News
Enclosing the Main Level of the Pocatello Idaho Temple
As winter weather settles into East Idaho's mountain valleys, contractors at the Pocatello Idaho Temple are enclosing the main level of the building with thick sheets of plastic to retain heat and to allow the pouring of the main floor slab. Framing of the building is transitioning from heavy gauge steel to light gauge steel—visible along the north and northwest sides of the main level. Structural framing is expected to be completed by December, taking the temple another 85 feet higher. No delays have been experienced since construction of the temple began in March.
Angel Moroni Replaced on Nauvoo Illinois Temple
A newly gilded statue of the angel Moroni was placed atop the tower of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple yesterday, replacing the former statue that had been charred by a lightning strike on June 28, 2019. It was a big event for the small town that is home to several Church historic sites. The temple was dedicated in 2002 as a reconstruction of the temple built by the early Saints of Nauvoo in 1846. It was tragically destroyed by arson fire in 1848.
Public Open House Begins Friday for Arequipa Peru Temple
The public is invited to see the newly completed Arequipa Peru Temple beginning this Friday, November 15, and continuing through Saturday, November 30, 2019. The free tours will be offered Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (No reservations are needed.) The Flor de Texao, a symbol of Arequipa, is used in carved hardwood, art glass windows, metal fixtures, and stonework. The flooring features white and cream carpets, Perlantino marble tile, and woolen area rugs from China. Giclee prints depicting the life of Jesus Christ hang in the corridors. The main entrance plaza features a Spanish-style water fountain, and landscaping incorporates a mixture of grasses, flowers, shrubs, and trees native to the region including the cantuta, the national flower of Peru.
Fitting the Pageant Stage on the Mesa Arizona Temple Grounds
The multi-level stage for the annual Mesa Easter Pageant is rising on the north lawn of the Mesa Arizona Temple grounds to fit it to the new platform. The first production of the pageant was held over 90 years ago in 1928, and it is now considered the largest annual outdoor Easter pageant in the world. Renovations on the temple are progressing steadily including the replacement of the upper windows. Work is also proceeding on the Family Discovery Center and housing project being constructed across the street.
Building Retaining Walls for the Praia Cabo Verde Temple
Work has begun on building retaining walls around the raised soil platforms for the Praia Cabo Verde Temple and its adjoining meetinghouse. Assembled grids of rebar and a concrete mixer sit in the staging area, ready to create the reinforced concrete structures.
Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple Tower
Steel reinforcing bar and concrete forms have been installed in preparation for pouring the base walls of the Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple tower. Following a year of construction, the majority of the concrete exterior is completed. The exposed foundation will be backfilled, creating a slope on the west side of the temple and leaving the ground level with the stake center on the east side.
Washington County Utah Temple to Be Built in St. George
The location of the Washington County Utah Temple has been officially announced as northeast of the intersection of 3000 East and 1580 South in the Washington Fields area of St. George. The temple will be a three-story building of approximately 88,000 square feet. Once detailed plans have been finalized, interior and exterior renderings will be released. Project leaders will soon begin work with government officials and will submit public documents in the coming months. No groundbreaking date has been announced. It will be the second temple to be constructed in St. George.
Exterior Walls Going Up for the Quito Ecuador Temple
Construction of the Quito Ecuador Temple has been underway for six months. Over that time, contractors have completed the building's substructure and are now pouring the walls for the temple's superstructure. The temple is rising in the Quito suburb of Cumbayá where new infrastructure is spurring construction throughout the community.
Exterior of Durban South Africa Temple Completed
All of the scaffolding has been removed from the newly completed exterior of the Durban South Africa Temple. The Holiness to the Lord inscription stone has been painted, and final painting is underway on the interior. Landscaping is progressing rapidly including the final pavers that are being installed on steps and walkways. The missionary housing facility is ready for inspection, and the distribution center is ready to be stocked with supplies.
Rededication Held for the Asunción Paraguay Temple
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the rededication of the Asunción Paraguay Temple today. "The rededication of the temple is a sacred moment," he said. "For me, it's an opportunity for all of us to consider our own situations, individually, and how we might rededicate ourselves to the work of the Lord, being His disciples." The temple reopens to patrons on Tuesday, November 12, 2019.
Final Day of Ordinance Work at the St. George Utah Temple
At the conclusion of ordinance work at the St. George Utah Temple this evening, the historic structure will close for a multi-year renovation of the entire temple block. The closure was announced at a news conference held on May 22 of this year. Plans include an overhaul of the landscaping that will introduce new plazas for bridal parties and visitors, demolition and reconstruction of the temple annex and stair tower, the addition of a separate baptistry entrance, and a full restoration of the interior including a return of full murals to the endowment rooms.
Framing for Tower Begins at the Pocatello Idaho Temple
The last day of October saw the first steel beams installed for the tower of the Pocatello Idaho Temple. Structural framing and floor decks have been completed for the first and second floors while structural framing continues for the third floor and the tower. The first segment of the grand staircase has been installed, leading from the first floor to the second floor. Concrete blocks are being set in place for the exterior walls of the maintenance building located in the southwest corner of the property.
Planting Trees at the Washington D.C. Temple
Trees and shrubs are filling in the garden spaces at the Washington D.C. Temple parking lot while work continues on the circular water fountain feature in front of the entrance. This December, the annual Festival of Lights will proceed as usual in the areas outside of the construction zone. The tradition of Christmas musical events at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors' Center will also continue. You can reserve free tickets on Eventbrite.
Site Announced for Moses Lake Washington Temple
A 17-acre site on Yonezawa Boulevard between Division Street and Road K NE has been announced as the future location of the Moses Lake Washington Temple. The single-story temple will be approximately 20,000 square feet with a central spire. A 17,000-square-foot meetinghouse will also share the property. Project leaders will soon submit preliminary plans and applications to the local government to begin the process of approval. Interior and exterior renderings will be released once plans have been finalized.
West Wall Parapets Poured for the Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple
Concrete parapets have been poured along the west wall of the north-facing Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple, which is rising behind the Cocody stake center. In just ten days, the temple will celebrate its one-year groundbreaking anniversary. Over the past twelve months, the footings, foundation, and exterior walls have been constructed. In coming weeks, tower walls will rise over the north end of the building.
Hamilton New Zealand Temple Housing Buildings
Framing is rising on the slope behind the Hamilton New Zealand Temple for the buildings that will provide housing to patrons and missionaries coming from long distances to serve in the temple. Renovation progresses on the emptied visitors' center, which is surrounded by scaffolding. Many more months of construction remain to complete the renovations and additions to the historic temple complex.
Construction Facilities in Place at Belém Brazil Temple Site
Since the groundbreaking ceremony for the Belém Brazil Temple two months ago, the general contractor has set up a staging area and erected several supporting structures on site. The future temple and adjoining buildings have been staked, and ground is being prepared for construction including grading and excavation activities.
Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple Opens to the Public
A one-week open house for the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple begins this Saturday, October 26, and continues through Saturday, November 2, 2019. Hours are Monday–Thursday, 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, closed. Tours are free and no reservations are required. The nearly two-year renovation began in January 2018. The exterior appearance was altered by enclosing the portico, building a more substantial tower, recladding the exterior in a beige-colored limestone, and installing exquisite art glass windows with a shell and magnolia flower motif. The updated landscaping features native flora including flowering crepe myrtle and magnolia trees.
Footings Being Poured at the Bangkok Thailand Temple Site
Massive amounts of concrete and steel are going into the ground at the Bangkok Thailand Temple site to create the sturdy pile foundation for the underground parking and substructure of the temple and annex building. Reinforced concrete footings are being poured on top of the circular piles, and a few steel beams have been attached to the growing structure.
Art Glass Installed in Durban South Africa Temple Celestial Room
Major installations continue in the Durban South Africa Temple including beautiful panels of art glass in the Celestial Room, carpet tiles in the main lobby, and benches in the baptistry. Outside, stonework and sealing is advancing around the window openings, and the front staircase is being poured. Trees are being planted around the parking lot and across the grounds. The water feature grills have been installed and covered in a black stone.
Sheathing the Exterior of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple
A beige sheathing layer is being installed over the green insulating layer on the exterior of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple in preparation for the brick exterior. At the adjacent meetinghouse, brickwork is nearly finished and the interior is progressing. Major landscaping elements are in place including curbing, lamp posts, and some trees and asphalt.
Elder Uchtdorf Rededicates the Frankfurt Germany Temple
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles rededicated the Frankfurt Germany Temple today in three sessions that were broadcast to satellite-equipped meetinghouses within the temple district. Last evening, Elder Uchtdorf presided at a youth devotional held in commemoration of the temple's rededication. The temple reopens following four years of renovation of the entire temple block, including a remodeling and expansion of the temple itself.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple
Elder Craig C. Christensen, president of the Utah Area, presided at today's groundbreaking ceremony for the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple. In his remarks, he spoke of an experience he had walking the temple site a month earlier: "I realized…how this particular temple will bless many individuals and families, including your children, your marriages, your families, and, especially, many of your ancestors." He added: "This is the place where your children and families will be protected from the evils that are ever present in the world today, and to make sacred covenants with the Lord." His words reached an audience of tens of thousands of members and guests gathered both at the temple site and at local meetinghouses. Following the formal proceedings, attendees were invited to take pictures and turn a shovelful of dirt to commemorate the historic occasion.
Youth Help Prepare for Saratoga Springs Groundbreaking
A small army of young people passed chairs from arms to arms this afternoon in preparation for tomorrow's groundbreaking ceremony for the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple. The rows of chairs joined a stage, a set of choir risers, and some potted trees set up for the historic services. Construction has begun on the street that will lead to the temple site.
Illuminating the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple
With its exterior lighting system fully operational, the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple is particularly spectacular in the evenings. The temple stands near the ocean next to an expansive nature reserve on Avenida das Américas. It is the eighth temple to be constructed in Brazil. The Belém Brazil Temple, which is also under construction, will be the ninth. And the Brasília Brazil Temple and Salvador Brazil Temple will be the tenth and eleventh Brazilian temples.
Arequipa Peru Temple Public Open House
The presidency of the South America Northwest Area is inviting the public to participate in the open house for the Arequipa Peru Temple beginning in one month on Friday, November 15, and continuing through Saturday, November 30, 2019, except for Sundays, November 17 and 24. Free tours will be offered from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Watch the new video presentation posted last evening.
Structural Framing Progress at the Pocatello Idaho Temple
Structural framing of the Pocatello Idaho Temple is steadily moving forward with the assistance of a massive crawler crane that lifts and lower steel beams into place. Workers climb on top of the structure to fasten and weld the steel together. Framing began on the north end of the temple and is moving south and east. Several construction trailers have been moved to the newly paved parking lots.
Window Work at the Mesa Arizona Temple
Scaffolding has returned to the upper walls of the Mesa Arizona Temple where work is underway on the narrow windows that contribute to the building's iconic exterior appearance. Another long-standing tradition at the temple—the presence of citrus trees—will also remain. Among the many varieties of trees that have been planted across the temple grounds is a small grove of orange trees.
President Ballard Rededicates the Raleigh North Carolina Temple
Following nearly two years of renovation, the Raleigh North Carolina Temple was rededicated today by President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In addition to fully updating the interior of the temple, the exterior appearance was altered by enclosing the portico, enlarging the tower, and cladding the exterior in limestone. The temple reopens to patrons on Tuesday, October 22, 2019.
Reflection Pool Filled at the Washington D.C. Temple
The Washington D.C. Temple reflection pool, located in front of the visitors' center below the wall of picture windows, has been installed and filled with water. Heavy equipment has paved the east parking lot with asphalt, and scaffolding has been removed from around the six spires. The iconic Capital Beltway structure has been closed for renovation for the past 19 months.
