Philippines
Three new stakes were created in the Philippines.
The Aparri Philippines Stake was organized from the Aparri Philippines District (organized in 1988) on August 10th. The new stake includes the following five wards and two branches: the Aparri 1st, Aparri 2nd, Camalaniugan 1st, Gattaran, and Lal-Lo Wards and the Camalaniugan 2nd and Magapit Branches. The Aparri Philippines District was one of the oldest districts that had not yet become a stake in the Philippines.
The Muñoz Philippines Stake was organized on August 10th from the Guimba Philippines District (organized in 1992). The new stake includes the following five wards and one branch: the Guimba 1st, Guimba 2nd, Muñoz 1st, Muñoz 2nd, and San Antonio Wards and the Guimba 3rd Branch.
The Tarlac Philippines South Stake was organized on August 24th from the Tarlac Philippines Stake (organized in 1981). The new stake includes the following four wards and one branch: the Capas, Concepcion, Lapaz, and Tarlac 5th Wards and the Dap-Dap Branch.
There are now 137 stakes and 51 districts in the Philippines.
Arkansas
A new stake was created in Arkansas on September 14th. The Centerton Arkansas Stake was organized from a division of the Bentonville Arkansas Stake (organized in 2014) and includes the following seven wards: the Centerton 1st, Centerton 2nd, Centerton 3rd, Gravette, Grove, Highlands, and Morningside Wards. The Rogers Arkansas Stake was also realigned with the Bentonville Arkansas Stake as part of the new stake creation.
There are now four stakes in northwestern Arkansas. There are now eight stakes in Arkansas.
Canada
A new stake was created on September 21st in Alberta, Canada. The Beaumont Alberta Stake was organized from a division of the Edmonton Alberta Gateway Stake (organized in 1983) and includes the following seven wards: the Beaumont, Blackmud Creek, Ellerslie, Meadowlark (Tagalog), Rio Vista (Spanish), Wetaskiwin, and Wildrose (Tagalog) Wards. The new stake is the Church's seventh stake in Edmonton and the third new stake organized during the past decade.
There are now 54 stakes and three districts in Canada.
Idaho
A new stake was created in Idaho on August 24th. The Pocatello Idaho Highland South Stake was organized from a division of the Pocatello Highland Stake (organized in 1963). The new stake includes the following seven wards: the Highland 1st, Highland 2nd, Highland 6th, Highland 7th, Highland 8th, Highland 10th, and Highland 14th Wards. This is the first new stake in Pocatello since the late 1990s. There are now 11 stakes in Pocatello.
There are now 146 stakes in Idaho.
Kiribati
A new stake was created in Kiribati on September 14th. The Tarawa Kiribati Betio Stake was organized from the Tarawa Kiribati West Stake (organized in 2007). The new stake includes the following four wards and two branches: the Betio 1st, Betio 2nd, Betio 3rd, and Temakin Wards and the Borotiam and Tabontebike-Abaiang Branches. Reports also suggest that the Tarawa Kiribati North District may become a stake in October, although this has not yet been confirmed.
There are now three stakes and three districts in Kiribati.
Madagascar
A new stake was created in Madagascar on August 3rd. The Antsirabe Madagascar Stake was organized from the Antsirabe Madagascar District (organized in 2010). The new stake includes the following four wards and three branches: the Ambohimena, Antsirabe, Mahazoarivo, and Tomboarivo Wards and the Andranomanelatra, Manandona, and Saradroa Branches. Antsirabe is now the third city in Madagascar to have a stake following Antananarivo and Toamasina.
There are now five stakes and one district in Madagascar.
South Carolina
A new stake was created in South Carolina on August 24th. The Spartanburg South Carolina Stake was organized from the Greenville South Carolina East Stake (organized in 2003). The new stake includes the following six wards and one branch: the Boiling Springs, Gaffney, Inman, Roebuck, Spartanburg, and Tyger River Wards and the Union Branch. There are now three stakes in the greater Greenville area and 11 stakes statewide.
Texas
A new stake was created in Texas on September 14th. The Temple Texas Stake was organized from the Waco Texas Stake (organized in 2010). The new stake includes the following five wards: the Belton, Morgans Point, Salado Creek, Temple 1st, and Temple 2nd Wards.
There are now 83 stakes in Texas.
Brazil
A new district was created in Brazil on September 14th. The Tubarão Brazil District was organized from a division of what was previously known as the Tubarão Brazil Stake (organized in 1993; now renamed the Criciúma Brazil Stake). The new district includes the following four branches: the Bairro São João, Imbituba, Laguna, and Oficinas Branches. There are now 11 stakes and one district in Santa Catarina State.
There are now 288 stakes and 36 districts in Brazil.
Mozambique
A new district was created in Mozambique on August 17th. The Tete Mozambique District was organized from four Mozambique Beira Mission branches in Tete where the first branch was organized in 2005. The new district includes the following four branches: the Matundo, Moatize, Tete, and Zambeze Branches.
There are now eight stakes and three districts in Mozambique.
Utah
A new correctional facility district was created in Utah on August 19th. The Wasatch Range Utah (Correctional Facility) District was organized with correctional facility branches in Salt Lake City, Utah. The new district includes the following six correctional facility branches: the Atherton, Bonneville, Fortitude, Geneva Fields, Glendale, and Orange Street Branches.
There are now six correctional facility districts in Utah.
There are now 644 stakes and seven districts in Utah.
California
A stake was discontinued in California. Organized in 1992, the San Fernando California (Spanish) Stake was discontinued and its units were reassigned to neighboring stakes. As recently as a few years ago, the stake had seven wards and one branch. The decision to consolidate the stake with overlapping stakes was likely rooted in efforts in most areas of the United States to discontinue language-specific stakes and rather have Spanish-speaking congregations assimilate with English-speaking units in the same stakes (a similar decision was made in Houston, Texas several years ago). English-speaking stakes in the area that once covered the San Fernando California (Spanish) Stake have experienced a steady decline in the number of English-speaking congregations for decades.
There are now 145 stakes in California.
New Zealand
A stake was discontinued in New Zealand. The Upper Hutt New Zealand Stake (organized in 1977) was discontinued and consolidated with the neighboring Wellington New Zealand Stake which was renamed the Wellington and Hutt New Zealand Stake. Stakes in the Wellington area have had few congregations for many years, and the decision to consolidate the stake was likely to help conserve limited leadership and prepare to support the future Wellington New Zealand Temple. There are now two stakes in the Wellington area.
There are now 28 stakes and two districts in New Zealand.
Guatemala
A district was discontinued in Guatemala. The Chiquimula Guatemala South District (organized in 2024) was discontinued and three of the district’s four branches were reassigned to the Zacapa Guatemala Stake after the San Luis Branch was closed. The district had been organized approximately 18 months ago. The reasons for the district’s early discontinuation remain unclear
There are now 51 stakes and 10 districts in Guatemala.
391 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 391 of 391Jonathon, that's good to know. Michael, glad to hear that my latest explanation was enough to convince you.
Daniel, the 17 members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency was when David O. McKay had a total of 5 counselors. His Third Counselor was Hugh B. Brown; his prophetic successor, Joseph Fielding Smith, served as both an additional counselor and simultaneously as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve and an active member of that Quorum in addition to his First Presidency role. The Assistant to the Twelve who also served in the First Presidency was Elder Alvin R. Dyer, who went back to being an Assistant to the Twelve upon the 1970 death of President McKay and the dissolution of the First Presidency.
If it was to replace a chapel, I would suspect the Rodney Parham Chapel due to the chosen location being within the current Pinnacle Mountain Ward. This is a very central and easy location to get to by most members, and I would really support that location for a temple. However, it's not in the upscale type of neighborhood you would typically see a new temple.
Also, if this is a replacement of the Rodney Parham Chapel, there will no longer be a chapel east of I-430 in Little Rock.
Usually the mixup I receive: I'm on the phone and they see my address as AR, they assume it stands for Arizona.
I’m going to double down on my prediction that the First Presidency will be reorganized today. I think there was a memorial for that reason.
James, do you think that the Nelson family will hold their own private family funeral for only descendants and close friends of the Prophet?
I take that back. The below article in the Deseret News says it is not expected to reorganize the First Presidency.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/10/03/first-latter-day-saint-general-conference-without-church-president-since-1951/
No. I think the memorial devotional allowed Church leaders to have their turn honoring President Nelson while the funeral will allow his family their turn to pay tribute to him.
The Improvement Era ends in 1970, the Ensign lasts from 1971 until I think the end of 2021.
Alvin R. Dyer was previously an assistant to the Quorum of the 12 and then made an additional counselor to David. O. McKay. He was never slotted into the Quorum of the 12. Joseph Fielding Smith was at the same time an additional counselor to President McKay and the functioning president of the Quorum of the 12.
Back to the interview with Larry Wilson. It is not clear that 600 was the final goal number for tye 15 year plan after President Nelson said add a 0 to 60. Elder Wilson was emeritized back in 2019, so it is hard to say much about the decisions made since.
That said it took 7 years to announced 200 temples, although the rate was much slower in 2018-2020 than it has been since.
The other thing unclear is if the 15 year plan was we want to announce these 60 temples in the next 15 years, or we want to complete and dedicated these 60 temples I'm the next 15 years. If something close to the later is the goal, and something like 600 is the plan, and President Oaks stays the course, we may actually see an uptick in trmple announcements. That is a lot of modifiers so I have to admit knowing little of the future.
General conference is about to start on less than an hour. I expect a solemn assembly to occur, I expect Elder Bednar and Elder Gong to be called as President Oaks counselors, I expect Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela to be called as the new apostle, I expect all this to happen at the start of the first session.
I expect President Oaks will announced temples for North Weber County, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Wales, Angeles, Philippines; Legazpi City, Philippines; Otavalo, Ecuador; Resistencia, Argentina; Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Ibadan, Nigeria, Bo, Sierra Leone, Kinshasa DR Congo 2, Lome, Togo, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Sebdai, Japan,
I accidentally posted my last comment when I was doing an edit. The list was Sendai, Japan which I misspelled. Then also Kolwezi, DR Congo; Poza Rica, Mexico; Kimgston, Jamaica; Thousand Oaks, California; Manilla City Center, Philippines; Hapapai Group, Samoa; Baltimore, Maryland, Chicago City Center Illinois, Lima Peru 4 and Antigua, Guatemala. Also the Originsl Guatemala City; Lima and Manila Temples will undergo major revisions with expansion once the in each case 2 planned but not completed temples in their metro area are completed.
Of course if all thst happens as I wrote I would be shocked.
I meant Ha'apai Group, Tonga. I have to admit that I would not be shocked if the First Presidency is not announced, but I still think it will be. I think if the first Presidency is reorganized thry will call an apostle but could be wrong. If they call an apostle I am not all the certain it will be Elder Valenzuela. I have other guesses, but I think him the most likely.
I think temples being announced is independent of the First Presidency bring reorganized. I could see President Oaks pulling a President Hinckley in April 1998 and announcing a number of temples but saying thry will be announced over the coming weeks.
If temples are announced I do not think my list of 25 above will do any worse than my list of 15 did in April but we shall see.
The article that says the First Presidency will probably not be reorganized is from the Deseret News not the Church News. Some may ask what the difference. While the Church News is not correlated for accuracy due to time constraints like the Liahona, it is seen as a Church publication and so tries to avoid stating things that could be seen as Church pronouncements unless there is clear evidence.
While the Deseret News is fully owned by the Church, and Sarah Jane Weaver, Doug Wilks and the executive leadership team are all faithful church members, the material thry publish is not meant to reflect the views if the Church per se. Tab Walch is a religion reporter who mainly covers The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I enjoy his articles and respect the research he does. He may be right. However he is reporting based on past events, not any indigent from actually interviewing President Oaks or any other apostle in reorganizing the First Presidency.
I am excited for general conference although unsure what eill happen.
Well I really like the pre-conference video thry have explaining the meaning of general conference as bringing us closer to Jesus Christ. They show people on Oahu, in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, a rice paddy in the Phillipines and in Switzerland watching general Co ference at specific times. I now wish I had started watching the pre-seasion materials earlier.
Well, as.expected, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was sustained as the presiding authority of the Church. I did not predict President Oaks' opening remarks, but it's nice to know he will also conclude General Conference, which I was projecting.
Based on what President Oaks said in his remarks I think he will speak twice tomorrow. He said his opening and closing remarks were in addition to planned talks which would all occur. I assume he already had a planned talk in addition to those so he will speak three times. I may have misunderstood what he said.
The numbers Elder Cook gave were staggering. Both my branch and stake have seen a significant uptick in baptisms.
I found Elder Kevin G. Brown's talk to be a very moving one. I liked a lot of other talks as well.
In the interview with Elder Wilson, I didn't take it to mean that they would do 600 in the following 15 years, that the 60 was far too small and you need to think much larger, hence "adding the zero." I think that could even go for something like 400 temples over 15 years, would have the same connotation/significance.
Elder Cook mentioned the convert baptisms again today. Said "900k over the last 36 months." With there having been 252k and 309k in 2023 & 2024, that would mean approximately 340k for 2025. He's obviously rounding, but if there was indeed over 20% YoY increase in every area aside from North America which was still 17%, that means that number should easily be over 370k. He mentioned that number was from the end of June, so there is a chance that the number has slowed down, but I would expect increased referrals to round out the year due to the positive publicity the church has gotten this past month. Only 331k would be needed to set the calendar year record.
There wasn't anything special about 2024 that seemed to drive more people out of the church, yet it was the highest number of records removed from death and other means. 2018 Makes sense with the children of LGTBQ debacle that got a lot of inactives choosing to resign their membership, but I can't think of anything that would cause the large increase in 2024. With this large influx of converts coming on, I wonder if they are doing what the corporate world would call "incoming smoothing," ie during a good year removing more old records that are probably sitting in Salt Lake to balance the large number of new converts coming online. The record for largest year increase is 399k in 1999. I'd guess we'd need around 420k convert baptisms to pull that off.
Yesterday, President Oaks said that he would be taking President Nelson’s place for the final talk of conference. If he ends up announcing temples, would that be the first time when temples were announced by someone who was not the prophet?
President Hinckley announced temples as a counselor to both President Kimball and President Benson. Other temples were actually announced in a letter from the First Presidency.
On President Hinckley announcing temples in October 1992 he announced the Hong Kong, Hartford and an additional time for Utah County in conference.
That is correct. But I believe this may mark the first time new temples have been announced during an apostolic interregnum.
Or at least the first time in over 100 years.
That is correct. Including President Oaks' concluding remarks, there are 7 apostolic addresses yet to come, which means that 4 of those 7 will be speaking in a single session.
Brigham Young announced plans and location of the salt lake temple during the first apostolic interregnum. any temples announced today will be in very good company.
Last minute predictions:
October 2025
Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire
Lomé, Togo
Bo, Sierra Leone
Kinshasa DR Congo #2
Angeles, Philippines
Santa Maria/Passo Fundo, Brazil
Pisco, Peru
Neuquén, Argentina
Marshall Islands
Toulouse, France
Augusta, ME
Jackson, MS
Henderson, NV
Rigby, ID
Little Rock, AR
South Lake, TX
Evanston/Lyman/Bridger Valley, WY
North Ogden/Pleasant View, UT
Renovation: Logan, UT (at opening of Smithfield temple)
Here are my 11th hour temple predictions: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=10lauuaMZA5ZyrCXU5DpKk1kbhZKpCExq&ll=37.51227452065889%2C-105.97324477167969&z=11
Thank you, Chris. I may have to start reducing my radius for the USA. Unfortunately, I have not been able to update the USA recently as it is so dense and takes a lot to process, and reducing the radius may allow me to keep up with it. Even though I find the calculation of up to 200 miles driving or 3 hours driving fascinating; because I like that if that value is less, where two radius join is equal distance to either Temple, whether that is 10 miles or 200. The area where radius join also changes as the exact locations are announced.
Elder Godoy just spoke of the Maseru Lesotho District preparing to become a new Stake in his talk. I wonder if that will come about during the next District Conference scheduled for next month, November 15-16, 2025, with currently 8 branches?
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2067226
Absolutely sad that there are no more temples.
I remember when President Thomas S Monson also announced a pause on Temple announcements during conference. I think that pause lasted about a year for temple construction to catch up with announcements.
That was April 2014.
Well that was anticlimactic. So much for all of the predictions posted here.
Makes one wonder if President Nelson had not passed away what temples likely would have been announced today.
I think they would just be pushed further out, whenever this hiatus ends. It might last longer than the last one simply based on the backlog size. I probably wouldn't have done it that way but for good reasons I'm not in charge.
I already miss him. That's not to say I'll change my approach to supporting the authorities. But I miss, as I miss the kind President Hinckley even more. The world was happier back then
A couple of ideas. One, they may be pausing to catch up in much needed meeting houses. Two, since they said they may announce the temples differently, maybe an announcement will be made outside of conference after the first presidency has been reorganized.
They are not stopping temple announcements all together. President Oaks said it was appropriate to slow down the announcements and not announce any specifically in this conference. He also said the church will also continue moving forward in providing the ordinances of the temple, including when and where to announce new temples. Below is his quote within this summary from the Newsroom:
"The President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the Church will “move forward in providing the ordinances of the temple to members of the Church throughout the world, including when and where to announce the construction of new temples.” He did not announce any new temples during his remarks, noting that “with the large number of temples now in the very earliest phases of planning and construction, it is appropriate that we slow down the announcement of new temples.” "
According to this Facebook article from the official Church Newsroom account, President Oaks said there will be a slowing down of temple announcements to focus on moving along the currently announced temples. That is also the reason there were no temples announced at conference.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Z9Kc6RTZW/
Before President's Nelson's passing, I thought the number of announcements would be 18 today, with the number slowing down thereafter to 20-30 per year.
As President Oaks stated, there are a large number of temples in the earliest stages. If new temples were to be announced today or in a year, I think it really wouldn't affect the timing of dedications, just the magnitude of backlog. I think a large backlog can put some positive urgency into getting temples built and dedicated, but having too large of a backlog risks operational inefficiency and lowered morale among those working on the pipeline.
Also wanted to point out, that President Oaks didn't state that we were taking a break from temple announcements, though there may very well be a break. He stated that, "it is appropriate that we slow down the announcement of new temples.” He also noted that "with the approval of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, we will not announce any new temples at this conference."
That is it. Let's not read into it too much. Maybe we will see some announcements soon, but at a rate noticeably smaller than in recent years. Maybe soon after the 1st Presidency is announced. President Oaks mentioned they would move forward with determining "when and where" temples will be built. Maybe temples will be announced outside of conference, maybe even outside of conference weekend or even throughout the year sporadically. We really don't know. It hasn't been stated. I don't have any opinion on when or how any of this will happen... the main purpose of my post is to hopefully preclude hasty conclusions on what was and wasn't stated in conferencec
I think the point is that nobody really saw this coming. It is a sudden and dramatic shift. Everyone here has been assuming unstoppable temple growth with bold predictions of imminent announcements of hundreds of more temples for the foreseeable future. Clearly that will not be happening now.
I think they probably would have. If President Nelson made a list for today and President Oaks has the list, I'm guessing they will be among the first temples announced by the new first presidency, but have no idea on timing. Could be after the funeral, could be over a year away, I have no idea.
Correction, Matt the owner of this blog DID see this coming. I think the point is that expectations should be tempered from here on out.
I expected no temple announcements. If President Nelson hadn't died, he would have announced some. But, if President Oaks announced those temples I think there would be some who would consider them Nelson temples. President Nelson is not the prophet, and it as he no longer leads yhe church a period of resetting everything is a good idea. The next time temples are announced it will be by the current prophet of God. Meanwhile I would love to see groundbreakings announced at an accelerated pace.
An advantage of slowing announcements with such a large number in the announced pipeline, is that circumstances change. Having too many in the pipeline can make responding to new developments slower and have temples announced for ultimately subpar locations. Example 1) in a fast-growth area, it becomes evident a temple is needed ASAP. However, due to a backlog it takes several years after announcement to get the resultant temple through the pipeline to dedication. Example 2) a temple is announced and plans decided, but during the long time in the pipeline, there is a shift in demographics that if known would have lead to a larger or smaller capacity temple. Example 3) similar to example 2, except that a shift in demographics if know would have placed a new temple in a different, better location within the temple district.
Another thing is that if land is actually identified before a temple announcement, factors can be taken into consideration before announcing, such as how easy going the community / planning commission is expected to be in the area.
Honestly, it could be strategically smart to work with jurisdictions individually and announce each temple individually when the information is expected to become public in due course or when the info is leaked. Isn't this how most businesses make announcements of locations?
I agree happy dane. The backlog is quite large. I would prefer fewer temple announcements in the foreseeable future so that saints living in announced temples dont have to wait for a long period of time for it to be built. Bring the backlog significantly down and announce temples at an appropriate throughput rate that the temple department can handle.
Sincerely,
A project manager.
It was a bit disappointing that there were no new announcements, but completely understandable. I myself was wondering how much time before we got too much bloat with the number of temples in the announcement stage with not much being publicly known about them. Based on my chart, we have 6 with dedication dates, 56 post-groundbreaking but pre-dedication dates (of which I count 11 that don't appear to active construction), 48 with a site announcement (includes upcoming groundbreaking), and 64 announced.
I'm fine with the slowdown of temples, and in fact, I really hope that future announcements will have more planned to them than just a city. I get that that might increase the inevitability of plans being 'leaked' or announced by an outside source prematurely like with Paris, but it seems to me the better option to have temples already in the approval process when they are announced.
For the April 2026 here is my prediction
1.
2.
3.
4.
1. Bo SLE
2. Angeles PHI
3. Evanston WY
4. Santa Maria BRA
less likely
5. Kinshasa #2 RDC
6. Lima #3 PER
7. Aguas calientes MEX
and that's all
Other Matt here..
Technically there isn't a First Presidency to make an announcement. Once a First Presidency is reorganized, then temples will be announced at General Conference or periodically in church statements signed by the First Presidency.
I keep seeing this as an excuse, but how come just about everyone here still assumed there were going to be temple announcements today?
In response to Dane, I will count myself as one who was surprised by no announcements. I would agree that some had begun projecting a continuing and imminent large expansion in temple announcements, but not all. Several posters have been pointing out the seeming unsustainable nature of the rate of announcements, the increasing backlog, and the eventual reduction in temple-ready locations (short a massive paradigm shift in what we think of as "temple-ready").
Based on the words of President Oaks, it does seem like there were some temples ready for announcement. "With the approval of the Quorum of the Tewelve Apostles, we will not announce any new temples at this conference." That makes it seem that some were ready to be announced, and he ran it by the Quorum to get their approval to delay those announcements. Stated differently, if there were no announcements planned, why would he need the approval of the Quorum to not announce temples?
Another thought I had, and this was just my first impression when he made the "when and where" comment was this. What if, at least for a time, new temples were announced by members of the First Presidency and the Twelve when they are travelling, and they announced them in the proposed city? It seems a bit far-fetched, but, that was just a thought.
I suppose that is a possible interpretation of what has transpired. But that is not the reasoning that President Oaks gave. It would have been plenty easy enough for him to say, "As the First Presidency has not yet been reorganized, we do not feel it is appropriate to announce temples at this time" or something similar.
Instead, he stated that the backlog of temples was the impetus for the pause at this time. The reason for no announcements hopefully is not a cause of anyone's faith to waver. I am a simple man and will take the explanation actually provided by the president of the highest governing body of the Church.
As I stated below, I was surprised by no announcements. The lack of a First Presidency, to me, does not seem to be a barrier to announcing a temple.
As has has been stated, there was no First Presidency this conference to make announcements. Also, we all know there is a large backlog of temples, and there are only so many project managers, and construction crews that know how to actually build a house of the Lord.
There needs to be time to catch up on the backlog, and I don’t know what the future holds, but I think it’s wisdom that mass announcements don’t occur at this time. Maybe I’m reading between the lines too much on what President Oaks said, but to me, considering the fighting and backlash that we’ve had over the temples announced in Cody Wyoming, and Heber City Utah, and Lone Mountain Nevada, and Prosper Texas, and China, and Moscow Russia, and probably other sites that I have forgotten, it seems to me like it would be wisdom for the Brethren to not announce new temples until the land had already been purchased and the building permits already signed and in hand, and then they announce either at general conference, or at stake or area conferences. Once permits are in hand in the land purchased there is not a lot of opposition that could actually take place.
Also, I think if a new temple announcement were to be made at a stake or multi-stake conference, it would be much more exciting for the local Saints to be able to rejoice both in that meeting and after the meeting with each other over the excitement of “their” temple being announced in their own community
Just some thoughts…but as we get closer to the Millennium, we know that the opposition from Satan is going to increase, and that includes those here upon the Earth who choose him to be their leader.
Therefore, the building of more houses of the Lord might have to become much more quiet and local than it has been in the past until that time that Satan is bound and the Lord reigns as King of kings, and Lord of lords.
President Oaks statement left open the possibility of new temples being announced at a time other than general conference. We will see.
There are 110 temples awaiting groundbreaking and 75 more awaiting dedication, though a few in both categories have dates.
One other possibility I'd President Oaks and his counselors may decide to in the fitilure not announce temples as soon in the process as President Nelson did. Such as awaiting clear temple sites and not announcing until thry are owned by the Church.
We shall see.
If the first Presidency is announced this week it will be interesting to see what happens October 13.
Gary, these were my thoughts exactly regarding the possibility of announcing a temple at a multi-stake conference. Let's say you have 3 stakes gathered for the creation of a 4th stake in the area. While there, the presiding officer announces the temple plans. I don't think it is likely, but I think it would be really neat.
JPL, it is interesting how different trends occur. I believe when President Monson announced a pause, he specifically stated a desire to allow the process to be further along prior to the announcement. Then, under President Nelson's administration, temples gradually got announced earlier and earlier. Perhaps we will now see a bit of a shift back to waiting until the process is a bit further along.
Even if President Oaks announces temples as early in the process as President Nelson, we'll see fewer announcements. Two main reasons:
1) Backlog on getting temples to construction. This has been a concern I've expressed for 2-3 years now. As mentioned above, most of Nelson's announcements have not received groundbreaking announcements.
2) Backlog on meetinghouse needs. In some areas wards can't split, wards are renting spaces, and existing meetinghouses can't get the maintenance they need.
I would expect President Oaks will not make many announcements during his tenure, and announcements would be strictly needs based. I don't expect any being removed from the list other than maybe one or two due to external political issues (ie Shanghai). However, I wonder if some will be put on the backburner (ie. Yuma Arizona).
Strictly based on his words tonight, I would suspect announcements will be less President Oaks will likely announce at a lower rate than President Monson 4.5 temples per year, but dedicate at a higher rate than Monson's 3.5 temples/year.
I think there's a list of 300 that would like to be announced, but we cannot physically build that many. Most of Nelson's announcements are still awaiting groundbreaking.
I've been calling announcements "looking more like a wish list" for a couple of years now. That with meetinghouse needs. The cooling of announcements is probably much needed.
I too was thinking Nelson's list (assuming there was one) would get announced.
I was also somewhat surprised (and disappointed) when there were no new temples announced. But then, the more my wife and I talked about it, especially in view of the fact that there is no current First Presidency in place to make that announcement, plus the current backlog, it makes sense to pull back on temple announcements for now.
That being said, JPL, I didn't quite understand what you meant about October 13. It is a Monday, so are you thinking the next major temple construction announcement will be made? Based on what President Oaks said, I'm curious about that as well. Will those regular Monday announcements continue? Stay tuned.
On a separate note, with President Nelson's funeral on Tuesday, I assume the reorganization of the First Presidency will take place in the days following that.. The last few meetings of the Qourum of the Twelve to reorganize the top Quorum of the Church took place on a Sunday. But the next two Sundays will see new temples dedicated. And since that reorganization involves all of the Quorum of the Twelve, I think we can rule out both of those Sundays.
So I think it will happen at some point this week. When?j The Church has often made major announcements on Thursday, so it occurs to me that 2 days after the funeral might be when it happens. As far as what we might expect on that, I don't see President Oaks retaining President Eyring. President Eyring hasn't been present for most of the meetings of the First Presidency lately, and he doesn't look well. Since President Oaks has been the only one actively functioning, I'm sure he'll want counselors who will be well enough to travel as extensively as a global Church requires.
So if President Eyring is not retained, who might be tapped to join President Oaks? As I've mentioned, I think it will be Elders Jeffrey R. Holland (who has traveled both stateside and internationally in the recent past, and looked and sounded as good as he was looking and sounding before his latest health challenges) and Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
I think President Eyring will return to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as the Acting President, and that if he is also too unwell to function as such, I could see President Oaks creating an Assistant Acting President role for Elder Bednar. I likewise have theories about the resulting apostolic vacancy, but I don't know how fast President Oaks and the other apostles may move on that. I would hope the vacancy is filled within a week or two after the First Presidency is reconstituted, but we shall see. Lots to look forward to in the weeks ahead!
Question…MUST a member of the Twelve dedicate a temple, or could an assigned Area Authority Seventy do it?
In any given year, groundbreakings were typically 1/4 to 1/2 of announcements when President Nelson went to 30+ announcements/year. To keep from looking like a "wish list", groundbreakings would have to match announcements.
As mentioned above, I don't see very many temples being announced anytime soon (possibly even after Oaks)...Maybe a need for a few announcements each year.
I suspect President Oaks tenure would see more dedications than announcements - something not seen since Joseph Fielding Smith (who passed away in 1972). Joseph Fielding Smith had 2 dedications but no announcements.
Two presidents since Joseph Fielding Smith had the same number of announcements as dedications under their watch. Harold B. Lee had no announcements or dedications. Ezra Taft Benson had 9 announcements and 9 dedications. All others since 1972 had more announcements than dedications.
Yes, it must be done by an apostle, as it requires the apostolic authority and assignment from the Prophet. If you review the latest temple dedicatory prayers, the presiding apostle has mentioned that it is being done by the keys of the holy apostleshio and by assignment from the President of the Church, who holds and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys. The particular keys are doctrinally limited to the ordained apostles, and it would take a change in that doctrine to enable GA Seventies or area secenties to preside at temple dedications.
Plus, the assignments made by President Nelson for the current scheduled dedications will be honored by President Oaks. That too is doctrinally supported.
No, there is no doctrine that you must be a member of the Twelve to dedicate a temple. In practice the most senior apostle, who is the only apostle authorized to exercise all priesthood keys authorizes a specific person to dedicate it. Since the beginning of Church history, every person authorized to dedicate a temple has been an apostle. Doctrinally, you must be a Melchizedek Priesthood holder. This is clear when you understand that there are only two Priesthoods (Aaronic and Melchizedek). Under the current form of Church government, I would think that any general authority could be authorized to use the prophet's delegated authority to dedicate a temple. Perhaps even an Area Seventy if the temple was within the assigned area. You specified "MUST" so that's the answer. In practice we may never see anyone other than apostles do the dedicating, especially for new temples, but you never know given different countries political environment, or if a temple needs to be rededicated.
Interesting to note is that for a very long time in Church history, apostles only/primarily ordained stake patriarchs. However, stake presidents are now typically authorized to set apart the stake patriarch within their stake. The wording is very specific in the authorization letter from the office of the 12 or the 1st presidency (I don't recall which) which gives authorization to the stake president by name, the approved patriarch's name, the stake name, the exact wording to say, along with stating that it's done by delegated priesthood authority.
@Ohhappydane33 I tought temples would be anouned, because it was said: "That general conference would proceed exactly as President Nelson planned".
From Presidnet Oaks talk it sounded like that part of the plan was changed in agreement with the quorum of the appostles.
I mean no disrespect, but the Church disagrees with you on this point, Anonymous. This page was illuminating for me. Of particular note is this sentence: "Temples are always dedicated by a general authority, whereas a meetinghouse may be dedicated by a local Church leader. "
So that suggests that a General Authority Seventy or member of the Presiding Bishopric could technically dedicate a temple if delegated to do so by the Church President, but that privilege is not within the authority of an area seventy or just any Melchizedek Priesthood holder. And Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated that ""the practice of the Church constitutes the interpretation of the scripture".
So while I was incorrect that it requires apostolic authority specifically, "the practice of the Church" when it comes to temple dedications has been that it is currently limited to members of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Could that change in the future? Sure, but that change would be instituted by the apostles in general and the prophet in particular. And in any case, that question arose in relation to my comment that during the next two Sundays, the Church has two members of the Quorum of the Twelve out dedicating temples.
With that in mind, I do think the reconstitution of the First Presidency will happen this week, probably on Thursday. I'm sure they want to focus on the funeral before they move to do that, so Thursday seems the most logical day for it. Hope this additional context and information is helpful.
The rude mocking of those of us who spent the time and energy to develop temple prediction lists is very uncalled for. Elder Stevenson urged us to be kind and considerate of others when we post online. That has clearly not been done by some here. What was posted was very rude and offensive. People should be kind when they make posts and not mock others.
I'm going to believe that this indiscreet comment wasn't directed at me. Does this mean that, from now on, all the predictions we used to make for the conferences are now considered rude, just because the general leadership doesn't plan on making any announcements for a while? So, everything we usually do here in the days leading up to the conference, including the accuser himself, is wrong? What's wrong with imagining a well-anticipated list for the next conference, already imagining a scenario with fewer announcements? It's a harmless joke; don't take life so seriously...
JPL.. I guess That I missed where people were mocking those who had made temple predictions. Personally, I always saw them just as that, predictions are a wish list and not anything that would officially come from the mouth of the profit. I just saw it as many of our number on here, following growth, being excited about it, and with all their hearts, like me, praying that all of these areas had access to the immediate blessings of a temple that they could attend, travel of less than an hour. I know that they will come, and I would pray sincerely that we would be opened up somehow, for these announced temples to be built faster than has ever been done, but yet of the highest quality so that we can move back to being announced in all parts of the world without having to wait for many many years , and I appreciate the comments from James Stokes from anonymous on what it was required to dedicate a temple. I guess the final thing is that any general authority can do it, but all must be under the direction in the assignment of the profit and thank heaven, the Lord revealed , all these great blessings all over the world
And why final comment/question for this morning… I still wonder if the day isn’t gonna come when the church doesn’t build one big massive building that will serve both as a temple and is a stake center in chapel, as is currently the case with Hong Kong, and Manhattan, New York, and I believe that Bangkok is also in that category. If that were to happen, the church could increase stake centers and temples at the same amount in the same time period.
I admit that I was wrong in my prediction that the First Presidency would be organized at conference. I should be more humble in listening to the other participants in this space.
I don’t think that fewer temple announcements indicates any slowing in the hastening of the work of salvation. The increase in baptisms as referenced by Elder Cook multiple times and the large number of stakes being created this year indicates to me that the Church is entering a new phase of growth.
I actually think this makes a lot of sense. Making a worldwide announcement about temple locations at very early stages gives those looking to oppose new temples time to plan their efforts to block, thwart, or slow down the approval process, at least here in the US.
As has been mentioned on this blog, the reasons for slowdowns and opposition in other countries is due to a completely different set of factors, mainly with the governments of those countries.
I agree, Scooter. The increase in baptisms is staggering stunning, and the strength and number of stakes both "old and new" are huge milestones of Church growth that shouldn't be ignored.
And if I may say so, I never took your opinion that the First Presidency would be reorganized during conference as your not being humble enough on the issue. The reorganization of the First Presidency being sustained at the next conference had almost always been done after the Prophet's death, so it was a natural conclusion on your part.
I think the Church just needed time to grieve President Nelson's passing l, and the viewing today and funeral tomorrow will afford that opportunity. If, as I suspect, the First Presidency is reorganized a few days after the funeral, the end of the apostolic interregnum will make the period since the prophet's passing about as long as the last interregnum was. That's all. Nothing to regret on your part. I appreciate your willingness to engage with me on this.
This was a wonderful conference with truly ground breaking talks. We never had a conference before with 4 speakers of African-descent. Let alone 4 speakers of African descent who all have been at times permanent residents of the United States. Elder Kevin G. Brown is the only one of the 4 who some might debate if he was an African-American, but a year ago he was an area seventy in the Utah Area, so there is an argument on both sides.
Elder Brown's talk was very good. If the rule for choosing the next apostle was "who has given a super powerful talk among the non-apostles lately", then I think Elder Brown would be the next apostle. That is not how this is done. I have come to the point where I see all my predictions as futile, so I have no idea what the future holds.
Elder Amos may be the American general authority with the deepest connections to the North America Souteast Area. Yes, there are others who lived there, like Elder Christopherson, Elder Andersen and some others. Stil I think Elder Amos' links are unique deep. He was born and raised in Louisiana. He went to college at Southern University, an HBCU in Baton Rouge. His wife was riaised in Baton Rouge and baptized with 17 other relatives in 1979 in that city, that story is told in Saints Vol. 4 although Michelle Wright is not named in the telling of it.
John Amos was introduced to the church by his wife who he met in a college engineering class. He was bpatized in 1989 and they married in the Atlanta Georgia Temple in 1990. They lived much of their married lives in the Orlando Florida area. He worked as an enineer at least part of the time for Siemens, was in the naval reserves and may have also taught classes at the University of Central Florida. Sister Amos was the head engineer on the mars rover. There is a Wikiepedia article on Michelle Amos, but as of a week ago it still said that she was one of the leaders of the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission. They ended their leadership of the Baton Rouge Mission in 2023.
Elder Peter M. Johnson may have said the most and the most in-depth about the past priesthood and temple restriction in a talk ever in general conference. That may be the most watershed event of this coference.
What the plan going forward with temples will be is hard to say. I am not actually convinced that money is the issue in either temple or chapel building. I think it is more a structural issue of having enough staff to oversee everything. It may well be that we either have to majorly increase the central staff, restructure how such projects are coordinated, slow down temple building, or a combination of those. I expect that it will be a combination.
We have 110 temples awaiting ground breaking and 75 more awaiting dedication. Some of those have ground breaking or dedication announced.
President Hinckley announced the 32+ temples that allowed us to get past 100 by 2000 not at general conference but when the site was ready and other factors were right. So there is a possibility that they could go back to that model.
I think there is no actual scriptural mandate that only apostles can dedicate temples, but it has been how things are done. I think having area seventies do it would not be the next move. I actually think they will keep with the apostles doing it for a while, that is giving more options than in the past.
Until 1999 every temple was dedicated by the president of the Church unless he was not phyisically able. Until at least 1974 the goal was to have all the First Presidency and the 12 who were able to come at almost every temple dedication.
In 2000 there were so many temples being dedicated President Hinckley could not do it all. So his counselors helped with some. There was 1 temple in 1999 dedicated by President Packer acting president of the 12, but every other temple was dedicated by a member of the 1st presidency. At some point in President Monson's presidency members of the 12 started dedicating more temples. However most were still dedicated by the 1st presidency. Under President Nelson we reached the point where all 15 living apostles had been involved in temple dedications, although I think Elder Holland has not yet dedicated a temple, only redidicated them. He is scheduled to dedicate Grand Junction Colorado Temple this month.
Under President Nelson 200 temples were announced, 100 had ground breakings and 49 were dedicated. However 10 of those groundbreakings and 22 of those dedications were temples announced by President Monson.
I have no clear idea what the future will hold, but in theory we need to get to a place where we are doing 35 or so groundbreakings a year. In 2024 there were only 14 groundbreakings.
The reasons for these delays in temple progress I think are complex and place specific.
I also have an idea that no only do we need more chapels (especially in the Africa South Area based on what Elder Godoy said in his talk, but there are lots of other places where the need is great), and I think we need to be more willing to build a chapel for 1 ward or branch in places where the closest chapel is not close, the existing announced temples are not enough to meet the actual need, the exiting announced temples need to move forward faster. There is also a large number of older buildings and temples that will need costly renovations and repairs. Lastly, there are a bunch of temples like Detroit, Oklahoma City, Nashville and more that are much serving metro areas with more stakes than the planned bigger temples in their same state.
I keep wondering if there are other temples that can be expanded along the same lines as the Anchorage plan.
This all will require strategic increasing our ability to build at scale. Which at this point may require focus on increasing the size and resources of some key departments before we commit to more programs.
Lastly, on one hand technically a temple can be announced without a First Presidency. Brigham Young announced the Salt Lake Temple as president of the Quorum of the 12. However since before 1890 the twelve have not made major decisions during an interregnum and have waited until after it was over to make significant decisions.
With no temple announcements, I think (emphasis on think) we need to keep three things in mind:
1. The conference went on as planned except as noted.
2. Elder Eyring mention in the tribute for President Nelson that he and President Oakes would continue with what has been decided.
3. When President Nelson became Prophet, it was stated that the changes were being discussed by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles before President Monson passed away. I can be humble enough to be fact checked especially on this last point.
Although many have said that the prophets are here at their time for reason. That is true. The Lord has his Prophets, as us, here for a reason.
@Gary C Williams
"Personally, I always saw them just as that, predictions are a wish list and not anything that would officially come from the mouth of the prophet. I just saw it as many of our number on here, following growth, being excited about it, and with all their hearts, like me, praying that all of these areas had access to the immediate blessings of a temple that they could attend, travel of less than an hour."
I like what you said, and I have felt a similar sentiment.
@Ohhappydane33
I think it's important to remember that these are "predictions" (essentially “guesses”) and not “prophecies” that we are making here, made with the spirit of hope and excitement.
Many of us are excited to see the work progress around the world and to see others receive temples close to them, as well as hoping that more temples will be announced in our own neck of the woods (particularly for those, like me, who have to travel hours (and cross international borders) to get to their assigned temple).
Many of us also have personal connections to other areas where we'd like to see temples announced (I hope to see more in places I used to live, or in cities I served in on my mission).
I, like others, was a bit disappointed that there were no temples announced at this conference, but I can see the reasoning as explained generally by President Oaks, and guessed at by others here in the comments.
It'll be interesting to see what changes happen over the next few weeks and months and years with this new administration...
My family is mixed-race so my kids are bi-racial. Seeing so many Black speakers at this conference - and especially Elder Johnson directly addressing the priesthood/temple ban - was monumental for my family. Representation matters, so it was amazing for my sons to see people who look like them speaking in conference.
I posted this here yesterday during conference.
Did anyone catch this news in Elder Carlos A Godoy's talk at 7 minutes and 10 seconds into the talk. He mentions about a visit to Maseru Lesotho District, in his own words "preparing to become a Stake". I believe the first in the country. The Maseru Lesotho District, currently has 8 branches. And is scheduled to have a District Conference in about 5 weeks on November 15-16th, 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCmn6_Zw4rU
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2067226
steve_j, I appreciated your comment. I agree that representation matters to us as mortals. I think it was just time for several Black speakers to be featured. I was a little surprised and somewhat disappointed by one thing: Elder Edward Dube is the only Black member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and I had predicted he would speak to us as well. But oddly enough, this conference, we didn't have anyone from the Presidency of the Seventy or Presiding Bishopric speak. I am also glad that in recent conferences, it has become customary to hear from someone from each of the female-led organizations. Some people have complained that there are always far more male than female speakers, but in response to such gripes, I usually note that there are several women who regularly minister around the world and in their local or neighboring congregations.
I will just add here that it occurred to me to wonder if perhaps the reason Elder Dube didn't speak as I predicted is because he might be viewed as one of the likely next apostolic picks. If the time has indeed come for the first African apostle, I can see the Brethren holding off on having him speak this go-round. Elder Dube is one of my personal top 3 picks for the apostolic vacancy.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the upcoming funeral and the subsequent reconstitution of the First Presidency, and to see whom the Lord has chosen for the newest apostle. Thanks for your comment. I feel like I know you a bit better now.
My predictions were based off of Nelson's announcements. I also guessed there would have to be some slowdown (he slowed down to 30/year for his last year from 35 or so before) as I knew it was already unsustainable. However, I would have not have guessed the number of announcements would stop so abruptly. After all, he had only had passed a week.
This being said, I will continue predictions for each conference (top 20, somewhat likely 40, and the other two groups of 60). My goal when predicting temples is that 1/3 of those announced comes from my top 20, more than half from my top two groups (top 60 in total).
It may be a while before announcements come again, and as President Oaks stated, they won't be as many. However, this is my goal when they do.
I did catch that. It would be interesting to see. Thank you Chris for bringing it up.
James, please refresh your understanding of the differences between doctrine, policy, and practice as well as paying attention to past, present, and future tenses when reading information, with an emphasis on when statements were made. As an example, Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon was the most correct book and a man would get nearer to...." So, I accept that statement as true as of the time Joseph Smith said that. He didn't state that the BOM would always be the most correct book. I am not suggesting it isn't still the most correct, but only that Joseph Smith didn't state that it would be, but also just because he didn't state that it always would be doesn't imply that there will for sure be a more correct book. Same with your statement about GA's (I read the article at the link). It stated "are" so at least at the time it was written or reviewed and determined to still be accurate it was true as policy or practice. My assertion about the priesthood is a doctrinal statement about what God is free to do with his priesthood. Yours is a statement of practice/policy in the current tense. Further, to bring up Joseph Smith again, he stated, “I believe all that God ever revealed, and I never hear of a man being damned for believing too much; but they are damned for unbelief.” So apply that to my believe that a prophet has the authority to delegate his authority to he pleases.
James, you have a lot of good info and obviously put a lot of effort into your analysis, but it would be hugely more respected and impactful if you'd look into this advice.
The new Brussels Temple will also have a chaple in the same building. I am not sure if it will bd the Brussles Stake Center. So the building of Charles abd temples is not an opposed thing.
At least yo date the assumption has been we need more chaples than temples.
Looking back on what President Oaks said he stated he was not announcing new temples at least in part "because of the large number of temples in the early stages of preparation and construction".
The bottleneck point is not dedications right now. Even if we managed to work 60 temple dedications into a year, that would be on average 4 per apostle.
With 110 temples awaiting groundbreaking breaking we ask what is the bottle neck there. It is not having enough people to do groundbreakings. We have on occasion has mission presidents and area seventies do those. Most often a member of an area Presidency does them, apostles of they have a deep connection to the city. The hold up is not there.
My guess is that the hold up is in acquiring land, getting government approvals, and in doing various preliminary studies, as well as creating detailed architectural plans. Some of these things, especially acquiring land, can be done before announcing a temple. So there is something to be said for doing many of them before an announcement. In the past many were done before announcements.
I have a strong suspicion that President Oaks has not made all the decisions on these front. I think I miscalculated before, but there are 110 temples that have not had ground broken and 65 waiting for dedication.
I also still wonder if in some areas temple work would move forward more by remodeling the existing temple to be a bigger temple than it is than by building additional temples.
It looks like Detroit Temple will serve about 7 stakes while Grand Raoids might serve maybe 5 stakes and a district. Yet Grand Rapids will be nearly twice as big in Detroit.
We in theory could run more endowment sessions in Detroit Temple, but it is not clear we have enough locker room space for that. We have two endowment rooms. That really would not need to go up.
I believe there are several temples in a similar situation. We have Anchorage and Kona being significantly expanded. I wonder if other temples might experience similar things.
In looking over the temples site I have realized that thd published materials on temple rooms does not tell us the full story. What is published is number of baptistirles, number of endowment rooms and number of sealing rooms.
What is not published is most obviously number of initiators booths. Another is if the temple has a chaple. Since no ordinances are done there it does not seem that big as issue. However it is. Basically it is easier to stage endowment session closer together if you have a chaple.
Another interesting thing is that although the Madagascar Temple had a ground breaking on March 15 of this year full scale construction has not yet begun.
You raise some good points. There may be temples where simply adding more dressing room space and/or lockers and a chapel could allow for an increase in endowment sessions. In cases where parking is a limiting factor, a parking garage or shuttle from a nearby meetinghouse could be considered. Often temple layouts make adding an instruction room difficult, but adding a chapel and expanded or additional dressing room could work.
no visual confirmation, but that doesn't mean construction hasn't started. might not be able to confirm until/unless google maps updates the satellite view of the site.
Other Noah here.
As my homonymous has stated, even if we have no visual confirmation, be it from Google Earth, Street View, or local pictures, we should not assume construction has not yet begun.
Believe JPL copied what the non-official LDS temple web page is saying.
ps The term full scale is not normally used in the construction industry as an adjective. It's typically used as a noun describing construction being completed or full sized.
I did copy what the website was saying. I think at one point in the past thry mentioned that some Temples that had had groundbreakings were awaiting permits for construction to begin. That I believe was the case with Modesto California for six months or so.
In the case of the Detroit Temple I think the only way to expand it at all would be to do the Anchorage Plan.
Parking is not a limiting factor for the Detroit Temple. If it were there is plenty of open grass owned by the Church in the back of the lot to expand parking to.
Lima Oeru is under 10,000 square feet and Guatemala City just over 12,000. I am not sure the site logistics but especially Lima it would seem expanding the existing temple might be a useful thing.
In my stake in Brigham City (Brigham City South), the 26th Ward was dissolved as of October 5th. Each of the other units remain and boundaries adjusted to accommodate the area and members from the 26th Ward.
This is the second consolidation of wards in Brigham City this year. The other being in the North Stake.
This is due to a shift in demographics. There are so few youth in each ward, even for those that remain. My ward is more Apartments than ever and more are being built. My ward has been growing quite a bit as of the last year with new apartment buildings opening. But, several other wards have been shrinking.
Interesting finds. I've begun to update my Europe map and actually found a mistake. The Baltic Mission Branch has evidently been discontinued, and the branches in both Estonia and Lithuania have been expanded to cover their respective countries. The Siauliai Branch (Vilnius Lithuania District), if you click on the area, shows the boundaries are part of the Tallin Branch (Tallin Estonia District), which is obviously not the case.
I will try to post other changes in the past few months, but it likely won't be ready until tomorrow. Got a Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting tonight.
Ryan, thanks for the update. I for one would be curious to see the map you have put together. If you could share the link here publicly. If not i understand also. Last week i incorporated Logan H.'s 200mi and 3 hour driving radius from the Temples on his map into mine. I could even tell him exactly which ones he's missing. On average 2 or 3 for each of the USA and Canada Church Areas and a couple in other Areas around the world.
Currently I'm in the process of taking screenshots of all the 4,000 +/- Stakes and Districts worldwide as the boundaries are currently. So far i have completed the Africa Central and Africa South Areas. The link below also shows the 2022 Area and Mission Boundaries from the old Classic Maps site before it went offline for the African continent.
https://1drv.ms/f/c/1db9589a4503c3cf/Esv1f1PsZHlNubhaDo1UWX0BYGglhwmc__4NTKaGkqK4Qg?e=RN5gTa
Is there anyone who has a way to determine actual real driving/travel distance for Temples or temple districts (such as winding roads, mountain passes or river crossings? due to geography) not just as the bird flies? Or average time that maybe effected by average local traffic conditions or speed limits or availability of public transportation?
The map is actually pretty simplistic. It's just each congregation marked at the associated meetinghouse (or rented property). Each one is separated by the stake they belong to and within the country that stake is part of. If a congregation has a different language other than the "default" for that country, then the placemark is in a different color. Not much colors to work with, so there are some languages represented by the same color. I can see about uploading it online once I'm done updating it, but for now, I just have it on the desktop Google Earth.
I'm actually starting to wind down for the night, but I can list the changes I have discovered thus far. My map does include places some might not consider as part of Europe. Thus far, I have completed Russia, the Baltics, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Central Asia (former Soviet Republics), Caucasus region, Turkiye, Cyprus, Malta, Sicily, France, and the Low Countries.
+ Tyumen Branch (Yekaterinburg Russia District)
~ Russia Yekaterinburg Kazakhstan Mission Branch - changed to Kazakh-speaking (note: the marker where the branch meets is not on the map normally, so Kazakh does not show up on the language menu)
X Petergof Branch (St Petersburg Russia Stake)
X Sestroretsk Branch (St Petersburg Russia Stake)
~ Illichivsky Branch -> Chernomorsk Branch (Odessa Ukraine District)
~ Meaux Ward -> Coulommiers Ward (Paris France East Stake)
Other Noah here.
Chris, the way I see it, travel times really depend on many factors. What I usually do to have a somewhat "accurate" idea of how long a trip will take is:
1. Use the Google Maps "How to get here" feature to have an idea of the route. It gives travel distance as well as estimated time for personal vehicles and public transport as well.
2. Add ~2 hours to the time Google estimates. 3 if the road doesn't seem like a main highway.
Example:
From my home city (Medellín, Colombia) to the capital, where my current temple is (Bogotá), Google shows and estimate travel time of 8 and a half hours by car, and 10 and a half hours by bus; knowing this I simply add two hours to both estimates. By experience, this has proven quite accurate, at least in my home country.
The Church News just ran an article on a group of 150 who traveled to the Arequipa Peru Temple from a place 15 hours away that has branches. The place they came from is in the Peru Cusco Mission, so I would think that temple would be closer to them.
I did a search that told me it was 16 hours from Beira yo Maputo, but only about 8 hours from either of those cities to the closest temple beyond Mozambique. That type of distance makes it understandable that they are each getting a temple. Even more so idmf these time estimates tend to be low.
The time, hassle and cost to cross borders can be very high.
Is there a temple getting dedicated this weekend or not until the following one?
I don't have much to say, but I wanted to share because right now I have no one else to share it with. A few days before the prophet's death, "Our Prayer to Thee" came to my mind and simply wouldn't leave. I didn't know he was about to die, and upon receiving the news, it gained even more meaning for me. This song has been in my mind ever since, and every day I've sung it mentally in my personal devotions, asking for help. I think this song rescued me a bit, and it was a gift our prophet left especially for me. Something I will never forget.
Does anyone have any guesses about when we can expect to hear about the new 1st Presidency and apostle?
JPL, on Sunday, Elder Gary E. Stevenson will dedicate the Elko Nevada Temple, and next week, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland will dedicate the Grand Junction Colorado Temple.
Daniel, that's wonderful that you've used that song so much since the prophet's passing. A tender mercy indeed.
Kimberley in San Diego, the last few First Presidency reorganizations each happened on the Sunday following the funeral of a Church President. With Elder Stevenson set to dedicate that temple, I'm told it will occur iin a single session ion Sunday morning.There is also precedent for an evening meeting of the Twelve on Sunday, and there is also precedent for the reorganization to happen during the week. So it could occur any day now. The fact that there are no announcements of either a message from President Oaks and/or a press confoerence set for Monday appears to indicate it won'thappen until next week sometime. But I could easily be wrong on any of this. Same with the timing of the calling of a new apostle. There is precedent for that happening outside of General Conference (as was the case for Elders Holland and Kearon), but there is also precedent for a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve to not be filled until the next General Conference (as was the case for every other current apostle). So it could go any way at this point. My advice: Stay tuned.
Part 2 of the changes - I have an extremely busy day tomorrow with choir practice and 2 stake meetings, so I'm not sure if I can complete the final part (British Isles) until late Sunday or Monday. I guess for some reason, having General Conference one week and Stake Conference the following week just exhausts me. I'll actually be glad when we go back to the "normal" schedule next week.
X Brixen Branch [German] (Verona Italy Stake)
X Karlovac Branch (Adriatic North District)
X Novi Sad Branch (Adriatic North District)
X Sremska Mitrovica Branch (Adriatic North District)
+ Reus Branch (Hospitalet Spain Stake)
+ Viladecans Branch (Hospitalet Spain Stake)
+Elda Branch (Elche Spain Stake)
X Foz Ward (Porto Portugal North Stake)
Ryan, If it helps your research, Here are 126 New/Changes/Mergers of Wards and Branches, in the Africa Central and Africa South Areas. That I found this week compared to my previous lists i made last May/June 2025 :
Dibindi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2186950) 2301435 Bipemba 3rd Ward 2301435
Dibindi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2186950) 2301423 Dibindi 3rd Ward 2301423
Jinja Uganda Stake (615498) 2295768 Masese Ward 2295768
Jinja Uganda Stake (615498) 2293099 Mayuge Branch 2293099
Kabusanga Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2185091) 2302985 Kalenda Ward 2302985
Kabusanga Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2185091) 2302993 Kamukungu 2nd Ward 2302993
Kabusanga Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2185091) 2302977 Tshianvi Ward 2302977
Kampala Uganda South Stake (2088428) 2299089 Kibiri Branch 2299089
Kampala Uganda South Stake (2088428) 2299097 Kyengera Branch 2299097
Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Ndesha Stake (2285452) 2307871 Tshikele Ward
Katuba Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (1009400) 2301512 Kalebuka Ward
Katuba Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (1009400) 2307235 Kashamata Branch
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Binza Stake (1978705) 2303272 Binza Barré Ward
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Binza Stake (1978705) 2300842 Binza Meteo Ward
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Kimbanseke Stake (1069489) 2304023 Bikuku Branch
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Mont Ngafula Stake (550965) 2035200 Kindele Ward
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Mont Ngafula Stake (550965) 2293641 Mitendi Branch
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo N'Djili Stake (2118653) 2300206 Mulie Ward
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo N'Djili Stake (2118653) 2103796 Nsanga Ward Branche de Nsanga Nsanga Branch (2103796) (renamed Ward 2025, went to N'Djili Stake)
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo N'Djili Stake (2118653) 2303485 Sakombi Ward
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Ngaba Stake (2055554) 2301504 Elegesa Ward
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Ngaba Stake (2055554) 2301490 Kisenso Ward
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Ngaba Stake (2055554) 2276003 Plateau Ward 2276003 (renamed Ward 2025)
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Ngaliema Stake (435155) 2297914 Macadam Ward
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (526002) 2309394 Selembao Ward
Kintambo Democratic Republic of the Congo 1123963 Camp Luka 1st Ward Camp Luka Ward (1123963) (renamed 1st 2025, went to Kintambo Stake)
Kintambo Democratic Republic of the Congo 2297868 Camp Luka 2nd Ward
Kintambo Democratic Republic of the Congo 2304333 Joli Parc Ward
Kintambo Democratic Republic of the Congo 2304341 Makelele Branch
Likasi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (416061) 2300192 Lawisha Branch
Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (527475) 2309882 Mumbunda Ward
Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (527475) 2180545 Tshiamalale Ward 2180545 (renamed Ward 2025)
Luputa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (480266) 2296837 Munvuyi Ward
Luputa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (480266) 2308037 Nkulu Ward
Luputa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (480266) 2308029 Tshintambu Ward
Matadi Democratic Republic of the Congo 2071886 Buima 1st Ward Buima Branch (2071886) (renamed Buima 1st Ward 2025)
Matadi Democratic Republic of the Congo 2147521 Buima 2nd Ward 2147521 (renamed Ward 2025)
Matadi Democratic Republic of the Congo 1419773 Matadi Ward Branche de Matadi Matadi Branch (1419773) (renamed Ward 2025)
Matadi Democratic Republic of the Congo 2130874 Nzanza 1st Ward 2130874 (renamed Ward 2025)
Matadi Democratic Republic of the Congo 2178427 Nzanza 2nd Ward 2178427 (renamed Ward 2025)
Matadi Democratic Republic of the Congo 2307545 Nzanza 3rd Ward 2307545
Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (1482785) 2307669 Mpokolo Branch
Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (1482785) 2306026 Muya 3rd Ward
Mwene-Ditu Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2028689) 2161605 Kanaan 1st Ward 2161605 (renamed 1st 2025)
Mwene-Ditu Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2028689) 2306344 Kanaan 2nd Ward
Mwene-Ditu Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2028689) 2306034 Munsampi Ward
Mwene-Ditu Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2028689) 2303108 Musawula Ward
Mwene-Ditu Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2028689) 2303116 Ndub Ward
Mwene-Ditu Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2028689) 2167808 Regideso 1st Ward 2167808 (renamed 1st 2025)
Mwene-Ditu Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2028689) 2301326 Regideso 2nd Ward
Ngandajika Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2086026) 2272261 Kabanda 2nd Ward 2272261 (renamed Ward 2025)
Ngandajika Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake (2086026) 2163136 Kasonji Ward 2163136 (renamed Ward 2025)
Yaounde Cameroon Stake (1862391) 2000008 Anguissa Ward Anguissa Branch (2000008) (renamed Ward 2025)
Yaounde Cameroon Stake (1862391) 343145 Bastos Ward La 1ère Brache de Bastos Bastos 1st Branch (343145) (renamed Bastos Ward 2025)
Yaounde Cameroon Stake (1862391) 2087162 Biyem-Assi Ward Biyem-Assi Branch (2087162) (renamed Ward 2025)
Yaounde Cameroon Stake (1862391) 2118661 Messassi Ward 2118661 (renamed Ward 2025)
Yaounde Cameroon Stake (1862391) 1090577 Mimboman Ward Branche d'Mimboman Mimboman Branch (1090577) (renamed Ward 2025)
Bandundu Democratic Republic of the Congo District 2159864 Bandundu Branch
Bandundu Democratic Republic of the Congo District 2236435 Disasi Branch
Bandundu Democratic Republic of the Congo District 2299763 Lisala Branch 2299763
Bandundu Democratic Republic of the Congo District 2283379 Mayoyo Branch
Busia Kenya 1102761 Busia 1st Branch Busia 1st Branch (1102761) (renamed 1st 2025)
Busia Kenya 2298147 Busia 2nd Branch
Douala Cameroon District (2088363) 2308363 Japoma Branch
Kasumbalesa Democratic Republic of the Congo 2298163 Musoshi Branch
Kasumbalesa Democratic Republic of the Congo 2298155 Peage Branch
Kitale Kenya 2309335 Kiminini Branch
Kitale Kenya 2300141 Webuye Branch
Lubunga Democratic Republic of the Congo 2278251 Bakonga Branch 2278251
Lubunga Democratic Republic of the Congo 2278243 Lokele Branch 2278243
Lubunga Democratic Republic of the Congo 2181541 Lubunga Branch 2181541
Mwanza Tanzania 2302438 Butima Branch
Mwanza Tanzania 2302411 Kisessa Branch
Mwanza Tanzania 2302403 Mahina Branch
Mwanza Tanzania 2302381 Sauti Branch
Vihiga Kenya 2300168 Chavakali Branch
Vihiga Kenya 2300184 Hamisi Branch
Vihiga Kenya 2300176 Mahanga Branch
Kenya Nairobi West Mission (2012995) 2299720 Kapkesosio Branch
Kenya Nairobi West Mission (2012995) 2299739 Kyongong Branch
Republic of Congo Brazzaville Mission (2019922) 2302683 Madingou Branch
Antsirabe Madagascar Stake (1403184) 463353 Antsirabe Ward Branche d'Antsirabe Antsirabe Branch (463353) (renamed Ward 2025)
Antsirabe Madagascar Stake (1403184) 1260170 Mahazoarivo Ward Branche de Mahazoarivo Mahazoarivo Branch (1260170) (renamed Ward 2025)
Antsirabe Madagascar Stake (1403184) 2294354 Tomboarivo Ward
Beira Mozambique Inhamízua 2295202 Campo do Povo Ward
Beira Mozambique Stake (423076) 2182300 Macuti 2nd Ward 2182300 (renamed Watd 2025)
Benoni South Africa Stake (519014) 2174340 Mayfield Ward 2174340 (renamed Ward 2025)
Benoni South Africa Stake (519014) 2064995 Northmead Ward (?? Merged) 2064995
Bulawayo Zimbabwe Masiyephambili 2301830 Famona 2nd Ward
Bulawayo Zimbabwe Masiyephambili 72265 Famona 1st Ward Famona Ward (72265) (renamed 1st, went to Masiyephambili Stake)
Bulawayo Zimbabwe Masiyephambili 2301849 Nketa 3rd Ward
Bulawayo Zimbabwe Stake (470465) 2285045 Njube Ward 2285045 (renamed Ward)
East London South Africa Stake (385905) 72524 East London 2nd Ward East London 2nd Ward (72524) (went to East London Stake)
Gaborone Botswana Stake (1978675) 1747975 Mochudi 1st Ward Mochudi Ward (1747975) (renamed 1st)
Gaborone Botswana Stake (1978675) 2306387 Mochudi 2nd Branch
Gaborone Botswana Stake (1978675) 2306395 Pilane Branch
Harare Zimbabwe Chitungwiza 2040549 Seke 1st Ward Seke Branch (2040549) (renamed 1st Ward, went to Chitungwiza Stake)
Harare Zimbabwe Chitungwiza 2296365 Seke 2nd Branch
Harare Zimbabwe Chitungwiza 2296462 Stoneridge Branch
Harare Zimbabwe East Stake (2081717) 2296772 Eastview 3rd Branch
Harare Zimbabwe East Stake (2081717) 2304236 Goromonzi Branch
Harare Zimbabwe Marimba Park Stake (562270) 2289466 Budiriro 1st Branch
Harare Zimbabwe Marimba Park Stake (562270) 2289474 Budiriro 2nd Branch
Harare Zimbabwe Marimba Park Stake (562270) 2068737 Kuwadzana 3rd Ward Kuwadzana 3rd Branch (2068737) (renamed Ward)
Johannesburg South Africa North Stake (505587) 2283603 Riverside Branch
Johannesburg South Africa North Stake (505587) 1007971 __YSAJohannesburg YSA Ward Johannesburg 2nd Ward (1007971)
Mabopane South Africa Stake (2052334) 2304317 Akasia Branch
Matola Mozambique Stake (2147483) 2121794 T-3 (ex-Ndlavela) Ward 2121794 (renamed T-3)
Nkulumane Zimbabwe Stake (1995308) 2059797 Cowdray Park 1st Ward Cowdray Park Ward (2059797) (renamed 1st went to Nkulumane Stake)
Nkulumane Zimbabwe Stake (1995308) 2288699 Cowdray Park 2nd Branch
Nkulumane Zimbabwe Stake (1995308) 2288680 Cowdray Park 3rd Branch
Nkulumane Zimbabwe Stake (1995308) 2304740 Nkulumane 4th Ward
Nkulumane Zimbabwe Stake (1995308) 2304732 Sekusile Ward
Zimpeto Mozambique Stake (2241226) 2241277 Boquisso Ward 2241277 (renamed Ward)
Zimpeto Mozambique Stake (2241226) 2241315 Marracuene Ward 2241315 (renamed Ward)
Zimpeto Mozambique Stake (2241226) 453803 Ndlavela (ex-T-3) Ward 453803 (ranamed Ndlavela)
Kanye Botswana 1754378 Kanye Branch Kanye 1st Branch (1754378) (removed 1st, went to Kanye District)
Kanye Botswana 2299534 Kgwatlheng Branch
Kanye Botswana 2086050 Logaba (ex-Kanye 2nd) Branch Kanye 2nd Branch (2086050) (went to Kanye District)
Kanye Botswana 334936 Peleng (ex-Lobatse) Branch Lobatse Ward (334936) (renamed Peleng, went to Kanye District)
Kanye Botswana 2299542 Taukobong Branch
Kanye Botswana 2303515 Woodhall Branch
Maseru Lesotho District (2067226) 166278 Maseru 1st Branch Maseru Branch (166278) (renamed 1st)
Maseru Lesotho District (2067226) 2286378 Maseru 2nd Branch
Maseru Lesotho District (2067226) 1064738 Masianokeng 1st Branch Masianokeng Branch (1064738) (renamed 1st)
Maseru Lesotho District (2067226) 2286351 Masianokeng 2nd Branch
It's interesting to see as you mentioned the :
"Тюменский Центральный приход Tyumen Tsentralny Branch (271179)", in the "Российская Екатеринбургская миссия Russia Yekaterinburg Mission (2013169)",
has been renamed just the "Тюменский приход Tyumen Branch (271179)" and reassigned from the Mission to the "Екатеринбургский Российский округ Yekaterinburg Russia District (272280)"
You can with some basic GIS software. I had in past roles, church HQ definitely has it and I'm sure they plug that into their analyses.
The Edmonton Alberta North Stake on the 12th of October will meet to form a new ward. This will be the Stake's 13th unit (11 wards and 2 branches). The Edmonton Alberta North Stake has a stake conference scheduled for the 28-29 of March 2026. Wouldn't be surprised if they use that conference to split the stake.
Is the Johannesburg YSA the first in Africa?
JTB, the Johannesburg South Africa YSA Ward (1007971), was called the Johannesburg South Africa YSA 2nd Ward (1007971) in 2018 from my previous list..but obviously the 1st ward has since been merged. And the word "2nd" dropped from the name. Which is why i put it on the list here of changes. I have no idea the Historic 1st Wards Unit number, or when it was consolidated. But i haven't seen any other YSA units on the African continent or neighboring islands either.
Sorry, JTB, i should have double checked before posting my previous reply. A correction. In the Gabarone Botswana Stake, there is also a "Gaborone West YSA Ward (1128973)"
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/wards/1007971 (Joberg YSA)
and
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/wards/1128973 (Gaborone West YSA)
but if we go by the numbers the Johannesburg YSA would have been organized before Gaborone YSA.
Very cool, thanks Chris!
I had another thought about the First Presidency reorganization just now. Since the Church has not yet announced that President Oaks will address Latter-day Saints on a certain day next week nor scheduled a press conference, the earliest we are likely to hear about a new First Presidency is Tuesday, especially since Monday is Columbus Day, which is classified as a federal holiday in both the United States and several areas in Latin America. So if the Church first announced the planned broadcast/press conference on Tuesday at earliest, the broadcast/press conference may only be held on Wednesday at earliest. Either way, I assume the Church would put out advanced notice of whatever they are going to do to introduce the new First Presidency. Just some updated observations on that question, for whatever they may be worth to all who read them here.
I believe at one point there was a YSA ward in Botswana, when it was part of a South African stake. I almost want to say Elder Matswagothata, who is now a general authority, was bishop of that ward at one point. I may be wrong on the second point.
A curiosity that I noticed on Wikipedia when comparing the different languages is that the Portuguese version of the site highlighted the deaths of President Nelson and Elder Callister more than the English version, even though the church had a much smaller impact on Portuguese-speaking society than in the USA.
In the obituary on the website's home page in Portuguese, Elder Callister is mentioned, and President Nelson in turn even received a larger mention with a photo and description among the latest news. On the website's home page in English, both were not highlighted at all.
Still active - the Gaborone West YSA Ward
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/wards/1128973
Has anyone heard yet of any new Stakes this weekend?
Here's what I remember about the two Orsons: Orson Pratt apostasized in 1842 after his wife was seduced by (the lies of) John C. Bennett, he was then excommunicated and replaced with Amasa M. Lyman. About 5 months later, in early 1843, Elder Pratt repented and was restored to his position, and Elder Lyman was moved into the First Presidency until the martyrdom. (After that point he returned to the Quorum of the Twelve, serving as its thirteenth member until the apostasy of William Smith reduced the quorum back to 12. The other surviving counselors who had served with Joseph Smith were not apostles.)
Elder Hyde was dropped from the quorum in 1839 due to his turning against the Prophet in 1838 (and supporting Thomas B. Marsh's false allegations in an affidavit). I believe he was not excommunicated and had repented and been restored to his position within a couple months.
Both Orsons served faithfully after their apostasy and repentance, and both outlived Brigham Young. Hyde died a few months after Brigham Young, during the apostolic interregnum led by John Taylor, and Elder Pratt died in 1881 which was after the reorganization of the First Presidency.
John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff were called in the same revelation (D&C 118:6), but Elder Taylor was ordained about 4 months before Elder Woodruff. Woodruff was older so sometimes listed first until the principles of seniority were clarified.
Some new wards:
Jackson Ward advanced from branch status in the Conyers Georgia stake.
Cleveland 2nd ward created in the newer Cleveland Tennessee
Owen’s Cross Roads ward created in the Huntsville Alabama stake
I would just add a little to what James said.
I used the dates given in a Deseret News article and figured out that the last 6 prophets (going back to Spencer W. Kimball) have all been ordained on a Sunday- before that there was no apparent consistency. My guess is that President Oaks will be ordained today in an evening meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve (allowing Elder Stevenson time to return from the temple dedication in Elko, Nevada, about a three-hour drive from Salt Lake City). I further predict that President Oaks will not be presented as the new prophet until Tuesday, given that tomorrow is a holiday (I believe that is also what happened in 2018 with President Nelson.
I agree with what James said about the calling of a new apostle- I really have no idea whether it will be soon or wait until April conference.
I was trying to reply to James's comment, but I'm not sure how visible it will be.
Hugh B. Brown was only a 3rd counselor to David O. McKay for a few months in 1961, but during that time Gordon B. Hinckley was called to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve (it is interesting to me that Gordon B. Hinckley was called to fill a vacancy caused by having a third counselor called and 20 years later was himself called as a third counselor). Just after the conference where Elder Hinckley was called, President J. Reuben Clark died, who had been the first counselor, and President Henry D. Moyle became 1st counselor and President Brown became 2nd.
By the time President McKay had 5 counselors (It was in 1967 or 1968 when the 5th counselor was called), Hugh B. Brown was his 1st counselor, with N. Eldon Tanner as 2nd. You correctly identified Joseph Fielding Smith and Alvin R. Dyer as 2 of the additional counselors, the other was Thorpe B. Isaacson.
By the way, N. Eldon Tanner was called as an apostle in 1962 and 1 year later became 2nd counselor in the First Presidency- so really any of the apostles could be called as a counselor by President Oaks.
Thanks for that additional context, twinnumerouno. The last six prophets being ordained and set apart on a Sunday sets somewhat of a precedent. I am even more convinced now that President Oaks may very well have been ordained and set apart this evening. I would have thought that if there was going to be a confirming announcement on Tuesday (after Columbus Day) that something would have been mentioned about a Tuesday broadcast or press conference, but that's just the way President Nelson did it and not necessarily the way President Oaks may go about it, unless the Church announces tomorrow that something will happen Tuesday.
If the new First Presidency was ordained and set apart today, I can hazard a guess at what may have happened there. I shared my theories on that in this video, for any who are interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiU-kziIOAA
I would just add that the timing of filling the resulting vacancy may be trickier to determine. There is precedent for both waiting until General Conference to fill the vacancy (as was the case for most current apostles), but there is also precedent for filling the vacancy within weeks of the vacancy being created. There's also the other option: that the vacancy could be filled in conjunction with the introduction of the new First Presidency.
Will we see both a special message to Church members from the new First Presidency and a press conference a short time later? Or will there just be a press conference announcing the new leaders? Even though Church headquarters is technically closed tomorrow, I could still see the Church releasing something to indicate what's going to happen.
There is another possibility as well: that the First Presidency might not be reestablished right away. It would break a centry-long precedent, but that is the other possibility. It'll be interesting to see what happens with all of this.
twinnumerouno, thanks for your additional clarifications. As one who has studied First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve chronology, I was somewhat aware of the details you shared about Hugh B. Brown. Thanks for the primer for those unfamiliar with that. You raise a good point about President Hinckley. I hadn't considered that. But I was also aware of the unique nature of President Tanner's original call to the First Presidency.
You are absolutely correct that any of the 13 other current apostles could be called as counselors to President Oaks, but I think the focus will turn to those who are the next most probable leaders of the Church. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland is next in line, and will need First Presidency experience before he becomes the Church President. I know some have overlooked him as a viable prospect, citing his health as the reason.. But last weekend when he spoke, he really sounded like the Elder Holland he was before his health ordeal. I also know that he's been able to travel inside and outside of the United States, which is something only President Oaks of the previous First Presidency has been able to do somewhat recently. Yes, Elder Holland needs to be seated while giving his remarks, but since he is remarkably improving, I wouldn't count him out.
By contrast, Elder Eyring (who has also delivered his remarks or conducted conference while sitting) has not been active at Church headquarters at all, and he is just a touch younger than President Oaks but not nearly as well as the incoming prophet. So I don't see any reason to believe Elder Eyring will be retained.
And although Elder Uchtdorf is actually a month older than Elder Holland, he's still in good health, and he's been in the First Presidency before. I could also see President Oaks selecting Elder Bednar as his Second Counselor, given his youth vs. his apostolic seniority. I believe Holland and Uchtdorf or Holland and Bednar is likely, that Elder Eyring will return to the Quorum of the Twelve, and if he is not able to function fully as Acting Quorum President, President Oaks may create some kind of Assistant Acting President role for the most senior apostle not in the First Presidency.
I have nothing against the apostles juniori to Elder Bednar, but I believe, for the reasons I outlined, that President Oaks' chief consideration will be towards the four apostles immediately junior to him rather than anyone else more junior. I will, of course, sustain any of the apostles who are called to the First Presidency, but thought it might be a good idea to outline my reasoning here again for preferring and leaning towards a Holland Uchtdorf or Holland Bednar combination.
Sorry, I meant to say I was responding to James's comment from the 3rd.
The question raised, will we learn the new apostle at the time of the new First Presidency being organized or later is hard to answer.
Elder Holland and Elder Maxwell were called at times other than general conference because of a call into the 1st presidency. Elder Marion G. Romney was called as an apostle 6 months after the First Presidency was organized in April 1951, but the 12 had not been brought to full force at that time.
Elder Soares and Elder Gong were called at general conference 2 months after the first presidency was reorganized, but one of those calls was caused by Elder Hales death during the previous general conference.
So there are past actions involving waiting, and past actions involving announcing a new apostle immediately.
On another note my branch had another convert baptism yesterday.
It appears as though this week's temple announcement is the release of the Open House and interior photos of the soon to be dedicated 5th House of the Lord, in Bahia Blanca Argentina.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2025/10/13/bahia-blanca-argentina-temple-open-house-tours-begin/
The news about the Bahia Blanca Argentina Temple was only published initially on the Argentina Newsroom page, then by the Church News, and only then by the main Newsroom.
On another note, we are now well into the longest apostolic interregnum since Wilford Woodruff passed away. It has been 16 days since President Nelson died. I am cautiously optimistic that we may hear something one way or the other tomorrow. I don't quite know what to expect. Is President Oaks following a similar procedure as President Nelson in talking individually to each of his fellow apostles for their recommendations on his counselors and the resulting vacancy in the Quorum so that once he is ordained, he can name his counselors right away instead of waiting to do that until he is ordained? Is he seeking the opinion of other Church leaders on the matter? Will he also follow President Nelson's example of addressing Church members first and then doing a press conference? I read a Salt Lake Tribune article implying President Oaks might be more thorough and deliberate in his methods for reorganizing the First Presidency and choosing the next apostle than President Nelson was.
Not that President Nelson wasn't thorough in his process, but in a way that a lawyer might be said to be more thorough and deliberate in considering the prospects than a doctor or surgeon might be. Hopefully we hear something either tomorrow or later this week. My thanks once again to you all.
Based on President Oaks own admission in his talk at President Oaks funeral his tendency by his own admission is to be more deliberate than President Nelson. President Nelson was a heart surgeon, they have to act quickly. President Oaks was a lawyer, a law professor, a university president and a judge. These are positions that center on being deliberate.
I am not a patient person. This wait is not East on me. I understand the desire to be deliberate in this process. Even if I wish it moved faster.
I suspect that when thry reorganize the first Presidency they will call a new apostle. I was wrong about almost everything in general conference other than predicting Elder Peter M. Johnson would speak. So I could well be wrong on this.
I am not surprised no temple announcements were made other than the start of the Bahia Blanca Argentina Temple open house. In since the late 19th-century the Quorum of the 12 has taken few actions during an apostolic interregnum other than deciding to organize a nes First Presidency. So I did not expect any temple announcements. Even if I had I would have thought that thry would occur on Tuesday.
Interestingly, President Nelson waited until after he was ordained and set apart as the prophet to meet individually with the Quorum members to discuss their recommendations for his counselors and the vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve. Because President Oaks is more deliberate, I could see him wanting to meet with each of his fellow apostles, along with perhaps others, to get those recommendations before he is ordained and set apart. I am hoping Elder Stevenson returned from the temple dedication assignment on Sunday in enough time for the Quorum to meet and reorganize Sunday evening. If so, we could see an announcement and/or press conference tomorrow.
Given that President Nelson called two of his three apostolic picks in the week before his first General Conference as Church President, it is harder to say what President Oaks might do in that regard. If he intends to be more deliberate and thorough there, I think it is highly likely the vacancy in the Twelve won't be filled until April General Conference (which happens to also coincide with Easter Sunday again).
I hope we learn this week who President Oaks will choose/has chosen for his counselors, but we'll have to see. As far as the impatience goes, I feel that a little myself, but can only assume it will be worth the wait. President Oaks can't really make a wrong decision as far as his counselors go. Any of the other 13 apostles would be a stellar pick. That being said, with Elder Holland being next in line, I'd be surprised if he isn't one of the two counselors, and I don't see President Oaks retaining Elder Eyring, given his age and health.
Here are this week's Stake Changes:
Here are a couple of name changes.
#1 São Paulo Brazil Piratininga Stake (521965) > São Paulo Brazil Sabará Stake (521965)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/521965
#2 Miami Florida Stake (503436) > Miami Florida Stake (Spanish) (503436)
Not yet updated on Meetinghouse site
At one point, I had made a list of the congregations in the Miami area, including the idea of making a Spanish-speaking stake. I don't have it anymore, so I have no idea what congregations were where. Interesting that there was a Spanish Stake in the area years ago, but was discontinued, and now seems to be reinstated. There was a concern brought up in my stake's Priesthood leadership meeting about doing away with language units, but with the Church making Spanish and Tongan Stakes in Utah and now a Spanish stake in Florida, I never saw that as a possibility. There was mentions some unfortunate contention within my stake, seems to specifically between the English and Polynesian Wards, but no details were given as to what the issues are (I've hear rumors, but does not do well to repeat them). My ward and the Spanish branch are the only units in the stake that does not meet in the same building as a Polynesian ward.
Miami FL Stake still shows as English, but shows 9 Spanish wards and 1 Portuguese branch. Blue Lagoon, El Portal, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Hollywood Hills, Miami Lakes, Modello, Riverside, & Sunset Wards and the Miami Gardens Branch (Portuguese).
The Miami Lakes FL Stake shows 7 wards and 4 branches. Flagler, Hollywood, Homestead, Killian, Miami Shores, Miramar, & Pines Wards and the Key West, Marathon, Miami Lakes YSA, & North Miami (Haitian) Branches.
It appears only these 2 stakes were rearranged, because the Coral Springs FL Stake right above it has Spanish and Portuguese-speaking congregations still in them.
While on my way to work today, I just got thinking of the fact that it’s pretty easy to watch for the signs of the times for we who are LDS because the Lord has his own timetable for everything that he does and wants to do, and each of the prophets of our dispensation have had their own prophetic stewardship which is unique to them and which seems to be always a perfect set up for what the next prof prophetic stewardship needs to be and will be. Since President Oaks’ Forte seems to be, I wonder if this will play at all into his stewardship or if the Lord will pull something else out of the hat and simply amaze all of us in wonder and humility at what HE Is doing with his kingdom here on the earth
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/special-announcement-new-first-presidency. 1pm MDT Announcement of the new First Presidency.
You beat me to it, Justin. Won't be long now.
I am tempted to predict Elder Kevin G. Brown as the next apostle. I could be wrong, I often is, but it is a prediction I am willing to make.
I am reasonably certain that no new apostle will be announced today, or for at least the next month or so. The broadcast is for the purpose of announcing the new First Presidency, so I wouldn't anticipate anything beyond that today.
New first presidency will be President Dallin H. Oaks as President, President Henry B, Eyring as 1st Counselor, and President D. Todd Christofferson as 2nd Counselor. How fitting that our new prophet, who was a lawyer and univeristy president, selected a lawyer and a university president to serve with him.
D. Todd Christofferson is one of my favorite speakers to listen to during conference so I'm grateful I'll get to hear a bit more from him haha
Well, my last prediction has not yet been proven to be wrong. I had in some places predicted who President Oaks would call as counselors and I was wrong on that. He has retained President Henry B. Eyring, moving him to first counselor. The new counselor is President D. Todd Christofferson. President Christofferson is the first member of the First Presidency to have served a full-time mission since President Hinckley died.
This is a much less Salt Lake County raised first presidency than we have had recently. President Oaks is the first president of the Church since Howard W. Hunter who was not raised in Salt Lake County. He also spent more of his life outside of Utah that his predecessors since President Hunter. The years that President Oaks spent outside Utah are about twice that of President Nelson.
President Christofferson was born in American Fork, Utah. He grew up mainly there and in Lindon, Utah,; but did spent key years as a teenager in New Jersey. He served his mission in Argentina and then went to BYU. This is the first First Presidency with 2 BYU grads at the undergrad level possibly ever, and clearly since well before 1960.
Elder Christofferson is also the first member of First Presidency born after the end of World War II. He has his law degree from Duke University Law School in North Carolina. He was a law clerk in Washington DC. He worked as a lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee; Herndon, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina.
He was a bishop, a stake president and a regional representative. He was called as a general authority in 1993.
President Christofferson spent his entire adult life from graduating from BYU until his call as a general authority, 24 years, living in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and maybe in DC proper. With his time in New Jersey that comes to about 27 years in the Eastern United States.
The Church News just ran an article on the first EFY in Ethiopia. 68 youth were present. Not a very large number, but still a starting point.
So how about some conjecture on when the new apostle will be announced? Does not announcing it today mean we probably won't hear anything until April?
Also, Ryan, in the reshuffle by language, the Miami Branch (Portuguese) (2268019), previously of the Miami Florida Stake (503436), has been discontinued on the meetinghouse site.
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/wards/2268019
In the reorganization of the São Paulo Brazil Piritininga Stake (521965), into the São Paulo Brazil Sabará Stake (521965). The São Paulo 12th Ward (86177) was renamed the Campo Grande Ward (86177).
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/521965
Kimberley, 2 of the 3 Nelsonian apostles had their calls announced in General Conference. With six months until the next conference, I think President Oaks will fill the vacancy within the next month. All three Nelsonian apostles came from the Presidency of the Seventy, but if you expand that to the last six called, you have 4 from that Presidency, and one each who were the Presiding Bishop and a GA Seventy.
With that and what President Oaks said today in mind, my top 3 candidates are Elder Edward Dube of the Presidency of the Seventy, Presiding Bishop Gerald Causer, and GA Seventy Elder Michael John U. Teh. Each would make history as the first Black, first French, or first Filipino apostle.
Just an additional word about Elder Teh. As former presidents of the Philippines Area,, Elder Teh and President Oaks have that in common. But above & beyond that, in 2008 when President Monson became the prophet, I had a spiritual confirmation that Elder Teh would someday be an apostle. Since it hasn't happened yet, could it occur this time? Only the Lord knows for sure.
Any of these three would be a stellar choice. But I will sustain whomever the Lord calls. I think that call may occur either before the end of the month or in early November.
Ugh. Causae, not Causer. Autocorrect strikes again.
So, I was just informed that apparently our stake boundaries are going to be changed at some point in the next year, but have no information on what the specific changes are aside from speculation. It sounds like the change will be made in conjunction with the rededication of the Anchorage Alaska Temple, or sooner. There was a special Women's Conference two weeks ago, and someone asked about boundary changes and our Stake President I guess didn't answer satisfactorily and upset some people. He mentioned this exchange at the end of the general session of stake conference, but the statement was rather vague. I have no idea what the question or answer was, but it's probably unrelated to this news I got today from the missionaries, since I feel the question would have been about ward boundaries.
I would be surprised if it was a new stake, considering there's 22 wards among our 3 stakes and in the past 15 years, 5 wards were discontinued. It would be nice if the Chugach Foothills Ward was back in our stake, but that would also involve the Hmong branch, which would mean our stake is the only one in the state that has non-English units. I can also see the Cook Inlet YSA Ward coming into our stake or at the very least changing buildings to be in a more central location. Alternately, I could see the Dimond Ward (Samoan) going to the Anchorage AK Stake, since its namesake Dimond Boulevard is entirely in that stake. I think the bush branches should all be in the same stake (don't know why they distributed them among our 3 stakes, especially now that only 4 of the original 7 bush branches are still active, 3 of them being in the same stake). I guess we'll just have to see. On the meetinghouse locator, none of the 3 stakes show having Stake Conference at the same time as another's, likely meaning it will probably happen at a special conference that's not publicly announced at this point. Both Anchorage stakes have already had their stake conference in the 2nd half of the year and the Eagle River AK Stake's is this weekend.
Actually, since we did just get a second patriarch in the last year, specifically for the Polynesian wards, it doesn't really make sense to split up the Polynesian wards into different stakes, unless this patriarch would be allowed to do blessings for any Polynesian that wants one from him.
I finished updating the Europe Map, but I think I accidentally caused an error. I had a Stakes and Missions map created by Christopher Duerig (sorry if I butchered the spelling), and I didn't want it displayed on my projects, so I removed it from my Drive, but when I tried to upload the Europe map, I think I accidentally uploaded it to that map (said I edited the file), so I don't know if I technically modified a copy that was saved to my drive, or if I somehow edited the original (zero clue as to why I would be given editing permission), but if it was indeed the original, I hope I didn't mess it up too badly.
This was actually the second attempt to upload it, because I had the entire map "hidden" and for it to display for sharing, I would have to go through every single marker and select "unhide," so I just deleted it, unhid the entire folder on the Google Earth program, then re-uploaded it.
https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1YtqsSOgT7PfpuDNaQZ0h-6yxY9WSdwpJ?usp=sharing
Final bit of changes, not much actually:
X Newton Abbot 1st & 2nd Wards -> Newton Abbot Ward (Plymouth England Stake)
X Evesham Branch (Cheltenham England Stake)
~ Worcester Ward -> Malvern Hills Ward (Cheltenham England Stake)
~ Rossendale Valley Ward -> Branch (Chorley England Stake)
Ryan. Thanks for sharing. That is a great work. I have downloaded a copy for future reference. I think i might bookmark the site also. Among our other combined Temple maps links like David McFadden's and Snejsko and Logan's distance map. These are all really good reference maps.
And yes, the spelling is correct. I granted anyone here editor access on my Missions / Stakes maps to make known changes. More interested in the boundaries shapes. as compared to the official site.
I have my "original" offline copy on the Google Earth desktop version. So no major damage can be made. I posted the online editable version if anyone wanted to collaborate with known changes over time at the Mission and Stake levels. I have sent to Matt an extensive list of all the known changes to his International Atlas that i had found in preparing my copy from his maps.
He has told me that his current family, work and church callings, leave him little free time to make the changes. As he has mentioned in the past.
Here is the link to his International Atlas maps by country, if any are curious :
https://www.cumorah.com/countries/viewIntlLDSAtlas/United%20States/Utah
I chose Utah in the State dropdown randomly.
Ugh. Causse, not Causae or Causer.
https://earth.google.com/web/@62.61184616,15.84249458,2036.48278109a,5845112.81301677d,30.00000485y,0h,0t,0r/data=CgRCAggBMikKJwolCiExYm8wdG4zNXd6SFM2NGxQRm5UU0ljLTZkY1VFQmI2elUgAToDCgEwQgIIAEoICPq5pKsFEAE
Here is the "editible" link to my Missions and Stakes Map, that Ryan mentioned above. I just renamed his folder to Europe - Wards + Branches, and moved it up the list just below my Europe - Missions folder. Either can be marked Visible or not visible with the Eye icon in the list.
Enjoy.
Ryan, if you want you can work the Wards / Branches directly from here or from your links. It's up to you. I deleted all the wards + branches from Matts Atlas originally. if you all want i can re-upload them, as a starting point. He has them organized by Country or State rather than by Missions + Stakes
Chris D., this is an excellent link, and thanks for all your work. Do you have current memberships by nation and US states? And current numbers of wards & branches in each US state? I realize the membership figures will be as of year-end 2024, but current ward/branch totals should be up-to-date. That information would be great to know. Thank you.
I had predicted the First Presidency would be ordained on Sunday and announced on Tuesday- looks like I was half right.
I was 50-50 on whether President Eyring would be retained. I thought he looked a little frail in the announcement meeting but then in the interview he was more vigorous than I expected.
Someone said he has not been attending First Presidency meetings, and I was wondering what the source for that is. Also someone said to me that it looked like he had been absent for one of the sessions in the recent conference. However, I spent some time on Monday scanning through the 5 sessions, concentrating on the start and finish of each session, and the congregational song on the 4 longer sessions. I couldn't find a time his seat was empty when the other apostles were there, but maybe at some point he was in his wheelchair and was not visible behind the men helping President Holland.
President Christofferson is an interesting choice, and not one I had specifically considered. It will take a little time to get used to calling him that. I expected to have one of the counselors be under 80, so what we got is close. He was actually born in January 1945, several months before the end of World War II. I'm not aware that he has served as a college president, as I think someone said. But 4 of the 5 senior apostles have served in that capacity.
I just commented about the new First Presidency- hopefully that comment shows up here.
I did a little calculating and figured out that this First Presidency has an average age of 88- this is almost identical to the previous First Presidency when it began in 2018. (At the end, right before President Nelson died, their average age was about 95, and I don't expect this First Presidency to remain unchanged for that long.)
It's possible that an apostle will be chosen before the April conference- but I would anticipate it would take a few weeks. I believe there have been 26 apostles called since 1970- only 5 were called outside of conference: Marvin J. Ashton in 1971, David B. Haight in 1976, Neal A. Maxwell in 1981, plus Jeffrey R. Holland in 1994 and Patrick Kearon in 2023. Elder Maxwell was called the same day there was a vacancy, caused by the call of Gordon B. Hinckley to be an extra counselor in the First Presidency, but the other vacancies had lasted anywhere from 18 days in 1994, to 37 days in 1975-1976.
A little more history: some will remember that President Nelson filled a vacancy in 1984 that had existed for over a year. Also Elder Bruce R. McConkie died 2 weeks after the April 1985 conference, and the vacancy was not filled until October. Then President Kimball died in November, and President Benson did not fill the new vacancy until October of 1986.
I believe every vacancy since then, apart from the ones filled by Elder Holland and Elder Kearon, have been filled at the next general conference. (This includes the vacancy caused by the more recent death of Elder Robert D. Hales, who died during the October 2017 conference, and then President Monson also died about 3 months later without replacing him, so President Nelson had 2 vacancies to fill in his first general conference as prophet.)
twinnumerouno, I was, of course, aware of each of the cases you mentioned, but looking to what was true in the more distant past may not be the best indicator of what is likely to come under President Oaks' prophetic guidance. That being said, I agree it's likely to take at least 2-4 weeks, especially since President Oaks stated recently that President Nelson left him with a lot to do. I would anticipate a particular uptick in major temple construction announcements.
That being said, I would be very shocked if the vacancy is not filled before the end of November. The recent example of Elder Kearon demonstrates that an apostolic vacancy can be filled within a month of a prior apostle's passing. For that matter, we also know that President Nelson set apart the new Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve one day before the funeral of the deceased Acting President, so the more recent examples of that and Elder Kearon's appointment may be more indicative of what we can expect from President Oaks.
Interestingly enough, the Church News put out an article a short time ago featuring reflections about who President Oaks has been as a husband, father, grandfather, etc., in addition to how the roles of being the apostle and prophet have changed him. That article particularly highlighted President Oaks' ability to seek for and receive revelation from the Lord, both for his family and as an apostle, with much of that expected to carry over into how he will be as a prophet. I'm sure he will want to consult with his counselors and the other members of the Twelve and fast and pray about it, and as we saw with his approach to choosing counselors, sometimes that fasting and prayer needs to be "extensive". And given that President Oaks is currently more healthy and able-bodied than previous prophets in some of the examples you cited, I have a feeling that it may not be long before we hear about the new apostle. So I don't think President Oaks will wait until the April General Conference to fill the vacancy. Hope these additional thoughts from me are helpful.
If anyone is interested, here is my updated Brazil Area Map, which includes Logans 200 mile and 3 hr Driving radius from each Temple in addition to my driving routes from each stake/district center to the temple, and my 100 mile (as the crow flies) circles. I have also made invisible the Mission and Stake Boundaries Maps copied from Matt's Atlas, in the side bar.
https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1AhcwGcY3yStTUkaVfnmgUXznZ7EITvIz?usp=sharing
I can share all 23 other areas the same presentation if you want.
And my updated link to the United States Southeast Area.
https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1OzDN0yc_pqbR5N4M1Kp_4W9qeYMCtg0Y?usp=sharing
I wouldn't be too surprised if we only get up to 400 temples total announced by April 2030. That's 18 more by then. 3-4 temples average announced each April conference would get us there. Seems like we're struggling to get even 15 temples dedicated per year so I doubt we'll see 15+ temples announced per year for quite a while, given the current pipeline of announced temples. On the upside, if temples aren't announced until land is purchased and conversations have begun with the city, time from announcement to dedication could be reduced meaningfully.
In Chile, they seem to be operating with just one construction crew. Once the Antofagasta temple was finished, they started working on the Santiago West temple. The Viña del Mar temple has been awaiting groundbreaking for two years now, although the land was allocated from the beginning, as far as I can tell. The Puerto Montt temple will probably have to wait until after the Viña del Mar temple is finished. I would assume that announcing more temples for Chile will either mean more waiting down the line or finally getting a second construction crew.
I would assume this is happening in many places and might be the main reason for part of the backlog. There must be some way of working this out eventually.
If temple announcements slow down to 4-5 per year, I think the Church committee recommending new temples will scrutinize prioritization of announcements much more than before. I say this because if, for example, a temple is miss prioritized by +/- 35 places in line, the temple would only be announced +/- one year from ideal when announcing 35/year. If only 5/yr are announced, 35 temples later is 7 years! plus in that 7 years alot can change that could push the temple off even later.
So yeah, I think they will be more careful about prioritization of announcements which likely means it will be even harder for us to predict future locations.
Some things I have read suggest that they are trying to create a situation where more construction projects can be done at once. The key is hiring more project managers which is not always easy.
It doesn't appear temples is the only backlog. Getting meetinghouses to renovation/construction also seems to be an issue. Maintenance issues seemed to be addressed much quicker when facilities management handled it.
Ray, Try this link: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/state/alabama
From here, you can click on "worldwide church" and select where you want to go
Since no temples were announced, could there be another post explaining it, or on another topic? The comment thread on this post is getting quite long.
Russell M Nelson announced 200 temples, but had dedicated only 5 in his lifetime. In comparison, Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated 85 and Thomas S. Monson dedicated 21. Dallin H. Oaks has already dedicated 4 but I'm not sure how active he'll be in dedicating more. Apostles primarily dedicated temples for dedications while Russell M. Nelson was President.
President Hinckley dedicated so many temples thst it was not until Elder Gong dedicated the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple that we reached a point where less than half the temples had been dedicated by President Hinckley.
That said, President Hinkley had dedicated nearly half the temples when he became president of the Chirch.
President Nelson explicitly said he got more joy out of the apostles dedicating temples than doing it himself.
President Oaks dedicated Provo City Center, Barranquilla, Richmond and Urdeneta. I know he also rededicated Oakland California.
I would not be surprised if he dedicated Burley, Idaho. When they announce upcoming dedications, which might happen tomorrow, we will see if the current pattern will continue ilor if there will be changes.
If we take an even broader perspective and consider all temples dedicated or redediacted by Oresident Hinckley we did not reach half where he had not dedicated or rededicated them until the day in September 2023 when 3 temples were dedicated on one day.
In thd past temple dedications were spread throughout the week. Now they are being done only on Sundays. Also in the past at times it was not always the sane person dedicating a temple on all sessions. The first session in Ciudad Juarez Mexico President Hinvklry gave the dedicatory prayer. The next day President Monson did so because President Hinckley had gone on to the Hermosillo Temple to dedicate it.
There were 49 dedications with Presudent Nelson as president of the Xhurch. That is less than were done under President Hinckley.
When President Nelson was born the number of operating temples was 1 more than there had been President of the Church.
Today I believe is the first time President Holland has dedicated a new temple.
It will be interesting to see how long it is until the newest apostle dedicates a new temple. That will probably depend on when he is actually called and set apart. He might break Elder Kearon's record of basically 12 months as an apostle before dedicating a temple. It is unlikely anyone will ever break President Joseph Fielding Smith's record of having been an apostle gor over 60 years before dedicating a temple. I believe only President Benson and President Monson since have been apostles for even over 50 years. No apostle has been called under age 50 since 1970. President Oaks might manage yo serve as an apostle for 50 plus years, he would hit that point in May 2034, at age 101. I believe only President Grabt and President McKay were apostles longer than President Joseph Fielding Smith. President McKay had been an apostle 48 years when he dedicated a temple for the first time. That bring the Swiss Temple. He had been the president of the Church for 4 years at that point.
Joseph Fielding Smith was present at all save 2 of the temple dedications of temples operating when he died. He was at the St. George Temple dedication as a 7 month old. He was at the Salt Lake Temple dedication as a 16 year old. All other temple dedications he was at as an apostle. He only missed Manti and Logan.
For the information of those who might be interested, ground was broken for the Kumasi Ghana Temple on Saturday, and today, President Holland dedicated the Grand Junction Colorado Temple.
I don't have any idea what the new First Presidency may choose to do in terms of major temple construction announcements. A part of me is hoping that President Oaks opts to follow President Nelson's trend of announcing major temple construction updates weekly on Monday or Tuesday at 2:00 PM MT, but that's not a guarantee.
There is a lot for the new First Presidency to do in terms of just temple construction, but there will be other priorities as well, based on what President Oaks said during the broadcast to introduce the new First Presidency. So while I hope the major weekly announcements continue (and that most of them will be temple-related), there's no guarantees of anything at this point.
Regarding how soon a new apostle may be called, I think it will happen within the next month, if not indeed sooner. But for reasons I outlined earlier, the apostolic vacancy is almost certain to be filled before the end of the year. As far as the future announcement of new temples go, President Oaks said specifically that the Church would not be announcing any new temples during the October 2025 General Conference due to the existing backlog.
But if the new First Presidency hits the proverbial ground running in terms of temple construction developments, I don't see temple announcements being made just once a year. New temples every April was just something President Monson did for the final years of phis prophetic tenure. But I believe that President Oaks will announce new temples as often as he feels he can, and what he said in General Conference left open the possibility that temples could potentially be announced outside of General Conference.
I could see members of the current First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve (with First Presidency approval) announcing new temples in certain locations during apostolic ministry visits to those locations. Since President Oaks was the only member of the previous First Presidency who made apostolic ministry trips outside of Utah, I think there are also more prophetic ministry trips to come, and that President Oaks could potentially announce new temples (and the specifics thereof) during such trips.
It occurs to me to wonder how long we can expect President Oaks to serve as prophet. The obvious answer is as long as the Lord needs or wants him to do so. Right now, at 93 years old, he seems to be in good health. I could see him serving at least as long as President Nelson did, or for a potentially shorter period of time.
As a final note, I look forward to new posts from Matt as often as he may be able to provide them, but, given his stated familial, professional, and Church obligations, I recognize that those new reports may be more sporadic for the time being. I don't think a new post should be created just because the comments section in this one is getting so extensive. Those of us who choose to subscribe for updates from this blog will receive email notification of new comments, and the threads of the dialogue here are relatively easy to follow with the way Matt has those parameters set up.
Just some random thoughts from me, for whatever they may be worth to those who read them.
Has anyone heard of any new Stakes or Districts this weekend? The last known stakes were organized exactly four sundays ago on September 21st, being the Beaumont Alberta and the Orem Utah YSA 5th Stakes. Nothing since reported. It appears like things slowed down, not only in the announcements of new Temple locations.
President D. Todd Christofferson had his first ministry assignment following his call to the First Presidency. The article says that the assignment had been given to him prior to his new calling, and that when President Christofferson asked President Oaks if he could still go and fill that assignment, the prophet instantly responded, "Yes, and give them my love."
On another note, as I said yesterday, I don't know whether or not to expect the new First Presidency to follow the Nelsonian trend of major temple construction announcements on Mondays or Tuesdays at 2:00 PM here in Utah. But I'm looking forward to finding out. We've got four temples completed and awaiting a dedication announcement, and the only reason those announcements were not made yet is because there was no First Presidency to make them.
Likewise, there are a number of temples that have either had sites cleared or approvals given, so I am hopeful we see some movements towards groundbreakings, more exterior renderings, and more site location confirmations. I look forward to seeing what happens in terms of potential temple construction news during that 2:00 PM hour here in Utah. My thanks once again to you all.
Has anyone ever compiled a count of temple announcements, groundbreakings and dedications by number by year?
President Christofferson packed his visit to Las Vegas with a leadership meeting with leaders from multiple stakes, an address to the Las Vegas Nevada West Mission, a youth devotional and a stake conference.
In the church news article they mentioned one full time missionary serving in the Las Vegas West Mission who is from Mexico assigned to teach in Portuguese.
Quite a solid list of temple updates today; possibly catch-up from the previous slower weeks.
With the announcement today of the Site location of the Houston Texas South, being located in the city of Missouri City, Texas. Which is located just east of Sugarland, Texas. I'm guessing that precludes any future Sugarland Texas Temple. Unless it's renamed Sugarland Texas Temple, due to the Houston Texas South Stake there. The Missouri City Ward is in that Stake.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2025/10/20/houston-texas-south-temple-site-announced/
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/513733
Now knowing the Site Location, I would venture to say that it would take these 8 Stakes of the 22 from the current Houston Texas Temple District, located south of the I-10 Interstate.
Bay City Texas
Friendswood Texas
Houston Texas
Houston Texas East
Houston Texas South
Katy Texas
League City Texas
Richmond Texas
I just updated my United States Southwest Area map to include the Houston Texas South Temple site location and an updated 50 mile radius circle around the site, and the driving routes from all 8 Stakecenters to the new Temple Site.
https://earth.google.com/earth/d/13OX5MwHA-YuyN_4ORST0sMnpxEYTGas0?usp=sharing
This link has it. This is just during Nelson's term by 6-month period. I compiled a list by year, but I'm not sure where it's at or if I still have it.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LGkHGO55l7T5F_yWLi0lvT_jkfoqHHWXlGQfJyrIpJo/edit?tab=t.0
This location will probably make my Katy Texas Temple prediction defunct. It wasn't high on my prediction list, "Third 60", which covers predictions 121-180 if I was to ever put them in order.
The Brussels Temple "groundbreaking" will be the 20th(!) temple groundbreaking (unless another is scheduled before November 22) this year. Hopefully we can squeeze in a couple more before the end of the year and then keep that momentum going in 2026.
Good news. The Payson Utah Arrowhead Stake (2308312) was recently organized. Unknown date, possibly this last sunday 10/19/25 ?
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2308312
It includes the Mountainview 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th Wards.
Also, a new Vineyard Utah YSA Stake (2300966), with unknown date, possibly this last sunday 10/19/25 ?
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2300966
It includes the :
Orem YSA 6th, 9th, 13th, 31st, 45th, 47th and 48th Wards
Anyone with access to the CDOL lists can check the dates for me?
As Bea reported on October 10th, there were 2 changes that happened in the Edmonton Alberta North Stake that weekend. I had forgotten to go back and review.
"Bea
The Edmonton Alberta North Stake on the 12th of October will meet to form a new ward. This will be the Stake's 13th unit (11 wards and 2 branches). The Edmonton Alberta North Stake has a stake conference scheduled for the 28-29 of March 2026. Wouldn't be surprised if they use that conference to split the stake.
October 10, 2025 at 11:53 PM"
The St Albert Ward (366404) was renamed the Bellerose Ward (366404).
And the new Meadowview Ward (2310406) was organized.
Ryan Searcy, have you continued your maps for other regions/contintents outside of Europe yet?
David McFadden, when you next go to update your map, these last 3 stakes were not included on it last night when i checked.
Orem Utah YSA 5th Stake (2305771) (09/21/2025)
Payson Utah Arrowhead Stake (2308312) (10/19/2025)
Vineyard Utah YSA Stake (2300966) (10/19/2025)
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2305771
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2308312
https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2300966
David, I think maybe a future Katy Texas could still take the Houston Texas, Katy Texas and Richmond Texas Stakes on the west side of the city. Maybe even the Houston Texas West Stake. So i wouldn't count it out yet. \
Just that i had included a Sugar Land Texas from someone else's wish list i'm not sure who. But Sugarland being in the Stake where the South temple is going to be built. I'm removing Sugar Land from my potential list.
That link on temples was helpful, even if it did not as far as I could tell have year by year ground breaking counts. That Paris France Temple had no ground breaking, and Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple had 2 make numbers a bit odd. I assume they assign 1 ground-breaking per completed temple. Since the chart I saw listed them by prophet, and everything with both Tegucigalpa and Paris was done under President Monson, it works.
The Chart did let me see that the 99 ground breakings under President Nelson was bigger than the 80 under President Hinckley.
While President Hinckley was president of the Church 77 temples were dedicated. Only 49 under President Nelson. To be fair President Nelson was president about 7.5 years while President Hinckley was president 13. President Oaks is at 1 temple dedicated, 1 ground breaking and 0 announced. That number already puts him ahead of President Snow, Joseph F. Smith and Harold B. Lee for dedications and ahead of Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph Fielding Smith and Harold B. Lee for groundbreakings. Once we get the basically groundbreaking for the Brussels Belgium Temple (did they do a groundbreaking for Manhattan Temple?) so 3 under President Oaks (assuming none others happen before then), President Oaks will have had more groundbreakings than at least 9 prophets (the chart says 10, but maybe we can say there was close to a ground breaking for the Far West Temple under Joseph Smith). It is quite possible that by next general conference the number of Ground Breakings under President Oaks could exceed both the 8 under David O. McKay and the 10 under Ezra Taft Benson, so only be behind Spencer W. Kimball (25), it would be nice if we could have that many by next conference, and we might, but just getting that many a year would be great. We might get that many in 2025, since who knows how many Lone Mountain surprises we could have, But having 26 from October to the start of April would be wonderful but I am not sure it could happen. It is really hard to know what actually is keeping a lot of temples from having a groundbreaking, at least those with sites and renderings, and some get both those and a date announced at once. So it is hard to say, but getting to at least 11 seems possibly doable.
I think the chart is also wrong. There was only 1 temple dedicated while Wilford Woodruff was and there were 3 dedicated while he was president of the Church.
The 202s are still lower in dedications than the 2000s, the numbers are 49 for the 2020s and 62 for the 2000s. I think those numbers could change.
It looks like there are at least 3 temples, Praia Cape Verde, Port-au-Prince Haiti and Yigo Guam that do 3 sessions a week. We start 3 sessions on my shift on Saturday's at Detroit, and we have 16 sessions a week regularly. We have done all missionary and YSA sessions at additional times, and occasionally have run another extra session.
Some of the other stats are interesting. There is an average time from groundbreaking to dedication by continent. It ranges from 2 years 89 days in Oceania to 3 years 282 days in Africa. Average time from announcement to dedication ranges from 3 years 194 days in Oceania to 7 years 15 days in Africa. I am not sure if these stats only include dedicated temples or if they factor in temples with announced dedication dates.
With announcements for 4 temples having come out last week it is tempting to think things are picking up under President Oaks.
However this mat more reflect there have been no temple related announcements since late September.
I have to admit I am still hoping the new apostle will be announced any day, but thry may well wait until general conference.
Yes, but it's also reasonable distance to the other Houston temples. The Houston Texas Temple still has a sizable district that could further split. I think Beaumont is now probably the most likely location to split this Temple district.
It is a fast-growing metro, especially for the church. However, due to needs elsewhere, this won't likely be on my top two tiers for quite some time.
There's no specific timeline to fill this vacancy. President Nelson's call to the Quorum of the Twelve filled a vacancy that lasted more than a year. An apostle is typically announced in General Conference, but the last one was done outside of conference. It will be interesting to see what happens.
I am uncertain how much of the map I really want to do. Outside of Europe, I only really have a map for units within my mission (the boundaries from when I served, since it's now 2 separate missions) and Alaska. I actually removed all of the stakes and districts from my main temples map because it was a bit much to keep updated (and it can be easy to miss any changes), so currently, my temples map is now strictly temples: the markers themselves & a 200 mile circle drawn around it (and color coded for temples "grouped" together (within 200 miles) as well as an additional black circle if the nearest temple is further than 200 miles), and predictions, though I still need to finish the U.S. and Canada. I've done Arizona and New Mexico with parts of Utah, Colorado, Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma completed.
My Alaska map is a bit different than the Europe or Mission maps, because I have also included every city, town, and census designated place in Alaska with its 2020 population and what congregation(s) covers the city limits divided in their respective boroughs (we don't have counties, any area not part of an organized borough is part of the Unorganized Borough, which is further divided into census areas). I'm in the process of trying to figure out a color coding system, I was thinking coloring by population (if the town itself has the population for a ward, stake, multiple stakes, etc), but also want to do something else for places that are not on the highway system at all (which is a LOT of places, however, the vast majority do live on the highway system).
Thank you Chris
I had Orem Utah YSA 5th Stake. This is a good example of a stake I chose not to place the icon at the stake center for two reasons,
1) The stake center is outside the stake boundaries.
2) I didn't want to overlap the icon with another stake center
I chose a meetinghouse where a couple of the wards meet and didn't overlap another stake icon.
I've added the other two stakes thanks to your help. The Vineyard Utah YSA Stake is an example where there wasn't a building that wasn't already have an icon of another stake within the stake boundaries. I therefore listed it somewhat centered within the new stake.
Post a Comment