News
Photo: Google
Location Announced for the Otavalo Ecuador Temple
The location for the Otavalo Ecuador Temple has been announced as a 6.05-acre property located on the northeast corner of Calle Bolívar and Calle Abya Yala in Otavalo, near the stake center for the Otavalo Ecuador Imbabura Stake. Plans call for a temple of approximately 18,850 square feet. It will be the third temple constructed in the country, joining the Guayaquil Ecuador Temple (1999) and the Quito Ecuador Temple (2022).
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Date Announced for the Cuernavaca Mexico Temple
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Cuernavaca Mexico Temple will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Elder Moisés Villanueva, General Authority Seventy, will preside at the event. The temple will rise on a 5.36-acre site at the southeast corner of Calle Hernán Cortes and Calle Santa Prisca in the Colonia Vista Hermosa neighborhood of Cuernavaca. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 19,000 square feet.
Photo: Brent R.
Mary and Martha Statue Added to Temple Square Ahead of Conference
On September 15, the "Jesus Christ with Mary and Martha" statue was installed on Temple Square, joining ten other new statues. A twelfth statue, "Jesus Christ Blessing the Children," will be installed later. Temple Square will be open to the public for the upcoming general conference from State Street to West Temple. Visitors can walk the grounds and admire the beautiful landscapes and statues. The 196th Semiannual General Conference will be held October 3–4, 2026.
Photo: Tulsa Oklahoma Temple Facebook page
Below-Grade Plumbing Underway for the Tulsa Oklahoma Temple
Excavation is well underway for the partial basement of the Tulsa Oklahoma Temple, where crews are also installing below-grade plumbing and drainage lines. Heavy equipment continues to move soil and prepare additional areas for concrete work, while materials and construction supplies are being staged throughout the site. The temple’s groundbreaking ceremony was held last month, with Elder Pedro X. Larreal presiding.
Photo: Paton Taylor Architects
Freetown Sierra Leone Temple in the Final Stages of Construction
The Freetown Sierra Leone Temple is nearing completion, with the building and surrounding grounds presenting beautifully. The light-beige stone exterior is complete, including the central tower and its faceted cupola and finial, while mature palms and newly established landscaping frame the entrance. Interlocking pavers have been installed across the driveways and parking areas, and crews are completing final details on the interior and across the site.
Photo: Alejandro Cano
Foundation Work Advances at the Huehuetenango Guatemala Temple
Extensive excavation and foundation work is underway at the site of the Huehuetenango Guatemala Temple. Deep trenches and excavated areas define the footprint of the temple, while crews install reinforcing steel for the reinforced-concrete foundation and walls. Temporary safety fencing surrounds the active work areas, and construction continues across the site under nighttime lighting.
Photo: Mr. Flückiger
Early Site Work Begins for the Coeur d'Alene Idaho Temple
The first signs of construction are beginning to transform the site of the future Coeur d'Alene Idaho Temple. What was once an open property is now an active construction site, marked by orange safety fencing, new construction signage, staged materials, and the placement of a welcome center. Crews have begun the essential groundwork for the project, including excavation and installation of water and drainage systems.
Photo: Brent R.
Skilled Stone Masons Shape the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple
Granite cladding is bringing the exterior of the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple closer to its finished appearance, with skilled stone masons installing panels across the upper floors on the south side of the building. Work has progressed between the large arched windows and has also begun around the base of the tower. Golden window headers crown the tops of the tall arched windows spanning the second and third floors. At the rear of the temple, sidewalks are being poured between the exterior stairways as landscape and hardscape improvements take shape.
Photo: Pedro Trejo Jr
Finial and Lantern Installed Atop the Querétaro Mexico Temple
A gleaming new detail has appeared high above the Querétaro Mexico Temple, drawing the eye to the top of its central tower. Crews have installed the gold finial and lantern assembly atop the blue patterned dome, adding a distinctive finishing accent to the temple’s silhouette. The crowning feature marks a significant step as the exterior nears completion, while finish work continues inside the temple and landscaping progresses across the surrounding grounds.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Envisioning the Completed Wellington New Zealand Temple
Photorealistic renderings of the Wellington New Zealand Temple were prepared by Virtual View in collaboration with Rough Milne Mitchell Landscape Architects to support the project’s resource consent during the approval process for the temple’s construction. The daytime and nighttime views depict the planned temple, landscaping, and exterior lighting. With the majority of the structural framing now complete, the temple is beginning to take shape as envisioned in the renderings.
Photo: João Pessoa Imóveis
Structural Framework Rises for the João Pessoa Brazil Temple
Tilt-up precast-concrete walls now define much of the lower profile of the João Pessoa Brazil Temple. Steel framing is being assembled across the upper portion of the building, establishing the structural framework for the temple’s single central steeple. A tower crane supports the ongoing structural work, while additional foundation and site work continues on the ancillary building across from the temple. The temple is prominently taking shape along the busy roadways bordering the property.
Photo: Winchester Virginia Temple Facebook page
Classical Details Take Shape on the Winchester Virginia Temple
Exterior cladding is transforming the gray walls of the Winchester Virginia Temple with beautiful stonework and classical architectural details, including columns, pediments, and cornices. Scaffolding continues to surround the steeple in preparation for installation of the exterior sheathing. Around the temple, sections of curbing and sidewalks have been installed, beginning to define the finished landscape and circulation areas of the grounds.
Photo: Rio Caritan
Structural Frame Rising for the Tacloban City Philippines Temple
A tower crane now rises prominently above the Tacloban City Philippines Temple site where structural steel framing is advancing on the temple. Steel columns and beams are being assembled to form the building’s framework, providing an early outline of the temple as construction moves upward. The recently installed crane will support the continued erection of the steel structure and other major construction activities.
Photo: Steven B. Packer
Preliminary Site Work Begins for the Tuguegarao City Philippines Temple
Preliminary site construction is underway for the Tuguegarao City Philippines Temple, with heavy equipment being used to clear, excavate, and prepare the property for future construction. Earthmoving and grading activities are reshaping portions of the site as the ground is prepared for site improvements. No date has been announced for the groundbreaking ceremony.
Photo: Jonathan Hughes
Landscaping Established Around the Anchorage Alaska Temple
The Anchorage Alaska Temple is taking on its finished appearance as the surrounding grounds are transformed into beautiful gardens. Fresh grass sod is being laid around the temple, while newly planted trees and shrubs are softening the surrounding landscape. Preparations are underway for paving the parking lot. Visitors will be invited to tour the completed temple during a public open house from Thursday, May 13, through Saturday, May 29, 2027, excluding Sundays.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple to Open to the Public
The open house for the San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple began today with a press conference and tours for invited guests. Free public tours will be offered from Thursday, September 24, through Saturday, October 10, 2026, excluding Sundays and the Saturday, October 3 (general conference). A design found in the temple art-glass windows is the native chocolate cosmos flower. Rugs and furniture throughout the temple show deep blues, reds and floral designs, then lighter blues and creams are used in the celestial and sealing rooms.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Wichita Kansas Temple Public Open House Begins
The open house for the Wichita Kansas Temple began today with a media day for journalists and invited guests. Doors will open to the public from Thursday, September 24, through Saturday, October 10, excluding Sundays and Saturday, October 3 (general conference). The temple is located at 2550 West Harborlight Street in Wichita and draws from the local landscape and heritage of Kansas, including its rolling wheat fields and sunflowers. The interior features a color palette of sage green, golden wheat, soft paprika and buttercream that echoes the agricultural vistas of the Great Plains.
Photo: Matt Hunsaker
Forming the Footings for the Fairview Texas Temple
Trenching and forming for the foundation footings are progressing across the Fairview Texas Temple site, defining the footprint of the future temple. In the partial basement area, concrete forms are taking shape for the support structure of the baptismal font, while plumbing is being installed beneath and around the font area. The developing foundation work is beginning to reveal the basic layout of the temple.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for the Barcelona Spain Temple
Elder James W. McConkie III, a General Authority Seventy and counselor in the Europe Central Area Presidency, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Barcelona Spain Temple on Saturday, September 19, 2026. He expressed his hope that "the Barcelona Spain Temple be built and dedicated in such a way that the people of Barcelona feel this truth and are drawn to a place where God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, can be present in a tangible way." The groundbreaking marks the beginning of construction on the second temple in Spain. The event was broadcast to Church congregations in Spain, Andorra, and southern France.
Photo: Scott Ririe
Entrance Details Advance at the Vancouver Washington Temple
Rising above the surrounding landscape in the community of Camas, the Vancouver Washington Temple is taking on a more finished appearance as stone cladding is attached to the fully sheathed building. At the main entrance, bronzed window trim is being installed around the large arched window above the doorway, accentuating this prominent architectural feature. The steel columns and beams of the portico are also being coated with primer in preparation for their finished treatment.
Photo: Michel Cochegrus
Landscaping and Interior Finishes Advance at the Querétaro Mexico Temple
Grass sod is being laid on the grounds of the Querétaro Mexico Temple as landscaping and site improvements advance around the white Spanish Colonial-style building. At night, exterior lighting highlights the temple’s architectural details and warmly illuminates its windows. Inside, finish work is progressing as crews continue preparing the sacred interior spaces for future ordinance work.
Photo: Templo de Santa Cruz, Bolivia Facebook page
Landscaping Takes Shape Around Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple
Landscaping work is further beautifying the grounds of the Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple. Newly established palm trees, landscape lighting, paved walkways, and landscaped flowerbeds are taking shape around the temple and entrance plaza. At the center of the plaza, the monument sign is illuminated at night, creating a prominent entrance feature and complementing the warmly lit temple behind it.
Photo: Jeff Goebel
Legal Challenges to Lone Mountain Nevada Temple Approval Conclude
On September 14, the Nevada Supreme Court dismissed two consolidated appeals filed by the Nevada Rural Preservation Alliance, leaving in place the district court ruling that upheld the City of Las Vegas’ approval of the Lone Mountain Nevada Temple. A separate petition that sought to halt construction was denied by the Supreme Court in January. With all three Supreme Court proceedings now concluded, construction can continue without legal challenges affecting the city’s approval of the project.
Photo: Brent R.
More Ticket Reservations Released for the Salt Lake Temple Open House
Additional reservations for public tours of the Salt Lake Temple have been released after the initial one million reservations were claimed within the first 24 hours. Free tours will run from April 5 through October 1, 2027, with another batch of reservations scheduled to be released October 1, 2026. Reservations are required to tour the temple and can be made through TempleSquare.org. The Church also plans to provide a virtual tour and other digital resources for those unable to visit in person.
Photo: W. Clayton Hudgins
Installing the Roof Decking on the Jacksonville Florida Temple
Structural framing continues to rise for the Jacksonville Florida Temple, as crews begin installing sections of roof decking. Below grade, the basement walls are in place, along with the concrete walls and footings for the baptismal font. Construction materials are staged throughout the site to support the ongoing construction. The masonry walls for the adjoining maintenance building have been completed and painted, bringing the supporting facility closer to completion.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Cincinnati Ohio Temple Groundbreaking Date Announced
Groundbreaking services for the Cincinnati Ohio Temple will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Elder Alan T. Phillips of the United States Northeast Area Presidency will preside at the event. The temple will rise on a 35-acre site located at the intersection of Mason-Montgomery Road and Cedar Village Drive in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 29,630 square feet (2,750 square meters).
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Date Announced for the La Paz Bolivia Temple
Groundbreaking services for the La Paz Bolivia Temple will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Elder Juan Pablo Villar, President of the South America Northwest Area of the Church, will preside at the event. The 18,850-square-foot temple will rise on a 3.8-acre site located near Avenida Los Sauces and Calle 8 de Calacoto in La Paz. It will be the third temple constructed in Bolivia, joining the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple and Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple.
Photo: William Phelps
Open House and Dedication Dates for the Smithfield Utah Temple
The public is invited to tour the newly completed Smithfield Utah Temple from Thursday, February 25, through Saturday, March 27, 2027 (excluding Sundays). The open house period will begin with a media day on Monday, February 22, followed by two days of tours for invited guests. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate temple on Sunday, April 18, 2027. The ceremony will be broadcast to all congregations in the temple district.
Photo: Lori Cruze
Knoxville Tennessee Temple Open House and Dedication Dates
A public open house for the Knoxville Tennessee Temple will be held from Wednesday, January 27, through Saturday, February 13, 2027 (excluding Sundays). The open house period will begin with a media day on Monday, January 25, followed by tours for invited guests on January 26. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple on Sunday, March 7, 2027. The service will be broadcast to all congregations in the temple district.
Photo: Tampa Florida Temple Facebook page
Precast Panels Advance on the Tampa Florida Temple
Precast concrete panels continue to be installed across the exterior of the Tampa Florida Temple, giving the building greater definition and steadily enclosing its structural frame. Inside, construction is advancing in the basement, where interior framing is underway alongside the installation of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems. The concrete base for the baptismal font has also been poured, establishing the foundation for one of the principal ordinance spaces.
