New Temples Announced in October 2023 - Part IV: North America and Oceania

Savai'i Samoa Temple

The Savai'i Samoa Temple is the Church's second temple in Samoa following the Apia Samoa Temple (dedicated in 1983). The Church also announced a temple in neighboring American Samoa which is a United States Territory in 2019. It is unclear where the temple will be built on the island of Savai'i which has a population of 61,241 according to the most recent census data from 2021. The new temple will likely serve all six stakes on the island of Savai'i. The first stake on the island was organized in 1971, and the most recently organized stake on Savai'i was created in 2012. The Church has reported very slow, but steady, congregational growth on Savai'i. The Church reported 87,695 members and 165 congregations in Samoa as of year-end 2022. There are 20 stakes in Samoa. I added Samoa to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2019.

Kahului Hawaii Temple

The Kahului Hawaii Temple is the Church's third temple in Hawaii following the Laie Hawaii Temple (dedicated in 1919) and the Kona Hawaii temple (dedicated in 2000). The new temple will likely service only two stakes - both of which are headquartered on Maui but which also service additional islands including Lanai and Molokai. Also, there are three Tongan-speaking congregations on the island of Maui. The Church organized its first stake in Kahului in 1975 followed by a second stake in 2014. Only one new congregation has been organized on Maui within the past decade, although no congregations have been discontinued. The Church in Hawaii reported 74,952 members, 143 congregations, 16 stakes, and 2 missions as of year-end 2022. I added Kahului to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2019.

Fairbanks Alaska Temple

The Fairbanks Alaska Temple is the Church's second temple in Alaska following the Anchorage Alaska Temple (dedicated in 1999). The new temple will likely only serve two stakes - both of which operate in Fairbanks (organized in 1979 and 2021). The Church has experienced slow, but steady growth in the Fairbanks area for many years. Significant distance between Fairbanks and Anchorage appeared to be the biggest factor for why a temple was announced. It is a six-hour drive one way from Fairbanks to Anchorage. As of year-end 2022, the Church in Alaska reported 33,574 members, 81 congregations, 9 stakes, and 1 mission. I added Fairbanks to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2019.

Vancouver Washington Temple

The Vancouver Washington Temple is the Church's sixth temple in Washington following the Seattle Washington Temple (dedicated in 1980), the Spokane Washington Temple (dedicated in 1999), the Columbia River Washington Temple (dedicated in 2001), the Moses Lake Washington Temple (dedicated in September 2023), and the Tacoma Washington Temple (announced in October 2022). The new temple will likely include six stakes in the Vancouver area which are currently assigned to the Portland Oregon Temple. The first stake created in Vancouver was organized in 1963, and the most recently organized stake was created in 2016. The Church organized a mission headquartered in Vancouver in 2013. The Church has historically experienced steady growth in the Vancouver area. As of year-end 2022, there were 281,389 members and 489 congregations in Washington. There are currently 60 stakes and 7 missions in the state. I added Vancouver to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in February 2023.

Colorado Springs Colorado Temple

The Colorado Springs Colorado Temple is the Church's fourth temple in Colorado following the Denver Colorado Temple (dedicated in 1986), the Fort Collins Colorado Temple (dedicated in 2016), and the Grand Junction Colorado Temple (announced in April 2021). As a Colorado Springs resident, I have long awaited the announcement of this temple given the steady growth of the Church in the city which is far enough away from the Denver Colorado Temple to warrant a separate temple. Moreover, the Church has owned a large parcel of land in the north part of the city for many years which is speculated to be the site for the new temple, although no official announcement has yet been made. The new temple will likely service eight stakes in Colorado (five in Colorado Springs, two in the San Luis Valley, one in Pueblo) and western portions of the Garden City Kansas Stake. The first stake in Colorado Springs was organized in 1960 followed by additional stakes in 1980, 1990, 1999, and 2016. The Church created the Colorado Colorado Springs Mission in 2002. As of year-end 2022, there were 148,708 members, 310 congregations, 35 stakes, and 4 missions in Colorado.

Tulsa Oklahoma Temple

The Tulsa Oklahoma Temple is the Church's second temple in Oklahoma following the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple which was dedicated in 2000. The new temple will likely service five stakes in northeastern Oklahoma which are assigned to the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple. The Church organized its first stake in Tulsa in 1960. Steady growth has occurred in northeastern Oklahoma which has resulted in the creation of additional stakes in 1978, 2014, and 2023 (2). As of year-end 2022, there were 51,847 members and 93 congregations in Oklahoma. Currently, there are 11 stakes and one mission in Oklahoma. I added Tulsa to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2023.

Roanoke Virginia Temple

The Roanoke Virginia Temple is the Church's third temple in Virginia following the Richmond Virginia Temple (dedicated in May 2023) and the Winchester Virginia Temple (announced in April 2023). The new temple will likely service four stakes in western Virginia and two stakes in West Virginia. The first and only stake in Roanoke was organized in 1970. This area of Virginia has experienced slow growth for many years and is currently assigned to the Richmond Virginia temple. Roanoke was added to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in February 2022.