News
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Open House Begins for the Elko Nevada Temple
Tours of the Elko Nevada Temple are underway, following a news conference held this morning with Elder Steven R. Bangerter, executive director of the Temple Department. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and Elko Mayor Reece Keener were among the guests that toured this house of the Lord. The public is invited to tour the temple from Saturday, August 30, through Saturday, September 13, 2025. Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
Photo: Joshua Dobbins
Construction of the Heber Valley Utah Temple Begins
Construction of the Heber Valley Utah Temple has begun, following a decision issued last month by a 4th District Court judge that Wasatch County's approval of the project was legal. Significant dewatering of the site will be necessary to keep the ground dry enough for construction. It is estimated that up to a million gallons of water a day would need to be pumped for several weeks. Currently, site grading and infrastructure installation is underway. Work will remain below grade for several months.
Photo: Grand Rapids Michigan Temple Facebook page
HVAC Equipment Installed in the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple
Components for the air handler have been delivered and installed on the mechanical mezzanine level of the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple. A heavy-duty crane was used to hoist the hefty HVAC equipment into place. Light-gauge steel framing, sheathing, and waterproofing are progressing on the exterior of the building. The temple sits on a beautiful property where Burton Street Southeast and Forest Hill Avenue Southeast intersect.
Photo: Craig Smith
Installing the Roof Decking on the Stockholm Sweden Temple
At the construction site of the Stockholm Sweden Temple, roof decking is being secured to the angled steel trusses that run the length of the building. The prominent gable roof features two sloping sides that meet at a central ridge, creating a building with high triangular ends and low side walls. The tall, narrow window openings have been framed with nine on each side and six on each end. The temple closed for reconstruction 29 months ago.
Photo: Brayden Barney
Utility Infrastructure Work Underway at the Lehi Utah Temple Site
Preliminary site work has begun for the Lehi Utah Temple, connecting the property to the city's existing utility infrastructure. The work includes installation of water and sewer pipes and electrical conduits. The site will also be cleared and graded. Design work for the temple is still being finalized, and no date has been announced for the groundbreaking ceremony. "We are excited for this first step in the process of building a house of the Lord in Lehi," said Elder Brian K. Taylor, president of the Utah Area. "This sacred edifice will be a blessing for Latter-day Saints in the area. We are grateful to the city of Lehi for their ongoing support and collaboration."
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Ground Formally Broken for the Vancouver Washington Temple
Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Vancouver Washington Temple on Saturday, August 23, 2025. He said, "A temple is truly the house of the Lord, a holy protection from the world where sacred ordinances of the gospel are performed by and for the living and in behalf of our ancestors, because we know that we live after this life and can return to live with our Heavenly Father."
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for the Tampa Florida Temple
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Tampa Florida Temple on Saturday, August 23, 2025. "We ask that Thou might bless this land and this sacred house once constructed, that it might be a light and strength to the Latter-day Saints and to all the community," prayed Elder Andersen in his site dedicatory prayer. "Let our friends and neighbors feel Thy Spirit and increase their faith in Thy Son as they sense what has come to this place."
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Brazzaville Republic of the Congo Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony
Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, Africa Central Area President, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Brazzaville Republic of the Congo Temple on Saturday, August 23, 2025. "... I testify to you, my brothers and sisters, that something special happens when the house of the Lord is built in a place," he said. "The powers of heaven are manifested in the sacred ordinances performed in the temple, and the Republic of Congo will never be the same again, because everywhere temples are built, the influence of the devil diminishes and the light of Christ is elevated."
Photo: Jude Articulo Lipata
Forming a Driveway at the Bacolod Philippines Temple Site
Forms have been set for the driveway on the south side of the Bacolod Philippines Temple to provide access to the parking lot. The wrap-around lot borders the temple on three sides, which is shared with the ancillary building on the east. The exterior of the temple is completed, and the stained-glass windows have been installed. Crews continue the finish work on the interior and the final landscaping of the grounds.
Photo: John Phil
Preparing for the Opening of the Davao Philippines Temple
Although the dates for the open house and dedication of the Davao Philippines Temple have not yet been announced, preparations are well underway for the temple's opening. The open house and dedication committee has been divided into subcommittees, which are making plans in their specific areas for a successful open house experience. Choir auditions are being held, and workers in the Cebu City Philippines Temple who will be transferring to Davao are being replaced with more local workers.
Photo: Templo de Santiago Oeste Chile Facebook page
Ornamented Stone Cladding on the Santiago West Chile Temple
The installation of beautiful stone cladding panels is progressing on the exterior of the Santiago West Chile Temple. The stone trim around the windows features an arched head casing with an arched inset, supported by decorative scrolls. The boundary wall for the property is being constructed, and the structural walls for the ancillary building are rising. The temple has been under construction for one year.
Photo: Jacob Oscarson
Beehive Restored Atop the Beehive House on Temple Square
The beehive that sits atop the Beehive House on Temple Square has been restored as part of the ongoing renovations to both the Beehive House and the Lion House. Yesterday, an announcement was made from Church headquarters that the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, located on the block west of Temple Square, will cease operation on November 1, 2025. The aging building will be demolished, and the property will be used as a parking lot for Salt Lake Temple open house, scheduled for April – October 2027. Its use after the open house has not yet been determined.
Photo: Brent R.
Mechanical Equipment Installed for the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple
Large pieces of mechanical equipment have been staged on the mechanical floor of the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple, located at the top of the building. Interior and exterior wall framing is progressing, and sheathing boards have been attached to the south ground floor walls. Crews are preparing to pour concrete slabs for the bottom tier of the steeple, while the hardscape for the grounds continues to take shape.
Photo: Doug Dick
Benches Added to the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple Grounds
Benches have been placed on the hard surfaces of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple grounds where patrons and visitors can sit in the peaceful atmosphere of this house of the Lord. In the evenings, the architectural lighting system casts a soft glow on the temple's exterior, while lamp posts light the parking lots and pathways. Construction on the project began 34 months ago and is in the final stages of completion.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Harare Zimbabwe Temple Open House and Dedication Announced
The public is invited to tour the newly constructed Harare Zimbabwe Temple from Thursday, January 22, through Saturday, February 7, 2026. The open house event will begin with a media day held on Monday, January 19, followed by two days of tours for invited guests. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The dedicatory session will be broadcast to all congregations in the temple district.
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Elder Andersen Dedicates the Farmington New Mexico Temple
"This sacred house of the Lord testifies more than any other place of the immortality of the soul and that life continues beyond the veil," said Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the dedication of the Farmington New Mexico Temple on Sunday, August 17, 2025. He added, "Every ordinance in this holy house turns our hearts toward our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His atoning gift, and what that gift means for eternal marriage, our family and our posterity."
Photo: Friends of the Fort Worth Temple Facebook page
Exterior Cladding Wrapping Up for the Fort Worth Texas Temple
The mission-style parapet over the main entrance to the Fort Worth Texas Temple is the final portion of the exterior remaining to be clad with stone. The majority of the walkway that encircles the building has been installed, including concrete gathering plazas located on each of the four sides. Soft landscaping is making progress with several of the flowerbeds and the grass lawns planted.
Photo: Melissa Harper
Landscaping and Interior Work Progressing at the San Diego California Temple
Small round shrubs have been planted along the white ornamental fence that encircles the San Diego California Temple grounds. The striking two-towered temple, dedicated in 1993, closed for major renovation at the end of July 2023. Ground cover has been established on the berms that surround the south lawn, and finish work is well underway on the interior. No dates have been announced yet for the open house and rededication of the temple.
Photo: Mike Harris
Footings Installed for the Lethbridge Alberta Temple Foundation
Most of the concrete footings for the Lethbridge Alberta Temple foundation have been installed. These poured-in-place structures will support the foundation walls and spread the weight of the building on the ground below to prevent settling. At the northwest corner of the property, work has begun on the foundation for the ancillary building, which will house a distribution center. Construction on the project began almost four months ago.
Photo: Stan K Palmer
Exterior Cladding of the Austin Texas Temple Begins
Stone cladding has begun at the southeast corner of the Austin Texas Temple where scaffolds have been erected to provide work platforms for the crews. Sheathing boards have been attached to most of the steel structure, followed by a building wrap. The temple follows the same core plan as the Fort Worth Texas Temple, which is the other temple currently under construction in Texas. Three more are in planning for Fairview, El Paso, and Southside Houston.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Patron Housing Facility Planned for the Yigo Guam Temple
Plans for a nine-unit patron housing facility next to the Yigo Guam Temple were approved by the Guam Hybrid Land Use Commission today. The two-story, 14,746-square-foot building will provide lodging for temple patrons coming from the outlying regions of Micronesia. Six of the units will be dormitory style with three to four beds each. The other three units will be for long-term workers who will share a community kitchen.
Photo: Brayden Barney
Landscaping Progress on the Smithfield Utah Temple Grounds
Landscaping efforts at the Smithfield Utah Temple are shifting from the outer edges of the property to the areas closer to the temple. The parking lot islands are being planted with trees and shrubs and covered with rock mulch. Some of the irrigation circuits are operating to keep the lawns and flowerbeds watered. The exterior of the temple is substantially completed, but months of work remain ahead to complete the interior and the grounds.
Photo: Templo de Cali, Colombia Facebook page
Structural Framing Inside the Cali Colombia Temple
Heavy steel framing is underway inside the concrete exterior walls of the Cali Colombia Temple. On the front side of the temple, the footings for the portico have been installed in front of the arched opening. Construction of the ancillary building that will house patron accommodations will begin in the fourth quarter of the year. The temple is the third to be constructed in the country of Colombia.
Photo: Tino F Faimalie
Construction Fence Removed from the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple Site
With permanent fencing in place around the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple site, the temporary welded wire fence has been removed, providing more beautiful views of the temple and its surrounding grounds. The black ornamental fence stands on a concrete gravel board next to the sidewalk. The picketed panels are suspended between large concrete fence posts that are painted white to match the temple exterior. An indentation in the fence line was created for where the monument sign stands.
Photo: Modesto California North Stake
Cupola Installed on the Modesto California Temple Tower
On Friday, August 1, members of the community gathered to witness the installation of the domed cupola and finial atop the Modesto California Temple tower. The event marked an important milestone in the construction process. Parking lot curbing and pavement are being installed around the temple, while work is progressing on the interior with laying tile, installing millwork, and painting walls and ceilings.
Photo: Freddy A. Molina
Lighting the Exterior of the Managua Nicaragua Temple
Architectural lighting for the Managua Nicaragua Temple is operating, creating a heavenly spectacle for onlookers. Jesus taught: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).
Photo: Christine Lake
Finalizing the Exterior Cladding of the Montpelier Idaho Temple
On the north side of the Montpelier Idaho Temple, the final pieces of exterior cladding are being set in place. On the south side, the front steps leading to the main entrance have been poured and cured, and the stone-clad hardscape is being grouted. Large deliveries of potted flowers have been staged on site for planting, while trees are being established across the grounds. No dates have been announced for the dedication, but it is anticipated to take place in 2026.
Photo: Brent R.
Cladding the Sealing Room Wing of the Salt Lake Temple
On the north side of the Salt Lake Temple, granite stonework is being attached to the sealing room wing, which was key to accommodating the 22 sealing rooms planned for the temple. Originally built in the 1960s, the addition was demolished and rebuilt slightly wider as part of the temple renovation. The exterior is being finished so that it is more true to the exterior walls of the temple. The round stones, known as earth stones, depict the earth as God's footstool and can represent the gospel being spread to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Services Held for the Winchester Virginia Temple
Elder Robert M. Daines, Second Counselor in the United States Northeast Area Presidency, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Winchester Virginia Temple on Saturday, August 9, 2025. In his site dedicatory prayer, he spoke of Christ's worship in the temple during His earthly ministry: "He went to the temple to pray, to worship, to heal and to teach. We are grateful for a temple here where we can follow Him in worship and seek His healing touch." The temple will be the second in Viriginia, joining the Richmond Virginia Temple that was dedicated in May 2023. Plans have been announced for two additional temples in Roanoke and Norfolk.
Photo: Robert Henningson
Landscaping Efforts Progressing on the Ephraim Utah Temple Grounds
On the Ephraim Utah Temple grounds, grass sod has been laid for the front lawn and in the park strip along the north property fence. Lamp posts have been installed next to the driveways and walkways, and trees, plants, and mulch are filling the parking lot islands. In the areas immediately adjacent to the temple, hardscape structures are being clad, and the soil is being prepared for plantings.
