The small mountain of red-colored excavation dirt that has sat next to the Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple for the past several months is now shrinking in size, as earth-moving equipment backfills the completed foundation and brings the ground level with the stake center property. Interior structural support is visible for the raised portion of the building that runs directly behind the tower.

The 42nd annual Festival of Lights is in full swing at the Washington D.C. Temple. And although Christmas lights have been limited to the areas outside of the construction zone, the stunning backdrop of a glowing white temple still captivates the eyes and imaginations of happy guests. During the past few weeks, more trees and shrubs have been planted and benches installed in the garden areas around the temple and throughout the parking lot.

Members of the media were briefed today about preparations underway for the pending renovation of the Salt Lake Temple, which closes on December 29, 2019. Four interior renderings of the project were released in conjunction with the event. During the initial phase of construction, crews will secure the construction area with a fence, and by mid-January, the South Visitors' Center and portions of the wall surrounding Temple Square will be demolished. In the spring, the temple's north addition will come down. Renovation of the Church Office Building plaza is anticipated to begin in late 2020. Temple Square will remain open during the renovation with the Conference Center becoming the primary venue for the guest experience including views of the construction from the balcony and roof levels. The annual Christmas lights will continue but on a smaller scale.

When heavy rains at the Belém Brazil Temple site threatened the integrity of the newly poured concrete foundation, crews erected a massive dome structure over the construction area to protect the concrete walls and allow them to cure properly. The looming egg-like structure has inspired a wide variety of memes on social media, and Church members are receiving questions from their curious friends about the temple and—what many have termed—"Belém's dinosaur egg."