News
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for the Barcelona Spain Temple
Elder James W. McConkie III, a General Authority Seventy and counselor in the Europe Central Area Presidency, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Barcelona Spain Temple on Saturday, September 19, 2026. He expressed his hope that "the Barcelona Spain Temple be built and dedicated in such a way that the people of Barcelona feel this truth and are drawn to a place where God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, can be present in a tangible way." The groundbreaking marks the beginning of construction on the second temple in Spain. The event was broadcast to Church congregations in Spain, Andorra, and southern France.
Photo: Scott Ririe
Entrance Details Advance at the Vancouver Washington Temple
Rising above the surrounding landscape in the community of Camas, the Vancouver Washington Temple is taking on a more finished appearance as stone cladding is attached to the fully sheathed building. At the main entrance, bronzed window trim is being installed around the large arched window above the doorway, accentuating this prominent architectural feature. The steel columns and beams of the portico are also being coated with primer in preparation for their finished treatment.
Photo: Michel Cochegrus
Landscaping and Interior Finishes Advance at the Querétaro Mexico Temple
Grass sod is being laid on the grounds of the Querétaro Mexico Temple as landscaping and site improvements advance around the white Spanish Colonial-style building. At night, exterior lighting highlights the temple’s architectural details and warmly illuminates its windows. Inside, finish work is progressing as crews continue preparing the sacred interior spaces for future ordinance work.
Photo: Templo de Santa Cruz, Bolivia Facebook page
Landscaping Takes Shape Around Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple
Landscaping work is further beautifying the grounds of the Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple. Newly established palm trees, landscape lighting, paved walkways, and landscaped flowerbeds are taking shape around the temple and entrance plaza. At the center of the plaza, the monument sign is illuminated at night, creating a prominent entrance feature and complementing the warmly lit temple behind it.
Photo: Jeff Goebel
Legal Challenges to Lone Mountain Nevada Temple Approval Conclude
On September 14, the Nevada Supreme Court dismissed two consolidated appeals filed by the Nevada Rural Preservation Alliance, leaving in place the district court ruling that upheld the City of Las Vegas’ approval of the Lone Mountain Nevada Temple. A separate petition that sought to halt construction was denied by the Supreme Court in January. With all three Supreme Court proceedings now concluded, construction can continue without legal challenges affecting the city’s approval of the project.
Photo: Brent R.
More Ticket Reservations Released for the Salt Lake Temple Open House
Additional reservations for public tours of the Salt Lake Temple have been released after the initial one million reservations were claimed within the first 24 hours. Free tours will run from April 5 through October 1, 2027, with another batch of reservations scheduled to be released October 1, 2026. Reservations are required to tour the temple and can be made through TempleSquare.org. The Church also plans to provide a virtual tour and other digital resources for those unable to visit in person.
Photo: W. Clayton Hudgins
Installing the Roof Decking on the Jacksonville Florida Temple
Structural framing continues to rise for the Jacksonville Florida Temple, as crews begin installing sections of roof decking. Below grade, the basement walls are in place, along with the concrete walls and footings for the baptismal font. Construction materials are staged throughout the site to support the ongoing construction. The masonry walls for the adjoining maintenance building have been completed and painted, bringing the supporting facility closer to completion.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Cincinnati Ohio Temple Groundbreaking Date Announced
Groundbreaking services for the Cincinnati Ohio Temple will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Elder Alan T. Phillips of the United States Northeast Area Presidency will preside at the event. The temple will rise on a 35-acre site located at the intersection of Mason-Montgomery Road and Cedar Village Drive in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 29,630 square feet (2,750 square meters).
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Date Announced for the La Paz Bolivia Temple
Groundbreaking services for the La Paz Bolivia Temple will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Elder Juan Pablo Villar, President of the South America Northwest Area of the Church, will preside at the event. The 18,850-square-foot temple will rise on a 3.8-acre site located near Avenida Los Sauces and Calle 8 de Calacoto in La Paz. It will be the third temple constructed in Bolivia, joining the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple and Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple.
Photo: William Phelps
Open House and Dedication Dates for the Smithfield Utah Temple
The public is invited to tour the newly completed Smithfield Utah Temple from Thursday, February 25, through Saturday, March 27, 2027 (excluding Sundays). The open house period will begin with a media day on Monday, February 22, followed by two days of tours for invited guests. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate temple on Sunday, April 18, 2027. The ceremony will be broadcast to all congregations in the temple district.
Photo: Lori Cruze
Knoxville Tennessee Temple Open House and Dedication Dates
A public open house for the Knoxville Tennessee Temple will be held from Wednesday, January 27, through Saturday, February 13, 2027 (excluding Sundays). The open house period will begin with a media day on Monday, January 25, followed by tours for invited guests on January 26. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple on Sunday, March 7, 2027. The service will be broadcast to all congregations in the temple district.
Photo: Tampa Florida Temple Facebook page
Precast Panels Advance on the Tampa Florida Temple
Precast concrete panels continue to be installed across the exterior of the Tampa Florida Temple, giving the building greater definition and steadily enclosing its structural frame. Inside, construction is advancing in the basement, where interior framing is underway alongside the installation of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems. The concrete base for the baptismal font has also been poured, establishing the foundation for one of the principal ordinance spaces.
Photo: Paul S. Cook
Welcome Center Trailer Placed at the Cincinnati Ohio Temple Site
A welcome center trailer now stands at the site of the Cincinnati Ohio Temple, providing a future gathering place for visitors. The trailer is not yet in use, as construction of the temple has not begun. Meanwhile, crews have been carrying out preliminary site development and preparation work for several months, gradually transforming the property ahead of construction. A date for the temple’s groundbreaking has not yet been announced.
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.
