What an exciting announcement we heard this Sunday morning session!
Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced plans to build five new temples, located in Brasília, Brazil; the greater Manila, Philippines, area; Nairobi, Kenya; Pocatello, Idaho; and Saratoga Springs, Utah. The announcement was made during opening remarks at the Sunday morning session of the Church’s 187th Annual General Conference.
The five announced temples bring the total number of operating temples (155) and temples announced or under construction (27) to 182 temples worldwide. Dedicatory services will be held for five temples this year, including the Paris France Temple (May 21), Tucson Arizona Temple (August 13), Meridian Idaho Temple (November 19) and Cedar City Utah Temple (December 10). The Idaho Falls Idaho Temple will be rededicated June 4. There are five temples under renovation, including the Frankfurt Germany Temple, Idaho Falls Idaho Temple, Jordan River Utah Temple, Oakland California Temple, and Washington D.C. Temple. Temples under renovation are considered operating temples.
Brasília, Brazil
Aside from the United States and Mexico, more Latter-day Saints live in Brazil (more than 1.3 million members) than any other country. The Brasília Brazil Temple is the 10th announced temple in Brazil, including six operating temples (Campinas, Curitiba, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Recife and São Paulo). Three other temples are announced or under construction, including Fortaleza (groundbreaking November 15, 2011), Rio de Janeiro (groundbreaking March 4, 2017) and Belém (announced April 3, 2016). Brazil has a population of approximately 211 million people.