News
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.
Public Invited to Tour the Asunción Paraguay Temple
Free tours of the renovated interior of the Asunción Paraguay Temple will be offered to the public beginning this Saturday, October 12, and concluding next Saturday, October 19. Hours are 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. on Monday–Wednesday; 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday; and closed on Sunday. Tours will begin with a 10-minute video presentation followed by a 30-minute walking tour of the temple. Watch a video featuring views of the interior and exterior of the temple.
Exterior Rendering Released for the Layton Utah Temple
As project leaders prepare to file plans and public documents for the Layton Utah Temple with the City of Layton, an official rendering of the three-story, 87,000-square-foot House of the Lord has been released to the public. No groundbreaking date has yet been determined.
Final Months of Construction at the Durban South Africa Temple
The interior of the Durban South Africa Temple gets closer to completion each day with mirrors and artwork mounted, floral arrangements in place, audio-visual equipment operational, the recommend desk completed, furniture touched up, more light fixtures hung, and carpet sculpting underway. Installers are preparing to attach surveillance equipment to the camera poles, and landscaping efforts continue with the addition of trees and the establishment of flourishing plants, flowers, and hedges.
Parking Lot Expansion at the Cedar City Utah Temple
The level of ordinance work at the Cedar City Utah Temple has remained high since its dedication almost two years ago. To accommodate the demand, the number of endowment sessions offered per day has increased to fourteen. With the closure of the St. George Utah Temple next month, even more sessions will be offered, and the number of parking spaces is being increased. Construction work is already underway on creating an additional lot.
President Nelson Announces Eight New Temples
In his closing remarks at the General Women's Session of the 189th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct eight new temples: Freetown Sierra Leone Temple, Orem Utah Temple, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple, Bentonville Arkansas Temple, Bacolod Philippines Temple, McAllen Texas Temple, Cobán Guatemala Temple, and Taylorsville Utah Temple.
Young Men and Women Invited to Tour the Asunción Paraguay Temple
Prior to the opening of the Asunción Paraguay Temple to public tours on Saturday, October 12, 2019, local Young Men and Young Women groups are invited to take a special tour of the renovated temple on Monday, October 7, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The temple has been closed for renovation for the past two years.
Setting Forms for the Parapet Walls of the Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple
A new video taken at the Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple construction site shows workers setting forms for the parapet walls that will stand atop the main floor exterior walls and rise above the roof. Structural work remains to be done on the temple tower, and the foundation remains exposed.
Procedural Adjustments Announced for Witnessing Ordinances
The First Presidency has announced procedural adjustments for the two individuals who serve as witnesses to living and proxy baptisms and sealing ordinances effective immediately: (1) Any member holding a current temple recommend, including a limited-use recommend, may serve as a witness to a proxy baptism. (2) Any endowed member with a current temple recommend may serve as a witness to a living or proxy sealing. (3) Any baptized member of the Church, including children and youth, may serve as a witness to the baptism of a living person.
Open House Concludes for the Frankfurt Germany Temple
Nearly 29,000 visitors toured the renovated and expanded Frankfurt Germany Temple during its 16-day public open house, which concluded on Saturday. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will rededicate the temple on Sunday, October 20, 2019.
Parking Lots Paved at the Pocatello Idaho Temple
The parking lots and driveways for the Pocatello Idaho Temple were paved with asphalt this week while backfilling of the foundation continues. Installation of the concrete block for the retaining walls is finished. Large shipments of structural and corrugated steel are on site, ready to create the superstructure of the temple once the main floor slab has been poured. The foundation walls on the south side of the building have been painted in a black waterproofing mastic and are being insulated with foam board.
Exterior Refurbishment Advancing at the Hamilton New Zealand Temple
The exterior walls of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple have been repainted, and scaffolding has been removed from the west side of the temple and from around the spire as exterior refurbishment progresses. Work continues on the interior and on the surrounding facilities including the visitors' center and the missionary and patron housing buildings.
Rendering, Location Released for Feather River California Temple
An official rendering of the Feather River California Temple has been released, and the location of the temple site has been identified as a 9-acre parcel where the stake center for the Yuba City California Stake is located at 1470 Butte House Road. The existing stake center will be demolished and replaced by the 38,000-square-foot temple, a new stake center, and a distribution center. Additional exterior and interior renderings will be made public at a later date. Project leaders will soon begin work with city officials and will submit public documents in the coming months. No date has been announced for the groundbreaking ceremony.
Tooele Valley Utah Temple to Be Constructed in Erda
The location of the Tooele Valley Utah Temple has been officially announced as northwest of the intersection of Erda Way and Highway 36 in the community of Erda. The temple will be a three-story building of approximately 70,000 square feet with an adjacent 20,000-square-foot meetinghouse. 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.
Groundbreaking Announced for the Puebla Mexico Temple
Construction of the Puebla Mexico Temple will formally begin on Saturday, November 30, 2019. Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela, president of the Mexico Area, will preside at the groundbreaking ceremony. Attendance at the temple site will be by invitation with the services being transmitted via internet to stake centers in the proposed temple district.
Monument Sign Installed at the Durban South Africa Temple
The handsome monument sign welcoming patrons and guests to the Durban South Africa Temple has been installed at the entrance to the temple grounds where trees and shrubbery continue to be planted. Exterior stonework and work on the entrance plaza also continues. Inside, more art glass has been installed and draperies hung. Decorative painting has concluded. Various aspects of finish work is advancing including millwork and termination of electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, networking, and fire suppression.
Preparing for Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple Open House
The construction barrier at the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple has come down, and members are inviting their family and friends to next month's open house. The contractor has recently finished work on a parking lot drainage system, and beautiful plants and flowers now surround the entire building.
Installing Asphalt at the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple
Pavers have begun installing asphalt in the parking lots surrounding the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple and adjoining stake center. Soft landscaping is also underway with trees being planted along the driveway that leads to the temple complex. Excellent progress has been achieved on the brick exterior of the stake center.
Guatemala Missionary Training Center to Close
A news release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the closure of the Guatemala Missionary Training Center, located on the block northwest of the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple, effective January 2020. The closure of the facility will allow for better utilization of the Mexico MTC, which has accommodations for large groups of missionaries learning the Spanish language. Future use of the Guatemala building will be determined in consultation with local leaders.
Tours of the Raleigh North Carolina Temple Begin Saturday
Following 20 months of renovation, the beautiful Raleigh North Carolina Temple opens its doors to the public beginning this Saturday, September 21, and continuing through next Saturday, September 28, 2019, except for Sunday, September 22. The redesigned exterior improves the building's massing with a taller, more substantial tower, an enclosed portico, beige-colored limestone cladding, and new art glass windows.
Preparing for Main Floor at the Pocatello Idaho Temple
In preparation for pouring the main floor slab at the Pocatello Idaho Temple, steel beams and a metal floor deck have been installed over the basement walls with visible cut-outs for the stairs and elevators. On the north side of the structure, crews are backfilling the concrete walls and leveling the dirt inside. More concrete is being poured on the west side including the entrance canopy footings. The retaining structures on the east end of the site have nearly reached street level. Curbing continues to be added, giving more definition to the driveways and parking lots.
Porto Alegre Brazil Temple Parking Lot Expansion
The undersized parking lot at the Porto Alegre Brazil Temple is being expanded to the east to provide approximately 40 more spaces, doubling the capacity of the current lot. The homes that once occupied the land were razed in 2015 to make way for the expansion. This is not the first time that post-dedication construction has taken place at the temple site. In 2010, construction began on a four-story patron housing facility that was completed in 2013. It is located at the northeast corner of the temple grounds.
