New Temple Announced for Otavalo, Ecuador

This evening, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans to construct a new temple in Otavalo, Ecuador. The new temple will be the Church's third temple in Ecuador following temples in Guayaquil (dedicated in 1999) and Quito (dedicated in 2022). With 279,046 members as of year-end 2025, Ecuador ranks as the country with the 10th most Latter-day Saints worldwide and previously had more members per temple than any other country with only two temples. There are currently 45 stakes and five districts in Ecuador. As of year-end 2025, there were 338 official congregations and seven missions.

Otavalo has had a longstanding reputation for relatively high member activity rates, mature local leadership, and an unusually high percentage of Latter-day Saints in the general population (estimated at 10% in the early 2010s). The Otavalo people have been uniquely receptive to the Latter-day Saint missionary efforts since the earliest days of the Church in Ecuador. In fact, the first branch of the Church in Ecuador was organized in Otavalo in the 1960s. More historical information on the Church in Otavalo can be found here. The new temple will likely serve five stakes and one district. There are three stakes in Otavalo and one nearby stake organized earlier this year in Ibarra. One stake and one district that will likely be included in the temple district are in southern Colombia. 

There are now 385 temples planned, under construction, or dedicated. There have now been two temples announced in 2026, with the first temple announcement for Marysville, Washington.

Temple Announced for Marysville, Washington

This evening, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans to build a temple in Marysville, Washington in a devotional with the Marysville Washington Stake. The announcement was shared by Hugo E. Martinez of the United States West Area Presidency. The new temple will likely service approximately eight stakes between Seattle, Washington, and the Canadian border. The new temple is the Church's seventh temple to be built in Washington State following temples in Seattle (dedicated in 1980), Spokane (dedicated in 1999), Columbia River (Richland; dedicated in 2000), Moses Lake (2023), Tacoma (announced in 2022); and Vancouver (announced in 2023; under construction). I had included a potential temple in this general area on my temple prediction map, although I identified Arlington as a more likely candidate. Stakes that are likely to be assigned to the new temple in Marysville are currently part of the Seattle Washington Temple district, which has 31 stakes. This ranks as the 13th-largest temple district in the United States (tied with the Portland Oregon Temple and the Provo City Center Temple). The Church in Washington State has experienced stagnant growth or slight decline in recent years. There were 278,576 members, 473 congregations (425 wards, 48 branches), and 62 stakes as of year-end 2025. In contrast, there were 289,479 members, 544 congregations (476 wards, 68 branches), and 62 stakes as of year-end 2019. This represents a net decline of over 10,000 members and more than 70 congregations, while the number of stakes has remained unchanged. More information on Church statistics for Washington State can be found here. This announcement appears to be part of a broader pattern in which temple construction is increasingly driven by accessibility considerations rather than membership or congregational growth, particularly in developed regions with mature Church infrastructure. This reflects a broader trend in North America and Europe where temple growth continues even in areas with stagnant or declining membership, suggesting a strategic emphasis on member experience and temple access rather than expansion of the Church’s footprint.

With this announcement, there are now 384 temples that are planned or dedicated worldwide. The temple most recently announced prior to today's announcement was the Portland Maine Temple, which was announced in December of 2025.

The Portland Maine Temple: Analysis

Yesterday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans to build a temple in Portland, Maine in a stake Christmas fireside by Elder Allen D. Haynie, the United States Northeast Area President. This marks the first time that the Church has announced plans for a new temple outside of General Conference since the announcement of the Ephraim Utah temple on May 1st, 2021. Moreover, this announcement was also unique since an area president delivered it. Historically, the Church has tended to announce most temples in General Conference, although this has not always been the case; however, all new temples have been announced directly by the First Presidency or the presiding Church leader either personally or by letter. The news release yesterday noted that it is anticipated that additional new temples will be announced in a similar format, although this does not mean that temple announcements in General Conference will be retired. Localized temple announcements bring many advantages, such as delivering news of a new temple within the local time zone and adapting the announcement to the needs and circumstances of the membership to be served by the temple.

Maine (year-end 2024 membership: 11,384) was the state in the United States with the third most Latter-day Saints without a temple prior to yesterday's announcement. There remain only six states without a temple planned or dedicated, including Mississippi (22,297), West Virginia (17,557), New Hampshire (8,713), Delaware (5,865), Rhode Island (4,861), and Vermont (4,647). Mississippi and West Virginia appear the most likely to have a temple announced within the foreseeable future. The Church in Maine has experienced slow growth throughout its history. One in 123 people are Latter-day Saints, or 0.81% of the state population. Membership growth from 4,730 in 1983 to 7,900 in 1995 to 9,807 in 2005 and 10,966 in 2015. There has been a modest improvement in annual membership growth rates in the 2020s (0.6-1.6%) versus the 2010s (0.3-0.8% for most years). Congregational growth has been flat except for a couple branches becoming wards in the past decade. There are three stakes in Maine. The Portland Maine Temple will likely service 6-7 stakes in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Isolation from the nearest temple in Boston, Massachusetts appears to be the primary factor that has influenced the decision to build a temple in Maine.  

Portland Maine Temple Announced

Today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans to construct a new temple in Portland, Maine. The new temple will be the Church's 383rd temple. This marks the first time that a new temple has been publicly announced outside of General Conference since the announcement of the Ephraim Utah Temple on May 1st, 2021.

I will provide an analysis on today's announcement in the coming days.  

New Temples Announced in April 2025 - Part II: In the United States

Caldwell Idaho Temple

The Caldwell Idaho Temple will be the Church's 11th temple in Idaho following the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple (dedicated in 1945), the Boise Idaho Temple (dedicated in 1984), the Rexburg Idaho Temple (dedicated in 2008), the Twin Falls Idaho Temple (dedicated in 2008), the Meridian Idaho Temple (dedicated in 2017), the Pocatello Idaho Temple (dedicated in 2021), the Burley Idaho Temple (announced in 2021), the Teton River Idaho Temple (announced in 2021), the Montpelier Idaho Temple (announced in 2022), and the Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple (announced in October 2024). The new temple will likely be a medium-sized temple to serve up to 15 stakes currently assigned to the Meridian Idaho Temple (which has 20 stakes assigned, so it is likely that the Boise Idaho Temple district, which has 16 stakes, will also be adjusted). I had reclassified Caldwell as a location more likely to have a temple announced in March 2025 due to growth in the area over the past decade. The first stake in Caldwell was created in 1972. The Church reported 481,049 members, 1,274 congregations, and three missions as of year-end 2024. There are currently 144 stakes in Idaho.

Flagstaff Arizona Temple

The Flagstaff Arizona Temple is another temple that has been highly anticipated due to its distant location from the nearest temple and a small but sufficient number of stakes in the area to support a temple. Stakes in northern Arizona are divided between the Phoenix Arizona Temple district and the Snowflake Arizona Temple district. Flagstaff was on my list of less likely locations to have a temple announced. There are two stakes in Flagstaff that were organized in 1956 and 2017. The new temple will likely be a small temple with approximately seven stakes in its temple district. Slow growth has occurred in northern Arizona. As of year-end 2024, the Church reported 444,789 members, 118 stakes, 904 congregations, and six missions in Arizona.

Rapid City South Dakota Temple

The Rapid City South Dakota Temple has also been highly anticipated due to its remote location. The temple will be the first temple to be built in South Dakota. The new temple will likely be a very small temple that serves just two stakes: the Rapid City South Dakota Stake (organized in 1972) and the Gillette Wyoming Stake (organized in 1980)—both of which pertain to the Casper Wyoming Temple (dedicated in 2024). The Church has reported moderate rates of membership growth in South Dakota in recent years. There were 11,979 members, 32 congregations, and two stakes as of year-end 2024.

Greenville South Carolina Temple

The Greenville South Carolina Temple will be the Church's second temple in South Carolina following the Columbia South Carolina Temple (dedicated in 1999). The new temple will likely be a small temple that serves just three stakes—two in Greenville (organized in 1963 and 2003) and one in Asheville, North Carolina (organized in 1979)—all of which pertain to the Columbia South Carolina Temple district. The Church has reported moderate rates of growth in South Carolina in the past decade. As of year-end 2024, there were 46,586 members, 10 stakes, 83 congregations, and two missions.

Norfolk Virginia Temple

The Norfolk Virginia Temple will be the Church's fourth temple in Virginia following the Richmond Virginia Temple (dedicated in May 2023), the Winchester Virginia Temple (announced in April 2023), and the Roanoke Virginia Temple (announced in October 2023). The new temple will likely be a small temple that serves three stakes in the Norfolk/Newport News/Virginia Beach area. The first stake in the area was created in 1964, followed by additional stakes in 1977 and 1988. Norfolk was on my list of less likely locations to have a temple announced. Once the state with the most members without a temple before the announcement of the Richmond Virginia Temple in 2018, there are now four temples dedicated or planned. As of year-end 2024, there were 100,031 members, 22 stakes, 213 congregations, and two missions in Virginia. The Church has generally experienced slow to moderate growth rates in the state as a whole, and stagnant growth in the Norfolk/Newport News/Virginia Beach area for many years.

Spanish Fork Utah Temple

After many, many years on my list of locations more likely to have a temple announced, the Spanish Fork Utah Temple was finally announced. The Spanish Fork Utah Temple was my top prediction for a new temple announcement for this General Conference. The new temple will be the Church's 32nd temple in Utah following the St. George Utah Temple (announced in 1871, dedicated in 1877), the Logan Utah Temple (announced in 1876, dedicated in 1884), the Manti Utah Temple (announced in 1875, dedicated in 1888), the Salt Lake Temple (announced in 1847, dedicated in 1893), the Ogden Utah Temple (announced in 1967, dedicated in 1972), the Provo Utah Temple (announced in 1967, dedicated in 1972), the Jordan River Utah Temple (announced in 1978, dedicated in 1981), the Bountiful Utah Temple (announced in 1990, dedicated in 1995), the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple (announced in 1992, dedicated in 1996), the Vernal Utah Temple (announced in 1994, dedicated in 1997), the Monticello Utah Temple (announced in 1997, dedicated in 1998), the Draper Utah Temple (announced in 2004, dedicated in 2009), the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple (announced in 2005, dedicated in 2009), the Brigham City Utah Temple (announced in 2009, dedicated in 2012), the Payson Utah Temple (announced in 2010, dedicated in 2015), the Provo City Center Temple (announced in 2011, dedicated in 2016), the Cedar City Utah Temple (announced in 2013, dedicated in 2017), the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple (announced in 2017, dedicated in 2023), the Layton Utah Temple (announced in 2018, dedicated in 2024), the Red Cliffs Utah Temple (announced in 2018, dedicated in 2024), the Deseret Peak Utah Temple (announced in 2019, dedicated in 2024), the Orem Utah Temple (announced in 2019, dedicated in 2024), the Taylorsville Utah Temple (announced in 2019, dedicated in 2024), the Syracuse Utah Temple (announced in 2020, dedication scheduled for June 2025), the Lindon Utah Temple (announced in 2020), the Smithfield Utah Temple (announced in 2021), the Ephraim Utah Temple (announced in 2021), the Heber City Utah Temple (announced in 2021), the West Jordan Utah Temple (announced in April 2024), the Lehi Utah Temple (announced in April 2024), and the Price Utah Temple (announced in October 2024). The new temple will likely serve 20–25 stakes in the Spanish Fork, Mapleton, and Springville area. Steady growth has occurred in these cities for many years. The Church in Utah reported 2,205,134 members, 640 stakes, six districts, 5,386 congregations, and 13 missions as of year-end 2024. There are now 643 stakes and six districts in Utah.

New Temples Announced in April 2025 - Part I: Outside of the United States

Reynosa Mexico Temple

The Reynosa Mexico Temple will be the Church's 27th temple in Mexico and the second temple in Tamaulipas state. Previously dedicated or announced temples include the Mexico City Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1983), the Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1999), the Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Hermosillo Sonora Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Oaxaca Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Tampico Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Villahermosa Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Mérida Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Veracruz Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Guadalajara Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2001), the Monterrey Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2002), the Tijuana Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2015), the Puebla Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2024), the Querétaro Mexico Temple (announced in April 2021), the Torreón Mexico Temple (announced in April 2021), the Culiacán Mexico Temple (announced in October 2021), the San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple (announced in April 2022), the Mexico City Benemérito Mexico Temple (announced in April 2022), the Cuernavaca Mexico Temple (announced in October 2022), the Pachuca Mexico Temple (announced in October 2022), the Toluca Mexico Temple (announced in October 2022), the Tula Mexico Temple (announced in October 2022), the Cancún Mexico Temple (announced in October 2023), the Chihuahua Mexico Temple (announced in April 2024), and the Juchitán de Zaragoza Mexico Temple (announced in October 2024). The new temple will likely be a small temple that serves only three stakes and two districts. There are two stakes in Reynosa, which were organized in 1980 and 2003. Although Reynosa is in close proximity to the McAllen Texas Temple, difficulties crossing the United States border have likely contributed to the Church's decision to announce a temple in Reynosa. The Church reported 1.53 million members, 1,878 congregations, 230 stakes, 43 districts, and 34 missions as of year-end 2024. Growth rates in Mexico have been essentially stagnant or very slow for many years. Mexico has the second-largest number of Latter-day Saints of any country in the world.

Reynosa was not a less likely or a more likely location predicted to have a temple on my temple predictions map. The reason why I had not included it is due to the few number of stakes in the area.

Chorrillos Peru Temple

The Chorrillos Peru Temple will be the Church's 10th temple in Peru following the Lima Peru Temple (dedicated in 1986), the Trujillo Peru Temple (dedicated in 2015), the Arequipa Peru Temple (dedicated in 2019), the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple (dedicated in 2024), the Cusco Peru Temple (announced in April 2022), the Chiclayo Peru Temple (announced in October 2022), the Iquitos Peru Temple (announced in April 2023), the Piura Peru Temple (announced in October 2023), and the Huancayo Peru Temple (announced in October 2023). A temple in southern Lima was on my list of less likely locations to have a temple announced. The new temple will likely serve 10 stakes in the southern Lima metropolitan area, although additional stakes in the Pisco area may also be assigned to the temple. Lima and Manila, Philippines, became the first cities outside of the United States to have three temples dedicated or planned with this month's temple announcements. As of year-end 2024, the Church reported 648,045 members, 797 congregations, 115 stakes, 18 districts, and 15 missions in Peru. Peru is the country with the fifth-largest number of Latter-day Saints in the world.

Rivera Uruguay Temple

The Rivera Uruguay Temple will be the Church's second temple in Uruguay. Rivera is a medium-sized city with approximately 85,000 inhabitants, making it the second-most populous city in northern Uruguay following Salto (population: 114,000). Neighboring Tacuarembó was on my list of less likely locations for new temples. The Church's first temple in Uruguay was dedicated in Montevideo in 2001. The new temple will likely be a small temple that will serve approximately 10 stakes in northern Uruguay (which are assigned to the Montevideo Uruguay Temple district) and southern Rio Grande do Sul State in Brazil (which are assigned to the Porto Alegre Brazil Temple district). The Church created its first (and only) stake in Rivera in 1977, which was the first stake to be created in northern Uruguay. The most recently organized stake in central or northern Uruguay was in Treinta y Tres in 2012. Church growth in northern Uruguay and in Brazil along the Uruguayan border has been stagnant for many years. There were 109,905 members, 18 stakes, two districts, and two missions in Uruguay as of year-end 2024.

Campo Grande Brazil Temple

The Campo Grande Brazil Temple will be the Church's 24th temple in Brazil following the São Paulo Brazil Temple (dedicated in 1978), the Recife Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Porto Alegre Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Campinas Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2002), the Curitiba Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2008), the Manaus Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2012), the Fortaleza Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2019), the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2022), the Belém Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2022), the Brasília Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2023), the Salvador Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2024), the São Paulo Brazil East Temple (announced in 2020), the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple (announced in April 2021), the Vitória Brazil Temple (announced in October 2021), the Maceió Brazil Temple (announced in April 2022), the Santos Brazil Temple (announced in April 2022), the Londrina Brazil Temple (announced in October 2022), the Ribeirão Preto Brazil Temple (announced in October 2022), the Teresina Brazil Temple (announced in April 2023), the Natal Brazil Temple (announced in April 2023), the Goiânia Brazil Temple (announced in October 2023), the João Pessoa Brazil Temple (announced in October 2023), and the Florianópolis Brazil Temple (announced in April 2024). Campo Grande was on my list of less likely locations to have a temple announced. The new temple will likely be a small temple that serves at least three stakes—two of which are in Campo Grande and were organized in 1991 and 2009. Additional stakes in Mato Grosso State may also be assigned to the new temple. The remote location appears to be the primary factor that contributed to the announcement of the new temple, as the closest Brazilian temple is located in Brasília over 500 miles away (and the planned Goiânia Brazil Temple is more than 400 miles away).

Porto Portugal Temple

The Porto Portugal Temple will be the Church's second temple in Portugal following the Lisbon Portugal Temple (dedicated in 2019). Porto was on my list of less likely locations to have a temple announced. The new temple will likely serve three stakes—two of which are located in Porto (organized in 1986 and 1989). The Church has headquartered a mission in Porto intermittently over the decades, as it was first organized in 1987, closed in 2011, reinstated in 2015, closed again in 2018, and reinstated once more in 2024. Currently, all stakes in Portugal are assigned to the Lisbon Portugal Temple. The Church reported 48,840 members, 64 congregations, 7 stakes, 1 district, and 2 missions as of year-end 2024. The Church has experienced slow to moderate membership growth rates in Portugal in recent years, although the number of congregations has been relatively stagnant for many years.

Uyo Nigeria Temple

The Uyo Nigeria Temple will be the Church's seventh temple in Nigeria following the Aba Nigeria Temple (dedicated in 2005), the Lagos Nigeria Temple (announced in 2018), the Benin City Nigeria Temple (announced in 2020), the Eket Nigeria Temple (announced in October 2022), the Calabar Nigeria Temple (announced in October 2023), and the Abuja Nigeria Temple (announced in October 2024). Uyo was on my list of less likely locations to have a temple announced. The new temple will likely serve at least six stakes in the Uyo area, where the Church has experienced rapid growth in recent years. The Church created its first stake in Uyo in 2001. The other five stakes likely to be assigned to the new temple district have all been created within the past 10 years. The four temples in southeastern Nigeria—Aba, Calabar, Eket, and Uyo—are in a small geographical area less than 100 miles across, making it one of the greatest concentrations of temples in the world outside of North America. The unprecedented rate of temple growth in Nigeria has been greatly needed to keep up with rapid growth that has been maintained for decades. There were 250,341 members, 840 congregations, and 11 missions as of year-end 2024. Currently, there are 80 stakes and 13 districts—all of which are assigned to the Aba Nigeria Temple.

San Jose del Monte Philippines Temple

The San Jose del Monte Philippines Temple will be the Church's 14th temple in the Philippines following temples in Manila (dedicated in 1984), Cebu (dedicated in 2010), Urdaneta (announced in 2010), Alabang (announced in 2017), Cagayan de Oro (announced in 2018), Davao (announced in 2018), Bacolod City (announced in 2019), Tacloban City (announced in 2021), Naga (announced in October 2022), Santiago (announced in October 2022), Tuguegarao City (announced in April 2023), Iloilo (announced in April 2023), and Laoag (announced in October 2023). Nearby Quezon City was on my list of less likely locations to have a temple announced. The new temple will likely serve approximately 18 stakes in the northern Manila metropolitan area and in cities between Manila and Angeles City. Steady growth has occurred in this area of the Philippines. The first stake was created in San Jose del Monte in 2013, followed by a second stake in 2017. New stakes were also created in Baliwag and Camarin in 2019. As of year-end 2024, there were 882,461 Latter-day Saints, 1,324 congregations, 131 stakes, 56 districts, and 26 missions in the Philippines. Moderate growth rates have occurred for the Church in the Philippines during the past couple of decades.

Nouméa New Caledonia Temple

The Nouméa New Caledonia Temple will be the first temple in New Caledonia—an overseas collectivity of France. Nouméa was on my list of less likely locations to have a temple announced. There is only one stake in New Caledonia, which was created in 2012. Slow growth has occurred for the Church in New Caledonia. As of year-end 2024, there were 2,531 members and 9 congregations in New Caledonia. The new temple will likely be a very small temple similar to the Yigo Guam Temple or the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple—both of which are under 7,000 square feet. The remote location appears to be the primary factor that prompted the temple announcement.

Liverpool Australia Temple

The Liverpool Australia Temple will be the Church's seventh temple in Australia following the Sydney Australia Temple (dedicated in 1984), the Adelaide Australia Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Melbourne Australia Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Perth Australia Temple (dedicated in 2001), the Brisbane Australia Temple (dedicated in 2003), and the Brisbane Australia South Temple (announced in April 2024). The announcement came as a complete surprise to me, as there are only nine stakes in the Sydney metropolitan area, and the last new stake to be created was in 2016. Stagnant growth in the number of congregations has occurred in the Sydney area. Traffic is probably one of the primary factors that contributed to the new temple announcement given that the area has not experienced much growth in recent years and there are not even 10 stakes in the metropolitan area (all other metropolitan areas where a second temple has been announced have had at least 10 stakes, and often more than 15). The Church in Australia reported 158,969 members, 296 congregations, 40 stakes, 4 districts, and 5 missions as of year-end 2024.

15 New Temples Announced

This afternoon, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construction 15 new temples in the following locations:

• Reynosa, Mexico
• Chorrillos, Peru
• Rivera, Uruguay
• Campo Grande, Brazil
• Porto, Portugal
• Uyo, Nigeria
• San Jose del Monte, Philippines
• Nouméa, New Caledonia
• Liverpool, Australia
• Caldwell, Idaho
• Flagstaff, Arizona
• Rapid City, South Dakota
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Norfolk, Virginia
• Spanish Fork, Utah

With today's announcement, there are now 382 dedicated or planned temples worldwide. I will provide an analysis of today's announcement in the coming days.

New Temples Announced in October 2024 - Part II: Inside the United States

Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple

The Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple was the only temple announced in October 2024 that was not on my temple predictions map, although this site was suggested by many blog readers. I had determined Coeur d’Alene too unlikely to have a temple announced given its close proximity to the Spokane Washington Temple (services 13 stakes), albeit this temple is one of the most heavily used temples in the Church due to significant growth in the area for the Church in the past couple decades combined with a small square footage for the building. Thus, it had seemed more likely that the Spokane Washington Temple would be remodeled to expand its size rather than have a second temple announced for the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene metropolitan area. The new temple will be the Church's 10th temple in Idaho following the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple (dedicated in 1945), the Boise Idaho Temple (dedicated in 1984), the Rexburg Idaho Temple (dedicated in 2008), the Twin Falls Idaho Temple (dedicated in 2008), the Meridian Idaho Temple (dedicated in 2017), the Pocatello Idaho Temple (dedicated in 2021), the Burley Idaho Temple (announced in 2021), the Teton River Idaho Temple (announced in 2021), and the Montpelier Idaho Temple (announced in 2022). The new temple will likely be a small temple that services four stakes in extreme northern Idaho (three of which are in the Coeur d’Alene area and were organized in 1962, 1999, and 2022) which currently attend the Spokane Washington Temple. These stakes experience steady growth, and additional stakes may be organized if this growth continues in the coming years. The Church has experienced steady moderate growth in this area of Idaho in recent years. As of year-end 2023, there were 476,118 Latter-day Saints meeting in 1,228 congregations. Currently, there are 142 stakes and three missions in Idaho.

Queen Creek Arizona Temple

The Queen Creek Arizona Temple will be the Church's eighth temple in Arizona following the Mesa Arizona Temple (dedicated in 1927), the Snowflake Arizona Temple (dedicated in 2002), The Gila Valley Arizona Temple (dedicated in 2010), the Gilbert Arizona Temple (dedicated in 2014), the Phoenix Arizona Temple (dedicated in 2014), the Tuscon Arizona Temple (dedicated in 2017), and the Yuma Arizona Temple (announced in April 2024). The new temple will likely be a medium to large temple that services 12-15 stakes in the Queen Creek area and surrounding communities to the south which attend the Gilbert Arizona Temple - a temple which has had its temple district grow to 37 stakes. The Church has historically experienced moderate growth rates in Arizona until the mid-2010s and has since experienced very slow growth rates. As of year-end 2023, there were 442,879 Latter-day Saints who met in 924 congregations. There are currently 117 stakes and six missions in Arizona. Queen Creek was listed on my temple predictions map as a less likely location to have a temple announced.

El Paso Texas Temple

The El Paso Texas Temple will be the Church's 10th temple in Texas following the Dallas Texas Temple (dedicated in 1984), the Houston Texas Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Lubbock Texas Temple (dedicated in 2002), the San Antonio Texas Temple (dedicated in 2005), the McAllen Texas Temple (dedicated in 2023), the Fort Worth Texas Temple (announced in 2021), the Austin Texas Temple (announced in April 2022), the McKinney Texas Temple (announced in October 2022), and the Houston Texas South Temple (announced in April 2024). El Paso has been on my list of more likely locations to have a temple announced for many years due to difficulty for American members to cross the Mexican border to attend the Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple and distance to the nearest temple within the United States. The new temple will likely be a small temple that services four stakes (three in El Paso, one in Las Cruces, New Mexico) and one district (the Fort Stockton Texas District). The first stake was created in El Paso in 1952 followed by two more stakes in 1982 and 2016. The Church in El Paso has experienced slow growth for many decades, especially compared to the other largest cities in Texas. As of year-end 2023, there were 385,600 Latter-day Saints who met in 751 congregations. There are currently 80 stakes, 12 missions, and two districts in Texas.

Huntsville Alabama Temple

The Huntsville Alabama Temple will be the Church's second temple in Alabama following the Birmingham Alabama Temple (dedicated in 2000). Alabama will be the first state in the traditionally defined region of the "Deep South" to have two temples. The new temple will likely be a small temple that services the two stakes in the Huntsville area (organized in 1968 and 2011) as well as possibly stakes in Gadsden, Alabama (organized in 2019) and Chattanooga, Tennessee (organized in 1978). Stakes in northern Alabama currently attend the Birmingham Alabama Temple. The Church has experienced slow and steady growth in Alabama for many years. Huntsville was listed on my temple predictions map as a less likely location to have a temple announced.

Milwaukee Wisconsin Temple

The Milwaukee Wisconsin Temple will be the Church's first temple in Wisconsin. Prior to the announcement, Wisconsin was the state with the second most Latter-day Saints without a temple within its geographical boundaries. The new temple will likely be a small temple and include all six stakes in Wisconsin which are currently assigned to the Chicago Illinois Temple and the Minneapolis Minnesota Temple. There are two stakes in Milwaukee which were organized in 1963 and 2002. The Church has experienced slow and steady membership growth in Wisconsin for many years. Only one in every 208 people was a Latter-day Saint in Wisconsin as of 2023. The Church reported 28,430 members, 69 congregations, and one mission as of year-end 2023. Milwaukee was listed on my temple predictions map as a less likely location to have a temple announced.

Summit New Jersey Temple

The Summit New Jersey Temple will be the Church's first temple in New Jersey. Prior to the announcement, New Jersey was the state with the most Latter-day Saints without a temple within its geographical boundaries. Currently stakes in New Jersey are assigned to the Manhattan New York Temple and the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple. The new temple will likely be a small temple that services five stakes in northern New Jersey. Church growth in New Jersey has been slow but steady for many years. There were 35,453 Latter-day Saints who met in 62 congregations as of year-end 2023. There is one mission in New Jersey. New Jersey has one of the lowest percentages of Latter-day Saints in the population, as there was one Latter-day Saint per every 262 people in 2023. The oldest stake in New Jersey is the Morristown New Jersey Stake which was organized in 1960. The most recently organized stake in New Jersey is the Liberty Park New Jersey Stake (organized in 2015). Scotch Plains, New Jersey (about five miles away from Summit) was listed on my temple predictions map as a less likely location to have a temple announced to service stakes in northern New Jersey.

Price Utah Temple

The Price Utah Temple will be the Church's 31st temple in Utah following the St. George Utah Temple (announced in 1871, dedicated in 1877), the Logan Utah Temple (announced in 1876, dedicated in 1884), the Manti Utah Temple (announced in 1875, dedicated in 1888), the Salt Lake Temple (announced in 1847, dedicated in 1893), the Ogden Utah Temple (announced in 1967, dedicated in 1972), the Provo Utah Temple (announced in 1967, dedicated in 1972), the Jordan River Utah Temple (announced in 1978, dedicated in 1981), the Bountiful Utah Temple (announced in 1990, dedicated in 1995), the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple (announced in 1992, dedicated in 1996), the Vernal Utah Temple (announced in 1994, dedicated in 1997), the Monticello Utah Temple (announced in 1997, dedicated in 1998), the Draper Utah Temple (announced in 2004, dedicated in 2009), the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple (announced in 2005, dedicated in 2009), the Brigham City Utah Temple (announced in 2009, dedicated in 2012), the Payson Utah Temple (announced in 2010, dedicated in 2015), the Provo City Center Temple (announced in 2011, dedicated in 2016), Cedar City Utah Temple (announced in 2013, dedicated in 2017), the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple (announced in 2017, dedicated in 2023), the Layton Utah Temple (announced in 2018, dedicated in 2024), the Red Cliffs Utah Temple (announced in 2018, dedicated in 2024), the Deseret Peak Utah Temple (announced in 2019, scheduled for dedicated in 2024), the Orem Utah Temple (announced in 2019, dedicated in 2024), the Taylorsville Utah Temple (announced in 2019, dedicated in 2024), the Syracuse Utah Temple (announced in 2020), the Lindon Utah Temple (announced in 2020), the Smithfield Utah Temple (announced in 2021), the Ephraim Utah Temple (announced in 2021), the Heber City Utah Temple (announced in 2021), the West Jordan Utah Temple (announced in April 2024), and the Lehi Utah Temple (announced in April 2024). Price has long been on my list of most likely locations to have a temple announced due to its remote location with five stakes in the immediate Price area as well as three stakes south of Price that are within relatively close proximity (Castle Dale, Ferron, and Huntington). There are three stakes in Price - the oldest of which was organized in 1910. The new temple will likely be a small temple that services eight stakes in Carbon and Emery counties - all of which currently pertain to the Manti Utah Temple district. The Church has experienced stagnant growth in the Price area for many years, and the size of the overall population of this area of Utah has been relatively unchanged for decades. There were 2.19 million Latter-day Saints and 5,417 congregations in Utah as of year-end 2023. There are currently 644 stakes, 13 missions, and six districts in Utah.

New Temples Announced in October 2024 - Part I: Outside of the United States

Juchitán de Zaragoza Mexico Temple

The Juchitán de Zaragoza Mexico Temple will be the Church's 26th temple in Mexico and second temple in Oaxaca State. Previously dedicated or announced temples include the Mexico City Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1983), the Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1999), the Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Hermosillo Sonora Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Oaxaca Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Tampico Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Villahermosa Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Mérida Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Veracruz Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Guadalajara Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2001), the Monterrey Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2002), the Tijuana Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2015), the Puebla Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2024), the Querétaro Mexico Temple (announced in April 2021), the Torreón Mexico Temple (announced in April 2021), the Culiacán Mexico Temple (announced in October 2021), the San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple (announced in April 2022), the Mexico City Benemérito Mexico Temple (announced in April 2022), the Cuernavaca Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), the Pachuca Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), the Toluca Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), the Tula Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), the Cancún México Temple (announced October 2023), and the Chihuahua Mexico Temple (announced April 2024). The new temple in Juchitán de Zaragoza will likely have a small district consisting of three stakes and four districts in southeastern Oaxaca State. Thus, the temple will likely be a small temple given few stakes and districts in the area which are nonetheless far distant from the nearest temples in Oaxaca and Tuxtla Gutiérrez. The Church discontinued many congregations in the Juchitán area in 2017 to create wards that had larger numbers of active members. There are currently 230 stakes, 44 districts, and 34 missions in Mexico. There were 1,876 official congregations in Mexico as of year-end 2023. Church membership in Mexico is at 1.52 million, although membership growth rates have been very slow in recent years. Moreover, member activity rates in Mexico are low overall at approximately 20%. 

This location was classified as a less likely location to have a temple announced on my most recent temple prediction map.

Santa Ana El Salvador Temple

The Santa Ana El Salvador Temple will be the Church's second temple in El Salvador following the dedication of the San Salvador El Salvador Temple in 2011. The new temple will likely service nine stakes in extreme western El Salvador - all of which are assigned to the San Salvador El Salvador Temple. There are four stakes in Santa Ana which were organized in 1979, 1980, 2009, and 2017. The Church has experienced essentially stagnant growth in El Salvador as a whole for many years in regard to membership growth, albeit there were two new stakes created in western El Salvador in 2017 and some branches have matured into wards within the past 5-10 years. The new temple is likely to be a small- to medium-sized temple. 

This location was classified as a less likely location to have a temple announced on my most recent temple prediction map.

Medellín Colombia Temple

The Medellín Colombia Temple will be the Church's fourth temple in Colombia following the Bogotá Colombia Temple (dedicated in 1999), the Barranquilla Colombia Temple (dedicated in 2018), and the Cali Colombia Temple (announced in April 2021). The new temple will likely be a small temple that services four stakes and one district - all of which are assigned to the Bogotá Colombia Temple. There are three stakes in Medellín which were organized in 1988, 1996, and 2023. The Colombia Medellín Mission was organized in 2012. The Church in Colombia has experienced slow growth for many years. As of year-end 2023, there were 215,331 Latter-day Saints, 256 official congregations, 31 stakes, 10 districts, and five missions.

This location was classified as a less likely location to have a temple announced on my most recent temple prediction map.

Santiago Dominican Republic Temple

The Santiago Dominican Republic Temple will be the Church's second temple in the Dominican Republic following the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple (dedicated in 2000). The new temple will likely be a small- to medium-sized temple and service seven stakes and three districts in northern Dominican Republic - all of which are assigned to the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple. Steady growth has occurred in the past couple decades in the area, and two new stakes have been organized since 2010. With approximately 150,000 Latter-day Saints, the Dominican Republic was the country with the most members with only one temple prior to today's announcement.

This location was classified as a more likely location to have a temple announced on my most recent temple prediction map.

Puerto Montt Chile Temple

The Puerto Montt Chile Temple will be the Church's sixth temple in Chile following the Santiago Chile Temple (dedicated in 1983), the Concepción Chile Temple (dedicated in 2018), the Antofagasta Chile Temple (announced in 2019), the Santiago Chile West Temple (announced in October 2021), and the Viña del Mar Chile (announced in October 2023). The new temple will likely be a small temple and service seven stakes and three districts in extreme southern Chile. The area is currently serviced by the Concepción Chile Temple. The Church recently organized a new stake in the Puerto Montt area (Puerto Varas) in March of 2024, and a few branches have become wards recently in the area. However, this region of Chile has historically had little to no growth in the number of congregations for decades. There are currently 79 stakes, 10 districts, and 11 missions in Chile. 

This location was classified as a more likely location to have a temple announced on my most recent temple prediction map.

Dublin Ireland Temple

The Dublin Ireland Temple will be the Church's first temple in Ireland. The Church reported 4,076 members as of year-end 2023. There is one stake in Dublin (organized in 1995) and one stake in Belfast, Northern Ireland (organized in 1974) which appear likely to comprise the new temple district. Currently, the two stakes are assigned to the Preston England Temple (dedicated in 1998). Thus, the new temple will likely be a small temple. The Church used to operate a mission in Dublin, Ireland which closed and was consolidated with the mission in Scotland in 2010. Stagnant membership growth has occurred for most years in Ireland in the past couple decades, although there have been a couple years that have had significant growth during this time. The Church recently discontinued the Limerick Ireland District and consolidated it with the Dublin Ireland Stake. There are now six wards and six branches in Ireland. There are seven wards and three branches in Northern Ireland.

This location was classified as a more likely location to have a temple announced on my most recent temple prediction map.

Milan Italy Temple

The Milan Italy Temple will be the Church's second temple in Italy following the Rome Italy Temple in 2019. Milan has historically been what appeared to be a more likely location to have a temple announced in Italy before the Rome Italy Temple given there are more stakes in northern Italy than southern Italy and that some of the stakes in northern Italy have operated for more than a decade longer than in southern Italy. Currently, northern Italy is assigned to the Rome Italy Temple. The new temple will likely service 5-6 stakes in northern Italy. The new temple will likely be a small- to medium-sized temple. Milan is the only city in northern Italy that has two stakes (which were organized in 1981 and 2012). Membership growth rates in Italy have been low for many years. There were 28,409 members, 10 stakes, 94 official congregations, and two missions in Italy as of year-end 2023. Italy has undergone a significant transformation in the past 15-20 years from mostly comprising branches and districts to being mostly made up of wards and stakes.

This location was classified as a less likely location to have a temple announced on my most recent temple prediction map.

Abuja Nigeria Temple

The Abuja Nigeria Temple will be the Church's sixth temple in Nigeria following the Aba Nigeria Temple (dedicated in 2005), the Lagos Nigeria Temple (announced in 2018), the Benin City Nigeria Temple (announced in 2020), the Eket Nigeria Temple (announced in October 2022), and the Calabar Nigeria Temple (announced in October 2023). As I noted when the Calabar Nigeria Temple was announced, the Church has never announced so many new temples in a country with only one dedicated temple since Mexico had at one point nine temples announced in February 1999 before a second temple was dedicated in March 1999 (which was the Colonia Juarez Mexico Temple). The new temple in Abuja will likely be a small temple and service four stakes (three of which are in Abuja) and three districts in central Nigeria - all of which are assigned to the Aba Nigeria Temple. The first stake in Abuja was organized in 2012 followed by additional stakes in 2016 and 2019. The Church has grown rapidly in central Nigeria within the past decade after decades of slow or stagnant growth. Just a few weeks ago, the Church created its first stake in Jos where a district had operated for more than 30 years. Prospects appear favorable for more stakes to be created in central Nigeria in the foreseeable future, particularly in Makurdi and Gboko, although 1-2 additional stakes appear likely to be created in Abuja within the next few years. The creation of the Nigeria Abuja Mission in 2023 also is likely to significantly accelerate growth in vast areas of Nigeria inhabited by approximately 100 million people where most do not live near an official Latter-day Saint congregation (although it is unlikely that much expansion will occur in the far northern states that are staunchly Muslim and follow Sharia law). Even with today's announcement, prospects appear favorable for more temple announcements in Nigeria in the coming years. Some likely candidates include:

• Enugu (5 stakes, 4 districts)
• Ibadan (8 stakes, 1 district)
  
• Port Harcourt (9 stakes, 2 districts)
  
• Umuahia (6 stakes, 1 district)
  
• Uyo (6 stakes)
• Warri (2 stakes)

The Church reported 232,654 members 810 congregations in Nigeria as of year-end 2023. There are currently 76 stakes, 13 districts, and 11 missions in Nigeria.

This location was classified as a more likely location to have a temple announced on my most recent temple prediction map.

Kampala Uganda Temple

The Kampala Uganda Temple will be the first temple to be built in Uganda. Prior to today's announcement, Uganda was the country with the most Latter-day Saints without a temple per 2023 figures (22,138 members). Stakes and districts in Uganda are assigned to the Johannesburg South Africa Temple, although Uganda will likely be reassigned to the Nairobi Kenya Temple once it is completed. There are three stakes and three districts in Uganda. There are two stakes in Kampala which were organized in 2010 and 2017. The new temple will likely service members in Uganda, Ethiopia, and perhaps Burundi and Rwanda - the latter two have recently experienced unprecedented growth. The temple will likely be a small temple. Prospects appear favorable for accelerated growth in Uganda given the Uganda Kampala Mission now only services the countries of Uganda and South Sudan. In the past year, the Church has organized many new branches in cities and towns in Uganda that have never had a branch, including in Bukomero, Buwenge, Bweyale, Kalisizo, Kibale, Mbarara, and Soroti.

This location was classified as a more likely location to have a temple announced on my most recent temple prediction map.

Maputo Mozambique Temple

The Maputo Mozambique Temple will be the Church's second temple in Mozambique following the announcement of the Beira Mozambique Temple in April of 2021. The new temple will likely be a small temple and service the three stakes in Maputo as well as two districts (one in Mozambique and one in Eswatini). As I noted in the post regarding today's announcement, this marks the first time the Church has announced two temples in a country that previously has not had any temples (although there was a time in the United States after the destruction of the Nauvoo Temple and before the dedication of the first temples in Utah when temples were announced in Utah that were not completed yet). The temple in Beira remains in the planning stages. Church growth rates in Mozambique have been among the most rapid in the world and have been concentrated in Beira (which now has four stakes) and Maputo. The Church created its first two stakes in Mozambique in 2015. Additional stakes were created in Maputo in 2019 and 2023. There are now eight stakes and two districts in the country - all of which are assigned to the Johannesburg South Africa Temple. Church membership increased by 34.1% during 2023 to 24,733. There are now 75 official congregations in Mozambique.

This location was classified as a more likely location to have a temple announced on my most recent temple prediction map.

17 New Temples Announced

Today, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, announced plans to construct temples in the following 17 locations:

• Juchitán de Zaragoza, Mexico
• Santa Ana, El Salvador
• Medellín, Colombia
• Santiago, Dominican Republic
• Puerto Montt, Chile
• Dublin, Ireland
• Milan, Italy
• Abuja, Nigeria   
• Kampala, Uganda
• Maputo, Mozambique
• Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
• Queen Creek, Arizona
• El Paso, Texas
• Huntsville, Alabama
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Summit, New Jersey
  Price, Utah
  

With today's announcement, there will now be 367 temples that are planned or dedicated. I will provide an analysis of each temple announcement in the coming days. Today's announcement marks the first time the Church has announced a temple in a country where a temple has previously been announced but not completed yet (Mozambique). Also, temples in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Summit, New Jersey, will be the Church's first temples to be built in these states. Finally, temples in Dublin, Ireland, and Kampala, Uganda, will be the Church's first temples in these nations.

New Temples Announced in April 2024 Part II: Inside the United States

Yuma Arizona Temple

The Yuma Arizona Temple will be the Church's seventh temple in Arizona following the Mesa Arizona Temple (dedicated in 1927), the Snowflake Arizona Temple (dedicated in 2002), The Gila Valley Arizona Temple (dedicated in 2010), the Gilbert Arizona Temple (dedicated in 2014), the Phoenix Arizona Temple (dedicated in 2014), and the Tuscon Arizona Temple (dedicated in 2017). Thus, the Yuma Arizona Temple is the Church's first temple to be announced in Arizona since President Nelson became president of the Church and since the Church began its period of temple construction expansion. Currently, there is only one stake in Yuma which has seven wards and five branches. However, at one time the Yuma Arizona Stake appeared likely to divide, albeit two wards were discontinued in 2016 followed by another ward more recently. Moreover, the Church used to operate a stake in nearby El Centro, California, although this stake was discontinued in 2023 and the congregations in the former stake were reassigned to the El Cajon California Stake. The new temple will likely service members in the Yuma Arizona Stake (organized in 1958), eastern El Cajon California Stake, the Lake Havasu City Arizona Stake (organized in 1976), the two stakes in Mexicali (organized in 1977 and 1987), and one stake in San Luis Río Colorado (organized in 2009). Thus, although added to my list of less likely locations to have a temple organized in 2022, Yuma was a surprising location for the next new temple to be announced in Arizona, as there are several other locations with more stakes that appeared likely to have a temple announced (e.g., Queen Creek, Goodyear, Flagstaff). The Church reported 442,879 Latter-day Saints in Arizona as of year-end 2023. Yuma is currently assigned to the San Diego California Temple. Arizona ranked as the state with the 38th most rapid membership growth in 2023 at 0.79%.

Houston Texas South Temple

The Houston Texas South Temple is the Church's ninth temple in Texas and its second temple in the Houston metropolitan area. Other temples in Texas include the Dallas Texas Temple (dedicated in 1984), the Houston Texas Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Lubbock Texas Temple (dedicated in 2002), the San Antonio Texas Temple (dedicated in 2005), the McAllen Texas Temple (dedicated in 2023), the Fort Worth Texas Temple (announced in 2021), the Austin Texas Temple (announced in April 2022), and the McKinney Texas Temple (announced in October 2022). The new temple will likely service 8-10 stakes in southern Houston and surrounding areas. The current Houston Texas Temple district has 22 stakes. The southern Houston area has generally experienced slow, but steady, growth within the past couple decades, whereas the Church has reported generally rapid growth in northern areas of the Houston metropolitan area. The Church reported 385,600 Latter-day Saints in Texas as of year-end 2023. South Houston was added to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in February 2023. Texas was ranked as the state with the 15th most rapid membership growth in 2023 at 1.93%.

Des Moines Iowa Temple

The Des Moines Iowa Temple is the Church's first temple to be announced for Iowa. Prior to the announcement, Iowa was the state with the second most Latter-day Saints without a temple, as there were 29,285 members as of year-end 2023. Church membership grew by 2.05% in 2023 - the highest seen since 2015. Iowa ranked as the state with the 13th most rapid membership growth in 2023. Overall, the Church in Iowa has reported slow to moderate growth rates for the past 2-3 decades. The most recently organized stake was the Des Moines Iowa Mount Pisgah Stake which was organized in 2016. There are three stakes in the greater Des Moines metropolitan area (one of which is in Ames and organized in 1995). The first stake in Des Moines was created in 1970. The new temple will likely have five stakes assigned to the temple district (two of which are in eastern Iowa in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City). Stakes in the Des Moines area are assigned to the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple, whereas stakes in eastern Iowa are assigned to the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.

Cincinnati Ohio Temple

The Cincinnati Ohio Temple is the Church's third temple in Ohio following the Columbus Ohio Temple (dedicated in 1999) and the Cleveland Ohio Temple (announced in April 2022). The first temple dedicated in the Church in this dispensation was in Kirtland, Ohio, which was recently reacquired by the Community of Christ, although this temple was never a fully functioning temple like other temples in the Church today. The temple in Cincinnati will likely have at six stakes assigned from Cincinnati (3) and Dayton (3). The first stake in Cincinnati was organized in 1958 (followed by two more stakes in 1985 and 2004), whereas the first stake in Dayton was organized in 1970 (followed by two more stakes in 1979 and 2021). The Church has experienced slow, but steady, growth in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas. The Church recently acquired property in the northern Cincinnati metropolitan area that appears to be a likely site for the new temple. Stakes in the Cincinnati area are assigned to the Columbus Ohio Temple (which currently has 18 stakes assigned) and the Louisville Kentucky Temple (which currently has nine stakes assigned). Ohio ranked as 29th for membership growth in 2023 (1.22%). Cincinnati was added to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2022.

Honolulu Hawaii Temple

The Honolulu Hawaii Temple is the Church's fourth temple in Hawaii following the Laie Hawaii Temple (dedicated in 1919), the Kona Hawaii Temple (dedicated in 2000), and the Kahului Hawaii Temple (announced in October 2023). Except for the North Island of New Zealand, Oahu is the first island in Polynesia to have a second temple announced. Honolulu is the only location I added in March 2024 to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced that had a temple announced this past conference. The reason why I added Honolulu to the list was due to greater accessibility to the temple where half of the island's Latter-day Saints reside. Also, a temple in Honolulu would permit the temple in Laie to just serve the stakes in Laie and BYU-Hawaii. The new temple will likely service six stakes in southern Oahu, which would leave five stakes assigned to the Laie Hawaii temple (all of which are located in Laie). The first stake in Honolulu was organized in 1955, whereas the first stake in Laie was organized in 1935. Slow to stagnant growth has occurred on Oahu within the past couple decades. Hawaii ranked as the state with the 37th most rapid membership growth rate in 2023 (0.91%), and this percentage growth rate for 2023 was the highest seen in Hawaii in nearly a decade. The most recently organized stake on Oahu was at BYU-Hawaii in 2004.

West Jordan Utah Temple

The West Jordan Utah Temple will be the Church's 29th temple in Utah following the St. George Utah Temple (announced in 1871, dedicated in 1877), the Logan Utah Temple (announced in 1876, dedicated in 1884), the Manti Utah Temple (announced in 1875, dedicated in 1888), the Salt Lake Temple (announced in 1847, dedicated in 1893), the Ogden Utah Temple (announced in 1967, dedicated in 1972), the Provo Utah Temple (announced in 1967, dedicated in 1972), the Jordan River Utah Temple (announced in 1978, dedicated in 1981), the Bountiful Utah Temple (announced in 1990, dedicated in 1995), the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple (announced in 1992, dedicated in 1996), the Vernal Utah Temple (announced in 1994, dedicated in 1997), the Monticello Utah Temple (announced in 1997, dedicated in 1998), the Draper Utah Temple (announced in 2004, dedicated in 2009), the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple (announced in 2005, dedicated in 2009), the Brigham City Utah Temple (announced in 2009, dedicated in 2012), the Payson Utah Temple (announced in 2010, dedicated in 2015), the Provo City Center Temple (announced in 2011, dedicated in 2016), Cedar City Utah Temple (announced in 2013, dedicated in 2017), the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple (announced in 2017, dedicated in 2023), the Layton Utah Temple (announced in 2018, scheduled for dedication in 2024), the Red Cliffs Utah Temple (announced in 2018, dedicated in 2024), the Deseret Peak Utah Temple (announced in 2019), the Orem Utah Temple (announced in 2019, scheduled for dedication in 2024), the Taylorsville Utah Temple (announced in 2019, scheduled for dedication in 2024), the Syracuse Utah Temple (announced in 2020), the Lindon Utah Temple (announced in 2020), the Smithfield Utah Temple (announced in 2021), the Ephraim Utah Temple (announced in 2021), and the Heber City Utah Temple (announced in 2021). West Jordan was the only temple that was not officially on my list of likely temples to be announced, although it is very close to where I predicted a temple that was not announced (the Cottonwood Heights/Holladay/Sandy area). I was also surprised that this temple was announced instead of the long anticipated temple in the Herriman area where the Church acquired land approximately 15-20 years ago. The new temple will likely be within five miles of each of the three nearest temples in the area, including the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple (43 stakes in temple district), the Jordan River Utah Temple (62 stakes in temple district - many of which will be reassigned to the new Taylorsville Utah Temple), and the Taylorsville Utah Temple (anticipated to have 37 stakes in temple district). The decision to announce the new temple has followed the pattern of having large Utah temples to have 20-25 stakes per temple district at a minimum. The new temple will likely have 20-30 stakes assigned depending on how the temple district boundaries are drawn. The first stake organized in West Jordan was created in 1927.

Lehi Utah Temple

The Lehi Utah Temple will be the Church's 30th temple in Utah. The Church has reported rapid growth in the Lehi area within the past two decades, as scores of new stakes have been organized in Lehi and surrounding cities in north Utah County. Lehi has been a location listed on my temple predictions map as a more likely location to have a temple announced for many years. The new temple will likely have 20-30 stakes assigned to the temple district. Stakes in the Lehi area are currently assigned to the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple (34 stakes assigned) and the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple (42 stakes assigned). The first stake created in Lehi was organized in 1928. Utah ranked as 39th for membership growth rates by state in 2023 at 0.78%, which was at nearly the same percentage as for the year 2019 (0.79%). With 635 stakes in Utah at present, the average temple will now have 21.2 stakes assigned to each temple district.

New Temples Announced in April 2024 Part I: Outside the United States

Uturoa French Polynesia Temple 

The Uturoa French Polynesia Temple will be the Church's second temple in French Polynesia following the Papeete Tahiti Temple. Uturoa (population: 3,663) is a village located on Raiatea - one of the islands in the western Society Islands (Leeward Islands). Only two stakes appear likely to be assigned to the new temple which were organized in 1993 (Raromatai Tahiti Stake) and 2018 (Bora Bora Tahiti Stake). Slow, but steady, growth has occurred on the islands that are likely to be assigned to the new temple. I added Raiatea to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2019. As of year-end 2023, there were 29,700 members in French Polynesia. Currently the two stakes in Raromatai and Bora Bora are assigned to the Papeete Tahiti Temple. Islands likely to be assigned to the new temple have a combined population of 36,000 people.

Chihuahua Mexico Temple

The Chihuahua Mexico Temple will be the Church's third temple in Chihuahua State, Mexico, and the 25th temple in Mexico following the Mexico City Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1983), the Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1999), the Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Hermosillo Sonora Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Oaxaca Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Tampico Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Villahermosa Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Mérida Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Veracruz Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Guadalajara Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2001), the Monterrey Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2002), the Tijuana Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2015), the Puebla Mexico Temple (announced in 2018), the Querétaro Mexico Temple (announced in April 2021), the Torreón Mexico Temple (announced in April 2021), the Culiacán Mexico Temple (announced in October 2021), the San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple (announced in April 2022), the Mexico City Benemérito Mexico Temple (announced in April 2022), the Cuernavaca Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), the Pachuca Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), the Toluca Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), the Tula Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), and the Cancún México Temple (announced October 2023). I added Chihuahua to my list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2019. The new temple will likely service four stakes and three districts in southern Chihuahua State. There are three stakes in the city of Chihuahua that were organized in 1976, 1987, and 1989. Church growth rates in Mexico have dramatically decreased within the past decade, albeit the Church has begun to experience steady net increases in the number of ward and branches again within the past couple years. There were 1,516,406 Latter-day Saints in Mexico as of year-end 2023. Currently, stakes in southern Chihuahua State are assigned to the Ciudad Juarez Mexico Temple, whereas the three districts are assigned to the Colonia Juarez Mexico Temple. The Church organized the Mexico Chihuahua Mission in 1988.

Florianópolis Brazil Temple

The Florianópolis Brazil Temple will be the Church's 23rd temple in Brazil following the São Paulo Brazil Temple (dedicated in 1978), the Recife Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Porto Alegre Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Campinas Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2002), the Curitiba Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2008), the Manaus Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2012), the Fortaleza Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2019), the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2022), the Belem Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2022), the Brasília Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2023), the Salvador Brazil Temple (announced in 2018), the São Paulo Brazil East Temple (announced in 2020), the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple (announced in April 2021), the Vitória Brazil Temple (announced in October 2021), the Maceió Brazil Temple (announced in April 2022), the Santos Brazil Temple (announced in April 2022), the Londrina Brazil Temple (announced in October 2022), the Riberão Prêto Brazil Temple (announced in October 2022), the Teresina Brazil Temple (announced in April 2023), the Natal Brazil Temple (announced in April 2023), the Goiânia Brazil Temple (announced in October 2023), and the João Pessoa Brazil Temple (announced in October 2023). The Florianópolis/São José metropolitan area has been on my list of more likely temples to be announced for many years, as Florianópolis/São José is the most populous metropolitan area in Santa Catarina State (which was the Brazilian state with the most stakes without a temple prior to the temple announcement). The first stake in Florianópolis was organized in 1985, and two more stakes were later organized in the metropolitan area in 1993 and 2021 (although a previous stake once operated in Monte Cristo on the north side of the metropolitan area from 1993 until it was discontinued in 2001). Currently there are 11 stakes in Santa Catarina State - all of which appear likely to be assigned to the new temple. One district may also be assigned to the new temple (the União da Vitória Brazil District). The Church has experienced significant growth in Santa Catarina State within the past decade, as five stakes have been organized since 2013. Stakes and districts in Santa Catarina State have been assigned to the Curitiba Brazil Temple and the Porto Alegre Brazil Temple. The Church reported 1,494,571 Latter-day Saints in Brazil as of year-end 2023. The Church organized the Brazil Florianópolis Mission in 1993.

Rosario Argentina Temple

The Rosario Argentina Temple will be the Church's seventh temple in Argentina following the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple (dedicated in 1986), the Córdoba Argentina Temple (dedicated in 2015), the Salta Argentina Temple (announced in April 2018), the Mendoza Argentina Temple (announced in October 2018), the Bahía Blanca Argentina Temple (announced in 2020), and the Buenos Aires City Center Argentina Temple (announced in October 2022). The new temple will likely service 8-9 stakes and 4-6 districts in Rosario, Santa Fe, and surrounding areas. The Church has experienced slow growth in this area of Argentina. There are three stakes in Rosario that were organized in 1974, 1980, and 1995. The Church reported 481,518 Latter-day Saints in Argentina as of year-end 2023. The Argentina Rosario Mission was organized in 1972. Stakes in Rosario are currently assigned to the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple, whereas stakes in Santa Fe are assigned to the Córdoba Argentina Temple.

Edinburgh Scotland Temple

The Edinburgh Scotland Temple will be the Church's first temple in Scotland and fourth temple in the United Kingdom following the London England Temple (dedicated in 1958), the Preston England Temple (dedicated in 1998), and the Birmingham England Temple (announced in April 2022). The new temple will likely service the five stakes in Scotland and the one stake in Northern Ireland. Stakes in Scotland and Northern Ireland currently pertain to the Preston England Temple district. The Church operates one stake in Edinburgh that was organized in 1980. However, the oldest stake in Scotland was created in Glasgow in 1962. The Church has reported stagnant membership growth in Scotland for many years. Scotland has ranked among likely locations to have a temple announced for many years due to its sizable membership and distance from the nearest temple in Preston, England. Some of the lowest member activity rates in the British Islands has appeared to have contributed to the delay of a temple announcement for Scotland. Scotland has experienced a decline in the number of wards and branches over the past couple decades. The Scotland/Ireland Mission was organized in 1961. The mission originally only included Scotland, but Ireland was added when the Ireland Dublin Mission was discontinued in 2010. The Church reported 186,350 members in the United Kingdom in 2023. The Church reported approximately 23,000 Latter-day Saints in Scotland as of 2017, whereas there were approximately 26,000 Latter-day Saints in Scotland for most of the 1990s and 2000s.

Brisbane Australia South Temple

The Brisbane Australia South Temple will be the Church's sixth temple in Australia following the completion of the Sydney Australia Temple (dedicated in 1984), the Adelaide Australia Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Melbourne Australia Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Perth Australia Temple (dedicated in 2001), and the Brisbane Australia Temple (dedicated in 2003). The new temple will be the first time that the Church has announced a second temple for a single metropolitan area in Oceania. Although Brisbane is the location of the most recently dedicated temple in Australia, the city has experienced tremendous growth within the past two decades in regard to the number of stakes and congregations. There are now 12 stakes in the greater Brisbane area stretching from the Sunshine Coast in the north to the Gold Coast in the south. The Brisbane Australia Temple is located in the heart of downtown Brisbane and services all stakes in Queensland. The new temple will likely service approximately 6-8 stakes in southern Brisbane and the Gold Coast areas. The first stake in Brisbane was organized in 1960, whereas the most recently organized stake in the area was the Brisbane Australia Beenleigh Stake in 2018. The Australia Brisbane Mission was organized in 1973. There were 157,079 Latter-day Saints in Australia as of year-end 2023. Slow membership and congregational growth has recently occurred in the Brisbane area.

Victoria British Columbia Temple

The Victoria British Columbia Temple will be the Church's second temple in British Columbia following the Vancouver British Columbia Temple (dedicated in 2010) and the 11th temple in Canada. The new temple will likely service only two stakes - both of which are located on Vancouver Island. The Victoria British Columbia Stake was organized in 1975, whereas the Nanaimo British Columbia Stake was organized in 1997. Both stakes are assigned to the Vancouver British Columbia Temple and are small in terms of the number of congregations. Although no wards or branches have been discontinued on Vancouver Island within the past 15 or so years, there has been only one branch organized during this time. The Church reported 31,171 members in British Columbia as of year-end 2023. There were 203,339 Latter-day Saints in Canada as of year-end 2023. Church membership increased by 1.25% in 2023 - the highest annual membership growth rate seen since 2012.

Maracaibo Venezuela Temple

The Maracaibo Venezuela Temple will be the Church's second temple in Venezuela following the dedication of the Caracas Venezuela Temple in 2000. Maracaibo has been on my list of the most likely cities to have a temple announced for many years, and Venezuela was the country with the most Latter-day Saints with only one temple prior to the new temple announcement. Former Church President Gordon B. Hinckley proposed a temple in Maracaibo in 1999. There are five stakes in the immediate Maracaibo area (the first stake was organized in 1980), and there are two more stakes in nearby cities. Stakes in the area have had many wards discontinued in the past decade due to active members moving away from Venezuela, and unless members return or large numbers of converts are baptized and retained, multiple stakes will likely consolidate in the near future. The Church opened the Venezuela Maracaibo Mission in 1979. Altogether, the new temple will likely service 12 stakes and three districts. The Church reported 176,623 members in Venezuela as of year-end 2023. This summer, Venezuela will also transfer to the Caribbean area from the South America Northwest Area. All stakes in Venezuela are currently assigned to the Caracas Venezuela Temple.

15 New Temples Announced

Today, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct 15 new temples in each of the following locations:

• Uturoa, French Polynesia
• Chihuahua, Mexico
• Florianópolis, Brazil
• Rosario, Argentina
• Edinburgh, Scotland
• Brisbane, Australia (south area)
  
• Victoria, British Columbia
• Yuma, Arizona
• Houston, Texas (south area)
  
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• West Jordan, Utah
• Lehi, Utah
• Maracaibo, Venezuela

With today's announcement, there are now 350 temples announced, under construction, or dedicated. Moreover, the number of temples planned or dedicated has doubled since 2016 when four temples were announced in April.

New Temples Announced in October 2023 - Part IV: North America and Oceania

Savai'i Samoa Temple

The Savai'i Samoa Temple is the Church's second temple in Samoa following the Apia Samoa Temple (dedicated in 1983). The Church also announced a temple in neighboring American Samoa which is a United States Territory in 2019. It is unclear where the temple will be built on the island of Savai'i which has a population of 61,241 according to the most recent census data from 2021. The new temple will likely serve all six stakes on the island of Savai'i. The first stake on the island was organized in 1971, and the most recently organized stake on Savai'i was created in 2012. The Church has reported very slow, but steady, congregational growth on Savai'i. The Church reported 87,695 members and 165 congregations in Samoa as of year-end 2022. There are 20 stakes in Samoa. I added Samoa to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2019.

Kahului Hawaii Temple

The Kahului Hawaii Temple is the Church's third temple in Hawaii following the Laie Hawaii Temple (dedicated in 1919) and the Kona Hawaii temple (dedicated in 2000). The new temple will likely service only two stakes - both of which are headquartered on Maui but which also service additional islands including Lanai and Molokai. Also, there are three Tongan-speaking congregations on the island of Maui. The Church organized its first stake in Kahului in 1975 followed by a second stake in 2014. Only one new congregation has been organized on Maui within the past decade, although no congregations have been discontinued. The Church in Hawaii reported 74,952 members, 143 congregations, 16 stakes, and 2 missions as of year-end 2022. I added Kahului to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2019.

Fairbanks Alaska Temple

The Fairbanks Alaska Temple is the Church's second temple in Alaska following the Anchorage Alaska Temple (dedicated in 1999). The new temple will likely only serve two stakes - both of which operate in Fairbanks (organized in 1979 and 2021). The Church has experienced slow, but steady growth in the Fairbanks area for many years. Significant distance between Fairbanks and Anchorage appeared to be the biggest factor for why a temple was announced. It is a six-hour drive one way from Fairbanks to Anchorage. As of year-end 2022, the Church in Alaska reported 33,574 members, 81 congregations, 9 stakes, and 1 mission. I added Fairbanks to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2019.

Vancouver Washington Temple

The Vancouver Washington Temple is the Church's sixth temple in Washington following the Seattle Washington Temple (dedicated in 1980), the Spokane Washington Temple (dedicated in 1999), the Columbia River Washington Temple (dedicated in 2001), the Moses Lake Washington Temple (dedicated in September 2023), and the Tacoma Washington Temple (announced in October 2022). The new temple will likely include six stakes in the Vancouver area which are currently assigned to the Portland Oregon Temple. The first stake created in Vancouver was organized in 1963, and the most recently organized stake was created in 2016. The Church organized a mission headquartered in Vancouver in 2013. The Church has historically experienced steady growth in the Vancouver area. As of year-end 2022, there were 281,389 members and 489 congregations in Washington. There are currently 60 stakes and 7 missions in the state. I added Vancouver to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in February 2023.

Colorado Springs Colorado Temple

The Colorado Springs Colorado Temple is the Church's fourth temple in Colorado following the Denver Colorado Temple (dedicated in 1986), the Fort Collins Colorado Temple (dedicated in 2016), and the Grand Junction Colorado Temple (announced in April 2021). As a Colorado Springs resident, I have long awaited the announcement of this temple given the steady growth of the Church in the city which is far enough away from the Denver Colorado Temple to warrant a separate temple. Moreover, the Church has owned a large parcel of land in the north part of the city for many years which is speculated to be the site for the new temple, although no official announcement has yet been made. The new temple will likely service eight stakes in Colorado (five in Colorado Springs, two in the San Luis Valley, one in Pueblo) and western portions of the Garden City Kansas Stake. The first stake in Colorado Springs was organized in 1960 followed by additional stakes in 1980, 1990, 1999, and 2016. The Church created the Colorado Colorado Springs Mission in 2002. As of year-end 2022, there were 148,708 members, 310 congregations, 35 stakes, and 4 missions in Colorado.

Tulsa Oklahoma Temple

The Tulsa Oklahoma Temple is the Church's second temple in Oklahoma following the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple which was dedicated in 2000. The new temple will likely service five stakes in northeastern Oklahoma which are assigned to the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple. The Church organized its first stake in Tulsa in 1960. Steady growth has occurred in northeastern Oklahoma which has resulted in the creation of additional stakes in 1978, 2014, and 2023 (2). As of year-end 2022, there were 51,847 members and 93 congregations in Oklahoma. Currently, there are 11 stakes and one mission in Oklahoma. I added Tulsa to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2023.

Roanoke Virginia Temple

The Roanoke Virginia Temple is the Church's third temple in Virginia following the Richmond Virginia Temple (dedicated in May 2023) and the Winchester Virginia Temple (announced in April 2023). The new temple will likely service four stakes in western Virginia and two stakes in West Virginia. The first and only stake in Roanoke was organized in 1970. This area of Virginia has experienced slow growth for many years and is currently assigned to the Richmond Virginia temple. Roanoke was added to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in February 2022.

New Temples Announced in October 2023 - Part III: Latin America

Cancún México Temple

The Cancún México Temple is the Church's 24th temple in Mexico following the Mexico City Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1983), the Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple (dedicated in 1999), the Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Hermosillo Sonora Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Oaxaca Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Tampico Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Villahermosa Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Mérida Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Veracruz Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Guadalajara Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2001), the Monterrey Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2002), the Tijuana Mexico Temple (dedicated in 2015), the Puebla Mexico Temple (announced in 2018), the Querétaro Mexico Temple (announced in April 2021), the Torreón Mexico Temple (announced in April 2021), the Culiacán Mexico Temple (announced in October 2021), the San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple (announced in April 2022), the Mexico City Benemérito Mexico Temple (announced in April 2022), the Cuernavaca Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), the Pachuca Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), the Toluca Mexico Temple (announced October 2022), and the Tula Mexico Temple (announced October 2022). The new temple will likely serve the five stakes in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, three of which are located in Cancún and were organized in 1995, 1998, and 2005. The newest stake in the area was organized in Playa Del Carmen in 2015. Cancún was added to my list of less likely locations to have a temple announced in September 2019. The Church organized its Mexico Cancún Mission in 2013. Slow congregational growth has occurred for the Church in Quintana Roo in recent years. Quintana Roo has the fourth highest percentage of self-identified Latter-day Saints in the population per the 2020 Mexican Census (0.43%). Moreover, Quintana Roo had the second highest percentage growth in the number of Latter-day Saints for Mexican states between 2010 and 2020 per official government census figures (21.5%). There were 1,507,720 Latter-day Saints and 1,863 congregations in Mexico as of year-end 2022. Currently, there are 228 stakes, 45 districts, and 32 missions in Mexico. Cancún is the 22nd most populous metropolitan area in Mexico with approximately 934,000 inhabitants.

Piura Peru Temple

The Piura Peru Temple is the Church's eighth temple in Peru following the Lima Peru Temple (dedicated in 1986), the Trujillo Peru Temple (dedicated in 2015), the Arequipa Peru Temple (dedicated in 2019), the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple (announced in 2016, dedication scheduled for January 2024), the Cusco Peru Temple (announced in April 2022), the Chiclayo Peru Temple (announced in October 2022), and the Iquitos Peru Temple (announced in April 2023). I added Piura as a less likely location for a future temple announcement in September 2019. The new temple will likely service six stakes and one district in Piura and Tumbes Regions - all of which are within the boundaries of the Peru Piura Mission (organized in 1993). There are three stakes in Piura which were organized in 1983, 1990, and 1996. The most recently organized stake in the area is the Paita Peru Stake which was organized in 2019. The two other stakes in the area, located in Sullana and Tumbes, were organized in 2007. The Church has reported essentially stagnant congregational growth in the Piura and Tumbes Regions. Piura is Peru's fifth most populous city with 547,100 inhabitants. The Church reported 630,099 members and 799 congregations in Peru as of year-end 2022. Currently, there are 115 stakes, 17 districts, and 14 missions in Peru.

Huancayo Peru Temple

The Huancayo Peru Temple is the Church's ninth temple in Peru. Also, the announcement of the Huancayo Peru Temple marks the first time in Church history when two temples were announced in Peru on the same day. The Church operates three stakes in the Huancayo metropolitan area which were organized in 1984, 1989, and 2018. The Peru Huancayo Mission was organized in 2013. The new temple will likely serve seven stakes and one district in the central highlands of Peru east of Lima. The Church has experienced slow growth in this area of Peru for many years. Huancayo is Peru's seventh most populous metropolitan area with approximately 451,000 inhabitants. I added Huancayo to the list of less likely locations to have a temple announcement in September 2019.

Viña del Mar Chile Temple

The Viña del Mar Chile Temple is the Church's fifth temple in Chile following the Santiago Chile Temple (dedicated in 1983), the Concepción Chile Temple (dedicated in 2018), Antofagasta Chile Temple (announced in 2019), and the Santiago Chile West Temple (announced in October 2021). Viña del Mar Chile Temple has been on my list of more likely temples to be announced for many years because of the large number of stakes in the Viña del Mar area (eight stakes). The Church organized its first stake in Viña del Mar in 1974, and the Chile Viña del Mar Mission was organized in 1979. The Church used to operate an additional five more stakes in Viña del Mar/Valparaíso between the 1990s and early 2000s when these stakes were discontinued. The newest stake organized in the region is the Valparaíso Chile West Stake (created in 2015) which was a reinstatement of one of the original six stakes that were discontinued between 2002-2003. Aside from the one stake reinstatement, there have been no significant church growth developments in the Viña del Mar area in recent years. The number of congregations and stakes has remained unchanged for many years. The new temple will likely service 12 stakes and 2 districts in the Viña del Mar area and in areas north of Santiago. The Church reported 604,302 members and 572 congregations as of year-end 2022. Currently, there are 76 stakes, 13 districts, and 10 missions in Chile, with another district planned to become a stake this month (Linares). The Viña del Mar/Valparaíso metropolitan area is the second most populous metropolitan area in Chile with approximately one million inhabitants.

Goiânia Brazil Temple

The Goiânia Brazil Temple is the Church's 21st temple in Brazil following the São Paulo Brazil Temple (dedicated in 1978), the Recife Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Porto Alegre Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2000), the Campinas Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2002), the Curitiba Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2008), the Manaus Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2012), the Fortaleza Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2019), the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2022), the Belem Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2022), the Brasília Brazil Temple (dedicated in 2023), the Salvador Brazil Temple (announced in 2018), the São Paulo Brazil East Temple (announced in 2020), the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple (announced in April 2021), the Vitória Brazil Temple (announced in October 2021), the Maceió Brazil Temple (announced in April 2022), the Santos Brazil Temple (announced in April 2022), the Londrina Brazil Temple (announced in October 2022), the Riberão Prêto Brazil Temple (announced in October 2022), the Teresina Brazil Temple (announced in April 2023), and the Natal Brazil Temple (announced in April 2023). I added Goiânia to the list of less likely locations for a temple announcement in September 2022. The new temple announcement came less than one month after the dedication of the Brasília Brazil Temple. The Goiânia Brazil Temple will likely include seven stakes and two districts in its temple district. There are three stakes in Goiânia (organized in 1987, 1996, and 2014). The Rio Verde Brazil Stake is the newest stake to be organized in the area (organized in 2016). The Church has generally experienced slow, but steady, growth in this area of Brazil, although there are many medium-sized cities without an official Church presence. Goiânia is the 11th most populous city in Brazil and has approximately 2.55 million inhabitants. The Church organized the Brazil Goiânia Mission in 1998. The Church reported 1,472,521 members and 2,176 congregations as of year-end 2022. Currently, there are 285 stakes, 39 districts, and 36 missions in Brazil.

João Pessoa Brazil Temple

The João Pessoa Brazil Temple is the Church's 22nd temple in Brazil. The Church has announced two temples in Brazil each General Conference since April 2022. João Pessoa Brazil Temple has long been on my list of more likely locations to have a temple announced due to steady growth and distance from the Recife Brazil Temple. There are five stakes in the João Pessoa metropolitan area that were organized in 1980, 1992, 1996, 2007, and 2016. The new temple will likely include eight stakes and two districts - all but one stake of which are located in Paraíba State. João Pessoa is the 18th most populous metropolitan area in Brazil with 1.16 million inhabitants. The Church organized the Brazil João Pessoa Mission in 1998.

New Temples Announced in October 2023 - Part II: Africa

Calabar Nigeria Temple

The Calabar Nigeria Temple will be the Church's fifth temple in Nigeria following temples in Aba (dedicated in 2005), Lagos (announced in 2018), Benin City (announced in 2020), and Eket (announced in October 2022). This marks the first time the Church has ever announced so many new temples in a country with only one dedicated temple since Mexico had at one point nine temples announced in February 1999 before a second temple was dedicated in March 1999 (which was the Colonia Juarez Mexico Temple). The new temple will likely include all four stakes and the one district located in Cross Rivers State - the smallest prospective temple district in Nigeria among temples announced. However, the Church in Cross Rivers State has experienced rapid growth during the past two decades. The first stake was organized in Calabar in 2002 from the Calabar Nigeria District, and two additional stakes were organized in the city in 2015 and 2017. The Church has maintained an official presence in Calabar since the early 1980s. Many members in the area speak Efik. Two of the stakes in Calabar appear likely to divide in the foreseeable future due to the steady creation of new wards, suggesting that there may be five stakes in the city within the next 2-3 years. Moreover, the new temple will also likely include the nearby Akamkpa Nigeria Stake (organized in 2022) and the Ugep Nigeria District (also organized in 2022). The Church previously headquartered a mission in the city of Calabar until it was relocated to Uyo within the past decade. I added Calabar to my list of likely new temples to be announced in September 2019 as a less likely location to have a temple announced.

With the steady creation of new stakes and significant active membership growth in many areas of the country (there are currently 70 stakes, 15 districts, and approximately 225,000 members in the country), Nigeria appears a likely candidate for many new temples to be announced, especially if temples service small numbers of stakes like the future Calabar Nigeria Temple. Below is a list of likely locations for future temple announcements in Nigeria (with the current number of stakes and districts likely to be serviced by each temple), given the development of the newly announced Calabar Nigeria Temple.

• Abuja (3 stakes, 1 district)
  
• Enugu (5 stakes, 4 districts)
• Ibadan (6 stakes, 3 districts)
  
• Port Harcourt (8 stakes, 1 district)
• Umuahia (6 stakes)
  
• Uyo (6 stakes)
  

Cape Coast Ghana Temple

The Cape Coast Ghana Temple is the Church's third temple in Ghana following the Accra Ghana Temple (dedicated in 2004) and the Kumasi Ghana Temple (announced in April 2021). The Church organized some of its first congregations in Ghana in Cape Coast in the late 1970s. The Church created its first stake in Cape Coast in 1991 followed by two additional stakes in the Cape Coast area in 2016 and 2021. The new temple will likely service the seven stakes and three districts located within the boundaries of the Ghana Cape Coast Mission (organized in 2005). I have included Cape Coast as a more likely location for a future temple for at least a couple years ago given the large number of stakes assigned to the Accra Ghana Temple, steady growth in the Cape Coast area, and distance to the Accra Ghana Temple. The Church reported 101,924 members at year-end 2022. There are now 29 stakes and 11 districts in Ghana.

Luanda Angola Temple

The Luanda Angola Temple is the Church's first temple in Angola. The temple announcement is unprecedented for Africa as there has never been a temple announced in an African country with as few Latter-day Saints as Angola (4,760 as of year-end 2022) and where there is only one stake (although this stake appears likely to divide in the near future). The Johannesburg South Africa Temple was previously the temple announced in an African country with the fewest members at the time of the announcement (approximately 8,500 members in two stakes in 1981). I added Luanda to the less likely list of potential locations for a temple announcement in February 2022. There are numerous factors that may have influenced the announcement of a temple in Angola despite few members of the Church in the country and a fairly recent Church establishment (first branch was organized in 1996, the first and only mission was organized in 2013, and the first and only stake was organized in 2018). Securing land is very difficult in Luanda, and the city ranks among the most expensive cities to live in within the world. Thus, it may take a considerable amount of time to secure a suitable site to build the temple. Also, the Luanda Angola Stake is a remote stake with no other nearby Portuguese-speaking countries with an established Church presence. Finally, access to temples in other countries appears more difficult than other African nations due to distance and travel costs. Furthermore, the Church has experienced unprecedented growth and expansion into many areas of the country within the past 1-2 years. The new temple will likely service only one stake and one district at present, although there is a strong probability that additional stakes will be organized in the immediate future. Angola did not even rank within the top 10 countries with the most members without a temple per year-end 2022 membership figures, although with rapid membership growth in 2023 in many areas, there may be as many as 6,000-7,000 members by the end of the year (which would have placed Angola as high as fourth among countries with the most members without a temple).

Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) Temple

The Mbuji-Mayi DR Congo Temple will be the Church's fourth temple in the DR Congo following temples in Kinshasa (dedicated in 2019), Lubumbashi (announced in 2020), and Kananga (announced October 2021). I added Mbuji-Mayi as a less likely location for a future temple announcement in February 2023. The Church created its first mission in Mbuji-Mayi in 2016, and this mission divided earlier in 2023 to create a separate mission in Kananga. This area of the central DR Congo, known as the Kasai Region, has experienced some of the most rapid growth in the worldwide Church in modern history. The first branches were created in the region in 1997, and today there are now nine stakes in the region with the creation of several new stakes appearing imminent due to rapid growth in the numbers of active members. The new temple in Mbuji-Mayi will likely include six stakes in its temple district based upon the current organization of the Church in the area. A separate temple for Mbuji-Mayi in addition to the previously announced Kananga DR Congo Temple appeared warranted due to extreme difficulties with travel in the DR Congo and the development of a strong center of strength in Mbuji-Mayi. The Church organized its first stake in Mbuji-Mayi in 2016 followed by a second stake in the city in 2022. Other stakes likely to be assigned to the new temple district are located in Luputa (two stakes created in 2011 and 2021), Mwene-Ditu (organized in 2019 and currently has 12 wards), and Ngandajika (organized in 2023). There were 102,862 Latter-day Saints in the DR Congo as of year-end 2022. Given rapid growth, extremely high member activity rates, and travel difficulties, the Church in the DR Congo will likely announce additional temples in the coming years. Some likely locations in the DR Congo for temple announcements in the next five years include the following:

• Kinshasa (second temple) - 5-6 stakes 
• Kolwezi (1 stakes, but this stake appears likely to divide in the immediate future)
  
• Likasi (3 stakes - one of which appears ready to divide in the immediate future [Kolwezi])
  
• Luputa or Mwene-Ditu (3 stakes - one of which appears ready to divide in the immediate future
• Matadi (1 district that appears close to become a stake and several nearby mission branches that may be organized into a district in Muanda)