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.
- Angeles or Olongapo, Philippines
- Bo, Sierra Leone
- Port Harcourt, Nigeria
- Rigby, Idaho
- Lomé, Togo
- Southeast Salt Lake City, Utah (i.e., Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, or Sandy)
- Evanston, Wyoming
- San Pablo City, Philippines
- Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Ibadan, Nigeria
- Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Lilongwe, Malawi
- Santa Maria, Brazil
- Augusta, Maine
- Kimbanseke, Kinshasa, DR Congo
- Tema, Ghana
- Yopougon, Côte d’Ivoire
- San Luis Valley, Colorado
- Longview, Texas
- Lahore, Pakistan
51 comments:
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
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!
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.
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
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
I’m surprised Pakistan is on the list, there aren’t any stakes there!
There is already a temple in Santiago!
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
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.
Also, I further anticipate 6 US temples and 12 elsewhere in the world.
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.
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
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)).
I agree and would add Tirana to that list.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
I would replace the lower down one with Fort Myers, Florida.
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.
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/
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/
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
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.
I,m surprised you didn’t predict more temples in Utah!
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"
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.
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.
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.
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.
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? .
Because the Rexburg is constantly booked for appointments and very difficult to get in. So another temple is needed to keep up with the demand.
James,
I'm the commenter above (RT). I totally agree with you. Announcements are the easiest part of the temple construction process. Land purchases, temple design (exterior, interior, and systems), entitlement processes within jurisdictions (sometimes multiple), contracts, utilities, engineering and building contractors, materials, skilled craftsmen, weather, temple size all are factors in temple construction.
As you also mentioned, the Church has its own processes and timelines for finalizing the temple, including furniture, artwork, and other finishes, before the open house. I know very little about these processes, but it appears there are limitations and constraints there, too.
I also know there is great variability across geographic regions. I recognize that some temple locations move through these processes very quickly, while others do not. I would assume that a temple in Queen Creek, Arizona, will be completed in a much shorter time span than the temple in Antananarivo, Madagascar, no matter the difference in size.
I consider you and JPL the geography and number-crunching experts on this site. I know we also have some very strong map and data contributors. (I enjoy everyone's contributions and ideas) Here are some more questions I have regarding growth and efficiency in those processes.
What is the time from the 200th temple announcement to the 200th temple dedicated?
250th?
300th?
Are these elapsed times decreasing? I don't know?
Can the Church dedicate 24 temples in 2026 or 2027? Rick's temple website used to have completion estimates, but I don't know without those.
Is trying to dedicate 30 - 36 temples a year just too many for the current processes?
Thanks, everyone.
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Different topic: The Church just organized an official group in Nunavut: https://www.facebook.com/MontrealQuebecMountRoyalStake/posts/pfbid02DaAXmsiKs88dJregK44vyYbeXXSYMrcYGy1R4JFoHQoAezM4r2g2m612EFmS1TjDl
Hello, anonymous. Happy to offer my additional thoughts and analysis. My records show that the 200th temple of the Church was announced during the October 2018 General Conference. The 12 announced at that time actually gave us 201 in total. The October 2018 General Conference was held on October 6-7, 2018. The 200th operating temple was the Deseret Peak Utah Temple, dedicated on November10 of last year. Thus, it took the Church approximately 6 years and 1 month to go from slightly more than 200 temples announced to having 200 temples dedicated.
Given the randomization of the numbers of temples announced in each General Conference (with the pattern of 15 announced every April being pretty solid, while the number announced in October has been more variable), it gets harder from there to pinpoint when the 250th and 300th temples were announced. I have searched my files for that information and have not yet found it. That's generally because the temples are announced in sets.
But I can tell you that, based on my current estimates, the Church may only get to 250 dedicated temples by September 2028, at earliest, unless something changes. So getting the 300 dedicated by the 200th anniversary of the Church's restoration & reestablishment may not be possible, unless construction accelerates along with the timespan between when a temple is completed and when its subsequent dedication is set to occur.
Could that be the case in the future? If supply chain issues resolve, then, certainly so. But we were lucky to get 8 temple dedications this year, and next year, there may only be 14 temples dedicated, according to my projections, which have been overly optimistic lately in comparison with what's actually happening. And in 2027, I'm currently estimating 14 as well. So unless we go back to the Hinckley-era practice of all smaller temples that can be quickly approved and swiftly built and promptly dedicated, 30-36 temples per year doesn't seem realistic with the existing delays.
That's what I've been able to conclude on these questions thus far. Thanks, anonymous.
Just found some more information after further scouring my files and online. The Church's 250th temple was announced in April 2021. And, as I noted, my current projections (which make allowances for potential delays like we've been seeing) my estimates show that the Church may only get to the 250th dedicated temple milestone sometime in 2028. Meanwhile, the 300th announced temple was announced in the October 2022 General Conference, and, if my current projections are anywhere near correct (my dedication estimates usually are not) , then the Church, as noted, may only get to 250 dedicated temples sometime in 2028.
So unless something changes, or unless most of the most recently announced temples are smaller in nature (which has also not been the trend of late), then I could maybe see the 300th temple dedicated sometime in 2032, but that's assuming the length of time between the completion of temple construction and the subsequent dedication dates is cut short, which it hasn't been.
Even so, we are in unprecedented territory for temple construction, so that's something at least.
Team: What are your suggestions for the best location for a multi-week stay in a full-service Marriott hotel (actual hotel, not an extended stay brand) that is directly adjacent to a Temple (less than a mile) — where that Temple is open all day, 5 days a week—in a temperate climate with no snow and no extreme heat? (So, not SLC etc.) The goal would be to live at the hotel and easily attend the Temple daily.
Oaxaca state is also getting a 2nd temple in Juchitan de Zaragoza. I think Poza Rica is the most likely next temple in Mexico, but I have thought that for at least the last two conference as well when we got Juchitan de Zaragoza and then Reynosa announced, so I am not a good predictor.
I think Hyrum Utah makes a lot of sense for a new temple even though it isn't even listed as a less likely candidate. There could be 10-15 stakes assigned to it and it is spaced about as far from the Logan Utah Temple as the Syracuse Utah Temple is from the Layton Utah Temple. The Logan Utah Temple is a very busy temple and will likely still be once the Smithfield Utah Temple is completed. This would also give more flexibility with a Logan Utah Temple remodel.
That's really cool. I was surprised to note that I know the Group leader. Small world
There haven’t been very many site announcements of temples this year. Will that change? Russia, China and Uab, will we ever hear about those temples? Russia has freedom of religion but strict with missionary work there rules right now.
Uab invited the church to build there temple. No missionary work right now but members can worship there with no problem. Just can’t do missionary work.
China though you can attend church, can’t proselyte. Use scriptures and magazines for personal use. When the building is announced, government will approve it, but have to be discreet. Do they make people worship on zoom for the time being there now? You will have to get appointment for temple work when it is built, for Chimes natives only. That could change in the future when China opens its doors. Will happen we go in front door too.
Yet. But that doesn't mean there won't ever be. And the Church has sometimes announced temples in areas with no stakes at the time of the temple announcement that are actually created not long after a temple is announced. I also have Pakistan on my list.
Many of those that had site announcements last year are now in the construction queue, which is why it looks like there aren't very many 2024 site announcements in 2024. The following page tells the real story:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/temple-news-house-of-the-lord-2024
See also the following resource from the Church News:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/search/?q=Temple+News+2024
The back half of the year typically sees the more significant share of major temple construction news. So I think we can and will see many other site location confirmations this year. Particularly, in the time between the last scheduled temple dedication (which is November 23) and the end of the year.
I suspect Russia and China may only see movement when the current political regimes are no longer in power. That may only happen in the Millennium. But there will be much work to do during that 1,000-year period. As one of our current hymns states:
The scepter may fall from the despot's grasp
When with winds of stern justice he copes.
But the pillar of truth will endure to the last
And its firm-rooted buwarks outstand the rude blast
And the wreck of the fell tyrant's hope.
I look forward to that day. Meanwhile, the issue in Dubai UAE, as I've previously noted, is that the Dubai government appears to believe that, just because they invited the Church to build a temple in their nation, they have the right to dictate to the Church how large the temple will be. The Church is reportedly wanting to build a smaller temple there, while the Dubai government wants them to build a Los Angeles-sized temple. And they can't seem to understand that a temple of that size would require the proper religious infrastructure to go with it, including missionary work, a strong Church presence, and sufficient staff for a larger edifice. The Church can't, won't, and shouldn't have to give the Dubai government what they want without expecting something in return. So until the Dubai government thoroughly understands the nuances and infrastructure connected to having such a large temple, the negotiations are pretty much stalled. And the answer is not for the Church to give the Dubai government what they want. Since that government invited the construction of the temple, they should be amenable to the Church building a temple of a size sufficient for the current free practice of the LDS faith there, or they must allow the Church to function more fully with organized wards, stakes, branches, districts, missions, etc. that would stimulate the Church growth in that nation sufficientlly to warrant a Los Angeles sized temple in the UAE. That's the issue there. Negotiations may be at an impasse, with the government not being realistic in its expectations. And that's why the Church hasn't announced more information about that temple in particular.
How it will all work out, I don't know. President Nelson supervised the Church in Europe for several years and is an "old friend of China" by designation, so between him and our two European apostles (Elders Uchtdorf and Kearon), they might have some success getting the Russia temple built. Elder Kearon may also have connections in the Middle Eastern nations that could help negotiate regarding the Dubai temple.
So I wouldn't entirely rule out soemthing being done for the Russia, China, and UAE temples in the relatively near term, but relatively, they could also take years or decades, or may only be built in the Millennium. Just some additional thoughts to consider.
I live in what will be the UAE Temple District. There is a lot of speculation about reasons for the delay. It is simply that--speculation.
Elder Bednar has asked us members in the ME to be extremely circumspect about the Temple and especially to avoid any comments that could be perceived as critical of the UAE government. I would ask all members of the community on this blog to do the same.
The Temple will come. However, it will come when the time is right. In the Middle East, time flows differently. The Church is not sparing any time or effort to establish the proper relationships and respect with the leaders in this region. We need to give them them space to do that privately. Any public criticism of any regional governments will set the project back.
There is a misconception that there is unchecked despotism in foreign nations, while a bastion of freedom endures in the West. Gentlemen, this view is, to say the least, mistaken. Societies organize themselves according to their traditions and needs. We need to remove the plank from our own eye before pointing out the speck in our neighbor's. The Land of the Free is threatened by the same ghosts as other nations, so let us not be so Manichaean in this regard and trust that the Lord will protect and help us.
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