The rate at which new temples are being dedicated has accelerated in 2026 compared to recent years to near-record levels. So far in 2026, there have been six temples dedicated:
- Burley Idaho Temple — January 11, 2026
- Alabang Philippines Temple — January 18, 2026
- Harare Zimbabwe Temple — March 1, 2026
- Davao Philippines Temple — May 3, 2026
- Lindon Utah Temple — May 3, 2026
- Bacolod Philippines Temple — May 31, 2026
The Church has already scheduled an additional 12 temple dedications between June and November 2026. The current schedule includes the following temples:
- Yorba Linda California Temple — June 7, 2026
- Willamette Valley Oregon Temple — June 7, 2026
- Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple — August 16, 2026
- Cleveland Ohio Temple — August 16, 2026
- Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple — August 30, 2026
- Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple — October 11, 2026
- Ephraim Utah Temple — October 11, 2026
- Managua Nicaragua Temple — October 18, 2026
- Montpelier Idaho Temple — October 18, 2026
- Cody Wyoming Temple — October 25, 2026
- Wichita Kansas Temple — November 1, 2026
- San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple — November 1, 2026
This brings the total number of temples dedicated or scheduled for dedication in 2026 to 18. If all currently scheduled dedications occur as planned, 2026 will become the year with the second-highest number of temple dedications in Church history. The most temples ever dedicated in a single year was in 2000 when 34 temples were dedicated. Aside from the record-setting year 2000, the only years with comparable numbers of temple dedications have been 2024 (16), 1999 (15), and 2023 (11). Additionally, there are nine more temples where construction has been completed or is nearly finished that may be dedicated in late 2026 or early 2027:
- Fort Worth Texas Temple
- Knoxville Tennessee Temple
- Modesto California Temple
- Neiafu Tonga Temple
- Pago Pago American Samoa Temple
- Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple
- Ribeirão Preto Brazil Temple
- Smithfield Utah Temple
- Torreón Mexico Temple
The schedule is remarkable not only because of the number of temples being dedicated, but also because of the frequency at which dedications are occurring. Between June 7 and November 1, the Church has scheduled 11 temple dedications in a span of just 148 days. This equates to one temple dedication approximately every 2 weeks. There are seven temple dedications scheduled during a span of just 22 days between October 11 and November 1.
Another notable feature of the current schedule is the increasing prevalence of simultaneous temple dedications. Five separate weekends currently feature two temple dedications occurring on the same day. Such scheduling would have been highly unusual in previous decades when temple dedications were relatively infrequent and often represented major Churchwide events. The current pace suggests that the Church is adapting its operational approach to accommodate a rapidly growing number of temples reaching completion.
The accelerating pace of temple dedications also reflects the maturation of the Church's temple construction program. During the past decade, Church leadership has announced temples at an unprecedented rate. While much attention has focused on the growing number of announced temples, less attention has been given to the increasing number of temples now reaching completion and entering operation. The current schedule indicates that many of the temples announced during recent years are now beginning to come online in substantial numbers.
Another noteworthy trend is the broad participation of members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in temple dedications. Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Elder David A. Bednar, Elder Patrick Kearon, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, and Elder Dale G. Renlund have all been assigned to dedicate temples during the coming months. The increasing involvement of members of the Quorum of the Twelve likely reflects the practical necessity of conducting multiple dedications in close succession across several continents.
The rapid increase in temple dedications suggests that the Church's temple-building program is entering a new phase. For much of the past decade, attention has focused on the unprecedented number of temple announcements. However, the more significant development may now be the growing number of temples reaching completion and becoming operational. If current trends continue, temple dedications may become increasingly frequent during the next several years as the large number of temples currently under construction progress toward completion.
At present, there are 52 temples under construction or with a groundbreaking date announced. Consequently, the Church appears well positioned to maintain an elevated rate of temple dedications for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, there remain 104 temples in the planning stages for which no groundbreaking has yet been announced. Whether the Church can sustain the current pace of temple dedications over the longer term will depend largely on how quickly these planned temples move through the design, approval, and construction process.
In addition to those that are scheduled for dedication, a temple president and matron has been called to the following temples that does not yet have a scheduled dedication:
ReplyDeletePago Pago American Samoa Temple
Torreón Mexico Temple
Smithfield Utah Temple
Neiafu Tonga Temple
I wonder if the church will dedicate any temples during the Salt Lake Temple open house.
ReplyDeleteSeveral will. Logan, Manti and St. George were completed before Salt Lake and construction started after. Endowment House was for living endowments only.
DeleteHeber J. Grant went to St. George to be sealed rather than wait for completion of Salt Lake Temple and wife died before completion of Salt Lake Temple.
Before President Nelson’s administration rare for member of the twelve that was not President to dedicate temple. Maybe Manti temple was, Dallin H. Oaks dedicated Provo City Center temple and David Bednar Star Valley temple, only ones I can think of by someone other than member of fp or President of Twelve.
Some temples were rededicated by Members of the Quorum of the twelve. Russell M. Nelson dedicated Japan temple as Quorum President. Boyd K. Packer as President dedicated temple in Canada do to plane troubles and hometown of Brigham City.
Elder Gausse and Clark have yet to dedicate temples as apostles. Should get that opportunity soon. Close to a fourth of the temples announced during President Nelson’s tenure dedicated or will be. Fourth under construction, a fourth with site locations announced. Will be more. Less than a fourth we don’t know where they are and that will dwindle in coming weeks.
The reason I brought up this thought is that there's been a lot of focus on the Salt Lake Temple. There's a worldwide invitation to see it. Would a local open house and dedication distract form it? I guess we'll see next year what the brethren intends.
DeleteAt. George Temple was dedicated by Daniel H. Wells counselor to Brigham Young. Up until President Kimball’s tenure every temple was dedicated by Church President. None were dedicated during church presidents incapacity. Wells was never twelve member but ordained apostle.
DeletePresident Romney dedicated one temple as counselor than his health began to fail. President Hinckley dedicated several as sole functioning counselor. Was additional counselor for a short time. Miraculously President Kimball’s recovered enough to ask Arthur Haycock to locate Gordon B. Hinckley and Neal A. Maxwell. After that health failed and he was rarely able to make long term decision's. Day to day things President Hinckley ran. Would go to apartment with France’s Gibbons and Arthur Haycock when President Kimball’s could answer some questions.
President Bensons tenure President Hinckley and President Monson dedicated some temples before President benson but he dedicated two before his own incapacity.
President Hunter dedicated both temples dedicated during his brief tenure but after multi day Bountiful dedication got ill and rarely left his apartment afterward. Though he was alert until the end.
President Hinckley handled most dedications as church president. Last dedication more than a year before his death. He handled most rededication's too. Elder Perry and Elder Nelson rededicated some temples while not being in First Presidency or President of twelve.
President Packer dedicated temple in 1999 do to President Hinckley's plane troubles. In 2000 there was some rotation among 1st presidency,
But when dedications slowed down President Hinckley presided over the rest of them. Had cancer but didn’t have lengthy incapacity, strength weakened. Planned to dedicate Rexburg temple but died week before.
Early on in President Monsons Presidency he presided at all the dedications and rededication's. Counselors took turns later on. He let President Packer dedicate Brigham City as it was his home town.
President Nelson as President of twelve dedicated Sapporo Japan temple. President Monsons last temple he dedicated was in 2014, as health kept him in Salt Lake rest of his life. Elder Oaks do go Provo ties dedicated Provo City Center temple, and Elder Bednar Star Valley Wyoming temple do too wife’s roots. She grew up there. Only two Temples before President Nelson’s Tenure not dedicated by member of fp or twelve President.
Open houses are shorter now. And a whole state, area or nation would get out of church for three sessions. However now only district cancels church for either one session or session rebroadcast.
What is wild to me is how in the record setting year of 2000, all 34 temple dedications were presided over by a member of the First Presidency. Makes me wonder if it could be done then, why can't it now?
ReplyDeleteIn 2000, the First Presidency was a very spry 90-year-old President of the Church, Pres. Hinckley, with a 73-year-old first counselor, Pres. Monson, and an 80-year-old second counselor, Pres. Faust.
DeleteThis year, the President of the Church, Pres. Oaks., is turning 94, just had a hip replacement, and may have additional issues. His first counselor, Pres. Eyring just turned 93 today, and he just began walking with assistance publicly again after a couple years where he wasn't seen walking. True, the second counselor, Pres. Christofferson, 81, is in good health, but I don't see why he should do the vast majority of international dedications when his brethren in the 12, including some senior to him in terms of apostolic tenure, are capable of doing them.
Plus, many of the brethren in the 12 today will eventually be in the First Presidency. I enjoyed dedications by Elder Oaks and Elder Christofferson at various points over the years.
I find inspiration in the delegation of these assignments to the 12, allowing the First Presidency to more fully follow this thought from Elder Hales: "When you can't do what you've always done, you only do what matters most."
Back then, dedications were reserved for a member of the first presidency. That has since been expanded. So has women able to give prayers in General Conference and so forth. Male missionaries couldn't serve until they were 19, and sister missionaries had to wait till they were 21. That was changed under President Monson then again more recently. President Nelson led a host of changes to church policy.
DeleteAll temple announcements prior to President Oaks were performed by the president of the church or a letter from the first presidency. I don't think there's a desire or appetite to go back.
I guess my question would be the exact opposite--why did they have the First Presidency do so many in 2000? It's not like there were doctrinal reasons--Boyd K. Packer had dedicated one in November 1999. I suspect President Hinckley just a) really enjoyed doing them, and b) used the opportunity to visit a lot of Church members. But Presidents Oaks and Eyring are nowhere near as healthy now as President Hinckley was then.
DeleteThe Polochic Guatemala Stake and the Raleigh North Carolina East Stake were created today.
ReplyDeleteThere was a detailed video put by the Wake Forest NC stake on their website.
DeleteThe biggest reason for the change in who dedicates a temple seems to have been President Nelson's view dedicating a temple was a joyful thing he wanted all Apostles to experience.
ReplyDeleteThe other issue is with the decision to dedicate all temples on Sunday the current way allows more options.
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ReplyDeleteTremendous report, Matt! Thanks for sharing it. I have followed temple construction extensively. One thing I wondered: why did you list the Riberao Preto Brazil Temple among the temples likely to have dedications in late 2026-early 2027? The Church of Jesus Christ Temples site has Freetown Sierra Leone, Port Vila Vanuatu, and Queretaro Mexico ahead of Riberao Preto Brazil in the construction queue, none of which are mentioned in this post. Just wanted some insight into your analysis.
ReplyDeleteIt should also be noted that certain temple construction methods have helped accelerate temple construction, including both modular and prefabricated designs and materials. All that said, I've been pleasantly surprised at the number of temples set to be dedicated on the same dates. Since dedications are only scheduled out through November 1 so far, that should open the way for several other surprising dedicatory announcements and scheduling.
Another big thing I noticed is that it is often easier to make headway on temples in the United Sates than it might be to make headway in other parts of the world. We've seen construction be temporarily suspended on the Bengaluru India Temple, at least for now, and other temples that have been in the queue the longest presently have no information officially confirmed yet.
But I'm thrilled that temple construction is expanding and accelerating. At this rate, I feel reasonably confident in saying that we are almost certain to have 300 operating temples by the 200th anniversary of the Church's reestablishment (Saturday, April 6, 2030), whether or not there is at any point a goal announced to do just that.
All in all, this is exciting to watch, and I couldn't be more thrilled! Thanks again for the great report, Matt! Keep up the great work!
Definitely. The Ribeirão Preto Brazil Temple kind of surprised me on that list, especially considering the steeple still isn't finished.
DeleteOn my personal list, I probably have around 10 temples ahead of it for a potential dedication announcement. Don't get me wrong—there has been some great progress on the landscaping, and the same could be said for Londrina. But with the steeple work still needing to be completed and additional landscaping and interior work likely still underway, I personally wouldn't classify either one as being quite ready for a dedication announcement yet.
That said, it's all good. We all have our own predictions and opinions, and in due time it will be dedicated and provide tremendous blessings to the Saints in the area.
I want to know why we're not able to get temples constructed as quick as we did between 1997 and 2000. I understand that many of them were small temples. But even today we have some temples that of similar sizes or not much bigger that are taking much longer to be approved and start construction. How many of those get approved and even built so fast. Even the construction timeline is faster than some of these modular temples.
ReplyDeleteI've had that question as well. One consideration is that Hinckley temples were a 10,700 sq ft one-size-fits-all approach and a rush to get through projects. By 2002 six of the closest eight temples to me had the exact same appearance and floor plan. Four of the temples in Australia also shared that same look and floor plan, as well as other parts of the world.
DeleteThese were also built in haste which proved to be costly. I know mine (Memphis Tennessee Temple) had to be taken down to the studs and rebuilt because of molds that formed within the walls. This was either because of design error or a flaw in construction. In the reconstruction, there was some effort done to localize it.
Temples are now being built with uniqueness. While most today are also being built with a similar appearance, they are still uniquely built with a taste and appearance of the local culture. The McAllen Texas and Bentonville Arkansas Temples were built about the same time in a similar region of the US, but look totally different as both took on local architectural characteristics.
Many communities are also taking a more careful approach when issuing permits and design recommendations. If you go to a temple job site today, you will see that quality and safety paramounts everything.
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DeleteEach temple announcement is a new challenge for the SUD and church logistics (workers, attendance, etc.)
ReplyDeleteThe growth of the church today is at the level of temples announced or built, the percentage of participation of the SUD varies from city to city and country
In Chile, the church advances although very slow in every way, a coup of encouragement and speed is needed in the leaders
The Lukalaba DRC district was organized this past Sunday. It looks like 3 branches were organized at the same time, making 4 branches in Lukalaba.
ReplyDeleteThe Naga Philippines Temple groundbreaking has been set to October 8, 2026. This will bring a temple closer to some members in Luzon and hopefully help ease the demand on the Manila Metro temples.
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreaking-date-announced-for-the-naga-philippines-temple
It has been/will be quite a year for temples in the Philippines!
DeleteRaleigh North Carolina East Stake (2325691)
ReplyDeleteOrganized on 31 May 2026
- Archer Lodge Ward
- Garner 2nd Branch (Spanish)
- Knightdale 1st Ward
- Lake Benson YSA Branch
- Lake Wheeler Ward
- Millbrook Branch (Spanish)
- Raleigh 2nd Ward
Mission: North Carolina Raleigh Mission
Temple: Raleigh North Carolina Temple
Guatemala City Montserrat Stake renamed the Guatemala City Mixco Stake
Taichung Taiwan South Stake discontinued on 31 May 2026
In general the 1999-2001 temples were built on land the church owned. Adjacent to and often both shorter than and smaller than the existing stake center.
ReplyDeleteAt least in Detroit the location was on a super busy road.
This limited to choices. Detroit Temple is on a very busy road but is over 3 miles from the closest freeway. It is a good location but it was chosen by only considering locations where there was already a building.
Money and time were saved by using the exact same design and distributing plan pictilurs that really were nit based in the site.
In the Detroit Temple case 4 existing parking spaces were eliminated and no parking was added.
These reasons explain why temples 15,000 square feet or more take longer. Even when building them on arterial roads next to existing religious buildings and across from commercial buildings people will complain and governments delay the project.
The reason why the modular temples that are 9950 square feet and not getting built at the rate we saw in 1998-2001 is a bit harder to say.
However many of those are not being built adjacent to existing chapels. It allows for chosing sites that are best suited to building a temple but it also does require special permissions.
That said o the Kiev Temple announced in 1998 was not dedicated for over a decade. So not all temples then went up quickly.