News
Photo: Santiago García Gómez
Angel Moroni Added to the Salta Argentina Temple
On Thursday, November 24, a crane operator lifted a gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni to the top of the Salta Argentina Temple, marking a major milestone in the construction of the temple. It is the last temple to receive the once-traditional statue, as all other temples in planning have been designed with finials. The angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith in 1823 in one of the early events of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Photo: Mike Ladle
Asphalt Base Layer Laid at the Tallahassee Florida Temple Site
Additional hardscape elements have been installed at the Tallahassee Florida Temple site including curbing, gutters, and a base layer of asphalt in the parking areas. While crews prepare for more landscaping efforts, finish work on the interior continues. Air conditioning units pump dry, cool air into the building through flexible hoses to maintain the proper temperatures and humidity levels. Construction began almost 18 months ago.
Photo: John Lowe | J.H.L. Photography
Steel Frame Rising for the Farmington New Mexico Temple
The structural steel frame for the Farmington New Mexico Temple rises prominently over the chain-link fence that encloses the construction zone. A telescoping crane is used to lift and roughly position the heavy steel pieces into place. Farmington is the most populous city in the Four Corners region where Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico meet. The temple will serve members in this region including the Navajo Nation.
Photo: Shaquille Caburog Alcantara
Construction Activity at the Bacolod Philippines Temple Site
Construction of the Bacolod Philippines Temple met delays following last year's groundbreaking event, but contractors and heavy equipment have arrived on site and stirred up activity. Signage has been posted to the blue fence that surrounds the property, giving a variety of precautions, instructions, and project information. Bacolod is the capital of the Negros Occidental province.
Photo: Brent R.
Hardscaping the East Plaza of the Orem Utah Temple
At the east end of the Orem Utah Temple, concrete crews have poured a large circular slab that will serve as a gathering plaza for friends and family to receive newly sealed couples and families. Walkways and other hard elements are also being installed around the temple. Cladding of the exterior has progressed to the mechanical level and steeple. The temple is located near Utah Valley University where undergraduate enrollment has reached over 40,000 students.
Photo: Derek Au
Structural Framing for the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple
Construction crews in Cambodia are building the structural walls and columns for the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple. The reinforced concrete resists the shear, tensile, and compressive stresses that the building may encounter from wind, vibrations, earthquakes, and other forces. In addition to the 10,000-square-foot temple, an ancillary building is under construction to house supportive services and spaces.
Photo: James Turner
Open House Dates Released for the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple
An open house for the newly constructed Saratoga Springs Utah Temple will begin with a media day on Monday, April 10, followed by private tours for invited guests from April 11–14, 2023. Public tours will begin on Saturday, April 15, and continue through Saturday, July 8, 2023, with no tours held on Sundays. President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency will preside at the dedication on Sunday, August 13, 2023. The dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to all units in the temple district at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Elder Cook Dedicates the Quito Ecuador Temple
The Quito Ecuador Temple was dedicated by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Sunday, November 20, 2022. The first of three dedicatory sessions was held just two hours after the first dedicatory session for the Belém Brazil Temple. In his remarks, Elder Cook encouraged members to stay focused on the covenant path. He said: "The Savior’s Atonement is real, temple covenants are eternal, and we must not let distractions and rationalizations pull us away from the path that will lead us back to the Savior." The temple is the 175th temple of the Church in operation and the second to be constructed in Ecuador.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Belém Brazil Temple Dedicated by Elder Renlund
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the dedication of the Belém Brazil Temple on Sunday, November 20, 2022. The city is located in northern Brazil at the mouth of the Amazon River. Elder Renlund used the city's proximity to the river to draw a comparison between the yielding of the Amazon to the biannual equinoxes, which produces a tidal bore known as "pororoca," to our own yielding to God. He said, "The Amazon River has no choice but to yield to heavenly power. But we do have a choice. We receive power only if we bind ourselves to God by sacred covenants." The Belém Brazil Temple is the ninth dedicated temple in Brazil.
Photo: Carlos Humberto Rojas Quispe
Lighting the Exterior of the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple
Members in Lima have been captivated in recent evenings by the beauty of the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple. The exterior lighting system has been installed, and technicians are testing and making adjustments to properly illuminate the building. The light reflects beautifully off the shiny stone exterior, and interior light fixtures backlight the colorful stained glass. It is the second temple to be constructed in the Lima Metro.
Photo: Robert O'Connor
Excavation Underway for the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
Excavation activity has begun at the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple site where a groundbreaking ceremony was held last month. Visitors to the construction site are invited to visit the Welcome Center trailer on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. The missionary couple are happy to answer questions and to provide additional information on the current status of the temple and upcoming plans.
Photo: Jaren Bracken
Belt Course Installed at the Deseret Peak Utah Temple
Stone installers have made considerable progress on the upper walls of the Deseret Peak Utah Temple including installation of an ornamental belt course just below the parapet. The beautifully carved cream-colored stone features representations of the cliffrose and silvery lupine flowers. The on-site maintenance building has been framed and sheathed, and rough plumbing runs have been made in the meetinghouse.
Photo: Linda Johnson
Parking Lot Curbing at the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple
Concrete crews at the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple have begun to hardscape the entrance plaza and install curbing for the north parking lot. Granite cladding is being secured to the exterior at the southwest corner of the building while some painting and millwork is making progress on the interior. Visitors can ask questions and watch construction from the observation deck at the Welcome Center trailer.
Photo: Puebla Mexico Valsequillo Stake
Moroni Is Installed on the Puebla Mexico Temple
On Wednesday, November 16, a gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni was secured to the top of the Puebla Mexico Temple steeple, two weeks shy of the three-year anniversary of the groundbreaking. Cladding of the exterior is wrapping up on the final side of the building, leaving just parapets to be clad. The Puebla temple is the only temple in Mexico currently under construction, but groundbreaking dates have been announced for the Torreón Mexico Temple and Querétaro Mexico Temple.
Photo: Kent Barton
Refurbishing the East Tower of the Manti Utah Temple
Scaffolding has been fully removed from the refurbished west tower of the Manti Utah Temple, and plastic sheeting has been wrapped around the east tower, shielding the structure from the freezing outdoor temperatures. The east tower will receive the same treatments as the west tower including a new fiberglass finish, gel coat, and roof shingles. All leaks are being remedied, which have been a problem at the historic temple for years.
Photo: Elder Gordon Clark
Stone Cladding the Alabang Philippines Temple
Behind a maze of scaffolding planks and standards, stone cladding moves up the exterior walls of the Alabang Philippines Temple while abundant construction activity continues on the interior. The temple and adjoining housing facility are rising on a 2.6-acre property in Filinvest City, a central business district that began to be developed in 1995 on former farmland.
Photo: Colleen Donovan
Exterior Lighting Installation for the Moses Lake Washington Temple
Accent lighting has been installed on the roof of the Moses Lake Washington Temple to illuminate the steeple and upper walls of the building. Construction observers have been thrilled by the initial lighting tests, which provide a preview of how the temple will appear each night once the full lighting system has been installed and placed on a timed schedule. The views of the temple are especially spectacular from the interstate.
Photo: Andres Salazar
Antofagasta Chile Temple Construction Worker Baptized
Construction crews have been positively affected by the work of building the Antofagasta Chile Temple. One worker was baptized on Saturday, November 12, and warmly welcomed into his ward family. On the north end of the temple, base walls have been poured for the steeple. A rectangular indentation beneath the steeple is where the Holiness to the Lord plaque will be installed.
Photo: Creative Dog Media
Opening Dates Announced for the Richmond Virginia Temple
The First Presidency has announced the open house and dedication dates for the Richmond Virginia Temple. The open house will begin with a media day held on Monday, March 20, followed by tours for invited guests from March 21–24, 2023. The general public is invited to tour the temple from Saturday, March 25, through Saturday, April 15, 2023 with no tours held on Sundays or Saturday, April 1 (during general conference). The temple will be dedicated on Sunday, May 7, 2023 with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presiding. The dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to all units in the temple district at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m.
Photo: Latter-day Saints in Central Ohio
Columbus Ohio Temple Open House and Rededication Announced
An open house has been announced for the newly renovated Columbus Ohio Temple, beginning with a media day on Monday, April 24, followed by tours for invited guests from April 25–28, 2023. Public tours will be held from Saturday, April 29 through Saturday, May 13, 2023 with no tours held on Sundays. President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve of the Apostles will preside at the rededication on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to all units in the temple district at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m.
Photo: Denis François Ruckterstuhl
Urdaneta Philippines Temple Guardhouse Erected
Bright white clouds drift over the Urdaneta Philippines Temple site where construction and landscaping efforts continue. Concrete posts have been installed for a pedestrian gateway next to the guardhouse that connects with the main fence along the highway. Ornamental trees are being planted on the grounds, joining the existing trees that were preserved at the rear of the property and between the temple and ancillary buildings.
Photo: Nancy Hymas
Framing of the Grand Junction Colorado Temple Begins
With rough plumbing and foundation work for the Grand Junction Colorado Temple drawing closer to completion, the first steel beams and columns have been set for the structural frame of the building. The temple will serve members living in the Western Slope region of Colorado. The name Grand Junction comes from the city's location at the confluence (or junction) of the Upper Colorado River (formerly the Grand River) and the Gunnison River.
Photo: Kondro Yao Theodore
Monument Sign Base for the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
On the north side of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, the concrete base for the monument sign sits along Rue I30 in line with the temple entrance. The ornamental fence and retaining wall jog in at the sign, creating a garden space for the flowers that will be planted. Construction of the temple began four years ago with a groundbreaking ceremony presided by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Photo: Landon Vernon
Forming the Upper Walls of the Lindon Utah Temple
Crews are already forming and pouring the upper walls of the Lindon Utah Temple. The north and south sides each feature a tall arched window at the center. The north window opening has been completed, and framing is in place for the south opening. Lindon was originally settled in 1861 and was called "String Town" because of the way that houses were strung up and down the street from Orem to Pleasant Grove. It was renamed Lindon in 1901, as inspired by an old linden tree growing in town.
Palm Trees Planted at the Mendoza Argentina Temple
Stone cladding has been installed on the north and west sides of the Mendoza Argentina Temple, and landscapers have planted beautiful palm trees near the exterior walls. Cladding will progress to the south before reaching the east (front) side. The temple will bring sacred ordinance work much closer to the Saints in the region who have had to travel over 600 km (370 mi) to the Córdoba Argentina Temple or cross the Andes Mountains to the Santiago Chile Temple.
Photo: Jonas Scoubes
Feather River California Temple District Information
The seven stakes that will belong to the Feather River California Temple district have been confirmed. They are the Anderson California Stake, Chico California Stake, Gridley California Stake, Lincoln California Stake, Redding California Stake, Ukiah California Stake, and Yuba City California Stake. The temple has been under construction for nearly 28 months and is expected to be completed next year.
Photo: fm
Forming the Upper Walls of the Davao Philippines Temple
The Davao Philippines Temple is gradually making its upward ascent. The upper walls are being formed and poured while rebar has been set for the steeple base. At the back of the property, structural walls for the new meetinghouse and ancillary building are also rising. The temple celebrates its two-year groundbreaking anniversary next Monday.
Photo: Google
Location of the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple Announced
The location of the Grand Rapids Michigan Temple has been announced as a 10.5-acre site located at 2400 Forest Hill Avenue in Grand Rapids. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 20,000 square feet. Detailed design plans are still under development, and project leaders will soon begin working with city officials on preliminary approvals. An exterior rendering and groundbreaking date will be released in the future.
Photo: Becky Myers
Construction Fence Removed from the Bentonville Arkansas Temple
It's the two-year anniversary of the Bentonville Arkansas Temple groundbreaking, and the autumn sun has graciously provided a halo around the dome. The construction fence has been removed from the temple site, but signage on the permanent fence indicates that the area is still a construction zone. Pansies and ornamental cabbage have been planted in some of the garden spaces while interior finish work continues to progress.
Photo: Marshall Thompson
Pavers Installed Around the Layton Utah Temple Water Feature
The installation of pavers is almost finished around the water feature at the Layton Utah Temple entrance. Lamp posts and floodlighting poles stand on concrete bases next to the walkways, and irrigation lines have been run to the circular flower pots on the porch and entrance plaza. The softscape is also progressing with most of the east, south, and west sides planted. Grass sod and mulch are filling in the garden spaces.
