News
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for the Colorado Springs Colorado Temple
"The temple is a place of spiritual guidance, peace, hope and revelation," said Elder Karl D. Hirst of the United States Central Area Presidency at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Colorado Springs Colorado Temple on Saturday, September 12, 2026. "For us, temples are literally the house of the Lord. The Lord visits His temples, and they are the most precious and sacred of all our places of worship." When the temple is dedicated, it will be the fourth operating temple in the state.
Photo: Kiokio Benji
Steeple Structure Erected for the Tarawa Kiribati Temple
Rising above the low-lying landscape of South Tarawa, the steeple framework for the Tarawa Kiribati Temple has been installed above the north end of the prefabricated modules. The new steel structure adds a distinctive vertical element to the temple, which is becoming a prominent landmark for the local Latter-day Saint community. Additional steel members are staged on site as framing continues.
Photo: Tlhabanelo 'dihot' Diholo
Exterior Walls Taking Shape for the Cape Town South Africa Temple
The Cape Town South Africa Temple is rising above its foundations as reinforced-concrete columns and walls take shape, while extensive formwork and scaffolding support construction of the upper structures. Around the building, brick masonry is being added to form steps, retaining walls, and other hardscape elements of the developing grounds. A black waterproofing membrane is being applied to below-grade structures.
Photo: Jonathan Hayes
Framing the Meetinghouse at the Springfield Missouri Temple Site
The first signs of a superstructure are emerging at the Springfield Missouri Temple site, where wood framing for the adjoining meetinghouse is rising. Located on a 38-acre property on South Farm Road in southeast Springfield, the meetinghouse is taking form as crews erect the walls and set roof trusses over the broad, single-story structure. The groundbreaking ceremony for Missouri’s third temple was held just three months ago.
Photo: Dan Day
Cladding the Tower of the Austin Texas Temple
As stone cladding nears completion on the main body of the Austin Texas Temple, crews have begun work on the top tier of the tower, adding another layer of architectural detail to the building’s prominent central feature. Work is also taking shape across the grounds, where lamp posts are being installed along the developing walkways and drives and posts for the perimeter fence are being set in place.
Photo: Brent R.
Building the Basement Walls for the Heber Valley Utah Temple
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.
Photo: Ronald Robert
Preliminary Construction Activity at the Viña Del Mar Chile Temple Site
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.
Photo: Hans Jacobs
Port Vila Vanuatu Temple Emerges as New Landmark
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.
Photo: Travis Lewis
Steeple Frame Installed Atop the Fairbanks Alaska Temple
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.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Date Announced for the Piura Peru Temple
Elder Steven C. Barlow, a member of the South America Northwest Area Presidency, will preside at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Piura Peru Temple on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The single-story temple of approximately 18,850 square feet (1,750 square meters) will rise on a 2.6-acre site located northwest of the intersection of Avenida Tallanes and Avenida Prolongación in Piura. Plans call for an accompanying ancillary building.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Public Invited to Tour the Montpelier Idaho Temple
The open house for the Montpelier Idaho Temple began on Tuesday, September 8, with a media day for invited guests and journalists. Doors will open to the public from Thursday, September 10, through Saturday, September 26, excluding Sundays. No reservations are needed. The chicory flower motif, inspired by a flower common in the Montpelier area, appears in various stages of bloom throughout the temple’s interior. The temple’s color palette of gold, blue, green and yellow reflects the local wildflowers and the turquoise waters of nearby Bear Lake.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Open House Begins for the Managua Nicaragua Temple
The open house for the Managua Nicaragua Temple began this morning with a presentation to the media. The public is invited to tour the interior from Thursday, September 10, through Saturday, September 26, 2026, excluding Sundays. The design of the limestone-clad temple draws inspiration from the local region. A prevalent motif is the Plumeria rubra flower, Nicaragua’s national flower. In addition to nylon carpeting and hand-woven wool rugs, the flooring uses Crema Marfil and Cambria stone. The millwork was crafted from mahogany and teak, with floral-inspired designs.
Photo: Joseph Fischer
Lethbridge Alberta Temple Tower Surrounded in Scaffolding
Scaffolding has been erected around the tower of the Lethbridge Alberta Temple, providing crews with access to the structure as exterior finishing work continues. Nearby, the temple spire is taking shape on a staging pad, where it is being assembled and finished before being lifted into place atop the tower. Across the main structure, installation of the water-resistive barrier and exterior stone cladding continues to advance.
Photo: Londrina Brazil Stake
Scaffolding Removed from the Londrina Brazil Temple
Construction of the Londrina Brazil Temple is in the final stages. Scaffolding has been removed from the steeple, and the exterior lighting system is operating, accentuating the temple’s architectural design in the evenings. Landscaping has also been installed throughout the grounds, including the lawns, flowerbeds, and hardscape elements. With the exterior work substantially complete, crews are focused on the final details.
Photo: Jacob Oscarson
Salt Lake Temple Grounds Reopen Ahead of Historic Open House
The grounds surrounding the Salt Lake Temple reopened to pedestrians last week, offering new opportunities to view the historic temple and its recently completed entrance buildings up close. The temple is being prepared for a six-month open house and celebration beginning April 5, 2027, marking a remarkable return to history. On April 5, 1893, exactly 134 years earlier, the temple opened its doors to visitors on the day before its dedication. Interest in next year’s open house has already been extraordinary, with one million reservations made on the first day the reservation system opened. Details on upcoming ticket releases will be shared at TempleSquare.org.
Photo: Jennifer Jalova Zenith
Landscaping and Interior Finishes Advance at the Cagayan de Oro Temple
Construction of the Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple is focused on interior finishes and landscaping, with crews establishing trees, lawns, shrubs, and other plantings throughout the grounds. The two-story temple will have approximately 18,449 square feet (1,714 square meters) of floor space. An adjoining ancillary building will provide an arrival center, patron housing, and a distribution center. Once completed, the temple will be the seventh dedicated temple in the Philippines.
Photo: Templo de Ribeirão Preto Instagram page
Monument Sign Panels Installed for the Ribeirão Preto Brazil Temple
Construction of the Ribeirão Preto Brazil Temple is entering its final stages. Monument sign panels have been installed, and stone cladding has been added to the front staircases. Scaffolding was recently removed from the temple tower following completion of stonework. An architectural lighting system is also being installed to illuminate the temple at night. Landscaping is well advanced, with lawns, planting beds, flowers, and palm trees giving the grounds a finished appearance.
Photo: Templo de Santiago Oeste Chile Facebook page
Permanent Fencing Uncovered at the Santiago West Chile Temple
The construction barrier is being removed from the Santiago Chile West Temple site, revealing the ornamental fencing with its fleur-de-lis finials. Landscaping is taking shape around the site, including xeriscaping, lawns, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Scaffolding is being removed from the arrival center as exterior finishing work wraps up. Work continues on the tower and installation of stained glass, with some panels featuring the copihue flower, Chile’s national flower.
Photo: CP
Foundation Work Begins for the Naga Philippines Temple
Crews have begun pouring the slab foundation for the Naga Philippines Temple, about a month after the groundbreaking ceremony. The city of Naga is located at the center of the Bicol Peninsula, about 250 miles (400 kilometers) south of Manila. The new temple will provide greater access to temple ordinances for Latter-day Saints throughout Bicol. Currently, members travel to the Alabang Philippines Temple.
Photo: R. H. Silva
Teresina Brazil Temple Construction Moves Above Ground
Construction is advancing steadily on the Teresina Brazil Temple, where the foundation has been completed and the superstructure is now rising. Reinforced-concrete walls and columns are taking shape, with extensive formwork and rebar supporting the structural work. A tower crane stands over the site, assisting crews as construction progresses upward. Teresina sits on the eastern bank of the Parnaíba River on the border between the states of Piauí and Maranhão.
Photo: Doctor Arlan Cage
Welcome Center Opens at the Missoula Montana Temple
A welcome center has opened near the construction site of the Missoula Montana Temple, providing a place for visitors to learn more about the project and to view the construction progress. Visitors also have the opportunity to write their names on small, one-inch stones, which will be placed beneath the building as construction of the foundation continues, creating a unique connection between the community and the temple.
Photo: Demetrio Emidio Cardoso
Site Preparations Underway for the Florianópolis Brazil Temple
Construction preparations are underway for the Florianópolis Brazil Temple, where crews have begun clearing and grading the temple site. Heavy equipment is removing vegetation and debris while the expansive property is leveled and prepared for construction. Fencing has been installed around the site as the groundwork for the project is established. A date for the groundbreaking ceremony has not yet been announced.
Photo: Diane Wilcox
Structural Framing Underway for Singapore Meetinghouse
Following months of deep excavation and structural work on the substructure and underground parking facility for the Singapore Temple complex, construction has now shifted above ground. Crews are beginning structural framing for the multistory meetinghouse and arrival center that will stand at the rear of the property. At the front of the site, near the street, the temple will rise as the centerpiece of the complex.
Photo: Jeff Goebel
Lone Mountain Nevada Temple Approaches One-Year Milestone
Brick is climbing the walls of the meetinghouse next to the Lone Mountain Nevada Temple, while stacks of clay shingles await installation on the roof. On the temple, precast concrete cladding panels have been installed on the ground floor, with crews now moving upward to the second and third levels. Inside, framing for the temple’s rooms and corridors is taking shape. With the one-year anniversary of the groundbreaking just over three weeks away, the project is showing substantial progress.
Photo: Elder Bonsey
Exterior Cladding of the Kona Hawaii Temple Nears Completion
Construction is progressing on the Kona Hawaii Temple, where installation of the exterior stonework is nearing completion. Scaffolding remains around portions of the building as crews finish the remaining sections. At the front of the temple, extensive concrete work is underway, including footings, retaining walls, and staircases. Permanent fencing is also being installed, along with plumbing for a future water feature.
Photo: Frank Lewis
'Rejoice in Christ' Announced as Salt Lake Temple Celebration Theme
People from around the world are invited to reserve tickets for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, scheduled for April 5 – October 1, 2027. The theme of the celebration was announced this morning from the new West Temple Entrance Building on Temple Square as "Rejoice in Christ." In addition to the temple open house, the celebration will feature exhibits, films, live music, visual arts, family history opportunities and other activities across Temple Square. To accommodate as many visitors as possible, guests may reserve up to 6 tickets.
Photo: Cori Lynch (edited by Ryan Keim)
Location Announced for the Queen Creek Arizona Temple
The location of the Queen Creek Arizona Temple has been announced as a 15.5-acre (6.27-hectare) site in Queen Creek located southeast of the intersection of Ryan Road and Euell Drive, between Meridian Road on the west and Ironwood Road on the east. Plans call for an 82,000-square-foot (7,618-square-meter) temple, a meetinghouse, and an ancillary building. It will be the fourth temple constructed in the Salt River Valley.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Exterior Rendering Released for the Charlotte North Carolina Temple
An exterior rendering of the Charlotte North Carolina Temple has now been published. The sacred structure will rise on a 7.7-acre (3.12-hectare) property located at 5926 Mathews-Mint Hill Road in Mint Hill, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 30,700 square feet. The date for the groundbreaking services have not yet been announced.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Date Announced for the Iquitos Peru Temple
Elder Sandino Roman of the South America Northwest Area Presidency will preside at the groundbreaking services for the Iquitos Peru Temple on Saturday, October 10, 2026. This 20,000-square-foot (1,858-square-meter) house of the Lord will rise on a 1.75-acre (0.7-hectare) site located at Calle San Marcos 117–137 in the San Juan Bautista District of Iquitos. An exterior rendering of the temple has also been published.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Ephraim Utah Temple Public Open House Begins
On Monday, August 31, the doors of the Ephraim Utah Temple opened to journalists and other invited guests on the first day of the open house. The public is invited to tour the interior of the building from Wednesday, September 2, through Saturday, September 19, 2026, excluding Sundays. No reservations are needed to attend. The temple features golden yellows and various shades of blue. Other artistic details include motifs of wheat, oxeye daisy and forget-me-not blossoms, which honor the city’s agricultural legacy and Scandinavian heritage.
