I have updated my temple prediction map in preparation for General Conference in October. 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, traffic/transportation, 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. Altogether, there are 208 potential temples on the map (which is 5 potential temple sites less than the total number of potential sites identified in March 2024). The following nine locations have been added to the temples prediction map with this current update - all of which are less likely temples:
- Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Kigali, Rwanda
- Lilongwe, Malawi
- Macon, Georgia
- Mwene-Ditu, Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple
- Saleilua, Samoa
- Takoradi, Ghana
- Tema, Ghana
- Yaoundé, Cameroon
Also,
there were five locations that were moved from the less likely to be
announced list to the more likely to be announced list. Provided with a reasoning for the transfer from the less likely temples to be announced list to the more likely temples to be announced list, these locations included:
- Abuja, Nigeria (remote distance, three stakes in the metropolitan area, creation of the Nigeria Abuja Mission in 2024, significant recent growth in Jos, Nigeria that appears likely to become a stake in the immediate future)
- Cottonwood Heights/Holladay/Sandy Utah Temple (temple in this area could serve 20-30 stakes, this area of the Salt Lake metropolitan area is the most unreached by current temples).
- Lomé, Togo (significant recent growth in the Benin Cotonou Mission where there are now five stakes and one district)
- Port Harcourt, Nigeria (metropolitan area on the Afro-Eurasian landmass with the most stakes [7] without a temple, multiple new stakes likely to be created in the immediate future, two missions now headquartered in city [second mission created in 2024], significant steady growth in the number of stakes. Although the Aba Nigeria Temple is nearby, the Aba Nigeria Temple is on the opposite side of the city from where Port Harcourt is located. There has also been significant growth in Aba as well that can better support the current temple. There are now five stakes in Aba alone)
- Rigby, Idaho (significant recent growth in the number of congregations and stakes in the Idaho Falls, Idaho area, additional new stakes likely to be organized in the near future, Idaho Falls Idaho Temple now has 31 stakes assigned)
In my opinion, the following 10 locations appear most likely to have temples announced this coming General Conference. As always, your prediction lists are welcome and encouraged.
- Spanish Fork, Utah
- Angeles or Olongapo, Philippines
- Kampala, Uganda
- Santiago, Dominican Republic
- Osorno, Chile OR Puerto Montt, Chile
- El Paso, Texas
- Price, Utah
- Bo, Sierra Leone
- Port Harcourt, Nigeria
- Rigby, Idaho
See below for the map of likely and less likely new temple sites:
74 comments:
Matt, I would add Santa Maria Brazil and Sorocaba Brazil as most likely. I would also add São José dos Campos Brazil as least likely
Matt, as a reminder, some time ago, you had also created this list of now 32 distant future dark horse choices.
Abeokuta Nigeria
Accra Ghana (2nd )
Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Akure Nigeria
Aparri Philippines
Assin Foso Ghana
Blantyre Malawi
Bujumbura Burundi
Colombo Sri Lanka
Eldoret Kenya
General Santos Philippines
Georgetown Guyana
Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
Huambo Angola
Jos Nigeria
Kisangani DR Congo
Lae Papua New Guinea
Legazpi Philippines
Makurdi Nigeria
Maseru Lesotho
Matadi DR Congo
Mbabane Eswatini
Nampula Mozambique
Onitsha Nigeria
Owerri Nigeria
Pointe-Noire Republic of the Congo
Seville Spain
Tagbilaran Philippines
Talca Chile
Toamasina Madagascar
Ubon Thailand
Yenagoa Nigeria
I reformatted my list in both UPPERCASE and lowercase script.
Matt, also a reminder that I posted on the last post. But has not been updated in a week or so.
The 30th new stake this year was in reality the "Provo Utah East Bay Stake (Spanish) (2237792)" that was organized the week before the Calabar Nigeria Etta Agbor Stake, on August 11th, 2024.
Thanks Chris - I plan to do a post next week sometime to report on the new stakes and districts created in the past couple months.
My master list of all ew temple locations I see as good prospects for October is found in the following document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xPCb9ndGGaYKbkZ83NlDz2CwMakk9rgvToM-ScZ-U6A/edit?usp=sharing
The more specific locations I see as most likely this go-round are found at the bottom of the following document::
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AHEJOqAjEJDN7aXQLlfrkzc2yTVer6E0TRR5eYdNKB8/edit?usp=sharing
For those who don't care to scroll through that document to the relevant text, here are my top contenders by area:
October 2024 (20 new temples projected)
Africa Central–Kampala Uganda
Africa South–Pretoria/East London South Africa
Africa West–Yamasoukkro Ivory Coast
Asia–Taichung Taiwan
Asia North–Kobe Japan
Brazil–Sao Paulo (Fourth)
Caribbean–Santiago Dominican Republic
Central America–Santa Ana El Salvador/Villa Nueva Guatemala
Europe Central–Zurich Switzerland
Mexico–Durango Mexico
North America Central–Green Bay Wisconsin
North America Northeast–East Brunswick New Jersey
North America Southeast–Jackson Mississippi
North America Southwest–Flagstaff/Queen Creek Arizona & Las Cruces New Mexico
North America West–Long Beach California
Pacific–Christchurch New Zealand
Philippines–Angeles Philippines
South America Northwest–Otavalo/Guayaquil (Second) Ecuador
South America South–Osorno Chile
Utah–Herriman Utah
And just in case any of you would be interested in following along with my other General Conference predictions, I have a projected speaker lineup:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tX_eCIritXBNjJAWBkUUsp_SRgrg2Hw4G4kbtl0Wj4w/edit?usp=sharing
And I also have my projections for changes in general Church leadership:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19O6eRL0IaWv3_7ua-guCFlwo0W4xHZHuMa1nR8PuZy8/edit?usp=sharing
If any of you have any questions on any of these documents, I think it would be better to address those on my blog:
https://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com
@James G Stokes
I do not think the next temple for the Europe Central Aea will be in Zurich Switzerland. I am from Zurich and the Bern Temple is just to close (about 1 hour 20 minutes). I think they will anounce temples for missions that have none. In my opinion the most likly thempels for the Europe Central Area are:
Milan Italy
Southern France (Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse ,Marseille)
Souhtern Spain(Seville, Valencia, Cadiz, Elche, Cartagena, Malaga)
My Top (15) temples list:
Spanish Fork Utah
Price Utah
Milwaukee Wisconsin
Flagstaff or Prescott Arizona
Santiago Dominican Republic
Quevedo Ecuador
Puerto Mott Chile
Neuquen Argentina
Santa Maria Brazil
Abuja Nigeria
Kampala Uganda
Milan Italy
Dublin Ireland
Angeles OR Olongapo Philippines
San Pablo City Philippines
Here is my October 2024 temple prediction list. It is excessively long.
My top guesses are
Lome, Togo
Spanish Fork, Utah
Appelton, Wisconsin
Kampala, Uganda
Abuja, Nigeria
Milan, Italy
3rd temple in Lima
Manchester, New Hampshire
El Paso, Texas Luputa, DR Congo
The full list:
Bangor, Maine
Manchester, New Hampshire
Albany, New York
Scranton, Pennsylvania or Allentown, Pennsylvania
Baltimore, Maryland
South or Southeast Virginia DC suburbs
Charleston, West Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Greensboro, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Athens, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Huntsville, Alabama
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Dayton, Ohio
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Lansing, Michigan (maybe Midland, Michigan instead)
Champaign, Illinois
Appleton or Fon du Lac, Wisconsin
Rapid City, South Dakota
Jefferson City, Missouri
Little Rock, Arkansas
Monroe, Louisiana
Longview, Texas
South Dallas Metro area of Waco, Texas
El Paso, Texas
San Luis Valley, Colorado
2nd Denver metro area temple
Evanston, Wyoming
Rigby, Idaho
Nampa, Idaho
Ceure d'Alene, Idaho
West Haven, Utah
Tremont, Utah
Spanish Fork or Mapleton, Utah
Price, Utah
Fillmore, Utah
Chinle, Arizona
Queen Creek, Arizona
Surprise, Arizona
Flagstaff, Arizona
Prescott, Arizona
Henderson, Nevada
Pullman, Washington
Everett, Washington
Salem, Oregon
Santa Rosa, California
San Francisco, California (in the city limits)
Santa Paula, California (or Thousand Oaks, somewhere in Ventura County)
San Luis Obispo, California
Temecula, California
Mexicali Mexico
Durango, Mexico
Poza Rica, Mexico
3rd Guatemala City Temple
Another city in Guatemala ending in -tenango
Antigua, Guatemala
Santa Ana, El Salvador
2nd temple in Nicaragua
Kingston, Jamaica
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Barcelona, Venezuela
Medellin, Colombia
2nd temple in Bogota, Colombia (or maybe up to 4 for the greater Bogota area)
Otavalo, Ecuador
Portoviejo, Ecuador
Machala, Ecuador
Guayaquil temple #2
Santo Domingo, Ecuador
Tacna, Peru
Chincoteague, Peru
Huanuco, Peru
Pisco, Peru
3 more Lima Peru Temples
Potosi, Bolivia
Toronto, Ontario with existing temple renamed Brampton
Juneau, Alaska
Puerto Montt, Chile
Rancagua, Chile
Ciudad del Este, Paraguay
Paysandu, Uruguay
2nd Montevideo, Uruguay temple
Neuquen, Argentina
Resistencia Argentina
Santa Maria Brazil
Sorocaba Brazil
3 more Sao Paulo Temples
Cuiaba Brazil
Aracaju, Brazil
Sao Luis Brazil
Bristol, England
London England Hyde Park
Dublin, Ireland
Bourdeaux, France
Milan, Italy
Tirana, Albania
Prague, Czech Republuc
Munich, Germany
Berlin, Germany
Goteborg, Sweden
Nagano, Japan
Olongapo, Philippines
Legazipi City, Philippines
Manila, Philippines with existing temple renamed to Quezon City
3rd temple on Mindanao
Hobart, Australia
Canberra, Australia
2nd temple in Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Haapai Group, Tonga
Marshall Islands
Christ Church, New Zealand
Bo, Sierra Leone
Yamasoukro, Ivory Coast
Takarodi, Ghana
Abuja, Nigeria
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Etinan, Nigeria (since I keep accidentally thinking Eket is there,this will help things be clearer in my mind)
Enugu, Nigeria
Lome, Togo
2nd temple in Kinshasa
Kolwezi, DR Congo
Mwene-Ditu DR Congo
Luputa, DR Congo
Kigali, Rwanda
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
East London, South Africa
Pretoria, South Africa
Maputo, Mozambique
Lilongwe, Malawi
New Delhi, India
Macallan, Mexico
Ciudad Obregon, Mexico
Reynosa, Mexico and
Prince George, British Colombia
I lost
On further reflection I think these temples have dome potential:
Bucaramanga, Colombia
Tucarembo, Uruguay
San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina
Tarija, Bolivia
miro, thanks for your input. I have heard on my end that President Nelson's new goal for temples may be to have them within a 2-hour drive both ways. If true, Zurich would qualify, and that would also open up other prospects that, based on previous metrics, wouldn't have been considered. President Nelson's goalposts for temes keeps shifting forward, so, in view of that fact, I will retain Zurich on my list. Again, I'd prefer any further discussions on my projections to take place ony blog so we don't jam up Matt's posts with such discussions here.
I agree with Miro's most likely temples for Europe and would also add Tirana. Albania continues to see quite a bit of growth but they have a hard time holding onto members, as those who can tend to move to the EU. Having a temple in Albania would likely help keeping more members in the country.
JPL, Please, don't misunderstand me here. I was able to locate most of these places on a map. I just have trouble locating 2 of these places. The first you suggested is a place called "Macallan, Mexico". I know we have a recently dedicated temple in a similar sounding city called "McAllen" but in the US State of Texas across the border from Mexico. But I couldn't locate a major City called Macallan in Mexico.
2nd, you suggested a site called Chincoteague, Peru. Doing a google search i found "Chincoteague Ponies" from somewhere called "Chincoteague Island, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the USA. But, no Chincoteague city in Peru. Can you explain where these sites are located in Mexico and Peru? Thank you.
During Elder Bednar's 10day ministry tour to Peru and Ecuador, he met with, among others, the Huancayo Municipality General Manager about the upcoming construction of the Huancayo Peru Temple. So, we may have a site location announced soon. In my humble opinion.
Here I quote from the Newsroom article posted yesterday.
"In Peru, Elder Bednar discussed the forthcoming Huancayo Peru Temple with officials in that city.
“We will be constructing a temple here in Huancayo,” the Apostle told Huancayo’s Municipality General Manager Christian Enrique Velita Espinosa on August 23, 2024. “The ‘Casa del Senor’ [written on the outside of the house] refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is His house.”
In both Huancayo and Urubamba, Peru, Elder Bednar's visit was the first time a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had ministered.
Velita presented Elder Bednar with a key to the city, and Elder Bednar gifted Velita a copy of the Book of Mormon. Elder Jorge T. Becerra of the South America Northwest Area Presidency spoke about how the Book of Mormon includes a record of how the Savior had come to the American continent."
"And at a stake conference on August 25 in Huancayo, Elder Bednar emphasized the power of covenants and the transformative nature of repentance."
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-bednar-ministry-peru-ecuador-2024
Which would put the locality of Urubamba, Peru (the Urubamba Branch is located just north of Cusco, Peru), where another previously announced temple in or near Cusco, on my radar also.
Also, during the same tour, he met with the newly designated (since April 2024), Governor of Guayas Province (in Ecuador), Vicente Auad and Planning Minister.
"In Ecuador on Thursday, August 29, Elder Bednar met with Governor Vicente Auad and Planning Minister Sariha Moya. They discussed the familiarity and strength of the Church in Ecuador."
Maybe they are considering a 2nd Guayaquil Temple, in the future?
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-bednar-ministry-peru-ecuador-2024
OK. I am not sure how my spellings got so butchered above.
I meant to write Mazatlan, Mexico. I think Mazatlan is in Sinaloa State like Culiacan. I know is not all that far from Culiacan, but I am being bold here. It is not very likely really.
The city I meant in Peru was Chimbote. I am not sure how it got so garbled while typing.
La Serena, Chile looks like it might be a location to put a temple in North Central Chile. It appears it would only cover 3 stakes and a district. Puno, Peru by Lake Titicaca looks like it could take in 3 stakes so seems vaguely doable. I can't tell if Puerto Maldonado district would be assigned there or Cusco, but it is a long partially mountainous journey to either place.
Other places in Brazil that look vaguely possible are Joinville in Santa Cararina state. Palmas in Tocantin state seems a very dark horse. It at most takes in 3 stakes and 2 districts, at only the 2 Palmas stakes are close.
Knowing Bahia is geographically large I was trying to work out a 2nd temple location. Feira de Santana would seem by stakes the most likely, it has 3, but is not that far from Salvador. It will probably get a temple eventually. Itabuna seems geographically better but looks like there is really only 2 stakes and a district it would serve at present.
Puerto Velho or Rio Branco Brazil would take in 2 stakes and 4-5 districts depending on how easy it is to cross the border from Bolivia and Peru. It looks like the trip from Puerto Maldonado at least to Rio Branco might be shorter than to Cusco, although the road bends a lot. Cusco you are going into the mountains so it is hard to tell. They need a temple in that area, but I am not sure it can be done without more growth. The two stakes in Rio Beanco and Porto Velho are not close. Cuiaba looks like it would be far closer to Goiania than to Porto Velho. So I would imagine we would see at least 1 more stake, or maybe 2 more districts before a temple is announced but I can see that a temple somewhere in that region would help a lot.
Everything in that region is distant and dangerous... it is the Amazon Jungle, after all. Puerto Maldonado is almost halfway between Rio Branco and Cuzco, but on one side there are the dangerous curves of the mountains and, on the other, the muddy forest roads and two international borders. Interestingly, it is still closer than the confines of the Manaus Mission, where the church's presence is further west in Brazil. After all, Cruzeiro do Sul is 10 hours away via BR-364 (actually at the end of that road; I live at the beginning of it in São Paulo), while Puerto Maldonado is 6 hours from Rio Branco. Another curiosity is that 75% of the distance between Porto Velho and Rio Branco is covered within a single "city", the municipality of Porto Velho, deep in the forest.
Chincoteague Island is a known place on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Delaware and Maryland. Not a lot of people, let alone members are out there. Assateague Island may have the wild horses/ponies, too. My family has enjoyed them. Waddoups is not far away, where rockets and spaceships can fly to space. Of course, we recognize the AI Robot correct with Peru rather than the Eastern Shore.
One note about Lima: the nice part of Miraflores does not have a big population of Church members. It seems the higher the money situation in most places, the lower the membership. However, it would be amazing if La Iglesia de Jesucristo were to build a temple in Miraflores. It has great tourist and beach areas.
I would like to see a temple in Mazatlan. I have driven down the coast from Culiacan, the highway is not that great. I think 2.5 hours between these cities. Culiacan is infamous for having the Sinaloa Cartel, but organized crime threats are present most places in Mexico.
The longest list here did not have West Virginia, Vermont, or New Hampshire. (Unless I missed them). All three could get a temple, I think by certain criteria. And Maine.
Any news on possible new missions to create and expand next year?
Any news on convert growth in the States or worldwide?
Having visited parts near Cusco, Peru this year, those places need more missionaries.
I have Manchester, New Hampshire and Charleston, West Virginia on my list. Vermont only has 1 stake. A temple near Joseph Smith's birthplace is a vague potential, and Montpelier and Bennington also might be doable, but I would be shocked by any of these being announced.
Providence, Rhode Island is a dark horse, but Worcester, Massachusetts might actually be more likely.
I think New Jersey is a big one I missed. I am not sure if New Brunswick or Morisstoen is most likely, and I could see even in Newark or just outside of Newark and named for it. Jersey City I don't think would do. A temple somewhere on Long Island and one in the region about Nyack or so are also vague possibilities, or even renewing the Harrison, New York plan or something around there. At this point nothing would surprise me.
Well, a temple for Delaware would surprise me. Topeka, Kansas I think is possible.
I really would almost be surprised if no country with an announced temple but none completed has a temple announced. That has not happened since 1875 when the Logan Temple was announced, but I think it is likely. Yampsoukro, Ivory Coast, Bo, Sierra Leone and Maputo, Mozambique seem the most likely. Chinandega, Nicaragua and Lae, Papua New Guinea are vague possibilities. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe is also a fairly vague possibility.
The mention of wondering when Alabang Phillipines Temple open house would happen above was because in meeting with the president of the Phillippines Elder Karron (I am not sure I spelled his name right) told the president of the Phillippines the open house for the Alabang Temple would be in 2025 and invited him to come.
La Ceiba, Honduras looks to be the most likely place to get a temple in Honduras based on distance from the existing temples. However both the greater San Pedro Sula and the greater Tegucigalpa area have so many stakes it might be possible for both of them to get a 2nd temple more of less in that urban area. David, Panama looks to be the general area Panama could get a 2nd temple, but there is only 1 stake but several districts in that area, so if there was at least a 2nd stake it might be more likely.
I think Punta Arenas, Chile is a contender, mainly because it is do far away from everything. Neither Puerto Montt nor Neuquen are really going to make a temple in Punta Arenas less needed.
Looking at Southern Argentina more I think a temple in Trelew is likely. This is not really effected by Neuquen. Neuquen is 7 hours from Bahia Blanca. Trelew is just around 8 and a half hours from both of of those cities. Teleworking has 2 stakes, plus there is a stake in Comodoro Rividavia just over 4 hours away. Comodoro Rividavia is 13 hours from Bahia Blanca and 20 hours from the Buenas Aires Temple. Although if you want to avoid tolls it is 21 hours.
Actually Punta,Arnas it takes only 1 hour less to get to Puerto Montt than to get to the Buenos Aires Temple, and you go through Comodoro Rividavia. It is 17 hours to Trelew. It is 12 and a half to Comodoro Rividavia. It is 14 hours, I think part by ferry from Rio Grande on Tierra del Fuego. It is 6 hours from Rio Grande Argentina to Punta Arnas. Which is very far. Close enough you could have some visitors, but you probably would have to staff a temple in Punta Arnas with all local temple workers. It could however depend on where the various units are in the Rio Grande Argentina and Punta Arnas Chile stake. Puerto Progreso, Chile might be a more central location, but that just might mean fat from everyone and not close to anyone.
Three new temple announcements made today. First, the artists rendering of the new Vancouver Washington Temple released.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/09/03/vancouver-washington-temple-exterior-rendering-released/
Second, the dedication schedule has been reduced from 2 sessions on Dec 8th, 2025 to just one morning session, of the new Tallahassee Florida Temple.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/09/03/tallahassee-florida-temple-dedication-2024-update-one-session/
Third, the new Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple had a Groundbreaking Ceremony this last saturday, August 31st.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/09/03/cagayan-de-oro-philippines-temple-groundbreaking-revillo/
20 strong candidates for temples Oct 2024:
Kampala Uganda
Yamoussoukro Ivory Coast
Guatemala City Guatemala
Santa Ana El Salvador
Guayaquil Ecuador
Lima Peru
Santiago Chile
Southern Chile
Sao Paolo Brazil
Curitiba Brazil
Fortaleza Brazil
Buenos Aires Argentina
Manila Philippines
Queen Creek AZ
Flagstaff AZ
Greater Los Angeles CA
Nampa ID
Price UT
Springville UT
Herriman or East SLC UT
Potential Surprises:
Milwaukee WI
Fort Bridger WY
Paducah KY
Teleworking or Trelew? I think you mean the latter. The future of the remote areas of the world are looking better and better when it comes to temple services. I still think we could create some temple ships, or plains, or trains someday. The Tabernacle of Moses was mobile, after all.
Yes, thanks for pointing out the New England predictions and analysis.
West Virginia will get one, likely Charleston, right?
How about future virtual sessions for temple work, for those shut in and housebound?
Does anyone have a current count on people in Antarctica? It probably has not reached Western populations in Afghanistan from 2002-2020, but still. Chileans proudly stake their claims on the frozen continent. And about 3 percent of chilenos are S.U.D., or Latter-day Saints.
Any idea what percentage of Filipino missionaries go foreign?
What are the top three growth countries in Europe? Spain, Portugal, ... France?
Next five countries to get missionaries?
How are convert baptisms in Eswatini?
I need an Almanac. There was talk of one being published lately, right?
Let me try to answer some of those questions to the best of my knowledge.
Virtual temple sessions are probably not going to happen, from a gatekeeping standpoint but also because the temple experience is tied directly to Priesthood authority (especially for sealings but for other ordinances too). You cannot administer virtually in the priesthood.
Very few Philippino missionaries serve abroad, likely less than 10%. Conversely, they staff almost all of their missions without or with little foreign help. This is a major shift in the last decade.
Of countries with sizable membership (exempting Montenegro and Iceland, for example), growth in Europe is likely highest in Spain and has been for several years. Beyond this, I would say Albania, Germany and Belgium look good, the latter two with indicators of real and sustained growth rather than pure membership growth.
My assumption is that Timor-Leste will get missionaries sometime soon. I find it somewhat hard to scrape together four more countries. For most of them (except Seychelles and Sao Tome, perhaps), there are quite good reasons why we do not have missionaries assigned currently.
Convert baptisms in Eswatini happen but not at a comparable rate to those of other countries in the general region.
Temple predictions (US list)
Thousands Oaks, California
Lancaster, California
Henderson, Nevada
Springville, Utah
Spanish Fork, Utah
Sandy, Utah
Tremonton, Utah
Herriman, Utah
Nampa, Idaho
Blackfoot, Idaho
Mesa Arizona East
Temple, Arizona
Flagstaff, Arizona
Shreveport, Louisiana
Alexandria, Virginia
Newark, New Jersey
I'll do the other lists later
I did know a Filipino who served his mission here in Detroit. He visa waited in the Phillippines before coming to the US. That is the only person my whole life I knew who left on a mission from the Phillippines to the US. I may have seen a reference to a Filipino serving in Ghana, but overall I have seen way more References to Tongans and Samoans serving there. Which makes sense, the Phillippines has a much higher population, and so needs more missionaries serving there. I have been told that on Mindanao thry almost never send American missionaries, and maybe almost only send Filipinos.
Pascal and miro, hope you know how much I respect your opinions. My master list for all near-term prospects (to which I linked above) includes many of the prospects miro mentioned. But many on this blog said Dublin was a more imminently-likely prospect than Edinburgh. And because I had heard that the Church already had land in Edinburgh for a temple, I supported Edinburgh above Dublin. And an Edinburgh temple was announced last April before one in Dublin was. As I mentioned in my last comment, President Nelson's goal posts for new temples keep moving. And since the newly-stated goal (from what I've heard) is within a 2-hour round-trip distance, by that metric, Zurich qualifies for a temple. So I think I will retain Zurich as my top European pick. But I will be happy for a temple in any of the locations miro mentioned (including the ones that are also on my master list).
Temple predictions (Central and South America)
Poza Rica, Mexico
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Medellin, Colombia
Osorno, Chile
Neuquen, Argentina
Temple predictions (Europe, Africa, etc)
Milan, Italy
Seville, Spain
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Kampala, Uganda
Munich, Germany
Hobart, Tasmania
Looking more closely at the map Osorno might be more likely ad a temple than Puerto Mott. Punta Arnas is so far away that it really does not matter either way, and Osorno is more central to the area south of Concepcion that would be served. I would live to see temples in both put I think Osorno probably will come first. Although it might come first the way Salta came first to Mendoza.
I found this article https://www.rappler.com/philippines/latter-day-saints-elder-patrick-kearon-religious-freedom/ on Elder Kerron's speech to a forum on law and religious freedom in the Phillippines. I really like the number of times the article referred to him as a Chrisymtian leader. Also the fact that it used the full correct name of the Church multiple times. It's wording about stopping using another term in 2918 is a little misleading but far better than what one gets from many American articles.
The article briefly mentions Elder Kerron paying a courtesy call on the president of the Philippines. It also mentions him speaking to Church members in Laoag City. I was lead to this article from the Church News. From that I learned Elder Kerron also dmspoke at the Manilla MTC and yo a gathering of 1,000 new members held in Quezon City.
I am hoping Elder Kerron going to Laoag might mean we get a site announcement for the Laoag Phillipines Temple. I hope we get a few more temples announced for the Phillippines next month.
North Ogden, Utah
This was recently posted by the Not by bread alone oundation telling of how the Church came to have 3 members in Zaire needed to sign for recognition in 1986. https://interpreterfoundation.org/not-by-bread-alone-just-in-time-three-converts-return-home/ The fact that the narrator is Junior Bomza, whose parents were two of the three members is very telling. It has a lot of interesting details. It also includes at the end an audio recording of Elder Alexander B. Morrison's comments at the meeting where Zaire was dedicated for the preaching of the gospel.
Just wanted to post this because I found it interesting. Due to the new 18-25 and 26-35 YSA ward split, YSA stakes in member heavy YSA areas (specifically Provo-Orem) have been moving to create new wards, some 18-25 and others 26-35. There are four YSA stakes in Orem, and 3 have already undergone this split, according to the meetinghouse locator, and I believe that last of the four underwent the split last Sunday, and just hasn't yet been updated. So, currently the Orem Utah YSA 4th Stake is listed to have 20 wards, the 3rd stake has 18 wards, the 2nd Stake has 12 wards, and the 1st Stake (not yet updated in the meetinghouse locator) has 13 wards. I'm not sure exactly what to think of this, obviously YSA membership hasn't skyrocketed in Orem (although I am sure it is climbing each year with the year over year growth of Utah Valley University and the various new housing complexes constantly being built in the area).
It will be interesting to see if some of the new wards combine, to create bigger 18-25 and 26-35 wards, or if it stays as is. Perhaps new 18-25 and 25-35 YSA stakes will be created? Additionally, the same number (ex Orem YSA 7th ward) currently corresponds to both an 18-25 congregation and a 26-35 congregation. Not sure exactly what this entails at the moment. Still, when was the last time a stake was officially listed with 20 wards? It's got to have been some time. I only know that the original Salt Lake Stake got up to like 40? wards before it was divided.
Well, with moving the maximum age of YSA from 30 to 35 that means that the number of YSAs has increased. I know the Salt Lake Prioneer YSA stake will rearrange wards next week. I would imagine they will create new stakes to bring stakes back down to 12. However they may wait a bit to see how things actually work out. It will be interesting to see.
More predictions
Angeles, Philippines
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mar del Plata, Argentina
Salem, Oregon
Temecula, California
Farmington, Utah
Machala, Ecuador
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Ciudad Victoria, Mexico
Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Augusta, Maine
Santa Maria, Brazil
Would the YSA changes potentially change the mid singles age range?
My predictions:
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Spanish Fork/Springville, UT
Price, UT
Rigby, ID
Evanston, WY
Flagstaff, AZ
El Paso, TX
Little Rock, AR
Scotch Plains, NJ
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Angeles, Philippines
Valdivia or Osorno, Chile
Santa Maria, Brazil
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Dark Horse: Dublin, Ireland
Bryan, the Farmington temple was announcd April 21.to be completed late this year. So many to keep track of!
Oops,sorry, you were suggesting Farmington Utah. I was thinking Farmington, NM.
This just in (originally reported in an email at 6:30 PM): The next batch of new hymns is supposed to be available today, but when you go to the relevant section on the Church website, nothing new shows up. The notice may have been sent out prematurely or will be accurate within the next few hours. I will keep my eyes open on that and post any updates when they occur. My thanks once again to you all.
I wonder if it was an error, because the message I got today seems to be identical to the message received in May - dates and all.
Ryan, the message sent out today indeed referred people back to the original letter released in May for those with questions. I just received a correction that the next batch of new hymns will actually be released at some point on September 12. Though it wasn't specific as to the time, my guess would be on that morning. Thanks.
After my mediocre showing last General Conference I told myself I wouldn't make temple predictions this fall, but I can't resist. Here are my predictions, more-or-less in order of how likely I think they are:
Kampala, Uganda
Osorno, Chile
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Neuquen, Argentina
Lome, Togo
Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
Poza Rica, Mexico
Abuja, Nigeria
Queen Creek, Arizona
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Angeles, Philippines
Mobile, Alabama
Sorocaba, Brazil
Medellin, Colombia
Note that I aim to minimize both types of error: I want to correctly predict the temples that do get announced while avoiding incorrectly predicting temples that don't end up being announced.
--Felix
What was released today was the confirmed parameters for the October 2024 General Conference:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/general-conference/2024/09/05/first-presidency-letter-announces-october-2024-general-conference/
It appears safe to now assume that all future Saturday Evening Sessions will also be for all members and friends of the Church unless otherwise announced.
My thanks once again to you all.
After Mexico City, I strongly believe that Manila and São Paulo will be the cities whose surroundings will receive the most temples. That's why I believe that the next most likely temples for the Brazil area will be in the macrometropolis of São Paulo in Sorocaba and ABC cities (São Paulo South/São Bernardo/Santo André). As less likely, Jundiaí and São José dos Campos. They would join the arc formed by the Campinas/SP/Santos axis.
However, this should not happen now, as Santa Maria and another city in the West (Cuiabá, Rio Branco or Campo Grande) should come first. So, my guess is that the Church will announce metropolitan temples for the Philippines at the next conference and São Paulo will be in 2025-26.
"The Pacific Area presidency issues condolences following death of Maori king
Kīngi Tūheitia, the Maori king in New Zealand, passed away on Aug. 29 at age 69
6 Sept 2024, 9:05 AM MDT"
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2024/09/06/pacific-area-presidency-maori-king-condolences/
Just by way of reminder:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-russell-m-nelson-100th-birthday-commemoration-announced
The broadcast will be available on demand through the Church's broadcast page and various audio and video channels after it airs live via the same.
hello!... there is less and less time left for the general conference in october, personally I would like that in every country where the church is there is a temple, even if it is very small, it is true that there is a lack of workers or volunteers, it is a matter of calling more missionaries to serve as workers in remote countries, for that there is plenty of money in the church, this was once done and has been left aside.
I would love that they announce the temples that are needed in Chile, which is my country, I know that there are not so many active or faithful, however, with those that exist something can be done, even the distances are very large in a country so long, we have years of crime and lack of resources, the temples give hope in difficult times.
I wish temples were announced in La Serena, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, Talca or Curico, Osorno, Rancagua, in Puente Alto or La Florida Santiago, Iquique, Atacama.
It is demonstrated that there are countries in Europe or some Pacific islands with very few members and they have been announced temple, Chile is a country of faith and sacrifice, with many inactive, the baptized in their majority are committed people, and our church has the economic resources for 1,000 temples more.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
I know a couple who served as temple workers in the Pria Cape Verde Temple while on a mission there that ended in 2024. To be fair that was not their main assignment. Their main assignment was to teach institute, but thry did other things.
I do understand why there has been a shift away from relying on missionaries as temple workers. The turning point is Aba Temple that was at one point closed for several months while thry worked out how to no longer rely on exterior missionary temple workers in the face of rising violence often directed against foreigners.
There are around 15 countries or territories that have at least one stake but no temple. I hope some of these get temples announced soon. There are other countries with multiple districts such as Malaysia and Pakistan that could possibly be eligible for temples.
I wonder about Mozambique. Due to that county's large size could Maputo get one announced even though Beiria is still not completed yet
Due to the way Singapore is placed in relationship to Malaysia, and Singapore getting a temple, I do not think we will see a temple announced for Malaysia until after thry have a stake. Although each conference there is a temple that complete surprises me, so I could be wrong.
Elder Daynes spoke at my stake conference today. He went over the process of receiving revelation.
I could see why, in general, it would be good to limit the number or percent of temple worker missionaries. Alternatively, I can see why it may sometimes be good to have more temple worker missionaries than that for a while right after a new temple is dedicated.
I can see a need for temple worker missionaries early on. My understanding is that in Kinshasa thry had a few at opening but now have very few or none.
In the case of the Cape Verde Temple the first president and matron also only served 15 months. The new president and matron were Cape Verdean.
For the last 2 years every new temple president called has been a resident of their temple district or a resident of the country where thry will serve. The closest to an exception is President Harline in Trujillo who is a California-birn BYU grad who spent his caterer in play set design working in Texas. However he has been in Peru since 2021,and not a missionary for over a year. The Harkines served a mission in Lima and then moved to Trujillo, so thry had lived there a year or a little more before thry became temple leaders.
Why did thry move to Trujillo? That is the other key. Sister Harline's maiden name is Maria Garcia, quite possibly the name had by more Hispanic women than Amy other. She was born in Trujillo. President Harline served his mission in Peru. I was able to peace together enough evidence that the Harlines have been married a long time to make me pretty sure thry were married before he graduated BYU. This is not the temple president who has never been to the place before his call, or the one whose connection is only as a missionary we used yo have at times.
There is one such temple president in reserve. That is the Allen's to preside over the Abijan Ivory Coast Temple. They were called way back in July 2021. They are probably close to a record of time between call and starting service as temple president.
Most of the more recent new temples have come in countries where there was already a temple. Okinawa and McAllen get temple presidents who were born in the temple district but had spent their lives elsewhere in the country. Although the McAllen Temple president spent most of his life not far away in San Antonio. Mendoza's first president lives in Cordoba, so still in Argentina.
The Bangkok Thailand Temple did get a 1st president from Thailand. It will be interesting to see if the first presidents in Nairobi, Harare, Berra, the Madagascar Temple, Angola, Mongolia, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, India, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nicaragua are nationals of the temple's country. Same with Singapore, Rwoublic of the Congo and Infmdonesia. I know my list is a mess of cities and countries.
My guess is that we will see some expatriate temple presidents especially among the first in some of these countries. However I strongly suspect the first president in others will be a national of that country. Zimbabwe and Kenya I strongly predict will have a national as the first president. India I would in some ways suspect it less, but with the severe limit on foreign religious visas there, I suspect the first president will be a national.
The others I am less sure on. Republic of Congo I would suspect yes, just because the proximity of Brazaville to Kinshasa makes it doable yo have a Republic of Congo couple who are slated to be temple president and matron serve for a time in Kinshasa Temple.
The others are more a mixed bag. I did forget Vanuatu. One of my primary presidents when I was a primary child was married to a man from Vanuatu. She was a Ha'ole raised in Hawaii and they married in the Laie Temple. Well technically the Hawaii Temple, since that was sometime in the late 1980s or so. Maybe early 180s but I think they were married after that date.
A friend of mine was in a meeting for the reorganization of a stake in Fera de Santana, and he mentioned that the area presidency member who was presiding on the conference mentioned that future temple in Vitoria the Conquista. I don't know what the context was but, these friend is originally from Vitoria the Conquista.
For many years we thought that the mission would be moved to Victoria de conquista but as we only had one stake, the mission went to Feira de Santana. Probably it happened because they have three steaks there, but it's a fact that they are very close to Salvador.
We went on a trip to visit the Salvador temple in the took us 9 hours. It's still very far.
I agree about Santa Maria.
Are there any current building permit issues with the São Paulo east temple? That temple was annouced 4 years ago, without a temple rendering released or groundbreaking date. Tallahassee, FL, Syracuse, UT, are well underway, and even Brasilia has already been dedicated. All those temples were annouced at the same time as the SP East temple. I wonder if that has anything to do with the nearby subway station that is being built.
My temple picks:
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Flagstaff AZ
Kampala, Uganda
La Ceiba Honduras
Spanish Fork UT
Punta Arenas Chile
Angeles Phillipines
Nampa ID
Otavalo Ecuador
I cannot say why we have not had more progress on the Sao Paulo East Temple. However Brasilia Brazil was announced in April 2017 by President Monson, so it being dedicated is a different issue.
I did see this article on the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple. https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2024/09/mormon-church-to-begin-construction-of-20000-square-foot-temple-in-michigan.html I suspect we will very soon have an announcement of the ground braking for that temple.
I also ask myself this question, and I bet on the same guess. The subway works are progressing, but slowly and I think this influences the progress of the temple works. I tried to search for project documentation in the municipality's electronic archives but I was not granted access to the processes, unlike what I was able to do in Ribeirão Preto. So it is difficult to have a complete idea of the environmental issues involved, as well as the interface with the neighboring project. We continue to search for answers. This week the president of the area will come to my city for the conference, I will try to introduce this subject with him, I hope I have luck.
Please note also that new stake 14 West Jordan Utah Wasatch Meadows is Spanish. See https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2024/05/23/church-creates-first-spanish-stake-utah-elder-carlos-godoy-salt-lake-city/
For some reason I thought there were 20 temples announced last General Conference, but there were only 15, so I should have listed a prediction of 20 temples for this conference. Here are 5 more to round out my list above:
Reynosa, Mexico
Bo, Sierra Leone
Cuiaba, Brazil
El Paso, Texas
Resistencia, Argentina
It has been several decades since I last crossed the United States-Mexico border; I assume it is quite difficult for members in Mexico to get to the McAllen temple and for members in the United States to get to the Ciudad Juarez temple, but if that is not the case then I would probably alter my list by replacing El Paso and Reynosa with Tacna, Peru and southwest Wyoming (either Evanston or somewhere in the Bridger valley area).
Question/comment about BYU-Idaho: I have wondered for a few years about the ethnic diversity in Rexburg. Having been there recently, it appeared to me that there were people of different persuasions of race and background, which I find encouraging.
Any other data or observational anecdotes of people of non-U.S. or minority status in Idaho? It is great to see the faith becoming more internationally representative here in the U.S. and everywhere else.
Does anyone have growth reports on Canada? Australia?
Oh, and President Monson does not seem right in 2017. One or the other must be wrong. I got to attend the Monroe Ward in Michigan recently. It was nice. Also visited the temple in Detroit, the chapel next door. Under construction, but pretty cool.
We saw a little chapel, maybe the smallest I have seen, even smaller than a tiny one in Tijeral Chile, in the Upper Peninsula going towards Marquette.
President Monson didn't die until January 2, 2018, and he announced his last set of new temples in April 2017. See the following link for verification:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/kindness-charity-and-love?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2017/05/news-of-the-church/five-new-temples?lang=eng
Right, I misremembered when the Prophet passed. A change of an era, for sure, when it comes to Boy Scouting in the United States and the transformation of youth and how we raise our boys and girls in the Restored Gospel. Thanks for the reminder and correction. President Monson lived until 2018.
I have a friend who was very much disheartened by the doing away with BSA, but I think it will help our allocation of funds for the Church of Jesus Christ youth across the globe. I think we gave disproportionately to U.S. young men, and this stilted effort probably hampered a lot of development worldwide. A disparity between the United States and the rest of the world is something noticed by a few, so this change I think helps even things up.
Not trying to condemn or criticize, just calling it as I see it.
Any word on the language developments on the Church in Gabon? How is the Church (of Jesus the Anointed) doing in Central African Republic?
Any new inroads being pushed in the Lesser Antilles? Mostly French and English there.
Are there new islands being reached by missionaries in the South Pacific?
I believe Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia are progressing.
Any new updates with country growth till 2023 or the present?
Is there hope for South Korea? Are things regressing there?
Perhaps the most important metric the Church uses to decide which city will get a Temple is is a mission is also headquartered nearby. Based on previously mentioned criteria, I suggest 2 new temples for Brazil: Santa Maria and Cuiabá.
I'd add Cuiabá too. One important criteria for Temple building is if a mission is also headquartered in the same city or nearby.
I am curious as to thoughts on the likelihood of Edmonton getting a second temple? I wasn't sure if these prediction posts include possible second temples as well. I recently talked to someone that was a worker there and they mentioned that according to their information, of the temples that are the size that Edmonton is (It's one of the smaller ones built during the push for 100), Edmonton is the busiest one in North America, if not the world, and if all temple recommend holders in Edmonton came on a regular basis, they would need a second temple.
@Cfunk
On a slightly related note of newer singles wards...
I had the chance to attend the recently created Midsingles Ward in Idaho Falls on Sunday.
It was very well attended (and I've been told it has been for awhile) - maybe about 200 people (just my rough estimate - others may check for exact numbers) at Sacrament Meeting in a large chapel that overflowed into the gym.
Saw several old friends of mine there, too.
I'm glad they created it. I hope it continues to help provide a place of belonging in the community.
I could see a temple in North Edmonton. That would split it to 3 stakes each for Edmonton. I could also see a 2nd Calgary Temple. Red Bird, Grand Prairie and Medicine Hat are outlying candidates.
Applied in the US this would give us Iowa City, Iowa; Colombia, Missouri; Paducah, Kentucky, McMinville, Tennessee, Greenville, South Carolina, Augusta Georgia (with Macon, and Athens also being new temple sites), Huntsville, Alabama, Greensboro, North Carolina; Fayetteville, North Carolina:; Wilmington, North Carolina, Norfolk, Virginia, Stafford, Virginia; Charleston, West Virginia, Dayto, Ohio; Charleston, South Carolina with Savannah, Georgia likely if Charelston stake splits. Hattiesburg, Missisippi; Monroe, Louisiana; New Orleans, Louisiana and not only everywhere else I have listed earlier, but some others as well. For example Gainsville, Florida; Port St. Lucia Florida and Fort Myers, Florida all become contender.
In El Salvador not just Santa Ana but Sonsonate and San Miguel become potential temple locations and even San Salvador 2 is possible. In Honduras not just LA Ceiba, but Choluteca; Villanova and the Colonia San Miguela section that I think may be within Tegucigalpa itself all seem reasonable places to cite temple.
In North-east Mexico not just Reynosa but Monclova, Saltillo, Ciudad Victoria and Alianza Real in the Monterrey Metro Area. A little firther south not just Piza Rica but Xalapa and Cordoba as well. Coatzacoalcos gets a temple as well. Juchitan de Zaragoza as well. Durango, Zacatecas, Agascalientes seem doable candidates. Typically as well Chilpamcingo seems a doable temple for Guerrero state, and Morelia in Michoacan. Colima would be more of a contender if Ciudad Guzaman or Manzanillo got a stake. Tonala on the outskirts of Guadalajara would actually even seem a contender. Merida may be a contender, although Kalkini and Ticul getting upgraded from districts to stakes would put that more likely. It is also hard to visualize where a 2nd Merida Temple would be since the existing temple is so close to the center of the city any temple seems to not draw off an even amount. Hacienda Chichi Suarez is the best area I can figure out using Church of Jesus Christ Temples dot org Church unit maps. All I really know is stake center locations though, so I could be off.
In the case of Iowa City Iowa and Columbia Missouri Temples that would take Nauvoo Temple down to 1 stake especially if Champagn Illinois Temple happens. I think this will work if the call regional summer temple worker service missionaries. Most of these would be existing temple workers from Des Moines, Iowa City, Columbia, St. Louis, Champaign, Chicago, and other other temples in Illinois and Wisconsin by then. Maybe Kansas City and Springfield as well. They would remain temple workers where assigned, although might take a summer leave. The number of times and frequency of their coming to Nauvoo would very. Some maybe if they could commit more time could support other Church functions there. Since Nauvoo is busiest as a temple in the summer this would work. It would take some adjustments, and some sacrifice, but to facilitate that many new temples in the region for people who are not very close to the temple at present I think would be worth it.
I would not that in some ways the most radical innovation of President Hinckley's small temples, the no paid staff temple is a thing of the past. However I think this is because the no paid staff temple meant the counselors in the temple Presidency had large demands on them beyond the core duties of the temple. The new system has placed facilities management beyond the domain of the temple presidencies entirely, and gives all temple presidencies a paid recorder to support the temple Presidency and Matroncy (there needs to be just one word for the matron and the assistant matrons that is the equivalent of presidency). Although this makes it in some ways easier to create a temple in a truly isolated area and we have had this precedent since 1919. When the Hawaii Temple. Opened the Church sent an experienced man, I believe he had been recorder or on the recording staff for years at one or more Utah Temples to Hawaii to serve as recorder. He identified I Hawaiian brother of Native descent who he felt would make a good recorder if properly trained. He then proceeded to train him, and in either 1920 or 1921 went back to Utah leaving the office of recorder in capable native hands. The office of Presidency would not be filled by a person of even Polynesian ancestry for over 70 years, although many counselors were of such descent. I am not sure any Hawaii born Polynesian has ever been president of the Hawaii Temple. The just ended his term president was born in Tonga,but had lived in Laie area for decades. The one I mentioned above T. David Hanneman, was born in American Samoa, moved to Hawaii as a teenager, then on to California. He returned to Hawaii as a missionary, then back to California. He entered the torlurism business, and later became the first fulltime employee of the Polynesian Cultural Center.
The current president of the Laie Temple is a white guy born in Texas,but he went to BYU-Hawai'i and may have been in Hawaii before that. He was head of physical facilities at BYU-HawIi (what thry call physical plant). However his wife is an ethnic Hawaiian who grew up in Honolulu and whose medical doctor father and her mother every week went to the temple, even though it took a lot of time and effort.
The net result is having paid recorders actually on he whole makes creating a temple in a very isolated area a little more doable, although more costly, although not much more.
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