New temple announcements, site announcements, groundbreakings, dedications, rededications and renovation announcements filled 2019. In October 2019 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson spoke about the value of temples today.
“All our efforts to minister to each other, proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead converge in the holy temple,” he said. “…We regard a temple as the most sacred structure in the Church. Whenever plans are announced to construct a new temple, it becomes an important part of our history.”
Here's a look at some of the memorable moments with temples in 2019.
11 Groundbreaking Ceremonies
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the following temples:
Urdaneta Philippines Temple — January 16, 2019
Bangkok Thailand Temple — January 26, 2019
Pocatello Idaho Temple — March 16, 2019
Yigo Guam Temple — May 4, 2019
Praia Cabo Verde Temple — May 4, 2019
San Juan Puerto Rico Temple — May 4, 2019
Quito Ecuador Temple — May 11, 2019
Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple — June 8, 2019
Belém Brazil Temple — August 17, 2019
Saratoga Springs Utah Temple — September 5, 2019
Puebla Mexico Temple — November 30, 2019
4 Additional Renderings Released
The Church released the renderings for four additional temples. No groundbreaking date has been set for these temples.
Feather River California Temple
7 Sites Announced
As part of his ministry to the Pacific, President Nelson announced the Auckland New Zealand Temple would be built on Redoubt Road, next to the Missionary Training Center. Additionally, the Church announced the sites of four temples in Utah (Tooele Valley Utah Temple, Washington County Utah Temple,Orem Utah Temple, and Taylorsville Utah Temple) and two sites in the United States (Moses Lake Washington Temple and McAllen Texas Temple).
All renderings from Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
6 Temple Dedications
All six new temples dedicated in 2019 are located outside of the United States, bringing the number of operating temples to 167.
Rome Italy Temple
Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
President Nelson dedicated the Rome Italy Temple on March 10, 2019.
"In this ancient and great city that has stood since biblical times, in this historic nation of Italy, we acknowledge the ministry of two of thy son’s early apostles, Peter and Paul, who once blessed this land with their labors," he said during the dedicatory prayer. "May the influence of their abiding testimony of Jesus Christ continue to be felt among the vital values of this great country."
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple
Photo by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple on April 14, 2019. Elder Renlund described the history of the Congolese people as one of difficulty and hardship, according to Church News.
“And yet, you meet the people and you’re just amazed by how spiritual they are, how strong, how stoic and how absolutely devoted they are to the Savior and to the restored Church,” he said.
Fortaleza Brazil Temple
Photo from Church News
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Fortaleza Brazil Temple on June 2, 2019. This was the first time an apostle from outside of the United States dedicated a temple in his home country.
“It means a lot to me to be a part of this historic moment — to see the wonderful growth that has happened and the blessings showering Brazil,” Elder Soares said, according to Church News. “It is something that touches my heart profoundly, because I see the hand of the Lord blessing our country, blessing our people so they can perform their own ordinances and make covenants with the Lord in preparing for his Second Coming.”
Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple
Photo by Jason Swenson, Church News
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple on September 1, 2019.
“On this day of dedication, I think not only of today, but also of the future, and what this temple will cause to happen in this country,” Elder Bednar said on the day of dedication, according to Church News.
Lisbon Portugal Temple
Photo by Scott Taylor, Church News
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Lisbon Portugal Temple on September 15, 2019. Elder Andersen incorporated the spirit of exploration, which has long been a rich part of Portugal's history, into his remarks.
“In this dedicated and consecrated house of the Lord, we too are explorers, searching not for new lands but for something much more precious,” he said according to Church News, then quoting John 17:3: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.”
Arequipa Peru Temple
Photo by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Elder Soares dedicated the Arequipa Peru Temple on December 15, 2019. At the dedication, Elder Soares taught that temple attendance will secure promised blessings.
“First we need to recognize that we need to be worthy of our temple recommend by living the commandments and honoring our covenants made with the Lord,” Elder Soares said, according to Church News. And second, as members serve in the temple, “we receive more knowledge and understanding about the sacred ordinances we receive in the temple. They guide and lead our lives to goodness.”
7 Temple Rededications
Several temples that had closed for extensive renovations reopened their doors in 2019.
Memphis Tennessee Temple
Photo from Church News
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles rededicated the Memphis Tennessee Temple on May 5, 2019, after an 18-month renovation.
"This particular temple got a triple blessing in all that was done to it, including more interior space with the elevated ceilings, an entirely new texture and appearance on the exterior, and beautifully improved grounds," Elder Holland said, according to Church News. "In a demandingly short period of time, this temple has been turned into a classic."
Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple
Photo from Church News
President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, rededicated the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple on May 19, 2019. The temple closed in October 2017 for the renovation. President Eyring marveled at the thought of the Latter-day Saints that rededicate their lives to the Lord through temple attendance.
“I feel overwhelmed by the experiences of the young people who will come to this temple,” President Eyring said, according to Church News. “They will have a dramatic effect on the people here; increasing their love of the Lord and their love of temples.”
Oakland California Temple
Photo by Steve Griffin, Deseret News
President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, rededicated the Oakland California Temple on June 16, 2019. The temple had been closed for a 16-month renovation. President Oaks invited Elder Bednar to travel with him. Elder Bednar, who was raised in the Bay Area, was present at the temple’s 1964 dedication.
“Happy doesn’t begin to describe how it makes me feel,” Elder Bednar said, according to Church News. “I think it is one of the ultimate tender mercies.”
Raleigh North Carolina Temple
Photo by Jason Swensen, Church News
President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, rededicated the Raleigh North Carolina Temple on October 13, 2019. The temple closed in January 2018 for renovation.
President Ballard was with President Gordon B. Hinckley at the temple’s original 1999 dedication.
“I’m grateful to be back,” he told the Church News. “It’s a wonderful part of the country and a tremendously important part of the Church. There are great Saints here in North Carolina.”
Frankfurt Germany Temple
Photo by Scott Taylor, Church News
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles rededicated the Frankfurt Germany Temple on October 20, 2019. The temple had been closed since September 2015.
Elder Uchtdorf spoke about how the temple is a symbol of unity.
“It is a unity between people of different opinions, feelings, even religions, because we reach out to everyone,” he said, according to Church News. “And it is a place of unity for those who are members of the Church, in that they come and unite again with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Asuncion Paraguay Temple
Photo by Jason Swensen, Church News
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles rededicated the Asuncion Paraguay Temple on November 3, 2019. The temple closed in 2017 for renovation.
South America holds a special place in Elder Christofferson’s heart because he served there as a missionary.
“It’s hard to put into words the feelings that one has coming back to where he or she served a mission, and then seeing the Church’s development in the meantime — along with the promise of what’s yet to come,” Elder Christofferson said, according to Church News.
Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple
Photo by Church News
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles rededicated the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple on November 17, 2019. The temple had closed for a 22-month renovation.
Returning to Louisiana was a blessing for Elder Cook because the last time he was there it was to assess the damage of Hurricane Katrina. He explained how the temple can be a place of refuge from the world.
“I believe that the youth of the Church will have greater protection from the adversary if they will immerse themselves in searching for their ancestors, preparing their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost or, pursuant to new guidance from President Russell M. Nelson, act as a witness,” Elder Cook said, according to Church News.
16 New Temples Announced
At the April 2019 general conference, President Nelson announced eight new temples:
- Pago Pago, American Samoa
- Okinawa City, Okinawa
- Neiafu, Tonga
- Tooele Valley, Utah
- Moses Lake, Washington
- San Pedro Sula, Honduras
- Antofagasta, Chile
- Budapest, Hungary
At the October 2019 general conference, President Nelson announced eight additional temples. For the first time, the temples were announced during the women’s session of conference:
- Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Orem, Utah
- Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- Bentonville, Arkansas
- Bacolod, Philippines
- McAllen, Texas
- Cobán, Guatemala
- Taylorsville, Utah
3 Renovations Announced
In the October 2018 general conference, President Nelson discussed the care and maintenance of temples.
“With the passage of time, temples are inevitably in need of refreshing and renewal,” President Nelson said. “To that end, plans are now being made to renovate and update the Salt Lake Temple and other pioneer-generation temples. Details on these projects will be shared as they are developed.”
Renovation plans for the St. George Utah Temple and the Salt Lake Temple were announced this year, as well as renovation plans for the Hong Kong China Temple.
4 Temple Announcements from Church Leadership
First Presidency Statement on Temples
At the start of 2019, the First Presidency released a statement on temples and changes to ordinances over time.
“Over these many centuries, details associated with temple work have been adjusted periodically, including language, methods of construction, communication, and record-keeping,” part of the statement read. “Prophets have taught that there will be no end to such adjustments as directed by the Lord to His servants.”
Discontinuance of 1-Year Waiting Period After Civil Marriage
In May 2019, the First Presidency sent a letter to Church Leadership announcing couples who were married civilly would no longer be required to wait a year before being sealed in the temple.
“Where possible, leaders should encourage couples to be both married and sealed in the temple,” the letter states. “Where a licensed marriage is not permitted in the temple, or when a temple marriage would cause parents or immediate family members to feel excluded, a civil ceremony followed by a temple sealing is authorized.”
Change to Witness Policy
At the leadership session for the October 2019 general conference, President Nelson announced a change to the policy regarding who can witness the ordinances of baptisms and sealings:
1. Any baptized member of the Church may serve as a witness of the baptism of a living person. This change pertains to all baptisms outside the temple.
2. A proxy baptism for a deceased person may be witnessed by anyone holding a current temple recommend, including a limited-use temple recommend.
3. Any endowed member with a current temple recommend may serve as a witness to sealing ordinances, living and proxy.
Updated Temple Recommend Questions
At the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2019 general conference, President Nelson read a list of updated questions members will be asked prior to receiving a temple recommend.
“The Lord wants all His children to partake of the eternal blessings available in His temple,” President Nelson said in his closing remarks. “He has directed what each person must do to qualify to enter His holy house.”
