Reinforced concrete walls are now rising for the basement of the Heber Valley Utah Temple, even as the project remains the subject of a legal challenge. On September 4, the Utah Supreme Court heard oral arguments concerning Wasatch County’s approval of the temple. Nearby Red Ledges residents argue that the county improperly exercised its land-use authority in approving the project, while attorneys for the Church and the county maintain that the approval was within the county’s authority under state law. The justices have not established a timetable for issuing a decision. The court previously ruled that construction could continue while the lawsuit is pending.

Demolition has begun on the existing meetinghouse where the Viña del Mar Chile Temple will be constructed. Crews are removing the roof and dismantling the interior, marking the first visible step toward development of the temple site. Once demolition is complete, the property will be cleared and prepared for the formal groundbreaking and subsequent construction. No groundbreaking date has been announced yet.

The Port Vila Vanuatu Temple is becoming a prominent new landmark on Efate, Vanuatu’s largest and most populous island. The temple encompasses approximately 10,000 square feet and is accompanied by a meetinghouse and two-story ancillary building. Construction has advanced from the foundation stage to the installation of prefabricated building modules, exterior precast concrete panels, art-glass windows, and the temple’s distinctive spire. Landscaping and interior finish work are now well underway as the project moves toward completion.

Construction of the Fairbanks Alaska Temple is progressing at a swift pace as crews take advantage of Alaska’s fall construction season. Exterior cladding is being installed across the temple, steadily transforming the structure into its finished appearance. Above the main building, the steel framework for the steeple has been erected, establishing the distinctive vertical element that will crown the temple.