News
Photo: TRip ni ToniO
Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple Frame Reaches Top Floor
Structural framing for the Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple has reached the mechanical level where decking has been laid, and concrete slabs are being poured. Framing for the rest of the roof will be installed over this level, and a steeple will rise over the front end. The temple shares the same core plan used to construct the Davao Philippines Temple. Both are located on Mindanao, the expansive island at the bottom of the Philippine archipelago.
Photo: Tom Cook
Cody Wyoming Temple Exterior Cladding Progress
On the exterior of the Cody Wyoming Temple, the installation of precast concrete panels is progressing. The beautiful fenestration designed for the temple features groups of arched windows on each of the major walls, complementing the large arched opening in the front portico. The temple and accompanying ancillary building have been under construction for just over 8 months.
Photo: Greg Farley
President Nelson to Dedicate the Syracuse Utah Temple
Church headquarters has announced that President Russell M. Nelson will dedicate the Syracuse Utah Temple on Sunday, June 8, 2025. He will be accompanied by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The dedication ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. MDT and will be broadcast to local meetinghouses within the temple district. The dedication will be rebroadcast three hours later to the same locations at 7 p.m. MDT.
Photo: Brent R.
Parking Lot Progress at the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple
A recent photograph of the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple showcases the iconic craggy mountains that form the entrance to Rock Canyon, east of the temple. At the northwest corner of the temple property, parking lot curbing has been installed, and work has begun on the section to the south. The first columns for the steeple frame have been secured to the top of the temple while light-gauge framing is progressing on the exterior.
Photo: Susan M Switzler
President and Matron of the Cleveland Ohio Temple Called
Sidney Allen Connor and Melody Ann Hammer Connor of the Hiram Ohio Stake have been called as the first president and matron of the Cleveland Ohio Temple. President Connor is a temple sealer, ward Sunday School president, and a former stake president, bishop, and high councilor. Sister Connor is a ward Primary president and temple ordinance worker and a former stake Young Women president, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women presidency counselor and seminary teacher.
Photo: Uriel Levin
Rebuilding the Superstructure of the Kona Hawaii Temple
Concrete forms have been removed from a newly cured exterior wall at the Kona Hawaii Temple. In August 2022, a major renovation was announced for the temple, which closed in October 2023. By July 2024, a construction fence had been erected and removal of the landscaping began shortly afterward. The temple was fully disassembled, leaving only the core metal frame so that it could be enlarged and reconstructed with updated components and materials.
Photo: Federico Gonzalez
Potted Plants Delivered to the San Diego California Temple
On the grounds of the San Diego California Temple, groups of potted plants have been delivered and staged on site. In the coming weeks, these plants will be established in the flowerbeds, creating a heavenly beauty and peaceful atmosphere that guests can enjoy when they visit. The temple closed for major renovation 22 months ago and is expected to be completed later this year. An open house and rededication will follow several months later.
Photo: Templo de Belo Horizonte Brasil Facebook page
Stained Glass Installation Continues at the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple
On the rear side of the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple, gorgeous panes of stained glass have installed, overlooking the terraced gardens that slope to the street. Dual staircases, flanked by palm trees, provide access from the street level to the temple level. Belo Horizonte is located in the state of Minas Gerais—the fourth largest state by area and the second largest by number of inhabitants. Construction began almost two years ago.
Photo: Dan Day
Austin Texas Temple Frame Taking Shape
Framing of the Austin Texas Temple is advancing. The frame for the parapet appearing along the edge of the roof, and light-gauge framing for the exterior walls has started. Corrugated steel decking is being set in place for the roof while preparations are being made for the steeple frame. Red brick has been chosen for the exteriors of the ancillary building and dumpster enclosure to coordinate with the meetinghouse.
Photo: Aaron Nuffer
Hardscape Installation on the Knoxville Tennessee Temple Grounds
Concrete forms are in place for the hardscape elements on the entrance side of the Knoxville Tennessee Temple. The grounds will feature stone-faced planters, curving walkways, and an oval-shaped gathering plaza. Materials are being staged in the future parking area, and cladding of the temple exterior is progressing. The temple has been under construction for the past 16 months.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Baptismal Font Oxen Positioned Inside the Salt Lake Temple
Inside the north addition to the Salt Lake Temple, oxen representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel have been placed under the two baptismal fonts. The original cast-iron oxen, each weighing 2,200 pounds, have been positioned under the east font, while new fiberglass oxen have been placed under the west font. Finish work is progressing in the sealing rooms and celestial room, and the woodwork for circular staircases in the corner towers is being restored. Extensive landscaping is moving forward, especially on the south side of Temple Square.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Date Announced for the Vancouver Washington Temple
Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy, will preside at the groundbreaking services for the Vancouver Washington Temple on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The two-story temple will be constructed on a 15.11-acre site at the northwest corner of Southeast 20th Street and Southeast Bybee Road in Camas. Preliminary construction activities are currently underway including site clearing, utility connections, and realignment of Bybee Road.
Photo: Jason Amonares
Landscaping Progress at the Bacolod Philippines Temple
Beautiful green foliage is filling in the flowerbeds around the Bacolod Philippines Temple while pavers are being laid for a circular walkway that surrounds the entire building. Behind the temple is a two-story, 18,000-square-foot ancillary building that will provide patron accommodations, an arrival center, and a distribution center. Construction commenced almost a year after the groundbreaking and has been underway for approximately two-and-a-half years.
Photo: Anaheim California Stake
Anaheim Stake Trek to the Yorba Linda California Temple
On Saturday, May 17, the Anaheim California Stake community participated in a "Trek to the Temple" activity that featured a 7-mile journey from the Rio Vista meetinghouse in Anaheim to the Yorba Linda California Temple. Participants chose their mode of transportation—either walking, running, biking, or driving. Games, lunch, and a group photo in front of the temple followed. Gorgeous stained-glass windows are currently being installed in the temple.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple Dedicated by Elder Rasband
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The dedicatory session was conducted in French. The temple will serve members in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania and Western Sahara. Elder Alfred Kyungu, General Authority Seventy and President of the Africa West Area, said: "We are happy. We thank the Lord and also the living prophet for bringing this blessing closer to our members here."
Photo: Michael Dawson
Exterior Cladding Progress at the Wichita Kansas Temple
Precast cladding panels continue to be hung on the exterior of the Wichita Kansas Temple. Once the main floor is completed, cladding will move up the steeple, which will feature backlit stained glass in the middle and upper tiers. Framing for the portico is underway at the entrance. It will feature arched openings on three sides. It is the first temple to be constructed in the state of Kansas.
Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Africa West Area
Families Participate in the Benin City Nigeria Temple Groundbreaking
"Temples of the Lord are the holiest, most sacred structures in the kingdom of God," said Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, First Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Benin City Nigeria Temple on Saturday, May 24, 2025. He added, "Temples are sacred places where we make sacred covenants with God and receive blessings for ourselves and our families, living and dead." The two-story temple of will be built on a 2.17-acre site along with an arrival center and patron housing facility.
Photo: Alex Lamb
Steeple Framework Staged at the Port Vila Vanuatu Temple Site
The steel framework for the steeple of the Port Vila Vanuatu Temple has been staged on site. The modules were secured to the foundation about six months ago, and windows were installed soon after. Three major buildings are part of the project: the temple, a meetinghouse, and a two-story ancillary building. The groundbreaking for the temple was held just over two years ago.
Photo: Friends of the Fort Worth Temple Facebook page
Domed Cupola Installed on the Fort Worth Texas Temple
The gold cupola for the Fort Worth Texas Temple was set in place atop the tower this morning, and the finial will soon follow. This brings the temple to its full height, marking an important construction milestone. The project began almost 19 months ago, and construction has progressed smoothly. The majority of the building has been clad in stone with only a few sections remaining.
Photo: Kael Wilcox
Landscaping the Smithfield Utah Temple Grounds
Landscaping of the Smithfield Utah Temple grounds is progressing. The garden strips on either side of the property fence are being planted and covered with rocks. Mulch is being spread in the flowerbeds, and fence posts are being clad with ledge rock. On the west side of the temple—the last side to be clad—the stonework is about three-fourths of the way to the top. The temple has been under construction for almost three years.
Photo: Cassandra Briscoe
Cladding the North Side of the Modesto California Temple
Stone cladding is moving up the east and north sides of the Modesto California Temple while work gets underway on the tower. On the interior, drywall has been hung in most of the rooms, and painting has begun. Crown moldings are also being installed. On the south side of the grounds, concrete is being poured for curbing, and on the north side of the grounds, trees are being established.
Photo: Alix Wallingford
Rainbow Forms Over the Ephraim Utah Temple
A rainbow formed over the beautiful Ephraim Utah Temple during a recent rain shower. "I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance…of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake" (Ezekiel 1:27–28).
Photo: Templo de Santiago Oeste Chile Facebook page
Concrete Structure Established for the Santiago West Chile Temple
Much of the structural reinforced concrete work has been completed for the Santiago West Chile Temple. Concrete forms are in place at the front of the temple where a beautiful arched entryway and mission-style parapet will greet entering patrons. Forms are also in place for the guardhouse that will stand at the property entrance. The project has been underway for nine months.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for the Natal Brazil Temple
"Here today begins the greatest spiritual transformation this city has ever seen," said Antonio Carlos Bastos Ferreira, a pioneering member of the Church in the Natal region, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Natal Brazil Temple on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Elder Mark D. Eddy, Second Counselor in the Brazil Area Presidency, presided at the event. In his site dedicatory prayer, he said: "We humbly plead with Thee to increase our desire to be personally prepared to receive this temple."
Photo: Eduardo Sotto
Exterior Cladding Progress at the San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple
Exterior cladding panels have been secured to the main body of the San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple, and scaffolding has been erected around the tower where cladding will continue. The 9,300-square-foot temple will feature a celestial room, an instruction room, a sealing room, a baptistry, dressing rooms, and offices. Construction began 14 months ago. It is one of three temples currently under construction in Mexico.
Photo: Paul Miller
Exterior of Lindon Utah Temple Power Washed by Drone
A cleaning drone was used today to power wash the exterior granite of the Lindon Utah Temple. The craft was attached to a water source and launched into the air before the spraying mechanism was activated. The cornerstone has been installed, inscribed with the words: Erected 2025. The open house and dedication dates have not yet been announced, but it is anticipated to be dedicated later this year.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
First House of the Lord in East Africa Dedicated by Elder Soares
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the first temple in East Africa, the Nairobi Kenya Temple, on Sunday, May 18, 2025. "God has a perfect and infinite love for His children and has inspired our dear Prophet to announce and to build a temple in this part of the world, where so many people from different countries will rejoice together," he said. "In His house, we can listen to the voice of the Lord clearly without any barriers. We can receive insights for our lives. We can receive the instruction to guide our children and families in righteousness. We can all walk together toward Jesus Christ."
Photo: Nelson Fabian Ortiz
Foundation Work for the Cali Colombia Temple Gets Underway
Bundles of reinforcing steel bar have been staged at the Cali Colombia Temple site where excavation and foundation work is getting underway. Across the street, the land for the ancillary building has been cleared of structures and vegetation, preparing it for construction as well. The temple is the third to be constructed in Colombia. A fourth has been announced for the city of Medellín.
Photo: Gabriel Ayala Vanegas
Installing Stained Glass in the Managua Nicaragua Temple
The installation of stained glass in the Managua Nicaragua Temple has begun, starting with the steeple. Cladding of the exterior has wrapped up, and much of the soft landscaping has been planted. The temple stands at the southern end of Managua on the Highway to Masaya where it is accessible to the country's more than 100,000 members. Construction of the temple and supporting facilities have been underway for 30 months.
Photo: Jonathan Hughes
Exterior Cladding of the Anchorage Alaska Temple Begins
At the southwest corner of the Anchorage Alaska Temple, backing board and hanging brackets have been attached to an exterior wall for the first pieces of stone cladding. At the roof level, progress is being made on pouring the roof surface and covering it with a protective coating while sheathing and damp proofing of the mechanical level continue. Inside the structure, the concrete for the ground floor has been poured.
