News
Presidents Called for Temples in Winnipeg, Yigo, and San Juan
The First Presidency has called the temple president and matron for three temples that are under construction. George L. and Linda A. Spencer have been called to oversee activities in the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple. Marlo O. and Memnet P. Lopez will serve patrons of the Yigo Guam Temple. And Justo P. and Lucy R. Casablanca will have charge over the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple.
Concept Plan for the Tooele Valley Utah Temple
A concept plan for the Tooele Valley Utah Temple has been submitted with a rezoning application for the 167 acres of Church-owned property in Erda, Utah, where the temple and an adjoining meetinghouse will be constructed. Several housing developments and open spaces have been proposed for the property surrounding the temple grounds. The temple is anticipated to be similar in size and dimensions to the Pocatello Idaho Temple. A question-and-answer meeting was recently held with Tooele-area priesthood leaders and representatives from Church headquarters. No groundbreaking date has been scheduled, but it may be held as early as this fall.
Columbus Ohio Temple to Close for Renovation
On August 15, 2020, the Columbus Ohio Temple will close for extensive renovation. It is currently closed temporarily, along with all other temples, due to COVID-19. During the renovation, members of the Church in the temple district are encouraged to attend the Indianapolis Indiana Temple and Detroit Michigan Temple. The temple is expected to reopen in late 2022, but specific dates and details will be announced as the renovation nears completion.
Exterior Tarps Coming Down at the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple
The brickwork and stonework on the exterior of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple is being revealed as orange tarps that have clung to the building for the last several months are removed. Work started on the east side of the temple, moved to the rear, and then to the west, finally reaching the front side a few weeks ago.
March Video Update for the Mesa Arizona Temple
The beauty and symmetry of the 20-acre grounds surrounding the Mesa Arizona Temple are on display in the latest video update, showing the progress being made on installation of ornamental fencing and other landscaping elements. Construction continues across the street on Church-owned projects including the impressive Discovery Center. A complete renovation of the interior spaces of the temple is also progressing.
First Presidency Announces Temporary Closure of All Temples
A letter issued today from the First Presidency to all Church members states: "After careful and prayerful consideration, and with a desire to be responsible global citizens, we have decided to suspend all temple activity Churchwide at the end of the day on March 25, 2020. This is a temporary adjustment, and we look forward to the day when the temples will reopen. Please be assured of our sincere love and appreciation for your devotion and faith."
Forty-Eight Temples Remain Operating on a Restricted Basis
With 7 temples closed for renovation and 113 temples now closed in response to the novel coronavirus, just 48 temples remain operating on a restricted, appointment-only basis for living ordinances. No temples are operating in Africa, Asia, or Europe. Just 1 temple operates in South America and 2 in Oceania. There are 45 temples still operating in North America. View the temples map to see the distribution of closures.
Scaffolding Reaches St. George Utah Temple Tower
An addition has been made to the scaffolding on the east side of the St. George Utah Temple that gives crews access to the roof and to the octagonal tower, capped with a weathervane. A large mound of dirt sits in front of the temple where landscaping was removed. It will be replaced with a patron plaza featuring palm trees, a tiered water fountain feature, and large garden spaces.
Over 100 Temples Close in Response to the Novel Coronavirus
As the number of temporary temple closures grows to over 100, we remember a passage from the dedicatory prayer of the Salt Lake Temple: "Or when the children of Thy people, in years to come, shall be separated, through any cause, from this place, and their hearts shall turn in remembrance of Thy promises to this holy Temple, and they shall cry unto Thee from the depths of their affliction and sorrow to extend relief and deliverance to them, we humbly entreat Thee to Turn Thine ear in mercy to them; hearken to their cries, and grant unto them the blessings for which they ask."
Foundation Work Underway for the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple
Concrete forms and rebar are being set for the foundation of the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple. After several weeks of blasting through bedrock and excavating a large cavity, work is now underway on constructing the actual building. The 87,000-square-foot temple will be the fifth in Utah County. The Orem Utah Temple has been announced as the county's sixth.
Over Half of All Temples Closed Temporarily
As efforts continue to stem the tide of COVID-19 transmission, the number of temples that have temporarily closed has reached 88—over half of all operating temples. Those that remain open operate on a restricted basis that complies with all government regulations regarding large public gatherings. All Church historic sites and many Church distribution retail stores have also closed.
COVID-19 Restrictions Increase Temple Closures to 58
Government restrictions have been imposed in more jurisdictions, bringing the total of COVID-19-related temple closures to 58. In addition, further adjustments have been announced to missionary service and to the format of the April 2020 General Conference, which will originate from a small auditorium on Temple Square with pre-recorded music and attendance limited to the First Presidency and those who will be speaking or praying in that session.
Laying Sod at the Washington D.C. Temple
Strips of deep green grass are appearing on the Washington D.C. Temple grounds, directly in front of the main entrance and water feature. A new railing was recently installed around the rear side of the visitors' center, which has been temporarily closed. The temple is anticipated to open to the public for an open house period beginning in late September.
Opening of Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple Postponed
In response to government guidelines that seek to limit the spread of COVID-19, the public open house and dedication of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple have been postponed until large public gatherings are deemed safe. Originally, the open house was to be held Friday, April 17, through Saturday, May 2, 2020. And the dedication was to be held on Sunday, May 17, 2020. An announcement with the revised opening dates will be made later.
Salt Lake Temple's Moroni Loses Grasp on Trumpet During Earthquake
A 5.7-magnitude earthquake rolled across the Salt Lake Valley this morning, dislodging the trumpet from Moroni's grip and underscoring the need for the base isolation system and other seismic upgrades planned for the Salt Lake Temple. Excavation along the foundation is well underway on the south side of the temple where an underground tunnel has been removed. On the east side of the temple, the iconic wooden doors have been temporarily replaced with construction doors to be used during the renovation.
Site Plan Rendering for the Urdaneta Philippines Temple
A site plan rendering has been attached to the construction barrier surrounding the site of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple. The rendering shows the temple, accommodation center, and maintenance building from an aerial perspective. Work continues on pouring the exterior walls for the temple. It will be the third temple built in the Philippines with four more announced for Alabang, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao.
List of Temporary Temple Closures Reaches 40
As worldwide efforts advance to contain the spread of COVID-19, more temples that were operating on a restricted basis have fully closed, including all of the temples in the state of California, bringing the total number of closures to 40. A few that had closed before March 13 have reopened on an appointment-only basis for living ordinances. Strict limits on attendance are observed that comply with all government guidelines.
Pocatello Idaho Temple Groundbreaking Anniversary
The Pocatello Idaho Temple reached its groundbreaking anniversary today. In just a year's time, both the substructure and superstructure of the building have been erected, an expansive retaining wall installed, all parking lots paved, and the maintenance building constructed. The work is currently focused on enclosing the temple so that interior work may move forward. A beautiful sunset created the perfect backdrop for this heavenly House of the Lord.
Construction Moving Forward in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Tarps are stretching across the front of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple as bricklayers make their way around the building and up the facade. The windowed tower, still covered in foam board insulation, will also be covered in brick. Winter weather is expected to subside over the next couple of months, removing the hindrance of cold temperatures and allowing construction to move ahead at an accelerated pace.
Additional Temporary Temple Closures Announced
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, several more temples across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia will be fully closed temporarily as governments issue guidelines for public gatherings that preclude the operation of those temples. On Monday, March 16, all other temples worldwide will operate on a restricted basis to allow initiatory, endowment, and sealing ordinances to proceed for the living only.
Temporary Adjustments Announced for Temple Worship
The First Presidency has announced temporary adjustments to the participation in temple ordinances for all temples worldwide effective March 16, 2020: (1) Proxy and living ordinances are suspended where government restrictions on public/religious gatherings preclude it. (2) Where no such restrictions are in force, ordinances for the living are accommodated by appointment including sealing, endowment, and initiatory ordinances. Proxy ordinance work is temporarily suspended. (3) All patron housing is closed.
June Groundbreaking Announced for the Auckland New Zealand Temple
Elder Ian S. Ardern, president of the Pacific Area, will preside at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Auckland New Zealand Temple on Saturday, June 13, 2020. Attendance at the temple site is by invitation, with the general public invited to watch the proceedings live from local meetinghouses in New Zealand. The temple will stand on Redoubt Road in Manukau between the New Zealand Missionary Training Center and the stake center for the Auckland New Zealand Redoubt Stake. It is the second temple to be constructed in New Zealand.
More Temporary Temple Closures Announced
As precautions against the spread of the COVID-19 virus continue to be taken across the globe, the Church has proceeded with the temporary closure of additional temples including the Asunción Paraguay Temple, Boston Massachusetts Temple, Copenhagen Denmark Temple, Louisville Kentucky Temple, and Manhattan New York Temple. The latest announcement brings the total number of virus-related temple closures to fourteen—two of which were already closed for renovation.
Scaffolding Comes Down Around the Hamilton New Zealand Temple
The stacks of scaffolding that have surrounded the body of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple for the past year have been removed, leaving just a few sections around the steeple and ground floor. While exterior refurbishment nears completion, interior work continues on the temple and its supporting facilities including a visitors' center, arrival center, and accommodation facilities.
Relief Society Visit to the Quito Ecuador Temple
To commemorate the anniversary month of the organization of the Relief Society, the sisters of the Ponceano Ward of the Quito Ecuador La Ofelia Stake visited the construction site of the Quito Ecuador Temple. The walls of a beautiful tower are rising over the center of the temple while construction progresses simultaneously on a patron housing facility. The Relief Society is the largest women's organization in the world. It was formed 178 years ago this month on March 17, 1842.
Vancouver British Columbia Temple Joins List of Temporary Closures
The Vancouver British Columbia Temple has become Canada's first temporary temple closure by the Church in response to concern over transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Vancouver is located about 140 miles (230 km) north of Seattle, Washington, where the most coronavirus cases in the United States has been reported. Closure of the Seattle Washington Temple occurred on Saturday.
Setting Forms for the Praia Cabo Verde Temple Foundation
Construction crews are setting concrete forms around the bands of rebar located atop the footings for the Praia Cabo Verde Temple foundation. At the center of the building, where the baptismal font will be located, preparations for more complex concrete work are underway. Soil platforms were created for the buildings that will be retained with short block walls and ornamental fencing. Foundation work has not yet started for the meetinghouse.
A 360-Degree View of the Pocatello Idaho Temple
Get an overhead view of all sides of the Pocatello Idaho Temple by watching the latest aerial flyover. Outstanding progress has been made on the sublime structure, which has been under construction for just under a year. Interior framing is underway on the main floor while sheathing, sealing, window installation, and granite cladding continues on the exterior.
Seattle Washington Temple Temporarily Closes
Following the recommendations of local public health agencies, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the temporary closure of the Seattle Washington Temple in response to concerns over the COVID-19 virus. It is the first temple in the United States to close in response to the virus, joining yesterday's announcement of the closure of the Rome Italy Temple and previous announcements of the temples in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.
Neighbor Meeting Held for the Orem Utah Temple
A concept site plan for the Orem Utah Temple was presented yesterday at a meeting held for neighbors of the Geneva Road site. Two buildings would stand on the 16-acre parcel—a stake center and the temple. The meetinghouse would be located near the road while the temple would stand on the back of the lot near the interstate with a stunning backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains. Plenty of parking and beautiful landscaping would surround the sacred structures.
