Monday, September 1, 2025

New Temple Predictions - September 2025 Edition

I have updated my temple prediction map in preparation for General Conference in October. Several variables are used to identify prospective sites for future temple announcements. These include: the size of the Church in a given area (stakes, districts, wards, and branches), the age of the oldest stake, growth trends, distance to the nearest temple, traffic and transportation considerations, temple square footage, the historical number of weekly endowment sessions, and member/missionary reports on activity, temple attendance, and convert retention. Altogether, there are 186 potential temples on the map (which is 8 potential temple sites less than the total number of potential sites identified in March 2025, continuing a trend for many years of temple growth outpacing other growth metrics for the Church). The following five locations have been added to the temples prediction map with this current update - all of which are less likely temples:

  • Cheyenne, Wyoming
  • Eldoret, Kenya
  • Fort Myers, Florida
  • Greensboro, North Carolina
  • Providence, Rhode Island

Also, there were two locations that were moved from the less likely to be announced list to the more likely to be announced list. Provided with a reasoning for the transfer from the less likely temples to be announced list to the more likely temples to be announced list, these locations include: 

  • Augusta, Maine (remote location, third stake recently organized in Maine, no temple in the United States in the Northeast north of Boston, Massachusetts)
  • Kinshasa DR Congo Kimbanseke (Kinshasa is now the metropolitan area with the most stakes of any city on the Afro-Eurasian landmass with 17, and several more stakes appear likely to be organized in the immediate future; rapid growth, high rates of member activity and convert retention, difficulty traveling to the current temple from far eastern areas of the metropolitan area)
  • Tema, Ghana (12 stakes in the immediate Accra, Ghana and Tema, Ghana area, with four more stakes on the outskirts of the city; a couple stakes likely to divide in the near future; moderate growth in the city during the past two decades; improving accessibility to the temple for stakes in the northeast area of the metropolitan area)
  • Yopougon, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Abidjan is the metropolitan city on the Afro-Eurasian landmass with the second most stakes (16) with a couple additional stakes likely to be organized soon; high rates of growth in the past decade; high Latter-day Saint density in the city population in the Yopougon area)

For the first time, I am providing my top 20 most likely locations for a temple announcement this October. With 15–20 temples announced in nearly every General Conference for several years, expanding the prediction list feels appropriate. I welcome your own prediction lists and insights in the comments. However, I anticipate that this period of rapid temple expansion will eventually wind down, as the overall growth of the Church has not kept pace with the rate of temple announcements.

  1. Angeles or Olongapo, Philippines 
  2. Bo, Sierra Leone
  3. Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  4. Rigby, Idaho
  5. Lomé, Togo 
  6. Southeast Salt Lake City, Utah (i.e., Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, or Sandy)
  7. Evanston, Wyoming
  8. San Pablo City, Philippines
  9. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
  10. Ibadan, Nigeria
  11. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 
  12. Lilongwe, Malawi
  13. Santa Maria, Brazil
  14. Augusta, Maine
  15. Kimbanseke, Kinshasa, DR Congo
  16. Tema, Ghana
  17. Yopougon, Côte d’Ivoire
  18. San Luis Valley, Colorado
  19. Longview, Texas
  20. Lahore, Pakistan

 

35 comments:

Matt said...

Here is a list of 31 locations that may appear on the 'less likely to be announced' list in the coming years—likely 3–7 years out—based on the same criteria outlined at the beginning of this post. Much of this will depend on the creation of additional stakes, and in some areas, new stake creation does not appear imminent:

Albany, New York

Aparri, Philippines

Atlanta, Georgia (second temple)

Belmopan, Belize

Berlin, Germany

Bilbao, Spain

Bozeman, Montana

Bujumbura, Burundi

Dumaguete, Philippines

Fargo, North Dakota

Gboko, Nigeria

Georgetown, Guyana

Gillette, Wyoming

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Kalibo, Philippines

Kisangani, DR Congo

Lenexa, Kansas

Legazpi, Philippines

Lyon, France

Minj, Papua New Guinea

Ngandajika, DR Congo

Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo

Salem, Oregon

San Marcos, Guatemala

San Miguel, El Salvador

Seville, Spain

Tanna, Vanuatu

Whangarei, New Zealand

Yaoundé, Cameroon

Yerevan, Armenia

James G. Stokes said...

Hey, Matt! Glad to see your lists in this post and in your above comment. As mentioned in the threads of the previous post, those who are interested in my projections can see this document, which outlines all prospects I see in the near term, and this one, which is an area-by-area breakdown of temples announced by President Nelson in each General Conference.

As I have previously noted in various other threads on my blog and here on this blog, with 382 current temples, I am projecting that exactly 18 more will be announced in October, bringing the worldwide total to an even 400. I have also heard statements attributed to various general leaders indicating that President Nelson's goal is to have 500 in any phase by the 200th anniversary of the Church's reestablishment (Satureday, April 6, 2030).

So I'm glad to see your expanded lists, Matt, and I hope that my lists, such as they are, are helpful to all who view them. Thanks for another great report, Matt! Keep up the great work!

James G. Stokes said...

I forgot to add that, on the area-by-area document, my more specific picks for October can be found at the bottom. Hope that further contextualizes my predictions.

jonesto942@gmail.com said...

Strong candidates for temples Oct 2025

Herriman or E. SLC UT
Fort Bridger or Evanston WY
Poza Rica Mexico
Machala Ecuador
Quevedo Ecuador
Santiago Chile
Neuquen Argentina
Buenos Aires Argentina
Santa Maria or Passo Fundo Brazil
Sao Paulo Brazil
Bo Sierra Leone
Yamoussoukro Ivory Coast
Port Harcourt or Ibadan Nigeria
Kinshasa DRC
in or near Angeles Philippines

Potential Surprises:
Paducah KY
Longview TX or Shreveport LA
Mobile AL
Newnan GA
Augusta ME
Puerto La Cruz Venezuela

John Pack Lambert said...

I will report my previous predictions here.

I have decided to put together my list of new temples for October 2025. I feel I am still a little early, but I might not be able to have another time to compile the list.

I suspect there will be 18 announced, taking us to an even 400. I would love to see more, but that is what I expect.

Here is my list of 18 in no particular order:
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Lome, Togo
Bo, Sierra Leone
Kinshasa DR Congo 2 (probably close to the airport)
Toulouse, France
Prague, Czech Republic
Sendai, Japan
Angeles, Philippines
Resitencia, Argentina
Otavalo, Ecuador
Sorocaba, Brazil
Antigua, Guatemala
Poza Rica, Mexico
Henderson, Nevada
Thousand Oaks, California
2nd Weber County, Utah
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Somewhere in New Hampshire

3 next top candidates:
4th Dallas Metro Temple
Waco Texas Temple
Augusta Maine Temple

Really high candidates I could not fit on the list above:
Appleton Wisconsin Temple
Santa Maria, Brazil
Xalapa, Mexico
Hobart, Australia
Olongopo, Philippines
Legazpi City, Philippines
Yamosoukro, Ivory Coast
Cotonou, Benin
Somewhere in eastern North Carolina
Little Rock, Arkansas
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, West Virginia
Ciudad Obregon, Mexico
Mexicali, Mexico

Temples that I think less likely:
Canberra, Australia
Ottawa, Canada
Olympia, Washington
Eastern Oregon
Salem, Oregon
San Francisco, California
Santa Rosa, California
San Luis Obispo, California
Chinle, Arizona
Surprise, Arizona
Provo Temple #3
Provo Temple #4
Rigby, Idaho
America Falls, Idaho
Preston, Idaho
Morgan, Utah
Park City, Utah
Murray/Sandy/Holliday, Utah
West Valley City, Utah
Harriman, Utah
Springville, Utah
Gunnison, Utah
Delta, Utah
Satanquin, Utah
Alpine, Utah
Roosevelt, Utah
San Luis Valley, Colorado
Topeka, Kansas
2nd Temple for metro Kansas City
Columbus Georgia Temple
Gainesville, Florida Temple
Appleton Wisconsin Temple
Long Island New York Temple
Harrison/White Plaines New York Temple
Utica/Albany New York Temple
Fortaleza Temple 2
Abijan Temple 2
Benin City Temple 2
London England Hyde Park Temple
Tempe Arizona Temple
Champaign Illinois Temple
Paducah Kentucky Temple
Lafayette Indiana Temple
Midland Michigan Temple
Munich Germany Temple
Leeds England Temple
Bristol England Temple
Gotteborg Sweden Temple
Valencia Venezuela Temple
Kingston Jamaica Temple
Port-of-Spain Trinidad and Tobago Temple
Greensboro North Carolina Temple
Dayton Ohio Temple
Bloomington Indiana Temple
Lincoln Nebraska Temple
Iowa City Iowa Temple
Luputa DR Congo Temple
Kolwezi DR Congo Temple
2nd Papua New Guinea Temple
Haapai Islands Tonga Trmple
2nd Nukualofa Tonga Temple
4th greater Manila Philippines Temple
4th greater Lima Peru Temple
3rd Sao Paulo Brazil Temple

Anonymous said...

I’m surprised Pakistan is on the list, there aren’t any stakes there!

Anonymous said...

There is already a temple in Santiago!

Thomas Wagner said...

I made a map that shows my predictions for this General Conference’s temple announcements. Black dots are existing/under construction/announced temples, red locations are locations I think are very likely to be announced, blue are locations I think are somewhat likely to be announced, and green are less likely to be announced.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1AmwcgvPYngdfL6mShZ8Q_m4XyduHivE&ll=10.397520911816653%2C-11.041823980756174&z=2

Gary Stroble said...

You listed Appleton Wisconsin as both a really high candidate and as less likely. Frankly, until the location of the Milwaukee Wisconsin Temple is disclosed, that is very unlikely.

James G. Stokes said...

Also, I further anticipate 6 US temples and 12 elsewhere in the world.

Rocky said...

Thanks for sharing your temple predictions. It's always exciting to hear about the new temples each General Conference. In July there was an article by the Church about the number of temples in the Pacific Area (currently 11) going to double with the announcements of the Noumea Caledonia and Liverpool Australia temples.
https://news-pacific.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/why-is-the-church-doubling-its-number-of-temples-in-the-south-pacific
Curious to see if the Pacific Area will get anymore temples announced in October.

Rocky said...

This article was from mid-August but was highlighted last Sunday in my inbox. I recall hearing about this earlier in the year and this article talks about that it's not the Church bur rather affiliated companies buying farming land. I'm not familiar with Farmland Reserve and Alkira Farms if someone could shed light on what the relationship is between the Church and these companies?
https://news-au.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/does-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-own-farms-in-australia

miro said...

I think the most likely temples in europe will be Bristol England (or Cardif Wales), Southern Spain (Seville, Murcia or Valencia or two of those) and Southern France (Lyon (mission home) or Toulouse (more central for Soutern Fench stakes)).

Pascal Friedmann said...

I agree and would add Tirana to that list.

James G. Stokes said...

There is also already a temple in Buenos Aires, but I think they were referring to President Nelson's earlier statement that multiple temples will be built in some selected major metropolitan areas. We've seen him do that in Mexico City, Santiago Chile, Sao Paulo Brazil, and Buenos Aires so far, but there may be others needed in those areas. That's what I believe they meant.

Bryansb1984 said...

I'm going to add
Thousand Oaks, California
Lancaster, California
Henderson, Nevada
Mesquite, Nevada
Tremonton, Utah
North Ogden, Utah
Shreveport, Louisiana
Alexandria, Virginia
Mesa Arizona East

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
anonymous said...

For Reference September 2, 2025:

Temples Total - 382
Dedicated - 208
Temples Under Construction - 60
Temples Announced - 114

I think 500 temples announced on or by the April 2030 General Conference is too low an estimate. Assume 18 temples are announced in the October 2025 General Conference, bringing the total to 400. That would mean 100 more temples announced over the next nine General Conferences, amounting to an average of 11.1 temple announcements per General Conference.

I believe that estimate is too low.

600 Total? 400 Dedicated? Under current cycletimes, would these estimates be too high?

What is the average number of temples announced, under construction, and dedicated each of the last three years? I don't know, but I know some of you do.

I am totally curious to see how many temples are dedicated in 2026.

anonymous said...

I felt I had my Top 20 predictions locked in about four weeks ago and saved my document. Then I started reading some of the other predictions this morning, and I made a few last-minute changes. I didn’t have Albany, NY, and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, on any list before. Both of those locations are strong dark horses (in my opinion), but they did not crack my Top 20.

I look forward to seeing all the other predictions.

My Top 20:

1. Bo, Sierra Leone
2. Sandy, UT
3. Temecula, CA
4. Henderson, NV
5. San Luis Valley, CO
6. Blackfoot, ID
7. Angeles, Philippines
8. Surprise, AZ
9. Pensacola, FL
10. Hobart, Australia
11. Cotonou, Benin
12. Jackson, MS
13. Redding, CA
14. Cardiff, Wales
15. Augusta, ME
16. Hurricane, UT
17. Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
18. Kanab, UT
19. Gilmer, TX
20. Prescott Valley, AZ

anonymous said...

In 2025, nine temples will be dedicated.

Below is that list with the elapsed time from announcement to dedication (roughly):

Aukland New Zealand Temple - 6.5 years
(Oct 2018 – April 2025)

Nairobi Kenya Temple – 8 years
(April 2017 – May 2025)

Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple – 10 years
(April 2015 – May 2025)

Syracuse Utah Temple - 5 years
(April 2020 – June 2025)

Antofagasta Chile Temple – 6 years
(April 2019 – June 2025)

Farmington New Mexico Temple – 4.25 years
(April 2021 – August 2025)

Elko Nevada Temple – 4.5 years
(April 2021 – October 2025)

Grand Junction Colorado Temple - 4.5 years
(April 2021 – October 2025)

Bahia Blanca Argentina Temple – 5.5 years
(April 2020 – November 2025)


In theory, several temples announced in October 2025 could be dedicated and operational by the April 2030 General Conference.

Nephi said...

I lived in Mesquite NV for 15 years. I just dont see a temple happening. The Spanish Branch has maybe 10 people attending sacrament. Both Stakes are small and a former Stake President jammed a new stake through. Probably half the wards in the 2 stakes are very small and probably shouldn't exist. This is what happens when people are gunning to be an Area Authority

Caleb said...

I am confused by why the Southeast Salt Lake Valley (Sandy, Holladay, or Cottonwood Heights) seems like such a need. We already have a Southeast Salt Lake Valley Temple (Draper) and every growth metric of the church is probably declining in that area. Once the Salt Lake Temple gets back, they will absolutely need all the Holladay/Cottonwood Heights Stakes to staff it, as it is enormous. Combine that with the also enormous Jordan River Temple, where most Sandy stakes attend, and I can't imagine the need for another temple in the area. I am a resident of one of the aforementioned cities in the area.

John Pack Lambert said...

I would replace the lower down one with Fort Myers, Florida.

John Pack Lambert said...

If we allow for announcements through the end of 2030 we have 10 more conference after this one. That would be 20 per conference to get 600 temples announced by the end of 2030 if we get 18 announced in October. A quicker pace, but not super quicker.

To get 400 dedicated temples by 2030 we need everything announced by the end of this year dedicated by then (including whatever is announced in October) or some to get done is less than 5 years. That is doable. I mean in 1995 predicting hitting 100 temples by 20000 would have seemed undoable.

One other goal, having 500 temples in operation by the end of 2030 would seem very hard to achieve. It would be doable if we could get temple from announcement to operation in under 2 years like they did in the late 1990s, but I am not sure there is any way to really do things at that speed.

Chris D. said...

FYI, the new Young Men President recently had a devotional in Oaxaca, Mexico. Where there is already a dedicated temple. The only other locations on Matts above map closest would be either Acapulco or Coatzacalcos Mexico, but both a considerable distance. I'm not sure if Oaxaca would warrant a 2nd temple yet. At least not on Matt's radar.

https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2025/09/02/timothy-farnes-first-international-ministry-oaxaca-mexico/

Chris D. said...

Also, recently a group of about 100 members in Lithuania made a trip to the Helsinki Finland Temple.

https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2025/09/01/vilnius-lithuania-district-long-journey-helsinki-finland-temple/

Chris D. said...

Tarlac Philippines South Stake (2302365)
(Organized 24 August 2025)
- Capas Ward (191493)
- Concepcion Ward (146633)
- Dap-Dap Branch (2035014)
- Lapaz Ward (341363)
- Tarlac 5th Ward (228419)

https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/stakes/2302365

Ohhappydane33 said...

Probably because everyone just assumes that since the west side of the valley is getting all these new temples that the east side of the valley should get a corresponding number of new temples as well.

Anonymous said...

I,m surprised you didn’t predict more temples in Utah!

Chris D. said...

FYI, If any here are interested, I am reposting this link from the previous thread, for public use or reference. I am no going back to add an old 2022 Classic Maps Screenshot for the 2022 Mission Boundaries, as they were organized at the time. That you can click on the image to see it full screen.

Beginning with the Canada Area in North America on the list.

"Chris D.
FYI, I posted this link a week ago with my Consolidated Version of Matt's International Atlas of Mission and Stake Boundaries. Consolidated from his hundreds of smaller maps.

I have since complete all of North America (including Central America and Caribbean countries), and the Brazil and South America Northwest Areas (finishing 100+ Stakes and Districts of Peru).

https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1bo0tn35wzHS64lPFnTSIc-6dcUEBb6zU?usp=sharing

The above link anyone here can edit or make changes for my or Matt's errors you can find. In fact, it is appreciated if you can.
August 31, 2025 at 7:30 PM"

James G. Stokes said...

For the record, the 500 temple minimum was the specifically-mentioned number for that date according to the statements from several general Church leaders. It wasn't a personal projection. Here's the thing: 15 has been the magic number for announced temples the last several April General Conferences, with the number of temples each October being more variable, but always below 20. So if that trend continues, it will take longer to get to 500 in any phase than you estimated, Anonymous. The odds are very good that subsequent statements from general Church leaders may put that figure higher, but for now, that's the information I'm going off of.

Based on the current slower pace of finishing temples and getting open houses and dedications scheduled of late, some of the temples that had groundbreakings this year (but have not yet had construction begin) may only be dedicated in 2029 or 2030, at earliest. That particularly goes for the Heber Valley Utah Temple, which had a groundbreaking almost 3 years ago but has only recently had construction of any kind begin. And the resident's group has petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the construction pending the decision of that court on the citizen group's attempted legal action to stop that construction altogether.

Further, the last temple groundbreaking was held on August 23 (for 3 temples) and the next groundbreaking isn't scheduled to occur until the end of this month. Barring an announcement within the next week or two, we are unlikely to see any other groundbreakings occur until October at earliest. And the Church has full-scale construction pending for 10 temples currently.

So the reality is slightly starker than the suggestions you laid out. The reality is that there are very real supply chain issues or red tape slowing temple construction processes from proceeding as swiftly as was hoped. Is it faster than it has been in the past? in some ways, yes. But in other, very real ways, with real world factors in play, again, the earliest most temples that had groundbreakings occur this year could be dedicated is 2028 or 2029, and that's assuming that there are no delays for any of them once construction begins.

I would love it if I am underestimating things, or overstating the obstacles. But I don't think I am. Unless construction can keep pace with announcements, which are actually totaling less than 35 temples each year, the pacing of announcements will be slower, as will the construction of some temples. The Bengaluru India Temple, as another example, has had construction halted altogether until the Church can surmount financial obstacles.

So if 15 continues to be the number announced each April, and less than 20 each October, getting to the numbers you're suggesting will take far longer than 2030. I could see 500 by 2030 at the current pace, but as of today, it's looking less likely than I thought that the Church will actually get to 300 temples by the 200th anniversary of the Church's reestablishment. I'm still hoping that might happen, but the Church would have to dedicate over 20 per year between now and then, and based on what I'm seeing with dedication scheduling, it may not happen like I hope it will.

Of course, if dedications, groundbreakings, and continued temple construction announcements are made every week going forward, it might be a different story. But if you look at the actual numbers and the lengths of time passing between a temple's completion and its' subsequent announcement of opening arrangements, unless that picks up, and groundbreakings and full-scale construction pcks up, I just don't see that happening. I hope the Lord proves me wrong, but for now, I don't think I'm that off. Sorry for the sermon, but you did ask.

L. Chris Jones said...

With some temples going for small districts what about a temple in central Idaho such as Moore. It can be taken three stakes (Moore, Salmon, and Carey). It can cut some travel especially in the winter. I also see Blackfoot and Rigby in the next few years. Eventually a second temple in Bonneville county such as Ammon. I think Kanab Utah and Tremonton Utah as well as somewhere in the East side of the SLC valley, and maybe Springville Utah. More temples in Nigeria such as Port Harcourt. As well as the southern Spain, and The Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. And Davenport or Hobart on the island of Tasmania, Australia. And South Island to New Zealand such as in Christchurch. The countries of Togo and/or Benin. Next US State to get its first temple would probably be Maine or maybe New Hampshire.

L. Chris Jones said...

I also wonder what the metric was for the need of a second temple in Rexburg is. The new Teton River Temple is going to be one of the largest built in a couple of decades and The Rexburg Temple is just a few miles down the same street. From a layman's perspective I don't currently understand the need for another temple, especially a larger one based on the number of stakes unless they're expecting a lot of growth or a significant increase in temple attendance. I say this even if they decided to move the Rigby stakes from Idaho Falls to Rexburg. And I don't think that'll make any difference in whether a Rigby temple is built or not. But The Lord and the prophets and apostles have a greater understanding of is needed and I am excited for that.

James G. Stokes said...

Anything's possible in theory, but in practice is a different thing altogether. We have a number of temples announced within the last 3 years or longer ago that still lack any site announcement, let alone an exterior rendering or groundbreaking And, as I noted above, some temples that most recently had either a groundbreaking or full-scale construction begin in the last year may only be dedicated in 2028 or 2029 at earliest. That's based on my analysis of the time that also elapses between when major construction is fully completed and when dedications are announced vs. when they take place. Lindon's had major construction wrapped up for a while now, and has not yet had a dedication announcement. I had longtime hopes it would be dedicated this year, but it might only happen in April of next year at earliest. For some reason, temples have been sitting empty for months lately before their finishing touches are added and dedications are scheduled That's likely due to supply chain issues. Until that changes and/or the length of time between a temple's completion and its subsequent dedication announcement is reduced, it's a slower pace, especially for temples outside the US.

L. Chris Jones said...

I wonder what the potential is for temples and cities that begin with x or z. For Temple names we already have the rest of the alphabet covered. Would places like Xalpa, or Zacatexas or Zamora Mexico be potential temples? Or Zamboanga Philippines. Zapala or Zarate Argentina? .