
FSY is a key program for youth togetherness.
I am not sure Heinrich "Henry" Eyring had many missionaries under him when he lead the Indian Territory Mission. Some of the time it may just have been him.
I have a biography of Lorenzo Snow written by Thomas C. Romney. I suspect it is the same Thomas C. Romney who lead the Central States Mission.
On the issue of cultural action and the Church, the 2023 youth theme video was filmed in the Domincan Republic not just with a Domincan cast but by a Dominican crew.
Then there is the film "Heart of Africa" made by a Latter-day Saint director from DR Congo. It is at most the third feature length film made by a Congolese director period. The whole project was largely done by Congolese, although Nargaret Blair Young an American who was with her husband a senior missionary in a mission that included the Congo was a force involved in the project as well.
It is telling that the first two presidents of the Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple had both been teachers at Liahona High School.
Alexander Nibley who was mission president in the Netherlands just before Sylvester Q. Cannon's 2nd term was Hugh Nibley's father. Alexander was single at the time, and started as a missionary and then was moved to mission president. This was sometimes done in the 19th century and until at least 1910. George Albert Smith as a young mission secretary was left at times for several months as acting mission president by J. Golden Kimball. Smith was married at the time, but in his early 20s. His wife Lucy Woodruff Smith was with him for about half his mission. She died about a decade before he became Church president and he never remarried. George Albert Smith is to date the only church president who had no living wife the entire time he was president of the Church.
John P. Lillywhite who was Netherlands Mission president I believe was a key figure in the life of Boyd K. Packer.
Both Sylvester Q. Cannon and LeGrand Richards were later Presiding bishop. The Netherlands Misdion may be the only one with 2 presidents to later be Presiding bishop.
Frank I. Kooyman who was Netherland Mission president was a native of the Nwtherlands bur resident in Utah when he was called as mission president. He was a hymnwritter, among his works were "Thy Spirit Lird Has Stirred Our Souls" and "How Beautiful Thy Temples Lord."
John Pack Lambert - Please limit your comments to just 1-2 per time you comment. This is so much information, and it does not provide opportunity for discussion from others.
Without the desire to analyze the scandal in which the church has been involved, which is nothing new, what I regret the most about this is that before there was less access to information and that kept us innocent.
There is enough money to build temples in many places that are required considering the distances, however, I don't know if there are so many volunteers or workers for it. I still dream of having temples closer in cities in Chile, Colombia, america, Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and beautiful and spacious temples are needed for genealogical work.
As a Chilean I know that there are not enough workers or volunteers to have all the churches that are needed, and I assume that it is similar to other countries.
I hope that the familysearch centers are more accessible, since today it is not like that.
I live 3 hours from the nearest temple, and a temple is needed in Viña or Valparaiso, as in other cities, everything is very expensive and money is scarce, the temple will be a blessing with its announcements.
@Daniel Moretti, I share your desire for more cultural, educational, and other church activities. There used to be substantially more of this than there is now, even (in fact especially) in Utah, where much of the fabric of the local communities has been snipped apart, piece by piece, as the church has focused on streamlining, centralizing, and uniformity. An effort that in my view has had significant detrimental effects. I would like to see that reversed, and see more cultural and educational programs restored in Utah and implemented in places with large numbers of stakes, such as Sao Paulo. I think having too little of such opportunities has been very detrimental for the youth in particular, and reflects a failure to remember Joseph Smith's teaching that the temporal and spiritual cannot be separated, as all things are spiritual unto the Lord.
I know there are those here who will insist that the changes that have been made over the years must have been inspired, and they are free to think that; personally, I am of the view that the Lord expects/allows the brethren, like us, to make use of our minds and our own best efforts, and that he won't necessarily stop them/us from making mistakes much of the time (as evidenced by what turned out to be a mistaken decision to listen to their lawyers' advice regarding some reporting requirements as reflected in the news this week -- though I will note that I think those requirements shouldn't exist in the first place and in my view are a violation of the 4th amendment of the United States constitution, so I am not especially upset at the church's violation of them). I suspect the times the Lord most forcefully intervenes and makes His will plainly known are when core doctrines or the survival of the church as an institution are at stake. I imagine the rest of the time it is a combination of allowing us (including leaders) to stumble along doing our best, and balancing a desire to help us avoid mistakes by providing clear cut direction against the necessity of letting us learn and grow by using our agency and our own judgement, even when that means decisions may not always be optimal (though not optimal doesn't necessarily mean bad -- just not as good as they could be).
--Felix
Heard last October someone said that the new hymnbook might be out as early as late this year, it has been about four since the submissions closed. However, no one has been notified as to whether their hymn or children's song was accepted yet--they had to go through 17k submissions, plus older books and other things published previously in magazines.
They then would want to have the biggest languages ready to go at the time of the English launch, and also get enough printed and stored so as to be ready to ship to meetinghouses right away. The current book had a couple language releases last year, so it may take some time so it will likely be a staggered release given that, languages spoken b the largest number speaking a language first.
Posted today in the Church News online website, the first President and matron of the new Moses Lake Washington Temple recently called.
"Paul Wade Bergeson and Debra Ann Christensen Bergeson, Royal 2nd Ward, Othello Washington Stake, called as president and matron of the Moses Lake Washington Temple. President Bergeson is a patriarch and temple sealer and a former high councilor and bishop. A retired farmer, he was born in Caldwell, Idaho, to Elmo Judson and Alice Wiser Bergeson.
Sister Bergeson is a temple ordinance worker and a former stake and ward Relief Society presidency counselor. She was born in Ellensburg, Washington, to Jay Leroy Christensen and Erma Louise Christensen."
https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2023/2/23/23604571/new-temple-presidents-washington-north-dakota-england-arizona
I observed some good stuff in Reykjavik recently. They have a new Spanish Branch co-located with the Icelandic chapel in the capital. It seems to be vibrant and growing, with recent baptisms. There is a Chilean in the branch presidency, but predominantly Venezuelan members who are getting jobs up north.
Here's a general piece of information I hope some of you will find to be as interesting as I thought it was: in tracking the announcements of new mission and temple leaders, I was reminded today that at least 4 current area seventies have been called to start serving as mission presidents in July: Glenn M. Holmes, Michael D. Jones, Aretemio C. Maligon, & Lincoln P. Martins. Most of these 4 will assume oversight for missions in or near their current cities of residence. So I could see three scenarios: either they will continue their service as area seventies until August of this year or next year while assuming oversight for these missions, or they could be among the few released during the April General Conference leadership sessions, or one or two of them could be called as GA Seventies and serve as mission presidents for the standard 2-year period.
Similarly, among today's biographies for new temple presidents is one current area seventy (Matthew S. Harding), so he will also either be released as an area seventy in the General Conference leadership session or else in August when other area seventies are released. As I may or may not have already mentioned in one of my previous comments on this thread, the Newsroom's event page now includes a link to information about the upcoming General Conference:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/event/april-2023-general-conference
According to that, a yet-to-be-released First Presidency letter (which will be available in the Official Communications Library on March 2) will include details about the upcoming General Conference. But the page also notes that the conference will consist of 5 unique 2-hour sessions, all of which will be for members of the Church and friends of other faiths, and that General Conference weekend will coincide with Palm Sunday. The most recent Saturday Evenging General Session(s) have featured 5 speakers when it's been 1.5 hours, so it's likely that 7-8 speakers will offer remarks during that session, which will likely include one member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and 5 other General Authorities or General Officers (which might or might not include a member of the First Presidency).
Also,with no new temple construction announcements this week due to the observance of Presidents' Day here in the United States, there are a few directions in which I could see the next temple announcement going: The Feather River California, Okinawa Japan, and Bangkok Thailand Temples are all completed and awaiting the announcement of their opening arrangements, so any or all of those 3 could have dedications announced; the St. George Utah Temple has nearly completed its' renovation and will likely have a lengthy open house and multiple sessions to rededicate it, so that could be announced; the latest updates on the Montpelier and Teton River Idaho Temples and the Modesto California Temple appear to indicate that groundbreaking announcements could be forthcoming for any or all of them; or we could get other groundbreakings, exterior renderings and/or site confirmations for a few more temples.
I think that's all I wanted to pass along here for now.
Re. the UK and the Island of Ireland:
I'd love for there to be a temple in Sunderland as that is the stake we belong to. It could be manned here as there are some incredibly strong congregations and a depth of membership. There are prospects of new congregations but the challenge is finding the appropriate facilities. There is a ward ready to split but they have been told they would need to meet in the same building which for a lot of the members is not convenient. As such it is better to keep gathering as a huge ward than to split and still have to travel all that way.
My branch is on the border of Scotland and England and it is quite a trek to the temple (our next trip is in April and it takes 4 hours each way). I suspect the church will put a temple in Edinburgh but I think a better location would be somewhere like Stirling which is more central to Scotland as a whole and near to an area of committed Latter-day Saints to service the temple.
The Irish Saints are some of the most faithful in the world with attending the temple. A temple in Dublin to service the whole island would make sense and I am sure it is a matter of when, not if. Matt, I was interested by your prediction of a temple in Cardiff. Between cardiff and nearby Latter-day Saint centres (Bristol, Merthyr, etc.) they would more than capable of manning one, I am sure.
I think a future temple in London would be akin to the Hong Kong temple and would be built at the Hyde Park chapel site. There may be too many restrictions, but a temple on several floors would be amazing along with a chapel and mission offices.
I'm looking forward to conference for lots of reasons, not just any possible temple announcements.
Thank you James Perry. I was born in Blyth Northumberland. My parents emigrated to Australia where I joined the Church. Please tell us more about congregations in the north east of england. I live in the outback - three hour drive to our branch meeting and a ten hour drive to the district centre and ten hours to the temple in another direction. We have about fourteen active members spread over a vast area.I am EQP. I was under the impression that Scotland has had very stagnant growth for decades.Is this true? Cheers!
England, not England!
There is some really promising growth in the Northumberland units. We are trying to start a new group in a coastal town and there is another town, Berwick, that will probably need organising if the missionary success there continues.
Our branch, Alnwick, has more than doubled its active membership since May 2021. This is primarily through reactivations but also conversions. We have several young men going on missions and the building is almost too small for the congregation of which approximately 70% of members are fully active with a further 10% unable to attend but would if they could.
I don't know much about the growth rates in Scotland but I meet weekly with a friend and the news is usually positive.
It sounds like you have your work cut out for you! Thankfully we don't have such large distances. We continue to broadcast our meetings to those members who are too far away and it has been a means of bringing many people back into activity and the orbit of the church.
My Temple Predictions April, 2023
1-Guyana
2-Maracaibo, Venezuela
3-Cancún, MX
4-Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
5-Rigby, Idaho
6-Blackfoot, Idaho
7-Edinburgh, Scotland
8-Jackson, Mississippi
9-Rapid City, South Dakota
10-Hamburg, Germany
11-Cincinnati/Dayton, Ohio
12-Osorno/Valdivia/Puerto Montt, Chile (Central Chile)
13-Metro Area Pick:
-Santiago, Chile Metro: Viña del Mar/Valparaíso
14-Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
15-Puerto Princesa (Palawan Island), Philippines
16-Fairbanks/North Pole, AK
17-Kalispell or Great Falls, Montana
18-Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
19-Springville/Mapleton/Spanish Fork Area, UT
20-Cuiabá, Brazil
+ 3 Dark Horses:
1-Utica/Upstate New York #2/Sharon, Vermont/Priesthood Restoration Site ("Susquehanna River," Pennsylvania)
2-Porto, Portugal
3-Vilnius, Lithuania/Riga, Latvia (Russia Temple announcement possibly suspended and reassigned to the Baltic States)
+ 3 Alts:
-Jakarta, Indonesia
-Neuquén (Central Argentina) or Rosario, (Northern Argentina)
-New Delhi, India
Back to th etopic at hand...
- Bakersfield, CA
- Redding, CA
- Queen Creek, AZ
- Lehi, UT
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Rapid City, SD (Am I the only one? 5+ hours to Bismarck, ND in blizzards)
- Buena Vista, VA (unofficial BYU-East), or Winchester, VA (2 1/2 hours north of Buena Vista on I-81)
- Charlotte, NC (or Roanoake)
- Montpellier, VT
- Dublin, Ireland
- Joao Pessoa, Brazil
- Ulaanbataar, Mongolia
The rest I'm not familiar enough with to make a wild guess!
Although I tend to agree that Buena Vista is a contender, I don't think most people realize how small SVU really is, barely a thousand students which is smaller than a typical suburban high school. BYU East? Not quite. And Buena Vista itself is a fairly small town. But in its favor, it is still a sizeable distance from both DC and Richmond.
James Perry thank you for hour response.
Canberra Australia has one small stake of 4 wards and a couple of distant small branches. Tasmania has two small stakes with 4 wards each. Hobart would have a better chance than Canberra. Most Saints live in the three eastern mainland states. Each of these three states has a temple. South Australia has three stakes and a temple. Western Australia has four stakes and a temple.
The size of the area seeing explosive development in NW Utah County points to three more just in that area alone.
Saratoga Springs we know about, but that is maybe as much as 25 miles from Mount Timpanogos in American Fork. So I am saying if they build in NE Lehi, they will build west of the freeway and no further west than the river. That is two.
Eagle Mountain will eventually get one also, that would go near the north middleto the west end of that.
It seems far-fetched, but if what I saw today for the first time is any indication, it could be reasonably soon, but notthis go-round, excepting the one we have heard rumored in NE Lehi.
I wonder if there will ever be a temple designated in one state but actually in another. Sort of like how Torreon, Mexico Temple is not in the state Torreon is. There the temple does not have the state name.
At one point I thought a Cincinatti Ohio Temple might actually be built in Kentucky. I doublet that will be the case, but I could be wrong.
The Washington DC Temple is in Maryland not DC, but DC is a special case.
It might happen, but has not yet.
The new mission leaders of the Anaheim mission are called from the Philippines. They may be the first Filipino couple called to lead a mission in the US. Maybe even the second, after the Tehs, called to lead a mission outside the Philippines.
Of the temple predictions I have seen the one that would shock me the most is Guyana. There is no stake yet in that land. Since 1960 only 2 temples, the Kyiv Ukraine and Shanghain China, have been announced for regions with no stakes.
In the case of Guyana, I suspect Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago which does have a stake is the most likely place to get a temple. I am not sure how likely such a temple is, but it is about the only one I think likely in that general area.
I do hope we get site announcements and Groundbreaking dates for many more temples before April.
OK. This is my last comment for a while. The new mission leaders of the Spain Barcelona Mission are from the Spanish speaking ward in Heidelberg, Germany. Brother Heckman is a native of Heidelberg and served in Switzerland on his mission. Sister Heckman is a native of Cadiz, Spain and actually served in the Spain Barcelona Mission.
There have been far more couples where the husband served in the mission thar they lead than where the wife did, mainly because far more couples the husband served a mission period. With over 100 mission leader couples called annually, basically from 1990 forward, there have been probably 3500 or more mission leader couples called since 1990, and probably in excess of 5000 mission presidents total, so I am sure we can find all sorts of cases.
@John Pack Lambert, to add to your comment "I do hope we get site announcements and Groundbreaking dates for many more temples before April."
You may have read 2 important posts about 2 important Apostolic Ministering visits by Elders Quentin L Cook and Elder D. Todd Christofferson.
First, during Elder Christofferson's visit to Ghana and visit with the President of Ghana (which could allow him to review possible sites for the announced Kumasi Ghana Temple. Although not reported in the article.) He also in his 12 day ministering for several countries of Africa West area, started his ministering in Lagos Nigeria (possibly reviewing potential sites to approve and announce in that city previously announced). Also will continue to Liberia (where the Monrovia Temple was announced but no site announced). and continue to Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast, could be scouting possible locations for a 2nd in country after Abidjan is complete).
"Elder Christofferson began his visit to the Africa West Area on 18 February 2023 in Lagos, Nigeria meeting with church leaders. He will finish his West Africa ministry with visits to Liberia and Cote d’ Ivoire."
https://news-gh.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-christofferson-meets-with-president-of-ghana
Second, Elder Cook recently traveled to minister in Antananarivo Madagascar where he met with the President of Madagascar and strengthen church relations. During visit, he could have found time to review potential sites for the previously announced Antananarivo Temple.
"ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR — At the conclusion of a four-day ministering visit to Madagascar, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with the country’s leader, President Andry Rajoelina, to discuss the island nation, its people and the Church’s growth."
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/2/22/23609063/elder-cook-madagascar-president-discuss-future-share-testimony-savior
Third, Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy recently met with the new President Dina Boluarte in Lima Peru to strengthen relations and during visit. Traveled to one of Peru's Regions called "La Libertad" and visited the Vice Governor there. Possibly scouting for future sites in that state. Although I can't imagine yet a second Temple in Trujillo, the Regions capital city. But maybe a 3rd for Lima.
"Elders Palmer and Becerra also visited Vice Governor Joana Cabrera and her administration in the La Libertad region. They discussed the Church’s humanitarian and social programs. They plan to collaborate on projects that will benefit people of all faiths."
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-leaders-meet-new-peru-president-dina-boluarte
Fourth, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, recently visited the Minister of the Interior of Mexico, in Mexico City. I'm sure there was other reasons for the Apostolic Ministering to Mexico City, sent by the Prophet. Although with 4 new temples announced last October conference for Metropolitan Area of Mexico. There may be other reasons for his visit.
"On a recent visit to Mexico, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Adán Augusto López, Secretary of the Interior of Mexico."
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-gong-meets-with-the-secretary-of-the-interior-of-mexico
Fifth, Elder Dale G. Renlund recently ministered to the saints in San Pedro Sula Honduras, where a temple is being constructed.
"During various meetings with Church members and leaders in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, February 18-19, Elder Renlund shared messages of spiritual strength, hope and encouragement."
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-and-sister-renlund-visit-san-pedro-sula-honduras
Sixth, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, recently in a Apostolic Ministering visit to India. Mentioned in the article is New Delhi and Hyderabad (which both are on my potential list of future announcements).
"Members and service volunteers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in India warmly welcomed Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as he toured parts of the country from February 6-17, 2023. It has been 25 years since his last visit to India as a pilot.
They visited New Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Everywhere Elder Uchtdorf went, he was enfolded in the warmth of India and its people. Likewise, he was genuinely interested in getting to know them, connecting with and ministering to them."
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/love-of-god-distills-upon-india-in-elder-uchtdorfs-ministry
Saw this about the Kansas City temple,
Our ward tried to schedule a youth baptism trip and the KC temple is BOOKED until May. On one hand, yay! But for our youth.
And that was just the baptistry. Almost like Mexico City but without the line out the door..
I'm very happy to hear that things are moving along so nicely in England! There is just a lot of good news lately in terms of real growth. I was just chatting with a friend from my old Illinois ward and he said that the missionaries there are teaching 30 to 40 lessons a week now, with quite a few people who are seriously progressing towards baptism and in some cases, reactivation. That's about twice as many lessons per week as last year and the only way it works is by renting out a study room at the university and just letting YSA-aged investigators and those investigators associated with the university (apparently most of them fall in that category) come to them so there is no travel needed between lessons. I joined in yesterday for a video lesson with a friend I introduced to the missionaries a little while ago, and it sounded like they are keeping a pretty good schedule of just people coming to the missionaries to be taught. As an RM who sometimes traveled hours between appointments, I find this such an efficient approach, and probably a much more reverent space for a lesson than a noisy dorm room.
Glad to hear the temple is still busy! We really need more of them. For Kansas, Wichita is obviously forthcoming, as is Bentonville, which should hopefully help a little with the congestion in KC. But I would not be surprised to see a small temple announced in a place like Springfield or Columbia, either, as for some reason people (and by that I mean me) tend to underestimate by quite a bit how many members there are in the midsection of Missouri.
Also, great news about Iceland! I wonder when they will get a district up there. I also wonder if it makes sense to have missionaries visit some of the other towns in Iceland outside of the Reykjavik and Akureyri areas.
myrtle beach south carolina temple
Elder Gong also visited Nealtican recently, and that was unannounced until after the fact.
The closest thing we have to the Colonias in Southern Mexico, as the town is about 30 percent Latter-day Saint. Three stakes are there, and Atlixco is fairly close as well as Izucar (one stake and one district).
If Texmelucan is able to break off to form its own stake that would go to Nealtican. Cholula and part of Ometoxtla would go to such a temple.
It's not that far fetched.
I hope Nealrican gets a temple.
I noticed that Elder Christopherson was just in Ghana. He met with Ghan's president for the second time. They first met in 2019. The current president in Ghana has been in office since 2017.
I am hoping Elder Christopherson stopped by Cape Coast and picked a temple site so thry can announce a temple for that city this spring. Maybe also he was able to get some things done that will allow a ground breaking for the Kumasi Ghana Temple to occur this year.
Here's something interesting: the Church has apparently decided to have slightly different groups pf General Authorities supervise each of the 3 Church magazines. THe information from the March 2023 magazines contains the following information:
March 2023 Liahona:
Editor: Randall K. Bennett
Assistant Editor: Ricardo P. Giminez
Advisers: Jan E. Newman, Michael T. Ringwood, Kristin M. Yee
March 2023 For the Strength of Youth
Editor: Anthony D. Perkins
Assistant Editor: Valeri V. Cordon
Advisers: Rebecca L. Craven, Michael T. Ringwood, Bradley R. Wilcox
March 2023 The Friend:
Editor: Randall K. Bennett
Assistant Editor: Kazuhiko Yamashita
Adivsers: Tracy Y. Browning, Michael T. Ringwood
Aside from having the same editor for the Liahona and the Friend, only one GA Seventy is an adviser to all three magazines, Elder Michael T. Ringwood. Aside from being the prophet's son-in-law, Elder Ringwood also chairs the Priesthood and Family Department.
Aside from that, apparently, after moving the Red Cliffs Utah Temple up in the queue to being just after the Layton Utah Temple for a time earlier this week, the Church Temples site has now moved that temple back down between the Taylorsville Utah and Abidjan Ivory Coast Temples. I'm still anticipating the next major temple construction announcement to be made Monday, but am not entirely sure what it might be. As I stated in an earlier comment, there could be at least a few possibilities.
Also, unless I am mistaken and have been misspelling it all this time, I believe that Elder Christofferson's last name has two fs, rather than a ph like the word "pharmacy." My thanks once again to you all.
My initial crack at predictions:
Edinburgh/Glasgow, Scotland (M)
Kampala, Uganda
Cape Coast, Ghana (S)
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (XS)
Osaka, Japan (M)
Teresina, Brazil (M)
Lima Peru #3 (Lima South)
Rosario, Argentina (M)
Fairbanks, AK (XS)
South Houston Metro (Sugar Land), TX
Flagstaff/Prescott, AZ (M)
Charlotte, NC (L2)
Colorado Springs, CO (L)
Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls/Hayden, ID (M)
Herriman, UT (14852 Juniper Crest site) (XL/2X/3X)
Reported today, Elder Quentin L. Cook also met with members and missionaries in his 1 day visit to LUSAKA ZAMBIA.
"4 things the Savior ‘wants us to do,’ Elder Cook tells Saints in Zambia"
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/2/25/23614237/elder-quentin-cook-zambia-4-things-the-savior-wants-you-to-do
Maybe he was viewing possible future sites to announce in that city. I know Lusaka has been o our list some time now.
Other Matt here...
I live in the Anaheim Mission and hope the new Filipino Mission President can lead the way to creating more Tagalog branches in the mission. They recently created a Tagalog branch in Cerritos, but Long Beach, Carson, Irvine, West Covina, SF Valley, Rancho Cucamonga, National City (in San Diego) etc all have sizable Filipino populations that can support additional Tagalog branches.
Wherever you see a Seafood City (Filipino Grocery Store) or Jolibee (Filipino Fast Food Chain), you know that town needs a Tagalog branch.
Cape Coast Ghana
Osaka Japan
Angeles The Philippines
Pelotas Brazil
think positive for Maracaibo Venezuela
In no particular order:
Bakersfield, CA
Evanston, WY
Kahului, Maui, HI
Green Bay / Milwaukee, WI
Flagstaff, AZ
Colorado.Springs, CO
Price, UT
El Paso, TX / Las Cruces, NM
Charlotte, NC
Fairbanks, AK
Durango, Mexico
Cancun, Mexico
Iquitos, Peru
Tralee, Argentina
Hobart, Australia
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Osaka, Japan
Surakarta, Indonesia
Glasgow, Scotland
Las Palmas, Spain
Abuja, Nigeria
East London, South Africa
I have not finalized my list of temple predictions, but I feel like Brazil and the Philippines are due for a lot more. I don't know the geography of either country that well but amazing things are happening in both countries at a large scale so I believe there will be an inflation point soon. Anecdote in point, one of the youth my wife and I taught in Sunday School is in his second transfer of his mission in Brazil. I am still subscribed to his emails and so far, he has had a baptism every week (up to six in one week really, but at least one each week). If this area is not special in some way, I think that is a great sign for good things to come for Brazil in terms of improving access to the temple.
Just released the location of the Vitoria Brazil Temple.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/2/27/23617089/first-presidency-announces-site-vitoria-brazil-temple
I was intrigued by the size. Just slightly larger than the 10,000-square-foot modular temples. I'm wondering if they will either use dual-function ordinance rooms (like Yigo, Praia, or San Juan) or a slightly-enlarged version of the 10,00-square-foot modular design.
I first found the update on the Newsroom within minutes of when that news release was published:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/location-of-vitoria-brazil-temple-announced
And I did some analysis on today's announcement as well:
https://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com/2023/02/breaking-temple-news-site-location-and.html
I think the four Mondays in March will have major announcements, including a minimum of 3 new temple dedications (Feather River California, Bangkok Thailand, and Okinawa Japan, all likely to be dedicated in October or November), 1 rededication (St. George Utah, likely to occur in November, December, or January), and either a few more groundbreakings and/or exterior renderings and/or site announcements and preliminary information for other
temples.
I revised my list:
1. Spanish Fork / Springville, UT
2. Charlotte, NC
3. Cincinnati, OH
4. Colorado Springs, CO
5. Coeur d'Alene, ID
6. Price, UT
7. Buena Vista, VA
8. Flagstaff, AZ
9. Bakersfield, CA
10. Queen Creek, AZ
11. El Paso, TX
12. Ulanbaatar, Mongolia
13. Rosario, Argentina
14. Florianopolis, Brazil
15. Angeles, Philippines
16. Iquitos, Peru
17. Valparaiso, Chile
18. Savai'i, Samoa
19. Edinburgh, Scotland
20. Kampala, Uganda
1 Spanish Fork
2. Charlotte, NC
3. San Jose, CA
4. Colorado Springs, CO
5. Ulanbaatar, Mongolia
6. Florianopolis, Brazil
7. Sorocaba Brazil
8. Natal Brazil
7. Iquitos, Peru
8. Edinburgh / Glasgow, Scotland
9. Angeles, Philippines
10. Osaka Japan
11. Hobart Australia
12. Jakarta Indonesia
13. Cape Coast Ghana
14. Abuja Nigeria
15. VIÑA DEL MAR/VALPARAISO CHILE
16. Santiago Dominican Republic
17. Lima Peru 3rd
18. Pretora South Africa
19. London North Engalnd
20. Somewhere in New Jersey New York City Metro
I believe that the number of temples anounced will go down since 300 was reached last conference. I think around 10 will be anounced.
Elder Pearson presided at the groundbreaking of the Lindon Utah Temple, and in his remarks said the goal was 500 temples announced, under construction, or completed and operating by 2030. There is video of this on the Newsroom Youtube channel.
So,
500-300=200
200/7=28.6
So, starting this year, an average of 28.6 temples need to be announced each year to have 500 at least announced by 12/31/2029.
Jim Anderson, that is a correct report of what he said, which I can confirm because I watched it live. That means at least 200 new temples will need to be announced in the 15 General Conferences between now and April 2030. Since President Nelson announced exactly 100 in the first 9 General Conferences over which he presided, announcing twice as many in less than twice a similar amount of time is doable, especially if there is an increase in the number announced each year. That's part of why I suggested a minimum of 40 as a good target number for the two conferences this year, though I wouldn't be shocked if more than 40 new temples are announced this year.
As noted here before, President Nelson has indicated he’d like to announce at least 35/year. I’m not sure for how many years.
500 temples by 2030 seems very doable given the numbers all of you have provided. On the map I created, there are a total of 517 temples or probable/possible temple sites (300 announced/dedicated and 217 likely temple sites). The thing that will be interesting to consider is if the Church's temple building program reaches the point to where there are no more feasible places to build temples if we are not seeing continued growth that warrants more temple announcements. Given the current status and growth of the Church, I find it hard to see more temples being announced if we are not having places that can feasibly support even a small temple.
Anonymous,. I've also noted an incremental increase in the number of temples the prophet announces per year. Since the report I heard that 35 temples would be announced last year turned out to be exactly right, a logical build on that would be to announce a minimum of 40 this year, 45 or 50 in 2024, etc. That would also ensure we account for the fact that the goal posts of the prophet's plans to bring temples closer to the people keep moving. With that in mind, I wouldn't be shocked if the goal of 5000 temples in any phase by 2030 is revised or expanded beyond that.
We also need to revise our thoughts about the prophet's likely lifespan. The prophet just marked his 5th anniversary as such, and although he was seated while speaking in October, that was only because his doctor recommended it, and as "a man of science" and "a man of faith", he followed that advice. I'm still hearing reports that no one can keep up with him, and that physically and mentally, he is still as sharp as he's ever been.
So I'd not be at all shocked to see him around at least for the next 5 years, by which time he will be the first centenarian apostle and prophet. Frankly, I'd not be shocked if he outlived a few more apostles junior to him. I've been particularly concerned about President Eyring, President Ballard, Elder Cook, and Elder Holland due to how they've looked in recent public appearances. Just some additional thoughts, FWIW.
Matt, in your opinion, what are the odds that the Church could potentially either divide some of the larger Church areas to allow more area presidencies that could take a more hands-on approach to fixing the issues you mentioned? Also, do you think that one or two areas could possibly have apostles sent out on one-to-two year assignments to directly deal with some of those issues? If memory serves, sending Elders Oaks and Holland to the Philippines and Chile Areas from 2002-2004 and Elder Perry to Europe in 2004-2005 did reverse some of those issues. Could something like that happen again?
I'm not worried. If the Brethren are going to let slip that they want to announce 200 more temples in the next seven years, they probably have a good idea where to put them all. President Kimball and President Hinckley each felt to make a major increase in temple numbers in their respective generations. President Nelson clearly feels that this is the time to make an even bigger proportional increase now.
I remember in 1991 speculating that it would take fifty years to announce a temple in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. In 1999, I got an apartment across the street from the site where ground had been broken a month before. I also remember kicking around the idea with some of my dorm-mates at BYU in 1996 that the Church could announce a temple for Billings, Montana, and I was met with skepticism, even from people from there. That fall, a temple for Billings was announced.
The Brethren know what they're doing. May we have the same kind of faith.
If that were true though, a temple for each stake, then the Church really needs to re-think the sizes of its temples in Utah and other places where the Church is relatively strong. I don't think 80,000 square feet temples are meant to serve just one stake.
Having a temple for every stake is absurd. There is so much that goes into staffing a temple for it to properly function. The very small temples announced are intended for very remote areas of the world with few active members (if you look at scheduling an endowment for the Yigo Guam Temple, it can accommodate only 20 people for an endowment session). Even then - the temple is not open every weekday, and often it is open for only 1-2 sessions a day. It would be an enormous waste of resources to have a city with multiple stakes each have their own temple, and it would be difficult to staff the temple for it to be functional.
@J S A, or @miro, or @James Stokes, I hope either or all of you can help me sort out these 3 Stake Units' timeline and name changes. They like to play musical chairs with the unit names.
#1 Tacoma Stake - 502111 (originally organized September 28th, 1952) with Pres. Elvin E. Evans as 1st stake President.
Then on January 14th, 1974, name changed to Tacoma Washington Stake - 502111 (according to Church News 2013 Church Almanac p. 415-416.
At some point, possibly on August 19th, 1979, the name was changed or stayed same, when another Tacoma Washington Stake was organized. Unknown which was renamed "South" in 1979.
Currently has been renamed "Gig Harbor Washington Stake - 502111", not sure if renamed on February 11th, 2006.
#2 Tacoma Washington Stake - 512117, was organized, also listed in 2013 Church Almanac pg 415-416. With President James Roland Ely as 1st President called. I don't know if this was originally named "South" in 1979. or just kept the name "Tacoma Washington Stake", while the original stake renamed South.
This was later renamed "Tacoma Washington North Stake - 512117" unknown date.
After the Tacoma Washington South Stake - 2067013 (from 2016), was closed January 2022, this Tacoma Washington North Stake - 512117, was renamed just "Tacoma Washington Stake - 512117".
#3 Tacoma Washington South Stake - 2067013, organized April 17th 2016 and was closed last year January 2022. Had President Gary F. Gessel as 1st president, although not posted online on Church News website.
Here are the known dates from Church News posts.
"TACOMA WASHINGTON SOUTH STAKE: (Oct. 24, 1993) President - Richard W. Wells, 60, president of investment company, succeeding Richard Elbert Huish.
TACOMA WASHINGTON STAKE: (Feb. 12, 1995) President - James W. Dewey, 51, elementary school principal; succeeding Kent J. Stepan
TACOMA WASHINGTON STAKE: (Feb. 26, 2012) President — Gary Frederick Gessel, 59, president of Milgard Windows and Doors; succeeding Karl James Fields
TACOMA WASHINGTON STAKE: (Feb. 26, 2012) President — Gary Frederick Gessel, 59, president of Milgard Windows & Doors; succeeding Robert Mack Call
GIG HARBOR WASHINGTON STAKE: (Feb. 16, 2014) President — Darrin James Kasteler, 44, Chief investment officer for the Agnew Company; succeeding Karl J. Fields
TACOMA WASHINGTON NORTH STAKE: (April 17, 2016) President — Patrick Gordon Garlock, 56, CEO, MVP Physical Therapy; succeeding Gary F. Gessell
TACOMA WASHINGTON SOUTH STAKE: (May 7, 2017) President — Lloyd Dixon Oaks, 60, deputy prosecutor; succeeding Gary F. Gessel
GIG HARBOR WASHINGTON STAKE: (Feb. 21, 2021) President — Stephen Rey Morgan, 52, Seminaries and Institutes employee; succeeding Darrin J. Kasteler
More than a blessing in the lives of members and a tool for the redemption of the dead, temples exist to be the church's calling card in all communities around the globe. I don't see one temple per stake, but I do see at least one temple per country where the church is established, and at least one temple in every major western metropolis (in the Americas this goal has already been practically met, but this should still happen in Europe and Africa). This explains the announcement of small temples in Oslo, Brussels, Vienna and Budapest and will justify future temples in Prague and perhaps even in Athens and Cairo. That's why I also believe that we will still be alive to see announcements in Lusaka, Gaborone, Banjul and Luanda, in Africa, in addition to the long-awaited temple in Kampala.
Elder Cook was just in Mozambique. He spoke to a conference of the 2 Maputo stakes. There were 518 people there who had not yet been baptized, so Elder Cook spoke on the broad overview message of the gospel.
I am hoping we are about to see things really take off in Mozambique.
Maputo is on my short list of places to get a temple, although I am not sure it would be announced this soon. No 2nd temple has ever been announced for a country where the 1st temple was not complete. I am sure it will happen at some point, and the geography if Mozambique makes it a possible place for this to happen. Beira and Naputo are very far apart.
Maputo having a temple announced this soon would surprise me. For the Africa South Area though it at present seems to be tied with maybe Port Elizabeth, South Africa as the likely next temple to be announced, with Bulawayo, Zimbabwe as a far out contender. Luanda seems an eventually inevitability, but probably not until Luanda itself gets a second stake and there are a few more branches in other places in the country. I could easily be wrong.
Luanda has more stakes than London did when it's temple was dedicated let alone announced, so there is that.
Anyone have any clue on how much Saints in Luanda are able to go to the temple in Kinshasa? That would be the crazy set of questions.
Elder Silva, the gormer mission president over Angola being in the area presidency is probably going to help the growth of the Church in Angola in the long run.
Tahiti had one fautly new stake when it had a temple announced, but I believe the temple journey from Tahiti to Hamilton, New Zealand was far harder than from Luanda to Kinshasa. Not that Luanda to Kinshsa is easy for anyone, let alone those in Luanda.
We shall see.
JPL, while you are correct about the Church not usually announcing a second temple in a nation where the first is not yet under construction, we have recently seen 3 temples announced for Nigeria (Lagos, Benin City and Eket), and none of them are under construction yet. Similarly, the La Paz Bolivia Temple was announced well in advance of the site confirmation for the Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple. And nothing was announced for the Cusco Peru Temple before the Chiclayo Temple was announced. So I don't think we can rule out temples being announced somewhere simply because one or more had already been announced. But that's just my feeling, take it or leave it.
Hey everyone :) I'm starting my mission next week to Veracruz, Mexico. I've been following Matt's page and this blog since I was 15 a few years ago. I love everything about church growth and temples, and come asking: Does anyone have any tips for missionary work in a Spanish-speaking/Latin country like Mexico? Anything is appreciated!
-Luke
@Chris D
I dont't think i can help you. Under the tab "Historical information" i can only see past callings. no name changes.
I can only conform that the original #1 Tacoma Stake - 502111 is now the Gig Harbor Washington Stake - 502111.
#2 Tacoma Washington Stake - 512117 is now again like you pointed out the Tacoma Washinton Stake.
Before CDOL was reworked at the end of last year, I could only access name and boundary changes of my own stake. But that's not the case anymore.
Luke, I wish you well as you embark on the Lord's mission! I didn't serve in a Spanish-speaking or Latin country, but my advice is to obey the mission rules, open your mouth, and, as one of my mission presidents exhorted at the end of each email, to work hard and have fun!
--Felix
Other Matt here...
At first there was a
1) Tacoma Stake (which included Gig Harbor)
2) AND a Tacoma South Stake.
When the Gig Harbor Stake created, Tacoma Stake was remained Tacoma North Stake, so there were 3 stakes:
1) Tacoma North
2) Tacoma South
3) Gig Harbor
Recently, Tacoma South Stake was dissolved and Tacoma North Stake was renamed Tacoma Stake.
1) Tacoma
2) Gig Harbor
In my stake in Santiago de Chile, I belong to the Santiago Oeste mission, it is a stake of more than 40 years, it has not been divided for more than 15 years, there are always baptisms, retention is not very good, my neighborhood has 200 people attended, but the baptized are more than 2,000, although there is very good attendance, it is not because of the new baptisms, it is because of the foreigners who have arrived en masse in the country, they mostly contribute.
Regarding new temple announcements, I hope there will be many announcements for all the cities and countries in the world that require it, there is more than enough money from church investments.
It is true that having a new temple in our cities should increase their attendance and family history work, this is not always the case. In Chile the 2 temples that exist are super distant from each other, it is true that there is low attendance at the temple.
@ Historia Familiar Valenzuela Escobar,
I enjoy reading your comments on this blog. I've noticed you often mention that the Church has plenty of money, but haven't seen anyone agree or disagree, so thought I'd offer my view.
I agree that the Church has money sufficient for it's immediate needs and probably it's foreseeable needs. I don't think lack of money is slowing down the work. But I do think that many of the things money can buy can only speed up the work so much. The Church seems to be announcing temples faster than it can build them, and it's unclear whether announcing temples at an even faster pace would result in temples being completed at a faster pace.
It seems that the speed of temple completions continues to increase, but the number of announced but not-yet-complete temples may continue to grow for at least a few more years. In fact, if the Church plans to announce temples at a slower pace after 500 are at least announced, the number of not-yet-completed temples may continue to increase until that time.
Anyway, just thinking out loud as I watch this exciting temple-building time.
@anónimo
Hello!... in my comments I always try to be objective and respectful, although the leadership of the church has not always been so with me.
I like this blog and others that talk about the advance and retreat of the church worldwide. When I found out about the church in 1990 in Santiago de Chile, the continued attendance of young people was not encouraged, to do baptisms for the dead, I only went once before I was 19, it is not a criticism, but now it is seen that they encourage new members should have their spiritual experience, as soon as possible with the temple, bearing their own family names.
I was excommunicated for 21 years, I never left the link with God and the church, I was baptized again and I cannot deny that in the local leadership and in SALT LAKE there are things that can be improved.
I'm always happy to hear about new temple announcements, because that helps advance family history. Even though family history centers aren't open enough, and there's a lack of consultants, I always try to be a contribution in my ward.
I always think out loud, because despite everything I have experienced in these almost 33 years, I appreciate the church and I wish it the best, but it is undeniable that there are changes that are urgently required, I speak from what I have experienced, not what they tell me I look forward to announcements and previews of new temples
Jim, thank you for mentioning Elder Pearson's remarks at the Lindon groundbreaking. I watched the video, and what was actually said is slightly different from what I have seen reported in the comments here. He said that *if* the pace of temple announcements in recent years is maintained, then by 2030 there will be nearly 500 temples announced, and that according to President Nelson that would be the beginning of things to come. Now I can understand why many took that to mean that number of temples within that particular timeline is the church's plan or goal, but I think we need to be careful not to put words in the mouths of church leaders as that is how inaccurate rumors can get started. That may indeed be their goal, but at least in that video that was never actually stated as such, rather, it was an observation of what maintaining the pace of announcements in recent years would mean if sustained for the rest of this decade, and that in the big picture as envisioned by President Nelson 500 temples is only the beginning of what will eventually be accomplished.
--Felix
Today was announced the new Temple Presidents assigned to the new Layton Utah and Casper Wyoming Temples. https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2023/3/2/23616882/new-temple-presidents-colombia-samoa-vernal-layton-casper
Watch this, they have set it up so that you choose your area and watch the entire presentation that has the area leadership of your area in a segment just after 30 minutes in.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/miscellaneous-events/2023/02-01?lang=eng
Right off I am hearing things that are being said in different ways than I have heard before about family history work and temple work, it is not anything new, but a different way of expressing what is needed. In a place or two they do allude to the increase in the number of temples, and in at least one place they do say more temples need more workers, and to think of things we do that we can pujt aside so we can attend more than we do now.
Made a mistake regarding where the area segment is placed in the referenced video, it is at 27:30 in.
For those that may have missed this Ministry update from the Africa Central Area and President Camille Johnson and President Bonnie Cordon visiting the area this past week.
"On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, President Cordon and her husband, Derek, were in Kampala, Uganda, to meet with local Church leaders, youth and missionaries. Some missionaries are returning to the Uganda Kampala Mission following COVID-19 and an Ebola outbreak.
President Johnson and President Cordon will also travel to central Africa, including the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Temples in Africa Central
Several new temples are currently under construction in central Africa. Latter-day Saints in Nairobi are watching their new temple take shape along a busy highway. Houses of the Lord have also been announced or are under construction in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, and in Kananga and Lubumbashi in the DRC. A temple is currently in operation in Kinshasa, DRC."
https://news-africa.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-johnson-and-president-cordon-begin-ministry-in-africa
Felix, thanks for keeping us honest. With Elder Duncan's actual words in mind, with one or two exceptions, the number of new temples announced per year has incrementally increased. The last two years have also seen the introduction of precast concrete panels (with some electrical and mechanical systems being built in to panels that are easier to connect) and modular components that, when assembled in place on site, leave quite a bit less to finish. The modular designs have been used in the US and Mexico thus far, and some of the renderings recently released look modular in design as well. And in a recent Church News podcast, the Presiding Bishopric noted that new innovative methods have allowed the Church to announce sites for most temples within weeks or months of their announcements rather than years, and have expedited construction approvals in most cases. Of the 34 and 35 temples announced last year and this year, 6 from April and 14 from October have not seen any official details announced yet. Those numbers would have been unheard of even 5 years ago. So I anticipate that within the 15 General Conferences remaining before the 200th anniversary of the Church's reestablishment, we will easily see more than 200 new temples announced. But if these thoughts don't sway your opinion, thanks again for keeping us in general and me in particular honest.
This just in from the Church Temples site: Due to a recent cyclone that is anticipated to be followed by another in the near term, this Saturday's groundbreaking for the Port Vila Vanuatu Temple has been postponed indefinitely until it can safely occur:
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/port-vila-vanuatu-temple/news/
My thanks once again to you all.
Among the 16 New Mission Presidents biographies posted today in the Church News online article, just a few thoughts.
1st. The previously announced new 2023 President of the Sweden Stockholm Mission, Bro. Barry N. Johnson has been replaced with Bro. J. Gregory Lake.
"J. Gregory Lake, 61, and Lisa Saunders Lake, four children, Constellation Ward, Gilbert Arizona Highland West Stake: Sweden Stockholm Mission, succeeding President Robert L. Davis and Sister Tiffany L. Davis. Brother and Sister Lake are former senior missionaries in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. He is a former bishop, YSA bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, ward Young Men president, ward mission leader, Sunday School teacher, institute teacher, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to Jack Smith Lake and Marie Barlow Lake."
Also announced as the previously reported "Too be announced" President of the Argentina Rosario Mission is Bro. Robert H. Walton.
"Robert H. Walton, 60, and Staci Walton, five children, Green Valley Ward, Poway California Stake: Argentina Rosario Mission, succeeding President Bradley R. Tolman and Sister Michelle F. Tolman. Brother Walton is a stake president and former stake presidency counselor, high councilor, bishop, ward Young Men president, Sunday School teacher, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. He was born in Lynwood, California, to Harold Howard Walton Jr. and Rose Marie Walton."
https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2023/3/3/23617118/new-mission-presidents-argentina-romania-ghana-missouri-sweden
Nigeria and Bolivia already have temples.
My point was no country has ever had a second temple announced before the fist was completed, unless you count plans for a temple in Missouri before Kirtland was complete.
As was posted earlier today by Matt on this blog, confirmed the new "Iloilo Philippines Central Stake - (unknown unit #)" with 6 Wards split from the "Iloilo Philippines North Stake - 526436" which retained the remaining 5 wards.
186007 Jaro 1st
234001 Jaro 2nd
304077 Lapaz
75795 Lapuz
195618 Leganes 1st
2036991 Pavia
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/maps/meetinghouses/@10.752137,122.560509,12s&id=ward:186007
To follow up on my last comment, outside the US the closest is the Lubumbashi Temple announced in April 2020 and the Kinshasa Temple dedicated in 2019.
The next shortest may be the 12 years from Mexico City temples announcement until its dedication.
In fact I believe Kananga would hold the record as second temple in a country announced closest to the first if it was not for Lubumbashi and the 3rd Temple announced.
the Iloilo Central stake's unit # is 2197669.
If someone makes a list of the shortest times between the dedication of a nation's first temple and the announcement of a second, the ones in Honduras would be somewhere on that list- San Pedro Sula was announced just over 6 years after Tegucigalpa was dedicated.
"Azerbaijani Sheikh ul-Islam meets with First Presidency"
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2023/3/4/23625032/azerbaijan-sheikh-ul-islam-grand-mufti-meets-first-presidency
I revised my list:
Top 10 (No Particular Order):
1. Spanish Fork, Utah
2. Colorado Springs, Colorado
3. Charlotte, North Carolina
4. Santa Ana, El Salvador
5. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
6. Valparaiso/Vina Del Mar, Chile
7. Kampala, Uganda
8. Angeles or Olongapo, Philippines
9. Rosario, Argentina
10. Natal/Joao Pessoa, Brazil
Top 21 (No Particular Order):
11. Price, Utah
12. North Ogden, Utah
13. Cincinnati, Ohio
14. Osorno/Puerto Montt, Chile
15. New Delhi, India
16. Port Harcourt, Nigeria
17. Cape Coast, Gahna
18. San Jose, California
19. Iquitos, Peru
20. Savai'i, Samoa
21. Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
I just don't see them announcing any new temples in Europe right now until they start breaking ground on temples they have already announced for Europe.
Other Outliers:
1. Kirtland, Ohio (Repurchase and Renovation)
2. Jerusalem, Israel
3. Adam Ondi-Ahman, Missouri
So I was just reading the Ensign article from 1980 on 7 new temple announced, bringing the total to 28. Quoted there is then Brisbane Australia stake president John Jeffrey. He would be the first president of the Brisbane Temple in 2003.
What I found interesting is the article included sizes for all 7 Temple. Papette, Tahiti would be 8,500 square feet. That is smaller than most temples built under President Hinckley.
A while ago I pointed out that Buenoa Aires and Hermosillo had their first stake president as thier first temple president. Add Mexico City to the list, where Harold Brown was the first stake president and temple president.
My top 20 picks (no particular order):
1. Savaii Samoa
2. Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
3. Kampala Uganda
4. Cape Coast Ghana
5. Glasgow OR Edinburgh Scotland
6. Hamburg Germany
7. Viña del Mar Chile
8. Florianópolis/São José and/or Sorocaba Brazil
9. João Pessoa and/or Natal Brazil
10. Santa Ana El Salvador
11. Cancún México
12. Chihuahua México
13. Charlotte North Carolina
14. Newark New Jersey
15. Cincinnati Ohio
16. Des Moines Iowa
17. Colorado Springs Colorado
18. Flagstaff or Prescott Arizona
19. Bakersfield California
20. Spanish Fork Utah
@John Pack Lambert:
President Hinckley did indeed serve in the London-based British Mission from 1933 to 1935.
I looked it up, because my grandfather served a couple of years before that (though in the United States, from 1928 to the early 1930's). I wanted to see if they were contemporaries.
@Eduardo
I never would have guessed at a Spanish branch in Iceland!
Question : Was the Coimbatore 1st and 2nd branches renamed the Gandipuram Branch and Ramanathapuram Branch respectively, in the Coimbatore India District?
@Chris D: You are correct about the Coimbatore 1st & 2nd Branch. Also, the Coimbatore 3rd Branch was discontinued. There are now 6 branches in the Coimbatore District.
I wonder if this is in preparation for the district to become a stake. Looks like this was a realignment and the remaining units are more likely to be ward-sized.
After reading other's predictions and contemplating it a bit more, I have revised my temple predictions as follows, with *** used to note changes from what I originally posted:
I predict the following 12 temples will be announced (listed in the order of how likely I think they are to be announced):
Kampala, Uganda
Florianopolis, Brazil
Osorno, Chile
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Lehi, Utah
Glasgow, Scotland
Rosario, Argentina
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Iquitos, Peru
Santiago De Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Joao Pessoa, Brazil ***Moved this from the 8 additional below up to here
***Dropped Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast from the list
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
In the event that more than 12 are announced (I think there won't be, but I could well be wrong), I think the following are the next 8 most likely (to bring the list to James's predicted 20-ish):
Chihuahua, Mexico
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Neuquen, Argentina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Cancun, Mexico
Comas District, Lima, Peru
Chorillos District, Lima, Peru
Cape Coast, Ghana ***Added this to bring the total list back up to 20
I also think that if/when the Venezuelan government relents, a temple in Maracaibo, Venezuela will be promptly announced.
--Felix
Does anyone have a good feeling post 1900 when the number of members relative to number of dedicated temples was at its peak?
For example:
1971: 13 dedicated temples, membership 3 Million, so about 230,000 members per temple.
October 2000: 100 dedicated temples, membership was 11.1 Million, so 111,000 members per temple
April 2023: 176 dedicated temples, membership about 17 Million, so 96,600 members per temple
Is 1971 (or there about) the most? (I'm not sure that I need the post 1900. In 1900, that was about the membership of the Church with 4 dedicated temples.
If someone could put together that Graph, I'd be thankful.
Today, the Church announced the groundbreaking for the Montpelier Idaho Temple and the site confirmation and initial details for the Maceio Brazil Temple. Montpelier has not yet had a rendering released:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/news-for-temples-in-idaho-and-brazil
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/3/6/23627808/montpelier-idaho-temple-lds-groundbreaking-june-17
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/3/6/23572428/maceio-brazil-temple-lds-sites-announced
Here's my analysis on these updates:
https://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com/2023/03/breaking-temple-news.html
My thanks once again to you all.
With the announcement of the temple site in Maceió, the sites for all temples planned for Brazil have already been defined. This is positive, as it indicates that the church's real estate team in the country is free to look for places in other cities. Work is not as far along on the architecture team to define the designs, as this function must be centralized in the SLC offices, concentrating efforts around the world.
The Mexico City Factor
Below are the largest metro areas in the US with at least one temple. Using the Mexico City Factor, how likely are these metro areas to have additional temples announced? How important is it for these temples to be located near freeways and/or public transportation hubs? I’ve included some possible temple locations for these metro areas. Please discuss these possibilities and feel free to add or modify.
New York (1) - Newark or Morristown, Queens (Flushing) and White Plains
Los Angeles (3) – Burbank, Long Beach, Pasadena
Chicago (1) – Naperville, Calumet
Dallas (3) – Any others?
Houston (1) – Katy, League City and Channelview
Washington DC (1) – Alexandria and Tysons Corner
Philadelphia (1) – Cherry Hill and Wilmington
Atlanta (1) – Riverdale, Lithonia and Lithia Springs
Miami (1) - South Miami (near the Zoo)
Phoenix – (3) - Queen Creek, Surprise, Scottsdale and Buckeye
Boston – (1) Dedham and Danvers
Riverside – (1) – Riverside, San Bernadino and Ontario
San Francisco (1) - San Jose, Pacifica and Vallejo
Detroit (1) -
Seattle (2) – Everett and Bremerton
Minneapolis (1) -
San Diego (1) - El Cajon and Carlsbad
Tampa – (1) -
Denver – (1) - Golden, Aurora and Thornton
Baltimore (0) -
For reference, the 10 largest cities in North America are:
Mexico City, Mexico (9.2 million)
New York, US (8.5 million)
Los Angeles, US (3.9 million)
Toronto, Canada (2.8 million)
Chicago, US (2.7 million)
Houston, US (2.3 million)
Havana, Cuba (2.1 million)
Ecatepec de Morelos, Mexico (1.7 million)
Montreal, Canada (1.7 million)
Philadelphia, US (1.5 million)
Not a graph, but some information about 1900: total Church membership was 283,765, with 236,628 members in the 43 stakes and 47,137 in the 20 missions and 438 mission branches.
There were 24 Utah stakes and 19 stakes outside UT, mainly Idaho with good accessibility to the Logan Temple, and Arizona, with accessibility to the St. George Temple. There were also operating stakes in Canada, Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado.
This amounts to 70,941 members per dedicated temple, and 59,157 members in stakes for each temple. As an aside,Church membership at the end of 1924, the year of President Nelson's birth, was 597,861, and today is about 28.5 times that number. Membership more than doubled from 1900 to 1924.
Also, by 1924 there were two more dedicated temples (Hawaii and Alberta), with the Arizona temple under construction. This amounted to 99,643 members per dedicated temple.
Hello again, everyone! Yesterday, the Church announced a June groundbreaking for the Montpelier Idaho Temple and the location and preliminary information about the Maceio Brazil Temple:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/news-for-temples-in-idaho-and-brazil
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/3/6/23627808/montpelier-idaho-temple-lds-groundbreaking-june-17
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/3/6/23572428/maceio-brazil-temple-lds-sites-announced
I provided some analysis on these updates yesterday:
https://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com/2023/03/breaking-temple-news.html
My thanks once again to you all.
This link has a graph with membership to temples:
https://www.cumorah.com/countries/viewStats/World
I just finished the rootstech 2023 training sponsored by the church, hopefully this will help advance family history and genealogy in our chapels and stakes, it is very difficult to ENCOURAGE new and old brothers, despite all the work that one does as a VOLUNTEER from the stake family search center. It seems that there is still no PERSONAL CONVERSION towards the SEARCH of the ANCESTORS, it is sad to see that the family history centers do not open.
The search for the ancestors goes hand in hand with the temple, and it seems to me that there is little or no emphasis on it in the church, I say this from what I often see.
In the coming months I will be able to enter the temple, and perform the ordinances for my ancestors that I have RESERVED, I have been working for decades in the search and send names to the temple, there are brothers who work hard but, there are very few.
Hopefully in this new general conference, the announcements of temples will be enough, and the announcements of changes in the church for the good of the membership that is lazy and sleeping. The conference messages need to be more direct and inclusive for everyone
New York City is a case where driving your car to the temple is hard, but it is easy to get to by public transit. However coming from New Jersey I believe you have to switch transit systems, so there would be pluses there. Also a New Jersey Temple could be more accessible for those who use cars. I would not be surprised if it is announced this conference, and even less by 2025.
I may make comments on the other areas.
I think New Jersey is the state with the most stakes without a temple, but it is not much ahead of Iowa. Both have 2 temples less than 5 miles from their borders though. Still I see both as strong contenders for a temple, but Wisconsin is also a contender, and South Dakota, West Virginia and at least 1 northern New England state are contenders.
I would not be surprised if all states in the US have at least an announced temple by 2030, but I also would not be surprised if we do not meet that by 2030.
I would love to see a 2nd Detroit Temple but do not think it likely. Detroit traffic is nothing like Chicago's. I can leave work, go home and still make it the temple. I live close to as far from the temple as one can in Detroit proper.
There are people further in the south and south west suburbs (which is about the same, directly south of Detroit is in Canada).
I think short term, and this will probably not be the next in Michigan, Ann Arbor might get a temple, but Ann Arbor is not considered part of the Deteoit Metro Area.
I think either Lansing or Midland would be the next temple in Michigan. I am not sure either of those are highly likely in the near future.
We do have 5 people in my branch planning to go get their endowments soon, and 3 have their
I know the Pasadena, CA stake keeps on combining Wards together.
On a plus note though, there is plenty of land at the stake center for a temple by building it on the softball field and playground area.
I don't predict temples, but I speculate on where they will be. Here are my guesses.
Europe:
1. Edinburgh, Scotland
Africa:
2. Port Harcourt, Nigeria
3. Cape Coast, Ghana
4. Kampala, Uganda
Asia
5. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
6. Kyoto, Japan
7. Angeles, Philippines
8. Quezon City, Philippines
Oceana
9. Nuku'alofa, Tonga East
South America
10. Florianopolis, Brazil
11. Joao Pessoa, Brazil
12. Iquitos, Peru
13. Vina del Mar, Chile
14. Maracaibo, Venezuela
United States
15. Charlotte, North Carolina
16. Colorado Spring, Colorado
17. South Bend, Indiana
Utah
18. Fort Union, Utah
19. Kanab, Utah
Nairobi Kenya South Stake (2221500) created on 5. March 2023
Athi River Ward (275948)
Nairobi 1st Ward (320234)
Nairobi 2nd Ward (270016)
South B Ward (2023733)
Kitengela Branch (2023830)
Mlolongo Branch (2075997)
Ruai Branch (2139855)
Add to the prediction lists the:
North Monterrey Mexico Temple (5 stakes, 1 district)
Zurich Switzerland Temple (2 stakes)
Topeka Kansas Temple (3 stakes)
Shreveport Louisiana Temple (1 stake)
Ciudad del Este Paraguay Temple (1 stake, 1 district)
Puerto Vallarta Mexico Temple (2 stakes, 2 districts)
Kearney Nebraska Temple (1 stake)
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Temple (5 districts)
Ottawa Ontario Temple (1 stake)
Gaborone Botswana Temple (1 stake)
The Mexico City Factor – Central America
Below are the largest metro areas in the Central America. Using the Mexico City Factor, how likely are these metro areas to have additional temples announced? How important is it for these temples to be located near freeways and/or public transportation hubs? I’ve included some possible temple locations for these metro areas. Please discuss these possibilities and feel free to add or modify. I have never spent any time in Central America and have no familiarity with these areas.
Guatemala City, Guatemala – 1 temple – 1 temple under construction - (3.0 million)
Panama City, Panama – 1 temple - (1.9 million)
Tegucigalpa, Honduras – 1 temple - (1.5 million)
San José, Costa Rica - (1.4 million)
San Salvador, El Salvador – 1 temple - (1.1 million)
Managua, Nicaragua – 1 temple under construction - (1.1 million)
San Pedro Sula, Honduras – 1 temple under construction - (960k)
Alajuela, Costa Rica (398k)
Heredia , Costa Rica – 1 temple - (348k)
The San Jose Costa Rica Temple is located within the city boundaries of Heredia. A temple on the south end of the San Jose metro area in Desamparados? I could also see a temple being announced for the Alajuela area of San Jose.
I could see each city in Central America with 1 million population or higher have a 2nd and / or 3rd temple announced in the next four years.
New stake in Peru: https://noticias.laiglesiadejesucristo.org/articulo/se-crea-la-estaca-numero-113-de-la-iglesia-de-jesucristo-en-peru
Post a Comment