News
Dewatering the Pocatello Idaho Temple Site
Massive amounts of dirt have been removed from the Pocatello Idaho Temple site, leaving a large excavation area for the temple foundation, which has collected moisture. A drainage pump is dewatering the site while dirt continues to be removed from other sections of the lot. To achieve relatively flat ground, retaining structures will be incorporated into the hard landscaping including a large retaining wall along the rear side of the property bordering Legacy Drive.
Salt Lake Temple Renovation Plans Unveiled
President Russell M. Nelson announced at a news conference on April 19, 2019, that the Salt Lake Temple will close on December 29, 2019, for approximately four years for a major renovation and restoration project including improvements to the surrounding grounds and facilities. The temple is expected to reopen in 2024 when guests will be invited to tour the interior during an open house. The project will address seismic issues by creating a base isolation system for the temple foundation. Aging mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will be replaced inside the building, and the interior will be refreshed while preserving its historic details. The existing annex and north-side addition (built in the 1960s) will be demolished and replaced. The South Visitors’ Center will also be replaced with two visitor pavilions. In the future, the temple will be accessible through a patron tunnel from the Conference Center parking facility or from patron pavilions located on the north side of the temple connecting to the recommend desk area and grand hall featuring large skylights with generous views of the temple.
Angel Moroni Returns to the Tokyo Japan Temple
Numerous members in Tokyo gathered to the Tokyo Japan Temple yesterday to witness the installation of the angel Moroni statue atop the spire. The temple closed approximately 18 months ago for an extensive renovation project. Members look forward to the reopening of the temple and to participating regularly in temple ordinances.
Demolition of the Yigo Chapel Underway
With two weeks remaining before ground is formally broken for the Yigo Guam Temple, demolition crews have arrived on site to carry out removal of the existing building. The temple will be constructed where the meetinghouse currently stands, and a new meetinghouse will be constructed on the field behind the temple.
Clearing the Quito Ecuador Temple Site
In preparation for next month's groundbreaking ceremony for the Quito Ecuador Temple, heavy equipment is on site clearing the ground and hauling away brush and debris. View a video of the activity. The groundbreaking is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 11, with Elder Enrique R. Falabella presiding.
North Reflection Pool Coming Back to Mesa Arizona Temple
Watch the mid-April video update for the Mesa Arizona Temple to see exciting developments at the temple grounds including forms that have been set for the new reflection pool on the north side of the temple. Square excavations are also appearing for the gardens that will flank the pool. Trees have been planted along the west side of the temple and between the pageant grounds and temple grounds. Footings and rebar can be seen for several new landscape structures.
Vernal Utah Temple Parking Expansion
Plans are underway to create additional parking and landscaping at the Vernal Utah Temple. Last year, the Church presented plans for a parking lot on the block east of the temple where the Church had acquired six residences and an empty lot. As City staff examined the request, however, they recommended that the street directly east of the temple and stake center also be vacated, which was approved by the City Council following a public hearing. A revised concept plan was created incorporating beautiful landscaping in front of the temple. The Vernal Planning Commission voted on the revised plan last week, recommending approval of a conditional use permit to the City Council.
Refurbishing the Exterior Walls of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple
The crisp white walls of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple are currently undergoing cleaning and refurbishment. Crews have erected scaffolding around the building, leaving only the spire clearly in view. For over 60 years, this House of the Lord has stood as New Zealand's only temple, but plans are now underway for construction of the Auckland New Zealand Temple.
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple Dedicated
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided today over the dedication of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple, the first temple in the country, the fourth in Africa, and the 163rd operating temple of the Church. Elder Renlund and his wife, Ruth, spoke to hundreds of youth at a devotional held at the stake center on the temple grounds. "It is an amazing blessing to have the temple in Kinshasa. Members will no longer have to travel far to receive the blessings of the temple," said Elder Renlund. He also taught, "When we are endowed, we covenant to follow Jesus Christ’s example and dedicate our whole life to Him."
New Staircase Uncovered at the Bountiful Utah Temple
The grounds renovation continues on the east side of the Bountiful Utah Temple where the newly formed stairs and landscape walls are visible. Trees stand on a nearby mound of dirt ready for planting when the time arrives. The temple was dedicated almost 25 years ago on January 8, 1995.
Hard Landscaping at the Raleigh North Carolina Temple
Concrete blocks have been set in place in front of the entrance to the Raleigh North Carolina Temple to create planter boxes that will flank the main walkway to the front doors. Crews continue to set forms, build gravel beds, and pour concrete for the walkways that will travel around the building. Numerous trees have been delivered to the construction site waiting to be planted.
Plenty of Planting at the Frankfurt Germany Temple
Truckloads of trees, shrubs, and groundcover have been delivered to the Frankfurt Germany Temple to be planted across the grounds of the temple complex. Hard landscaping efforts continue as well including the installation of lamp posts, the laying of walkway pavers, and the pouring of new concrete staircases.
Memphis Tennessee Temple Opens for Public Tours
The public is invited to tour the renovated Memphis Tennessee Temple beginning this Saturday, April 13, and continuing through next Saturday, April 20, 2019, excluding Sunday, April 14. The temple was dedicated 19 years ago on April 23, 2000. It will be rededicated by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Sunday, May 5, 2019.
Oxen Installed in Durban South Africa Temple Baptistry
In the baptistry of the Durban South Africa Temple, the oxen have been unpacked and installed under the font. Mahogany doors and frames are being fitted. Marble cladding of the grand staircase continues as does millwork, tiling, painting, electrical, plumbing, data, fire suppression, and HVAC. Interior light fixtures have been installed on two floors while positioning and testing is underway for the exterior lighting system. Landscaping efforts are progressing including laying stone for the fountain medallion, cladding the property entrance walls, and laying sod.
Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple Palm Trees
Newly planted palm trees have appeared around the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple as landscaping efforts continue. Irrigation lines are being laid in the flowerbeds, lamp posts are being installed around the parking areas, and more curbing and walkways are being poured. The open house begins the first Saturday in August.
Construction Update on the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple
Construction crews are making good progress on the renovation of the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple. The monument sign has been completed, lamp posts are being installed, and little remains to finish the exterior stone cladding. The temporary glass that is currently in the window openings will eventually be replaced by stained glass.
San Juan Puerto Rico Temple Site Cleared
Demolition of the meetinghouse for the Trujillo Alto Ward has been completed, and the land has been cleared in preparation for the groundbreaking ceremony for the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple on Saturday, May 4, 2019. The temple will be the third in the Caribbean, joining the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple and the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple.
President Nelson Announces Eight New Temples
In his concluding remarks at the Sunday Afternoon Session of the 189th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct eight new temples: Pago Pago American Samoa Temple, Okinawa Japan Temple, Neiafu Tonga Temple, Tooele Valley Utah Temple, Moses Lake Washington Temple, San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple, Antofagasta Chile Temple, and Budapest Hungary Temple.
Structural Framing Begins for the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple
A crane is lifting steel beams into place over the concrete foundation and floor slab for the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple, as work commences on the superstructure of the building. The structural framing will form the sturdy roof and exterior walls of the temple. Next door, interior framing is underway at the meetinghouse.
Renovation Finished for the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple
Construction was completed on the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple earlier this week, and the building was turned over to the Church on Tuesday, April 2. The temple will be prepared for an open house beginning Wednesday, April 24, and concluding Wednesday, May 1. President Eyring will rededicate the temple on Sunday, May 19, 2019.
Landscaping Nearly Completed at the Arequipa Peru Temple
The verdant grounds of the Arequipa Peru Temple are teeming with life including the recently added palm trees, plants, flowers, ground cover, and sod. A monument sign has been placed on the south side of the property, and temporary glass has been installed in all of the window openings, including the cupola.
Wrapping Up the Oakland California Temple Renovation
With a month remaining before the open house begins for the Oakland California Temple, subcontractors are quickly working through the punch list to complete the renovation. Numerous flowers are ready to be planted, parking lot asphalt is ready to be laid, walkways are being poured, and the final interior finish work is underway.
Seeking Volunteers for the Lisbon Portugal Temple Open House
Numerous volunteer opportunities are available for the open house and dedication of the Lisbon Portugal Temple. If you would be willing to assist, please register as a volunteer. The open house will be held August 17–31, 2019. And the temple will be dedicated on Sunday, September 15, 2019.
Memphis Tennessee Temple: A Race to the Finish
Over the past few weeks, Memphis-area members have been praying and fasting for a timely completion of the Memphis Tennessee Temple, and miracles have taken place. A staggering amount of work has been accomplished in a matter of days as the general contractor has prepared the temple to be transferred to the Church this week. Just eleven days remain before guests arrive for the open house.
Landscaping Progress at the Durban South Africa Temple
The grounds of the Durban South Africa Temple are looking even more beautiful as crews clad the property entrance walls in sandstone, create a sandstone medallion pattern around the water feature, lay pavers in the parking area, pour walkways, and position security camera poles across the site. Finish work continues at all stages inside the temple including millwork, tiling, painting, plumbing, and installing data, electrical, and fire suppression equipment.
Sunrise at the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple
A beautiful sunrise photograph shows the aqua-colored patina on the spire of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple. Scaffolding has been placed around the pedestal of the steeple as workers prepare to the clad the concrete structure in stone. The angel Moroni was placed atop the spire five weeks ago on Friday, February 22, 2019.
Oakland California Temple Open House Reservations
Free reservations are now available to tour the interior of the newly renovated Oakland California Temple at a public open house beginning Saturday, May 11, and continuing through Saturday, June 1, 2019, except for Sundays. Following the open house, the temple will be rededicated on Sunday, June 16, 2019.
Latest Video Update on the Mesa Arizona Temple
Watch the latest video update on the Mesa Arizona Temple renovation project where over 100 new trees have found a home on the north lawn of the temple grounds. Roof work has been completed over the temple annex and portions of the temple proper, but the west entrance remains wide open. Concrete forms are in place for landscaping elements that are appearing between the north lawn and the more formal temple grounds.
Landscaping the Raleigh North Carolina Temple Grounds
With the exterior of the Raleigh North Carolina Temple completed, the focus has turned to landscaping the grounds and finishing the interior. Numerous trees and bushes are being planted while concrete walkways are poured and decorative fencing is installed. The temple closed just under 15 months ago, and renovation work has progressed at a steady pace.
Preliminary Plans Submitted for Richmond Virginia Temple
On March 22, 2019, preliminary plans for the Richmond Virginia Temple were submitted to Henrico County. The plans propose a two-story, 36,200-square-foot temple with a large steeple capped with an angel Moroni statue, an adjoining 16,200-square-foot meetinghouse, a maintenance building, extensive landscaping, and a total of 240 parking spaces.
